The Story Of you.

Content Warning: These stories contain mentions of body dysmorphia, body image struggles, and gendered violence. If you find any of the below triggering, please find a list of helpful and free resources below:

DV/SV: 1800 RESPECT

Mental Health: https://www.beyondblue.org.au/

Eating Disorders and Body Image Issues: Butterfly Foundation 1800 ED HOPE

Meet Emily, who told us she wanted to hopefully gain a little self confidence and see the beauty of her new body, but also have a bit of fun. Emily is a 22-year-old mum to a beautiful baby boy, who has always maintained a generally positive relationship with her body. However, since having her son, she has experienced shifts in her self-perception, trying to remind herself of her body’s beauty and capabilities despite the way her body has changed.

Before her shoot, Emily was super excited about the opportunity to be pampered and have some much-needed "me time." As a new mother, this felt like an absolute blessing. However, she was also nervous and knew she might get emotional, with the mix of feelings that often accompany such a significant experience. The entire experience was transformative. Having her makeup done felt luxurious, and the shoot itself was fun, but the most profound moment was seeing those images for the first time. Emily was silent, in shock, because she connected with herself in those images in a way she never had before.

One of Emily's favourite moments was when Lauren offered to be her support person while getting her tattoo. Initially, Emily thought she wouldn’t need support and didn’t want to inconvenience Lauren. But she was glad Lauren insisted as upon arriving at the studio, she felt a little overwhelmed. Having Lauren there made Emily feel looked after and truly loved, enhancing the entire experience. It was a special moment that made her realise how anxious she would have been without that support, which would have taken away from the whole experience.

While it didn't completely cure her self-doubt and insecurities about her changed soft tummy and breasts, it was a significant step in the right direction. Seeing the parts of herself she disliked most, in such beautiful photos, was both powerful and confronting. Emily said, "Can I say it cured my self-doubt and my insecurities with my belly and boobs? Not quite, but was it a step in the right direction? Absofuckinglutely!"

Emily chose the Divine Feminine tattoo because it resonated deeply with her. Before the shoot, she didn’t know what this concept meant, but upon researching, she read that it is about loving one’s body as it is, not just what it can be. This message resonated with Emily, who has often been unsatisfied with her current appearance, always focusing on potential improvements. The tattoo serves as a constant reminder to aspire to self-love and compassion. The tattoo experience was one of her favourite parts, allowing quality time to pick Lauren’s brain, and who gave her the confidence to ask for small changes to the tattoo design.

Overall, Emily's experience was truly amazing. From the beautiful makeup session with the most lovely gal to the actual shoot with Taylah, who made her feel so beautiful and comfortable, to her tattoo at the end—what a day and what an incredible group of girls!