#loveyourself 2017 spring edition
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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.
Spring Edition
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As I nervously stepped trough the doors of STUDIO81 with my little bag of garments, the warmest welcome and most beautiful environment instantly set me at ease. Annalise took my outfits and shoes and arranged them neatly on a trolley, making me feel like a professional model in Fashionweek! Sitting down on the plush couch discussing the different options available opened my eyes to a world I never even knew existed. As I kept looking trough the portfolios as well as wall pictures, I realised one thing. These women all have a story. A past that aches. An unsure future. Challenges every single day. I’m part of an incredibly difficult society. I can relate to them in so many ways. Watching my transformation in the mirror taking me from exhausted mom to gorgeous bombshell at the talented hands of Annalise the Make-up artist and Hair Stylist gave me a sense of confidence I have lost many years ago. Jeff the Photographer introduced himself and was extremely calm and utterly professional troughout the shoot. Towards the end I even plucked up the courage to take off some layers and pop on a pair of pantyhose and heels as I felt incredibly safe and comfortable! Most of all, I felt super sexy!!! Sat down with a lovely cup of coffee having time to reflect on the amazing opportunity I was blessed to have been picked for. Then the powerful photo reveal session. I was beside myself, an emotional wreck, completely taken by surprise of how beautiful I looked on film. Proof I undoubtedly needed to appreciate my body and all its wonderful glory. I was lost, but STUDIO81 had found me. Every single woman needs to see herself for the powerful and beautiful person she is. I would not only recommend this fantastic experience, but urge each and every woman to allow herself.
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Amidst the journey of entering womanhood, I had to do so without a father figure. He left us for another woman and her family. My mother had to work morning to night, travelling hours on connecting buses in order for us to have a roof over our head and food in our bellies. She came home every night and still had a smile on her face. She was and is the strongest person i know till today. I chose the wrong life partner and spent nearly 8 of my most vibrant years begging him to love me. I tolerated extreme psycological abuse and believed that I was dumb and insignificant. Add the fact that I could not conceive, I was basically a useless woman. He had numerous flings with other women. I ended up in hospital with severe stomach problems due to nervous stress, I realised this could not go on forever. I prayed and prayed and God gave me the strength to pack my things and leave for good. There was not a thing I didnt try to salvage our marriage. Today I am married to the kindest, most loving man and am blessed with two beautiful children. I smile and laugh every day now. Not a stomach problem in sight. I had a second chance on living life as it is intended. Feeling like a human being. Sadly immense pressure from the world forces us to try and be perfect mothers, lovers as well as have the perfect body. Yet globally we lack one thing. Support. We focus on all the wrong things. Don’t take enough time out for ourselves. Don’t compliment each other enough on doing a fabulous job with our children or in our workplace. We don’t encourage each other, instead we look for flaws to make ourselves feel better. “Lets be the change. NOW. Every opportunity we get. Build her up. Support her. Tell her she is worth it. Say she is beautiful and strong and smart and doing a wonderful job. Thank you to the wonderful women at STUDIO81 and the great men that support them.” Mickey Calvert
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“I am mother of two, a Subway Franchisee and Mortgage Adviser. A mother who is always on the run my kids have grown up seeing all the hard work I have put to give them the good life.
and feeling more confident. STUDIO81 gave me this opportunity for a photo shoot and makeover session, photos click by STUDIO81 are so beautiful I ended up falling in love with myself.
My life is always under construction , I have always challenge myself by choosing to do things out of my comfort zone like successfully running a restaurant 350km away from my home where I ended discovering about myself and always had weight issue been overweight makes me conscious all the time on clothes I choose to wear and self esteem gets low when it comes to how I look.
