Life Begins At...

Boudoir Photographer, Marina Meier, is helping women to self love, embrace their femininity and feel worthy again with her striking images. Alana Lowes chatted with three stunning ladies about regaining their confi dence to showcase their real self. ANDRE PFLUG Andre is in her 50's and is very confi dent What made you decide you wanted to have a Boudoir Photography session? That was a spontaneous decision. I saw Marina's boudoir work and was instantly intrigued and decided to fi nd out more information. Because I was looking for a Christmas gift for my partner, I kind of had a perfect excuse to book a session. Why did you choose Marina? It was coincidence. I didn't shop around checking any other photographers. It just felt right to book the session with Marina, as I felt connected straight away. She is such a lovely, open- minded and warm-hearted person. I think we have quite a similar positive attitude towards life. What made you go ahead with it? Marina had so many ideas and would come up with new poses, I trusted her and followed her directions. We laughed a lot and had fun and you can see that in the photos. How did you feel about the poses? Actually, she wanted to capture the real me and gave me free reign with posing, but since I've never been in front of a camera, I was initially restrained and did not know how to pose. Marina would then explain and show it to me and that took away the uncertainty. I tried my best to mimic her and we created some great pictures. The downside was I had sore muscles the next day. When you saw your images, what was your immediate reaction? WOW that's me? Sexy on the one hand, on the other hand, I saw the happiness in me that people appreciate so much. So I was baffl ed, that one photo can express so many things. What about family and friends, what did they think? My family's reaction was very positive. As the wall arts were a Christmas present for my partner and we usually celebrate Christmas with the family, they saw the photos when he was unwrapping his present. Even my father who was 78 at that time said to me: "They are stunning!" My partner loves them! Has the experience given you extra confi dence in your life? This experience didn't change my confi dence. I guess you would need to have confi dence to some degree or at least be a little bit adventurous before booking boudoir session. I believe the most important part in boudoir photography is the connection and trust between you and your photographer. If you don't feel good around your photographer the whole experience might become a disaster. Luckily for me I had Marina as my photographer. KAREN O'DONNELL Karen is in her 60's and is a lovely person and was nervous before her shoot What made you decide you wanted to have a Boudoir Photography session? I had been having a hard time caring for my sick husband and a friend recommended I put my name in the draw to win a Boudoir session with Marina. We met for coffee and I instantly liked her. I was lucky enough to win the session but I had some reservations. Why did you choose to go ahead with your session with Marina? I have never been the centre of attention. I like to be behind the camera and not in front of it so I was naturally hesitant when Marina contact me and asked if I would like to have a session with her. But I talked it over with W I T H A L A N A L O W E S lifebeginsat.com.au 37 Autumn 208

• Cover