Client Feature Friday: A Mermaid, A Punk and A T-Rex Walk Into Our Studio…

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

This week’s Belle is a former Jezebel VonZephy Ambassador from Bothell, Washington. At her first shoot she brought in an inflatable T-Rex costume and we’ve been creating magic with her ever since! We absolutely adore her fun, adventurous attitude and her willingness to jump into her shoots whole-heartedly. Let’s learn more about this magical punk mermaid!  

Age: 38

Where are you from? Bothell, WA

What is your theme song? Today? “Bad Ass Bitch” by Lunachicks. And yesterday it was “She” by Green Day. Last week it was “Where is my Mind” by The Pixies. It’s never the same song for long!

What are three words you’d use to describe yourself?  Creative, compassionate, and courageous.

Is this your first Jezebel shoot? If not, how many have you had? I’ve done two regular shoots, plus a family shoot, and a photo lab* for a total of four.

(*Note: a Photo Lab is a special creative mashup kind of photo shoot that JVZ occasionally offers up to current clients when we are looking for a model to help us capture a specific aesthetic or help us learn or practice new lighting, photography and/or editing techniques.)

Why did you decide to book a session with JVZ? I was looking for someone to help me create a boudoir photo for my hubs, and I wanted it to be in an inflatable dinosaur costume…the rest is history.

How did you feel before your shoot? Nervous, and overly prepared/staged yet not ready.

How was your session? What was your favorite part? Transformative. I went into my first hoping for something that “made me look” glamorous. (I mean, besides the inflatable dino suit. Well, I was glamorous with that, too.) I got that and some really lovely photos in the process. However, by the second shoot my photos were much more authentically me. They were darker and more honest/less trying to be glamorous. I love them even more as it wasn’t “trying” it just “was”. Seeing my ideas come out with help and guidance of the JVZ team is really amazing.

What was your favorite look from your session? Why? Oh, man. This is hard. I have typed my favorite look and changed it at least five times now… they are each sides of me and my personality, it’s like choosing which mood is best. I can’t choose! 

Did you bring anything special with you to the studio? Why? Always. My mermaid shoot is symbolic to me and that feeling of not fitting into a narrow lane but having so much to offer below that surface. I have brought a skull because I love them and my academic background is relevant. Shoes. I always bring unexpected shoes. It’s my signature. My punk spike/patch jacket because it’s authentically who I am. And a whole lot of garbage to cathartically smash and leave behind. And, you know, my now famous inflatable dino costume.

How are you feeling since your session? Free. On my birthday I try to give myself a matra or theme for that year. After my last photo lab session I’ve closed in on my next one coming up in July: dropping all the bullshit (all the things I’ve been marketed to feed my insecurities) and just love myself. What’s more punk than doffing all the societal expectations and just loving yourself as you are?!

How was your reveal? It’s magic. Seeing yourself through the lens of women who love and support you for YOU. Not because of your ability to fit into a pants size or because of how shiny your hair is or something. But for all the amazing and imperfect perfection of you.

Any advice for anyone thinking of booking a session with JVZ? You will never feel fully ready, but that doesn’t mean you should wait. Collect what’s honestly you and let the ladies work their fairy godmother magic.

Anything else you want to share about your session and/or experience?  I’m convinced there’s a peculiar little vortex inside the studio that is full of magic and love. Don’t believe me? Go look for yourself. 🖤

Did this punk mermaid’s story resonate with you? Do you find yourself wanting to don a dinosaur suit to do a boudoir shoot? OK, maybe not. But we hope that this Belle’s story of whimsy and finding herself inspires you to go outside of your comfort zone to do scary-sounding things that may actually change your life. (Like a Jezebel VonZephyr photo shoot, for example!) If you want to create some magic and whimsy of your own then book your shoot today! Summer sessions are filling quickly. We’d love to help you see yourself in a new light!