#loveyourself. 2017
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The #LoveYourself campaign was launched in Feb 2017 to recognise women who pour so much of themselves into various activities and commitments, often forgetting about themselves in the process. It was our way of saying Thank You! for being the strong women you are, to take a moment to #LoveYourself and be reminded of the beauty that lies within YOU.
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Empowered as a Woman by Emma
I have always looked at professional photoshoots and thought to myself, I want to do that. But have never had the courage or confidence to do so. I never dreamed it would lead to something AMAZING!!!!
“If you have thought of doing a shoot, I cannot recommend these people enough. I am truly grateful to have been given the opportunity. It was worth all the nerves. I have truly found the beauty within myself; all it took was some gentle coaxing and some amazing photos for me to see this. From the bottom of my heart, thank you STUDIO81. I cannot wait to plan another photoshoot.� Emma
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I am an extremely shy person and get anxiety with new settings and new things (just meeting friends at a new setting is really hard for me). During my younger years, I have suffered trauma; abused as a child, bullied as a teenager over how I looked and when they found out about my past I was cast aside by my peers even more. Fortunately, I am a survivor of depression (I was almost to the point of suicide) so my self confidence/self love was practically none existent and I spent my entire life “hiding” away from society. I would dress in baggy clothing, hide at the back and not talk much to anyone. 6 years ago I found Pole Fitness and recently I have discovered the Pin Up scene and all of a sudden I have found my confidence, and most importantly my love for myself, has changed hugely. But this was still a huge step out of my comfort zone. So much so, the night before I wanted to cancel as I was that nervous, but told myself I had to do it. I am so happy I did now. So unbelievably happy. The moment I walked through the door, Annalise knew my name, greeted my like a friend and made me feel so welcome any nerves I had disappeared into excitement. Pure excitement. Then I had hair and make-up done (I felt like a Princess) and taken through to the photographer. With everything going on; outfit choices, posing, being told what to do, etc, I had no time to feel nervous, awkward or anything or the sort. Jeff the photographer was amazing. Such a professional, and his direction was perfect. I felt so at ease, and the time just flew by. I was surprised when he said it was almost done. It had only felt like 5 minutes! I had been on the fence about a boudoir shoot. With all my history, this was something I never thought I would be comfortable with. Annalise had set the path during the hair and makeup session about the boudoir shoot. She told me her experience and I thought to myself, you know what I can do this. So I did. I am SO glad I did. I thought it would be awkward, that I don’t know how to pose, old body demons started creeping back in; but once you get changed and start being directed by the photographer you have no time to think of that. I am most proud of my boudoir shots. I loved all the boudoir photos, and wanted to take them all with me. When I saw them, I just thought WOW… that is me. That is actually me! Posing in my underwear. I look so happy, calm, relaxed, and most of all I was enjoying myself. Right at that point in time, I have never felt so empowered as a woman.
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BROKEN CRAYONS STILL COLOUR If you have good thoughts they will SHINE out of you face like SUNBEAMS and you will always look lovely - Roald Dahl
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I Was Mind Blown
by Kama
I am working single mother to one beautiful wee six year old girl. Since having my daughter, I have lost 42kgs and maintained this loss for over three years. I am extremely proud of myself for creating a better me and a healthy idol for my daughter, however, with mass weight loss also comes excess skin. I have excess skin on my tummy and breast area which leaves me with little to no confidence. When I arrived at STUDIO81, I felt so welcomed and comforted. I have never had my make up or hair professionally styled so this was an absolute treat. The entire time the make up artist kept me feeling calm and was more than lovely to chat with. I was stunned when she turned me around to look in the mirror at the finished make over. I looked amazing! I have never had a professional personal photoshoot before so with this amazing opportunity I decided to rise above my insecurities and do a boudoir photoshoot. The photographer made me at complete ease throughout the entire shoot, although I couldn’t help but laugh at some of the poses he had me in until I saw the final outcome. I was mind blown. I couldn’t believe the beautiful, sexy, confident woman I was staring at on the screen was me. I absolutely adore my photo sets. I love just stopping and staring at them, and how glamourous and gorgeous they make me feel. The only hard part about the day was narrowing down which photos I wanted to keep! I have recommended STUDIO81 to everyone who has seen these photos and I will recommend them forever. I will be back for more photo shoots in the future. Thank you STUDIO81.
