Margaret rediscovered her confidence and femininity following retirement

Margaret was 70 years young when she came to the studio to help her rediscover her confidence which had been knocked following her retirement. I hope you’ll agree that her positivity and warmth shine through in her photos! I said that she should forever be draped in a feather boa.

I was very happy and at ease in my skin until I retired for the 2nd and final time when I was 65. Suddenly I realised life was going to be so different and I felt adrift for about 18 months. I have to say at 65 I had also moved to a part of the country I’d never lived in before, it felt a bit like jumping off a cliff! I also realised I was now ‘getting on’, a size 22, unfit and not as satisfied with how I looked and to a certain extent life in general. This did affect my confidence levels, which dropped.

I stumbled across Foxlow’s website and was amazed how lovely the pics were. I thought “I would love to do this” but it took nearly 2 years before I suddenly decided to just go for it and phoned Danielle last summer. She sounded so welcoming and positive! I felt reassured just speaking with her and before I knew it, but photoshoot was booked.

I was very excited as my photoshoot was going to begin a new chapter in my life. I didn’t have much time to prepare, but for the first time in many years I actually started looking at glamorous and seductive undies. I was pleased to see so many lovely styles and colours to choose from, but quickly found that I really liked the most expensive!

As soon as I met Jon and Danielle, I just knew they were not judgemental. Hard to say why I thought that, but I did. It was very easy to lay out all my clothes and jewellery and Danielle’s advice was invaluable in choosing what I was going to wear.

My pampering before the shoot was so reassuring. I didn’t want a heavy “made up” look, but the finished make up and hair was just right. It was a very easy process and I learned some tricks and tips which I now use on a regular basis, the glass of bubbly helped! The photoshoot itself was amazing and relaxed. I left feeling so pleased and reassured.

I waited a long time to see the pics following lockdown and some tragedy in my private life, but I was so thrilled when I saw them. To be honest, I had forgotten some of the things we had done and all of them were super! They were just the boost I needed.

It was hard to narrow down my photos, but they made it really easy. Doing it in stages and then considering choices again to be sure. There was no rush or pressure to buy. I’ve opted for a set of mounted prints in folio box which I am looking forward to showing my friends and I will have a collage frame made of my favourites for my private space upstairs so that I see them each morning.

Since my photoshoot at Foxlow I definitely feel more confident, happy in myself and more womanly. I walk taller too! My advice is be brave, whatever your age or body shape. A boudoir shoot will make you feel so much more positive, confident and open you to new possibilities.

Next time (oh yes, there will be a next time!) I am going to be more adventurous both in outfits and ideas for some poses. I can’t wait.