Jayne was spurred on by a breast cancer diagnosis

When Jayne saw us on Twitter she found our website, read our blog and was waiting for the perfect moment before booking a Boudoir photoshoot. Just a few months later, she found a lump in her breast and everything changed. Suddenly someday became today when she decided to book a boudoir photoshoot with us before her cancer treatment.

“I was so honoured that she'd chosen our studio”

I really remember our first chat on the phone, I was stood in my parents' kitchen when she called me and explained the situation and we talked about what she could wear and how she wanted to feel in the photos. I was so honoured that she'd chosen our studio to capture this moment and I knew I had to do everything in my power to organise her shoot around her medical appointments.

"I joined Slimming World earlier this year and, after losing one and a half stone, was feeling better than I'd felt in years. I spotted the boudoir photo shoots on Twitter and thought, 'what a great way to celebrate reaching my goal weight'. A few weeks passed and, although I kept re-visiting the Foxlow website, I just didn't get around to picking the phone up to book my shoot.

“I was diagnosed with an invasive carcinoma”

Then, in September, after finding a lump in my left breast, I was diagnosed with an invasive carcinoma. To say it was a shock was an understatement but, thankfully, I was told they had caught it early and it was treatable.

“I almost cancelled as I really didn't feel my best”

After an encouraging chat with Danielle, I booked my shoot and was really looking forward to it. Three days before, I was called in for a mammo-guided needle biopsy which left me looking, and feeling, rather battered and bruised. I almost cancelled as I really didn't feel my best, but Danielle was so supportive and flexible to my needs, we decided to give it a go.

I was sent for more tests and they told me, dependent on results, I may have to undergo a mastectomy. That was the catalyst I needed to spur me on to book my shoot. I thought I'd better get in there while I'd still got two!!

“There was no need to worry”

I'm so glad I went ahead. My underwear choices covered my bruises so there was no need to worry - although Jon had assured me he could work a 'little magic' with his photo editor if necessary. Gladly, it wasn't.

“The shoot was relaxed and really good fun”

Louise did a fantastic job on my hair and makeup and I really was made to feel every inch the glamour puss. The shoot was relaxed and really good fun. I didn't feel awkward cavorting around the studio in my underwear for one single second. In fact, I loved every minute of it.

When my husband and I came to view the photos, I really wasn't expecting to like many at all. I can honestly say, I've not liked a photograph of me for around the last 10 years! I had even warned Danielle and John that they should avoid taking any which involved my face as I was unlikely to want them... Well, I can say there were certainly some we both really liked. In fact, there were a fair few we absolutely LOVED!

“At no time did we feel pressured”

We chose the linen box option as it gives us the flexibility to place them around the house when we want to. I chose 14 in total which was way above the number I thought I would like. During the viewing, Jon wasn't at all pushy and at no time did we feel pressured to buy any at all.

“The cancer was removed successfully”

A few weeks on, thankfully, I still have two! The cancer was removed successfully and a lymph node biopsy came back all clear with no evident spread. I'll need a course of radiotherapy as a precaution but, it looks like I'm going to be just fine. I'm really glad I booked my boudoir photo shoot with Danielle and Jon.

It was an enjoyable experience in the middle of a pretty scary time. It gave me something else to think about and I now have a set of gorgeous, yes 'gorgeous' photos to look back on.

“Life's too short for hang ups about your face and body”

To anyone thinking about it, I'd say book it. Life's too short for hang ups about your face and body. If I can feel good about mine again, anyone can." Jayne

One thing I remember about my first chat with Jayne was that she had been inspired by the ladies who had shared their photos and experiences in our blog. It's so wonderful that she decided to share her story here too, I truly hope her experience inspires anyone whose life has been touched by cancer and reminds us all not to put things off until someday.