They are not just a photo studio, when you enter the studio you treated like a princess. I enjoyed my time with STUDIO81, really appreciate your time you give to busy mothers and encouraging them to love yourself.�
Recently I have taken a weight loss challenge and started lifting 50kg weights not because I want to look beautiful at my age but I choose but to live healthy life from now on, since the last two months I am loving my self more as I am losing weight
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Roshni Patel
“Upon seeing this amazing #LoveYourself campaign opportunity on Facebook, I thought, wow I’ve been through so much in my short 30 years on earth, my confidence & self esteem are extremely low, so hopefully this will allow me to appreciate my life and to love myself again. I pm’d STUDIO81 my journey and to my surprise I was selected. It felt like an angel had been sent to me to bless my life, all before I turned 31. I’m only 30 years old, yet I’ve faced a lifetime of set-backs which have shattered dreams and broken my heart into a million pieces. Despite facing childhood obstacles, being raped in my late teens, I still continued to press on, I gave my life to the Lord & planted myself in church where I found lifelong friends (and cherished every minute of it), I still do, I continued to finish school, graduating Year 13 and began working fulltime. I then moved myself up to Auckland, when I turned 22 to attend church & for a new career. A few years later, in 2012 I decided to try having my first relationship, which utterly destroyed me, it felt like deja vu of my teen years where I was faced with another curse, just this time it resulted in being just as bad if not worse. This relationship backfired & after only 7 months, I was financially screwed over by $130,000, this is what shattered my credit rating, and my dreams of having my first holiday, travelling the world and buying my own home when I turned 30. It didn’t stop there, I’ve been through abusive relationships since then and hit rock bottom however the Lord stepped in and held on to me, preventing me from giving up altogether, which I was very close to doing. I am now despite being very sensitive, working my way toward freedom again. I have a wonderful partner of 2.5 years and am beginning to love life again, he truly completes me and is my best friend. I continue to chip at the debt I was left in, and strive to be the best young lady that I can be little bit by little bit. My goal is to be the best role model I can be. I honestly thought I would never be able to be me again, let alone love myself however my experience at STUDIO81 has proved me wrong. You are all amazing and I loved my time there. All my doubts & nerves simply vanished. Thank you Annalise, for enhancing my hidden natural beauty, I looked and felt absolutely stunning, this experience has allowed me to love myself and feel confident again. It truly feels like one dream has come true for my 30th, and that is to finally love myself again”. Lord Bless All of you amazing and beautiful ladies.”
Tracey McMillan 07
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“Hi my name is Annquinette, and as far as I can remember I have always been that girl that was always doing something for everyone else but myself. I went through life working hard, and still trying to take care of my family and friends. Things were never easy for me, but I overcame every obstacle in my life. In 1995, I became a young single mum to my beautiful daughter. I kept studying and then went back into full time work. I met my now partner five years after my daughter was born, and for the last 19 years, we have had a roller coaster relationship. Three more kids later, and I felt like I was just going through the motions. I spent a good 10 years working at least 60 hours a week, until I fell into a work stress related depression. I had fallen out with my father, brothers and sisters and felt I had no one to bat for me. However I still had my amazing mother whom in her own right has her own life story, and I love her so much, she is my rock. I took a year off work to sort myself out, got myself together and decided to start again. I am a great believer that the universe will provide exactly what I need and deserve at the time, and felt like ‘okay I’ve hit rock bottom, now pick yourself up and show your babies how strong you are!’ One day a work friend of mine recommended me to STUDIO81 for the ‘Love yourself campaign’ and at first I thought ‘No you can’t do that, you’re not pretty enough, your too old etc’ But she convinced me to just do it, so I did. BEST decision of my life, I had just turned 40, just had my 4th child and was feeling a little down and out about myself. From the first contact with STUDIO81, Annalise made me feel at ease. On the day of the shoot, I was nervous and excited, but Annalise made me look amazing, Jeff guided me through my shoot and Dorin made me feel like I was important. The whole experience was amazing and I will always be forever grateful. When I first saw my photos I was gob smacked, I couldn’t believe it was me, I looked fabulous, I felt emotional and amazing all at the same time. I am #40 Phat and fabulous and I love myself! Thank you.”
Annquinette Sands 09
“My STUDIO81 photoshoot was one of the best experiences of my life. I decided to do it because I’m 53, a wife, a mum and step mum of 3 incredible men and 2 talented young women, and nana to 6 gorgeous grandchildren. I’m a busy Rural Community Nurse Specialist and have spent my life caring for others. ...be it family or patients. I thought it was time to do something special for ME.
photos would look or if I would look OK...I said “I didn’t know I was so beautiful”. The photos captured all my inner beauty shining on the outside. We love them!!! An amazing experience I would recommend to everyone!”
The team at STUDIO81 were amazing. Annalise did a fabulous job of my makeup ...my hair is just how I do it every day thanks to Hair by Chris in Kerikeri. Jeff was incredible; he made me feel so relaxed and at ease so it was easy to be me....little smile...bigger smile. When we sat in the darkened viewing room and I saw the photos with my darling husband Lloyd, I just cried.... Because I’m not a small person I wasn’t sure how the
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Pauline Brennan
“What an experience, I felt empowered! Dorin and her team were amazing, with a relaxed friendly atmosphere. This experience is one I’ll remember; I would suggest we all experience this at least once in our lifetime. The photographer was fabulous, making me always feel comfortable. Overall, it was a very enjoyable experience, and one to remember. Confidence reboot. Ride the wave.”