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Our Own Critique by Nat
I didn’t expect to be chosen when I entered my name for the #LoveYourself Campaign. I was so excited & nervous, as I’m anything but confident in front of the camera. I personally love taking photos (as a hobby), but not having my photo taken. We are after all, as women, our own biggest critics, right?! I come across as confident, but really, I have a lot of insecurities. I admire women who are confident, as it is awesome. Growing up, I was always the skinny little runt that nobody took much notice of. I had bad skin, bad teeth, bad hair & hid behind a secret that not everyone knows about. As a victim of child abuse, I don’t think that I’ve ever fully accepted that I too, can be beautiful. Having my innocence taken away from me at a very young age, I still see my scars as being worn on the outside & although nobody else sees them, I most certainly do. Walking into the studio, I was all flustered with hardly any sleep & Annalise was a breath of fresh air. She knew my name, grabbed the hangers I was holding, gave me a warm hug & made me feel at ease. Once my makeup was done, I felt like a princess, what with everyone making such a fuss over me, how could I not! And they all loved my hair, thanks to my amazing hairdresser, Devona, for hooking me up (#HouseOfBrown). I was introduced to Jeff, who immediately told me what he wanted me to change into & started working on my poses. He was awesome, stepping in to show me what to do if I didn’t quite get it LOL. I mean, I’m no model so most of what he said left me with a “huh”!!! He complimented me, made me smile & helped me relax. Thank-you Jeff, for being so patient. One photo captures my personality in a nutshell (sitting on the floor, foot up & staring dead into the camera) … so many have said “wow, he captured the real you right there”. I felt sexy too when he made me don my little black number, yep, because all my hard work is slowly starting to pay off, yay.
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Looking at all my photos on the big screen, I still couldn’t believe that it was me. WOW! I really did feel beautiful & here was the evidence to prove that my “scars” were not shown on the outside. Thank you so much STUDIO81 for helping me feel beautiful. I guess life really does begin at 40 something … LOL :-)
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Building Up My Courage by Kyra
I had the most amazing time at the studio and felt so so relaxed while getting my hair and make up done. Once my nerves settled I had the best time having my photos taken and nearly even cried during the photo viewing. I have always struggled with my own insecurities and it blew me away seeing my photos! I work over 10 hours a day and have had a tough year starting my life from scratch after a complicated separation. It has been many many years that I have actually taken/had the time to do something for myself rather than trying to please everybody else and always putting my own feelings and emotions second.
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I’m really not one for expressing myself in case of hurting or upsetting others so I’m not so good with words. I feel this was an amazing opportunity and I will forever be grateful. I feel my photos will help me build up my courage to get back into my acting. Once again thank you ALL @ STUDIO81 for making me feel so loved, welcomed and special. I had the best day ever and cannot wait to receive my photos!
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Loving myself by Joy
“Be comfortable and confident with who you are no matter what” Despite feeling nervous at the shoot or thinking my wardrobe selection wasn’t fancy enough I was so uncomfortable until the end of my shoot when I asked to wear my everyday clothing and as I took my last shots I actually felt like myself and was more relaxed and comfortable I was, that was the moment that I felt like the #LoveYourself campaign hit me and reminded me that it’s important to Love myself no matter what and I left STUDIO81 feeling accomplished more confident and proud that I took time out for myself. Thank you STUDIO81 for the awesome opportunity!
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Perfect Opportunity by Sally
When I saw your advert on FB I thought it would be the perfect opportunity to trial a photo session as I had never had professional hair and makeup done before and I was seriously looking a bit ferral. FYI my hair is naturally long and very curly however, as the requirement was freshly washed straightened hair... and I can appreciate the limited time frames for all the ladies, I decided to have a look which was not so much like the every day me. From the moment I walked into the studio I was greeted with a warm welcome. The photo session was loads of fun and the makeup and hair transformation was amazing. The hardest part was deciding which pics not to have. Thank you everyone at STUDIO81 for a fun afternoon and some cool pics.
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Celebrating 50 by Donna
I did the photo shoot to celebrate turning 50 and turning my life around for a better future. I am embarking on a new career and moving location to be closer to work. I have gotten out of an abusive marriage and worked on selflove and self esteem - the photo shoot really helped with this and I love my favourite photo so much. It is natural and looks like me and not photoshopped much at all, which I worried about as I wanted a picture of the real me including showing my personality
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Loving myself by Joy
It was a great experience for me. It was what I needed to show how I love myself and celebrate that feeling you know. As a mother sometimes you just forget yourself and be caught up with heaps of responsibilities, put your own needs aside but then you realize that you also deserve to pamper yourself and remind yourself that it’s not selfish to do that. Because first and foremost, I am not just a mother but an individual and my own person who deserves to be happy more than anyone else. You got to be happy with yourself before you can give real happiness to others. So I rewarded myself with a gorgeous makeover and photoshoot to celebrate me. :) I love Annalise my makeup artist who gave me that youthful look and Jeff my photographer who made me look just amazing. I really wanted to experience how it is to pose in front of the camera while looking glamorous and all made up. :) It was awkward at first but Jeff was awesome so I truly enjoyed it! I love all the shots, I wish I could take it all with me. It was indeed a confidence boost and I would love to do it again! Thank you so much, guys! :)
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9 Teed St, Newmarket, Auckland 09 5222 581 pr@studio81.co.nz www.studio81.co.nz