Self-Love | evo⅃ | West Hartford Premier Boudoir

Self-Love | evo⅃ 

Self-love. 

Powerful word combo, right? To love yourself, for yourself. Easy concept, not always easy to implement. The search for self has been an ongoing venture since the dawn of time. We spend our whole lives searching for what makes us, us. Who am I? What do I believe in? What makes me different, unique from everyone else? BIG questions! Now add love into the mix? Another giant. Love is such a quest and can take us our whole life to understand it. Finding love in romance, a career, love for friends, family, children, even an environment you love and want to be in. We are always searching for love... but what about love for yourself?

Many women enter my studio doors and have a hard time with a task I give them before their boudoir photoshoot. It's simple. Think of three words that describe your vision. What does your shoot look like? Choose 3 words. Daring, confident, and sexy. Delicate, sweet, and feminine. Whichever word combinations you pick, I use them as a reference to help pinpoint what you are looking for in your photoshoot. Think of it as a small reflection of you and your personality. Simple right? Not always the truth. Sometimes this can bring out a little monster I battle every day at the studio. This monster is invisible, an opportunist, and takes over its host. Its name- Dysmorphia, body dysmorphia. Its sidekick, anxiety.

Its threat- ME. 

Body Dysmorphia is real and very serious. Even if someone isn't necessarily "diagnosed" with body dysmorphia, that doesn't mean we can't relate or have experienced similar thoughts in our life. This is a mental and emotional phenomenon that can happen anywhere and anytime. One of the most common triggers is simply looking into a mirror. Individuals see flaws that are not true. A false, negative, and harmful perception of their appearance. This monster can cause significant harm to self-confidence, self-perception, and self-esteem. Add anxiety, and we got quite the internal battle...but not here at the studio of Amber Jones photography. I am determined to continue to win again and again in defeating this monster. How? OH! Don't mind if I do!

Here, we conquer negative perceptions of the self and replace them with healthy, positive outlooks of the mind, body, and heart. We continuously check in with our ladies (and gents!) headspaces from start to finish. Suppose, for any reason, your headspace is discouraging or uneasy. In that case, your mental and emotional health takes precedence. We stop and get to the bottom of the unease by walking you through your thoughts. 

Ashley: "I feel so nervous. My insecurities are kicking in." 

Amber: "Talk to me. Walk me through your thoughts. I am here to help."

Checking in with you is very important. Walking you through your thoughts and feelings helps us identify the cause of any possible discomfort or unease. Dysmorphic thoughts, trauma, mental or emotional stress, or any other environmental or situational "happening," we are ready to help and guide you back to your personal power. Fear is not real. Fear is an illusion and is often self-taught or "imposed" upon another person or situation. We, at Amber Jones Photography, are ready to reveal the truth! Your truth. That you are a beautiful, confident BADASS woman! 

 Ashley: "Oh my God! Is that really me!?"

Amber: "Sure is! That's YOU!" 

Through awareness, we defeat the unease, and your victory never looked sexier...

Now let's talk about love, specifically unconditional love. Unconditional love is very often misused or misunderstood. What is the difference between unconditional and conditional love? Keyword: Condition. To love unconditionally means loving without any "requirements" or conditions. Example? See if any of these sound familiar...

I will love you if you do this. 

I will not show you love if you do this. 

We have all had one of these standards, or mindsets, at least once in our lives. When we put a condition on how we love, it is no longer unconditional. Which relationship in your life is the biggest culprit of conditional love? It's not family. Nope, not a romantic relationship! It's YOURSELF. "I will love my body once I lose weight." "I will not love myself if I fail." The relationship with yourself is the longest relationship you will ever be in. Have you been giving yourself conditional love or unconditional love? Ready for the good news?! Conditional love can be transformed in an instant. How? Awareness.

We bring our clients out of their heads and back into their power through awareness. We can't change anything without awareness. How can you change anything without being aware of it?! We ask you to be mindful of your thoughts and feelings by checking in. You may not even be aware that you are experiencing discomfort or unease; that's why checking in is so important. By consciously checking in with yourself, a mindfulness meditation practice, you can catch subconscious thoughts in the act.

Amber: "Okay, how are you doing?"

Ashley: "I'm okay...well, I think I'm a little nervous?" 

Amber: "Tell me where your head is right now."

Ashley: "I am nervous this outfit doesn't flatter my body."

Amber: "Why do you think it doesn't?"

Ashley: "I showed my friend this outfit, and she instantly said she hated to wear this color and that it made their skin look horrible."

Amber: "Do you think you might have internalized your friend's feelings towards this outfit?"

Ashley: "Yeah, I think you're right. I was afraid they were secretly saying I would look bad in it, but I know that's not true."

Amber: "How do you feel now?"

Ashley: "So much better. Thank you for getting me out of my head!"

Amber: "I got you, girl! I'm here for you!"

Ashley: "Thank you! Okay, let's do this!"

Self-care is important. Continuing awareness for self-care is even more important. We are honored to be a stepping stone for women (and men!) to get that self-care ball rolling. Here, we help adjust the crowns of our Queens to be on top of their heads, not tucked away in a drawer. Once you see your beauty, it will not pretend to be anything but beautiful. Negative words will not reach you. Harmful outlooks will no longer resonate. You will only see yourself as the truth. 

Bright, beautiful, and absolutely stunning.

Are you ready for the best self-therapy of your life?! Ready to slay that negative voice in your head and reclaim your power? YAS, girl, we are too! We are ready to pamper you with your very own boudoir session! Please feel free to reach out at amber@amberjones.com and inquire about your ME-time! We are excited to bring your dream to life and show how much love there really is for yourself to yourself. 

Xoxo,

Amber

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