Can we talk about how everyone seems to have an (unsolicited) opinion about what other people should do with their bodies?
Say you want a boob job and immediately someone is telling you that you don't need it and shouldn't do it. Don't get one and someone else is telling you that you'd be a 10 if only you had bigger boobs. HOP. TF. OFF. Like, can we PLEASE just let people do whatever the fuck they want with their bodies? š
I mean, I do talk a lot about body confidence and loving yourself exactly as you are. And I stand by that. But I also think there's something I want to make perfectly clear: you can love your body AND want to change it.
Those two things can both be true at the same time. I've had several cosmetic procedures myself and I'm not shy about it, so I'm certainly not going to sit here and tell you that you need to embrace every single thing about your body or else you're not doing the whole self-love thing right.
I think you should be able to appreciate the body you have, feel sexy in it, photograph it, show it off, AND decide you'd like to make a few changes along the way when something about it isn't serving you.
Plastic Surgery Doesn't Automatically Mean You Hate Your Body
Somewhere along the way, we started treating cosmetic surgery like it's proof that someone doesn't love themselves enough. And I just don't agree with that.
Maybe you've wanted a breast augmentation for years. Or maybe you've had big boobs your entire life and you're over it and want them gone. Maybe you're considering a tummy tuck, you want liposuction, or you're ready to get rid of the bump on your nose (um, hello, me). Or how about this one? Covering your body in tattoos. Why is that looked at so much differently than a boob job? Are they not both changing your body?
I don't think getting plastic surgery automatically means you're insecure. And I don't think choosing NOT to get plastic surgery automatically means you're confident.
Listen. In the end, your body is yours to decorate and enjoy. To be proud of, kind to, and cared for. How you choose to do that is up to you. And as long as you're showing gratitude to your body for all it has done and continues to do, you're doing it right.
But You Shouldn't Put Your Entire Life on Hold
Here's where shit gets tricky.
I have conversations with clients ALL the time who tell me they want to book a boudoir session, but they're waiting until they lose weight, have their surgery, are finished having kids, or get their huge tattoo - basically, change something about their appearance. FIRST. And listen, I get it.
If you've got a breast augmentation or tummy tuck already on the calendar and you want to wait until afterward to have your photos taken, that makes perfect sense. I've been there. BUT there is something to be said for documenting your body before the big change, too. I can tell you from personal experience that I am SO GLAD I photographed myself both before AND after surgery. And tbh, it's always fun to see my virgin skin before I covered half of my body in tattoos.
Basically, just don't spend the next five years convincing yourself that the version of you that exists RIGHT NOW isn't worth photographing. Because that's total bs.
Let's Talk About Plastic Surgery Scars and Boudoir Photography
This is actually something I get asked about quite a bit. If you've had a breast augmentation, breast lift, tummy tuck, or another cosmetic procedure, you might be wondering whether your scars are going to show in your boudoir photos. Here's how I handle that at Chantel Allen Boudoir.
If asked, I do my absolute best to remove plastic surgery scars during the retouching process.
Key words here? "If asked". This is always a discussion I have with my clients. If you want them removed, I'll do my best to make that happen. If you love your scars and want to keep them in your photographs, they stay. Some people see their scars as part of their story. Others would rather not see them in their photos. I don't think either person owes anyone an explanation. The same goes for stretch marks, wrinkles, and other things you might have questions about when it comes to retouching. We will discuss this before I even start shooting. And I absolutely love EVERY single image that we captureā¦ whether you decide to have your skin edited more or not.
Like I Said, Your Boudoir Session Doesn't Have to Wait for "After"
One thing I love about boudoir photography is that there's no single type of body that belongs in front of my camera - contrary to what social media has to say. I've photographed people at all different ages, sizes, and stages of life. Some love everything about their bodies. Some have a laundry list of things they're insecure about. Most are somewhere in between. COMPLETELY NORMAL.
Maybe you want photos before your surgery because you'd like to remember this version of yourself. Maybe you want them afterward because you're excited about your results. Or maybe plastic surgery has never crossed your mind and you just want to show tf out.
I am here for ALL of it.
At the end of the day, I'm a big believer in body positivity, but not the version that comes with a bunch of rules about what tf that looks like.
It's your body. YOU live with it. So love it. Change it. Leave it alone. And whenever you're ready to photograph it, I'm obviously your girl. š¤
