This next session is a little extra-special. This amazing babe happens to be a life-long bestie of my Studio Manager, Jess! Jess lovingly reached out to me and asked to do a write-up for this sizzlin' session, of which I was happy to have her do so. It's so amazing watching friends we have had since we were little grow into themselves and really blossom. I adore the woman friendships I have in my life, and it just makes my heart explode to see other women supporting & loving each other as they make their way through life. Without further ado, I'm gonna let these two mega babes take the spotlight!

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Special Guest Blogger and occasional online support for Moss Photography, Jess Palmer here! You’re probably wondering why I’m taking over Molly’s blog-o-sphere today. No, I wasn’t behind the camera or even present for this session. But when I found out about this shoot, I asked Molly if I could contribute to this post because the gorgeous woman in these photos is my sister-from-another-mister, Danielle.

Over 20 years ago, I moved from Calgary to Shawinigan Lake and just two doors down lived two sisters, one of whom is the hot stuff you see before you. In the two decades that have passed, we have gone from Barbie-playing, Spice-Girl-singing, kick-the-can-enthusiasts to full-grown adults. We’re talking, careers, weddings, families, and home-ownership kind of grown-up!

It’s such a beautiful, rare opportunity to watch someone grow year-by-year from childhood to now. Danielle has always been such a power-house. She is strong, unwaveringly loyal, ambitious, and just super bad-ass all around.

When I asked Molly what it was like during her session with Danielle, she remarked on Danielle’s amazing energy. She absolutely ROCKED this session (and let Molly spray her bum with water to boot haha the result of which was killer).

I am in awe of this woman and know you will be, too.

A comfort zone is a beautiful place, but nothing ever grows there. 

As an artist I definitely have a comfort zone. Somewhere safe that I know I can always create good work and make my clients happy. That safe space to me is with natural light, either in or outdoors. 99% of the time I work with everyday babes who have never been in front of the camera before. Because of this I need to be my most grounded self. I need to be that comfort zone and safe space for them to feel like they're in the best hands. So when I lined up a shoot with the ineffable badass model, Ruby Roxx, I knew I could let go of being that space and really explore a creative vision. I threw all my safety blankets out the window. I wanted to shoot in an urban setting, at night, with just artificial light. Ruby was SUCH a gem about the whole thing. I was a little flustered trying to create to my usual standard without any of my crutches, but she was so supportive of my weird vision. Her and her hubby drove us around downtown Vancouver finding abandoned alley's to shoot in, and her hubby maneuvered their SUV in these tight little alleys like a total champ! We created some breath taking images, and I am so blessed to have been able to work with such an incredible professional. Next time we'll stick to something a little more up my alley. Excuse the pun ;)

We are the descendants of the wild women you forgot.

We are the stories you thought would never be taught.

They should have checked the ashes of the women they burned alive.

Because it takes a single wild ember to bring a whole wildfire to life. 

- Nikita Gill

What does it look like when a strong and ferociously herself woman contacts you for an outdoor boudoir session? Well. It looks kinda like the ethereal goodness we created below. Honestly I don't have too much to say about this session because it speaks for itself - and loudly. I am just super happy that this woman and I got to work together (finally)! We have been skirting around the idea for some time, since she is an active part of the burlesque community and as am I. Our paths finally crossed and we got to create this... this... whatever the heck this WONDER is below. Without further ado.... let me introduce you to babe town (the wild woman edition).

Wooowwwwee! I've committed the cardinal photographer sin... I've not blogged in a month. Uh-oh! It's just because I don't even know where to start - I feel like I'm sitting on so many smoldering sessions!

I've been hiding this session away for a while - releasing little glimpses on instagram and on Facebook. But it's time to show this beauty to the world! Miss E had her session gifted to her by a very special someone, and she came into the studio so excited and ready to go! I loved getting to go through her outfits with her, pretty sure I almost cried when she pulled out a Love Child Boudoir harness. If you are a lingerie nerd like me, you will also be screaming. If you don't know what the heck I'm talking about, google it. You won't be sorry. (Or just scroll down and prepare to have your jaw drop. Either or.) 

I quickly became enamoured with this babes amazing energy and the way she held herself. We had so many laughs, and created some serious magic together. Thank you for being the amazing and strong woman that you are! <3

*Content warning: this blog post contains a strong, fearless woman embracing her body and celebrating herself. It contains partial nudity. If you are offended by nipples you should probably leave this post (and also this website - you are in the wrong place! Body lovers and celebrators only beyond this point!)

I had the pleasure & honour of working with Miss R during our last outdoor boudoir marathon. Her energy was simply INCREDIBLE. I have never met someone so grounded in themselves - so unashamedly owning their uniqueness. The whole session she had me and Alison switching back between fits of laughter at her incredible stories and wit, and then the next second blinking back tears as we realized how incredibly strong this woman truly is.  I knew that I wanted to really make her session something special. At the beginning of the day I set my intention to give this amazing woman photos that really capture her internal beauty and strength. The best thing about this work is that my clients really bring the magic themselves, I just happen to be there to capture it. 

 

"Thank you for the amazing photographs.  Although,  I was not identified as female at birth the photos you took show my true self.  As a 60 year old transgender woman I struggle with my appearance as many women do, the photos taken help me and will be cherished forever."

Thank you for everything that you are, Miss R! I will not forget the amazing laughs that you inspired that day, nor will I forget the incredible energy that you take with you wherever you go. You truly celebrated yourself that day and I will always hold it in my heart. <3 

I absolutely loved getting to work with this woman. The session itself was an absolute blast... we had so many laughs and had such a great time in the studio. Miss N came to me when I ran my very first model call - the model call gave her that window to take the leap and get in touch with her sassy-side in front of my lens. She is such a strong, hilarious, smart, and gorgeous woman - I am so happy we got to meet and work together. She had heard about me through friends who had also done shoots with me, and wanted to try it for herself.  Boudoir can be an incredibly intimidating thing - so it's not uncommon for me to find my clients after I work with a friend of theirs. I love this for many reasons. The first is that I get to meet amazing people, and then I get to rave about how awesome they are when their friends come in to work with me. It also means that I get to totally transform them and show them that boudoir isn't terrifying - and then I get to take their nerves and turn it into absolute excitement and empowerment! It's wonderful! 

Fear is a fickle thing. It holds us back from doing those things that we really crave doing. Maybe it's asking for a promotion nor raise (read: standing up for what you believe you're worth). Maybe it's finally taking the plunge and going bungee-jumping (read: embracing your wild side). Or maybe your fear is holding you back from loving yourself and celebrating yourself (read: not being ashamed to admire how amazing you are). 

 

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, 'Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?'