Client Feature Friday: Cosplay & Pirate Garb Galore!!

Jezebel VonZephyr loves to shine a spotlight on women of every age and size. We live to connect with each client; and we pride ourselves on holding space for each of them so we can hear her stories and capture 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 shine a spotlight on a client so she can share a part of her story.

This week we feature a pirate! Just kidding! …well, kind of! She has the soul and spirit of a pirate and she came to the Jezebel studio armed with all of her garb and incredible cosplay and was ready to play! And slay!

She had such a lovely experience that she decided to become a Brand Ambassador so she could share her story with the world. We’re so thrilled that we caught her eye at Emerald City Comic Con. So we’ll stop talking and let her tell her tale!

Age: I will be celebrating my 43rd birthday in June! 🎉😁  I love birthdays! Always have and always will!!

Where are you from? I was born in Hood River, Oregon and live in The Dalles but I have lived many places along the west coasts of Oregon, Washington & California. I like to say I ran away from home for 20 years to enjoy palm trees and sunshine!

What is your theme song? It changes but right now I have two that resonate very strongly with me. Savage Daughter & You Don’t Know by Reel Big Fish.

What are three words you’d use to describe yourself? I am fierce, loyal, loving and powerful! Yes, it’s not three I know! I like to rock the boat on occasion!

Is this your first Jezebel shoot? If not, how many have you had? Yes, this is my first shoot but I have another booked!

Why did you decide to book a session with JVZ? I met Sara at Emerald City Comic Con last December. I was dressed as Dolly Levi and she said “Hi!” 😂 I think she asked me who I was cosplaying as. (I never mind that question BTW–it shows that people appreciate the work!) We talked and I liked the photos I saw in the booth. She handed me a bag of goodies with a postcard and I thanked her and walked on!

I looked through the goodies when I got back that night and swapped out my lanyard with the cute JVZ one as I looked over their Project FanGirl packages with a discount if you booked at con. I liked what I saw so I talked with them the next day and booked!

I didn’t really know what I was in for but they had such great energy and pricing that I thought why not!? I’ve always wanted to do a boudoir shoot and I have great cosplay items to bring!!

How did you feel before your shoot? I was nerv-cited–lol!

Excited for my shoot but nervous about what would happen.

I was nervous walking into the Jezebel vonZephyr studio but as I was welcomed in warmly by Sara and Tiffany a bit of that lifted.

They listened intently as I chatted away while unpacking my things. Both asked me questions and genuinely wanted to know the answers, and even more nervousness floated away. We chatted and got to know each other and by the time the camera came out it was like we had known each other for years! 😊

How was your session? What was your favorite part? Amazeballs!

I know it’s strange to think of a photoshoot as an amazing experience but it was so much more than that. It was pampering, welcoming and just so uplifting!

When I sat in the makeup chair my nerves rekindled a bit, but then Tiffany asked me how I wanted to feel, not how I wanted to look. She didn’t pour on makeup, she accented and highlighted, enhancing my features and confidence.

When she was done it was still me in the mirror, but I felt beautiful, powerful and confident!

What was your favorite look from your session? Why? It’s definitely the bloomers & bodice pirate look, because it was just so simple, casual and surprisingly sexy!

When I don my pirate garb I just feel more confident and relaxed. I think it expresses the real me more than jeans or leggings ever could. 

My Boba look resulted in my favorite image (again surprising) but as far as image sets go, my relaxed pirate looks are really my favorite. I’ve since decided to wear more pirate attire on the regular!

How are you feeling since your session? Walking out of the studio my heart was full and my feet were light. It’s a sparkle that is hard to describe other than complete delight!

That lovely sparkly feeling didn’t go away.

The sparkle rekindles every time I look at my photos and remember that day and how beautiful and confident I felt!

After my session with the amazing women of Jezebel VonZephyr, I found I have a new appreciation for my body.

I pause to appreciate myself in the mirror.

I smile more at my reflection.

And I’m learning to love my body more each day.

Did you bring anything special with you to the studio? Why? The underpinnings for my 100% fabulously made-by-me Dolly Levi cosplay! I created an imperial tounure (giant lobstertail) & flounced petticoats that are so gorgeous–it is a shame that they are underneath anything!

The tounure is made with a striped heavy cotton duck, patterned and matched in all the places of course because that’s the way I am even though no one will ever see it but me.

The petticoat is made from a linen tablecloth my mom gave me years ago, that I would never use because it was too beautiful. So I planned, measured and patterned my little heart out and used the best of the intricate needlework design to create the prettiest petticoat ever!

How was your reveal? Breathtaking, Fabulous & Amazing! I never imagined how wonderful a slideshow could be or how it would make me feel.

I saw me–really saw me.

The music they chose was so beautifully coordinated with my photos and wonderfully blended with my tastes that it filled my heart! Gasps and happy tears flowed freely and unashamedly as I watched images of my beautiful self scroll by.

Occasionally I would look over at my husband with a “Yeah that was an amazing shot, right!” look but mostly I just stared in wonder at this gorgeous creature. Marveling at her playfulness, chuckling at her cuteness, and loving her pinchable curves!

Any advice for anyone thinking of booking a session with JVZ? Don’t wait for it, book it now lovies! You won’t regret it–you will love it!

It’s the best investment I’ve ever made in my self-confidence & body-image…and I’ve made a lot of investments in that area over the years!!

The women of Jezebel vonZephyr radiate a positivity that shines in our community. They create a welcoming and uniquely loving environment. The ladies at Jezebel vonZephyr Photography are a team of body-positive professionals, encouraging self-love, diversity and inclusion. They uplift women and are powerful voices for change!

Anything else you want to share about your session and/or experience? The women of JVZ are artists. Self-love is their true art, beautiful photography is the medium.

Are you a fangirl looking for an opportunity to express yourself and level up your self-love? Or maybe you just want to find that certain sparkle within, like this lovely Belle found! Whatever your reason, we’d love to welcome you to the studio and help you see yourself through our lens of love! We have sessions available late spring and into the summer.

So if you’re looking for a sign to do something epic: THIS IS IT. What are you waiting for? An amazing adventure awaits!