Client Feature Friday: Finding Freedom With a Life-Changing Decision

Jezebel VonZephyr works with all kinds of women, from the suburbs of Seattle to all over the Pacific Northwest and beyond. We love connecting with each client, hearing her stories and capturing her unique spirit. We believe that every session is special in its own way, and we want to share that magic with the world. On Fridays we feature one of our clients and share a little about her. 

Today we shine our spotlight on a Belle who decided to visit the studio after seeing her friend (our blogger, Krissy!) posting about her experience on Facebook. She was ready for a change and knew that if she did a JVZ session it would push her out of her comfort zone and help her grow. She made the brave decision to book a shoot on Independence Day, which turned out to be meaningful for many reasons. Read on to hear about her life-changing decision! 

Age: 42. I had just turned 39 right before my first JVZ shoot. 

What is your theme song? I feel like this changes frequently depending on the environment I’m in. Since I was 16, the one song that I come back to and sing to myself is “I Have Confidence” from Sound of Music. At the soul of this song is the idea of worthiness – knowing it, living it each day, and stepping out confidently in it each day – in a world that often says we are anything but worthy. 

I love that the song acknowledges we don’t always feel it. That’s okay – we don’t need one more thing to beat ourselves up with. You don’t feel worthy today? Okie dokie. I spent all of last Saturday feeling self conscious of my body and questioning why my partner loves me. I’m not going to beat myself up because I struggle. I’m going to recognize that I have been set up to struggle my entire life. I’m going to be gentle with myself and ask myself what it is I really need. Turns out on Saturday, I needed to get out of the ugly boots (practical but ugly) I was wearing all day that made me feel frumpy, put on skin tight leggings, and strut through my kitchen getting some to-list items checked off. 

What are three words you’d use to describe yourself? Snarky, strong-of-spirit, and kind. 

Is this your first Jezebel shoot? If not, how many have you had? I have done two shoots. 

Why did you decide to book a session with JVZ? I was at a crossroads. I was either going to go back to an abusive relationship with my parents or I was going to jump…and I mean JUMP… into a new life that was mine. All mine.

I had watched Krissy take the Jezebel leap and the way she cracked herself open scared me to death for her. What if someone from work saw her posts? What if someone from the community saw her posts? I was ready to do battle for her. All the while I was  ignoring the biggest question – what if I saw me? Why wasn’t I willing to do battle for me? For my life? For my future? 

I was sitting in the Belize International Airport on the 4th of July waiting for my flight back home. I decided I was jumping into my life. And I looked Jezebel up online. Rather than reach out to them directly, I messaged Krissy. I was worried I’d get scared and not follow through. I knew Krissy would follow after me if I ran. I chose my freedom on Independence Day. 

How did you feel before your shoot? I was scared. Not of the shoot, or being virtually naked in front of people I didn’t know. I was scared there would be no transformational moment. I was scared that I was numb to myself. I was so disconnected from my body and any sense of what I wanted or who I was (I knew it – I had purposefully disconnected from it to survive), I was scared this wouldn’t actually do for me what it had done for Krissy. And. It didn’t. It did for me what I needed. 

How was your session? What was your favorite part? My session was life changing. I drove in from Oregon and treated myself to a stay at the nearby McMenamins (my first shoot was at the old studio location). Because Tiffany wants you to show up with clean, unstyled hair, and no make-up on your face, I went to breakfast in public with no make-up for the first time in maybe ten years. I mean, I didn’t feel great about that part, but I felt powerful because I did it. And I even forgot I didn’t have make-up on. 

I don’t think I had a favorite part. I think the entire thing was so much fun for me. 

There was a time in the first outfit when Sara asked me if I wanted to see a picture. And I almost said no. In my head I saw what I imagine I looked like; my imagination was not kind. Ladies, gentleman, and non-binary friends, I expected to see a pasty, white-skinned Jabba the Hut. What I saw looking back at me was this simply divine creature in raspberry lace lounging in full glorious, radiance.

“Is that me?” I breathed.  It was. Every ounce of me. And I was stunning. I am stunning. 

Maybe that was the best part – being in a space where I could think, act, and believe I am stunning with no one telling me I’m not. With no one saying or implying I lack humility or am ‘too full of myself’ or am narcissistic because I claim my fabulosity. 

That day – October 12, 2018 – was the first time in my, then, 39 years and 16 days on this planet I had ever been in a space like that. And that was earth-shatteringly lucious. 

What was your favorite look from your session? Why? I’m genuinely not sure I had a favorite look. I think I had a favorite feel. You know how you practice being sultry in the mirror at home or while you are alone? Come on, I know I’m not the only one. I loved getting to do that and have it not be ridiculous. I loved laughing at myself if I felt silly in the moment because I knew I was safe with Sara and Tiffany.

How are you feeling since your session? Obviously, it’s been a couple of years since that first shoot. In that time I’ve put some weight back on and still love me. Moved to Alaska. Working on surviving a world-wide pandemic. Fell in love with an amazing woman. Took a job that challenges me every day. Found the strength to leave abusive parents behind and draw healthy boundaries. And am working on deconstructing religion and trauma and embracing faith and love. I am here to tell you that none of this would have been possible if I hadn’t messaged Krissy on the 4th of July from Belize about a session with Jezebel. 

Did you bring anything special with you to the studio? Why? YES! Tons of things. My two favorite Jane Austen books, my favorite Scotch and sipping glasses from Scotland, a glittery sparkle mask, loads of lingerie, and 33 pairs of high heels. Why? Because Krissy told me to. And when you are in over your head, you put your hand in the hand of a sister who is ahead of you, walking the same path, and trust her to tug you in the right direction. 

How was your reveal? I held it together pretty well with Sara – and then freaking lost my mind after we hung up. I remember crying afterwards to myself saying I wanted to be that beautiful all the time. And then I felt Tiffany whack me upside the head from several hundred miles away – I AM that beautiful all the time. I don’t feel that beautiful all the time. And that is the work – reprogramming my definition of beauty to reality away from the science fiction we’ve all been sold. 

Any advice for anyone thinking of booking a session with JVZ? Do it. Just do it. And then trust them.

Anything else you want to share about your session and/or experience? It changed my life. It’s still changing my life. And it’s changing the lives of friends who saw my pictures and read my story. I’m forever grateful for Jezebel and the women who run her.

Are you ready for a change? Do you wish you loved yourself more or could see yourself differently? This woman did and changed her life just by booking her Jezebel session–you could, too. If you’re ready to see yourself in a new light then it could start by stepping into our studio. We’re booking sessions for the new year–what better way to kick off 2022 than with a fun, sexy session that might just change your life for good. We’ve seen it happen with many women. You could be next! What are you waiting for? Your life is waiting!