Nicola is on a journey to rediscover her identity
Nicola was raised thinking that loving herself was arrogant and spent years in a traumatic relationship because she had no idea how to prioritise herself. Becoming a mum changed her whole identity and there was nothing left for her. Following her recent Autistic/ADHD diagnoses, she’s finally on a journey to discover her identity and we are so delighted her boudoir photoshoot could be a part of that.
I think it would be fair to say that most people who know me would say I've never been one to willingly have my photo taken, despite always grabbing my phone to capture pictures of everyone and everything else. Like probably many others of my generation, I was raised thinking that loving yourself was arrogant and it was often frowned upon. Consequently, I spent years in a traumatic relationship because I had no idea how to put myself first and was a chronic people pleaser.
After having my son, I put my all into being a mother which changed my whole identity and there seemed to be nothing left for myself. I was then diagnosed Autistic/ADHD and soon realised that I had, unknowingly, masked my true identity all of my life.
Now I’ve finally begun the process of rediscovering who I really am. I'm only just beginning this new journey of healing from my past, finding and loving who I am, but already a huge part of it has been my experience at Foxlow Photography.
As soon as I saw the first Foxlow video on TikTok during lockdown, I instantly loved it but dismissed it as it wasn't really “something I'd do”. Fast forward three years and I've just had my photoshoot… and I'm so pleased I did it!
After following Danielle's very clear and comprehensive instructions to locate the beautiful building in Matlock, which is the home of Foxlow Photography, I walked in understandably nervous. However, after sitting down with Charlotte and Danielle with a lovely cuppa made by Jon, my nerves quickly disappeared.
We discussed what I had brought, any ideas I had for the shoot and how I'd like my hair and make up done. I'd brought quite a few things with me and after a chat, I asked if Danielle could put together what she thought would best meet what I liked. So, whilst I went off to have my hair and make up done by the lovely Charlotte, this is exactly what she did and chose perfectly! My hair and make up was finished true to who I am and I was really pleased with it.
After this, Jon took me through some of the basics of what to expect when taking the photos so that when being talked through the shoot, I wasn't hearing things for the first time which made everything much smoother.
Danielle was a star in showing me exactly what to do and how to do it. Everything was broken down into simple steps and the photos weren't rushed but taken promptly. There were plenty of opportunities for natural breaks and laughs too.
I mentioned how bizarre it was that I, in my knickers and bra, was having a conversation with two fully clothed people I met only a couple of hours previous, and felt absolutely fine about it! I'd even brought some gowns with me thinking I'd want to use them to cover up at every opportunity but it never even crossed my mind.
The whole experience, from the moment I walked in to when I left, was perfect. My absence of inhibitions are testament to the professionalism of Danielle, Jon and Charlotte and their natural ability to make anyone feel comfortable.
I NEVER thought I would have a photoshoot for myself, much less a boudoir experience, but there's something about the Foxlow experience that I knew was meant to be part of my journey and I'm so glad it was.