When Francesca found her confidence, it changed her life

Having been bullied from a young age, Francesca had always struggled with her self confidence. As an adult, PCOS had only further knocked her self esteem until at 27yrs she finally decided enough is enough! Body positive influencers on TikTok inspired her and she found the courage to book a photoshoot so she could see herself differently. With her new-found confidence, she’d started a new job, got a new wardrobe and started her own business - nothing can stop her now!

From a very young age, I've always been a ‘big girl’ and very aware of it. I was bullied for my size through school and into adulthood; I always just put on a brave face and laughed it off, but inside it chipped away at me a little bit at a time. Over and over.

Having Polycystic Ovary Syndrome makes it hard to lose weight and very easy to gain weight, so whatever I tried my body fought against me. PCOS has also brought me excessive hair growth which makes me really self conscious and knocked my self esteem further. I've always had zero confidence in myself and the way I look. I've never been able to go into a High Street store and buy something off the rail; I'm the girl who will go and find the accessories when out shopping with anyone.

I got to about the age of 27 and was going through some family issues where I started to suffer with anxiety, panic attacks and depression. This went on for a couple of years until one day I decided that enough was enough! I was in a very dark and miserable place, and I can't tell you what it was or when exactly, but something clicked inside of me and I just stopped caring what people said and stood up for myself. Finally everything started to get better and fall into place.

Over the last year I feel I've become kinder to myself and I've been loving all the body positivity messages out there on social media and people like Lizzo showing me it's OK to be who you want to be, and simply to be yourself. It was influencers like this online that got me thinking about a photoshoot, then one night while scrolling through TikTok I spotted Foxlow Photography.

Not only was there stunning photography on their profile, but there were other women just like me in their posts. That was it: something pinged and I thought why the f*** not. Within about 10 minutes of me sending Danielle a message, I had booked my photoshoot date!

Preparing for the shoot was so much fun. Lingerie wasn't something I'd really shopped for before because I didn't think a body like mine could look good in any of it, but once I started trying things on and having things actually fit properly it was a really lovely feeling. Danielle is definitely a bad influence! She’s always sharing new styles and designs in their Facebook group which made me buy more and more lingerie, but I'm not complaining. They're all beautiful.

I was really excited and counting down the days to the shoot. It was booked for the week after my birthday, so as a birthday gift to myself I had a spa day, got my hair and nails done in preparation for the shoot. On the morning of my shoot I woke up bright and early, set off in plenty of time and was full of excitement. It wasn’t until I parked the car that I got a little bit jittery and kinda lost the use of my legs! They were suddenly like jelly.

Jon greeted me at the studio, helped me with my bags and we went up to the studio. Just a couple of minutes and a cup of tea later, I was laughing and had totally forgotten all the nerves I had on my way in. I was made to feel so welcome and it was like being with friends I’d known for years.

Charlotte and Danielle soon joined us and we started to go through hair, makeup and outfit choices. I've never had my makeup done by anyone before, so I was more nervous about that than anything, but having see the other women who had gone before me I had every faith and I wasn't disappointed. Charlotte is just amazing at what she does and I've never felt more beautiful than I did on that day.

During the shoot I was made to feel so relaxed that I forgot I was stood there in front of what is really two strangers in my underwear, and it was honestly so much fun. Danielle and Jon both show you how to pose and help you the whole way through, so you don't at any point have to worry if you look ok. They will fix any stray hairs and make you feel like a million dollars.

We sat down together after the shoot and went through all the packages that are available, but I honestly don't remember much else from that time as I on such a high! I felt incredible, like I could conquer the world. I walked around the local town strutting my stuff and felt so confident, like nothing could stop me and to be honest that feeling hasn't stopped since then. I've started a new job, got a new wardrobe and started my own business - as I said, I can do anything I want to!

I didn't think I would, but when I saw my photos the next day I burst into tears. It was more emotional than I could ever imagine. I don't really know why, but I'd like to believe it was me realising how brave I was and how far I've come to accepting who I am.

Ordering my albums was a lovely experience, Jon made the process so easy and went through everything with me. There was no rush and no pressure. I also ordered a large aluminium panel which will take pride of place above the bed once my bedroom is decorated.

When I first booked my shoot I thought my albums would be private for me and my husband, but when they arrived I couldn't wait to share them with everybody! I had some of the most beautiful compliments, one picture especially where I'm on the bed on my side just very casual and family said that’s how they see me everyday. Relaxed, beautiful, calm and just glowing (their words not mine) but never before have I had such things said to me. Not surprisingly, I got very emotional.

Since the photo shoot I'm just so much more confident in myself and actually like myself. I’ve not once questioned whether I look alright, and I no longer feel people look at me and judge me for my size. All in all doing the photo shoot with Foxlow was the most amazing experience and has given me so much more than a photo album, it's given me a new lease of life and a drive to live my best life.

I cannot thank Danielle, Jon and Charlotte enough - you honestly have changed my life!