Emily | Body & Soul

I launched the ‘Body & Soul’ Campaign with the mission to empower and inspire confidence in women by showcasing their true self, strength, beauty and celebrate who they are right now. I want to help shift perspectives about beauty and show that EVERY body is beautiful… EVERY body is a work of art. But most importantly, we are more than how we look and what size clothes we wear. There is a story inside us all that has made us who we are today. And who we are right now is worth celebrating. So I’d love for you to follow along, read the stories of these incredible women and be inspired.

Meet EMILY

“I remember learning that beauty wasn’t just an external feature, that a truly beautiful person was this both in appearance and their true nature. However, as I got older the emphasis on beauty was placed purely on the external side; thin, good skin, ample breasts, makeup... 
The belief of beauty being a complete package still is a big part of how I look at the world, but ultimately the pressure to look and act a certain way causes more negative damage on myself and my ‘failure’ to conform.”

I’ve always suffered from chronic health problems. This meant that for a long time I was under nourished and very late to develop due to my body being so ill. Being thin was how I was used to being but instead of making me feel beautiful it was just another platform for bullies. Because of my weight and health, I was as flat chested as a boy, when everyone around me was the opposite. 

“I didn’t begin to develop until I was 17/18 years old. But by then I’d had a major bowel resection for complications of Crohns Disease. I have a 30cm scar down the length of my stomach, my stomach muscles were severed and never came back together. My stomach has a weird shape than can’t be toned and due to bloating and other symptoms, it’s not uncommon to be teased/questioned about being pregnant. More and more medications have been prescribed to help with various issues and weight gain is a normal part of that. I’m stubborn and determined to not let my health prevent me too much from living, but bad body image and feeling the pressure of being beautiful can affect a person’s mental health as well.”

“The word beautiful now still means the outward appearance we give to society, I think it’s impossible to ever completely move past that. But I hold closer, the belief that WHO we are has more of an impact on our beauty; how we live and treat others. 
Do I feel beautiful? Yes and no. It can depend on the day, hour, mood. Most of the time I kinda like what I see in the mirror, I feel incredibly beautiful when my partner looks at me; it’s as if I’m the most spectacular woman he’s ever seen. That’s an amazing feeling. I’ve really come to learn in recent years that by embracing my curves and dressing how I like makes me more confident in my beauty.”

Emily’s advice for those that struggle to see their own beauty is to have “patience, it takes time. But it’s worth it.”

Emily’s words on her Body & Soul experience: “I went into the session fairly nervous and unsure of exactly what to expect. I’ve never done anything like this before, but I knew I wanted to challenge myself. Tania was just so warm and welcoming from the moment I arrived. She instantly made me feel more relaxed with her understanding nature and all the different options she gave me. I felt so comfortable throughout the session and even surprised myself with how much of myself I allowed to be seen.

“This has been an important and much-needed experience to help me embrace and love every part of my body. It’s helped me look past the ‘trouble areas’ and to see myself as everyone around me does. I am beautiful; and my scars add to it, not detract. The entire experience was perfect!”

Emily, thank you for sharing your story and for trusting me to create these beautiful portraits of the stunning woman you are. You are INCREDIBLE inside and out, body & soul….

Shout out to Charity from Charity Barnes Hair and Makeup Artistry again for her gorgeous hair and makeup styling and ability to enhance women’s natural beauty!

Interested in your own Body & Soul photoshoot experience? Find out more and get in touch here.