“My road has not been an easy one, but here I am feeling empowered thanks to the STUDIO81 team. Being a single mum of 4 children ranging from 21 to 2 and a half years old certainly keeps me busy. I found myself lost, and on a very to turbulent ride. Basically I lost nearly everything: house, income, life partner who would have thought? It hasn’t been easy, however I always try to look at the positives, and try to help those less fortunate as often as possible. I portray this confidence, when an actual fact inside I am the complete opposite. It’s almost like playing a role! At times I’m in disbelief of where my life is now: it’s not what I envisioned for myself. However I pick myself up and carry on dealing with any curveballs life may throw as I carry on my journey. Remember life trials are not forever...just for now.
I ground myself by always remembering how blessed I really am and that there is always someone worse off. Thank you STUDIO81 for the confidence boost, you all do great work! This from a girl, 44, healthy, not so wealthy, and a little wise.”
Kathryn Evans 011
“The moment I was informed that I was chosen to be one of the 50 women to have this #LoveYourself experience, I was so excited, and have been looking forward to the actual photoshoot. Counting the days until the time I will have the rare chance. I am a wife of a loving husband, a mum of 2 adorable kids, a very busy career woman and a typical lady who is always up and about. It’s not just the physical transformation of me being all dolled up to look fabulous for the photoshoot but more of that surreal feeling of being pampered. Having the make up color & hairstyle of my choice. I always keep in mind to look my best as soon as I step out of my home but it’s a different feeling when a team like STUDIO81 does it for you. You made me feel lovely inside out. The whole photoshoot experience was amazing. The highlight was a mix of emotions when I finally saw the photos. Like a rainbow in different colors, words will never be enough to express how wonderful I felt looking at how it turned out. As busy as we women can get, we should always keep in mind that looking after ourselves and looking our best gives us that everyday confidence. With inner beauty radiates an outer perfection. STUDIO81 you are absolutely fantastic. Kudos! and I will keep on saying you are Ahhhhmazing and Awwwwsome! My family & friends are in awe. Thank You!”
Abby Hinlo 012
“A tear formed in my eyes as the
photo’s were beautiful and the person looking back looked amazing, smiling and relaxed” Shauna Carleton
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“Firstly thank you for the gorgeous team at STUDIO81 for giving my confidence back to me, and making me look and feel beautiful. I totally felt comfortable with Chloe the photographer, and Annalise who made me look gorgeous. I am 35 years old and I have 5 children aged 11,9,6,5,3. I am a stay home mum and have just recently found out that I have a mutant genetic gene passed on from my dad’s side of the family. BRACA 1. That means I have got an extremely high chance of developing breast and ovarian cancer. I have opted to have a full hysterectomy and a double mastectomy done with expander reconstruction. It wasn’t an easy choice to make but then I didn’t want to sit back and think what if either. I now feel my photo shoot has given me my confidence back and has made me feel like a real woman especially once I loose my breasts. I will be able to look back at the photos and think I’m one of the lucky ones who got the chance to know I was BRACA 1 positive as not many woman out their do. So please if you feel any changes with your breasts get them checked or if you have a large family history of breast or ovarian cancer push to be tested as that will also save a life.”
Vanessa Morton “I was scrolling through Facebook one day when I noticed STUDIO81’s #LoveYourself campaign. It instantly grabbed my attention. I recently had a baby, and got so busy being a full time mum and house wife, that I felt my real self lost. Whenever I looked at myself in the mirror, it made me feel quite sad; the real me was lost somewhere. #LoveYourself was the perfect opportunity for me to do what I loved doing the most: pampering myself. When I walked into the studio, I saw the gorgeous pictures on the walls. Everything was just so exciting and welcoming. Annalise did an amazing job with my hair and makeup. The photographer was extremely accommodating and guided me through out the photo shoot to look my best. The real surprise was at the viewing. All the images just blew me off my feet. Every women deserves to be pampered and feel amazing just like I did.”
Romita Lal 014
“Thank you Annalise and the team at STUDIO81 for making me feel special and pretty for a day. I saw my beautiful friend’s video and photos and thought WOW if they could make me look that good that would be amazing so I decided to give it a go. I avoid getting my photo taken as I think they always look terrible but when I saw them all I cried I couldn’t believe how amazing they looked. I have been put down all my life by a very controlling and verbal abusive father who always said I was fat and ugly and never amount to anything and that they never wanted me, my self-confidence hit rock bottom. I had an eating disorder in my teenage years thinking that this would make him happy and he would love me but nope made things worse. Over the years I have put everyone else before me and never really took care of myself, I have in the last 8 years broken away from the family and their controlling ways and it was the best thing I have ever done. I have felt a huge weight lift off my shoulders and I am free and that feels so good. Family maybe your blood but you don’t have to put up with their rubbish I have amazing friends and they are all that I need.
Sue McLaren
I work long hours and never really have time for myself and the team at STUDIO81 made me feel very comfortable and special for the day. It was an amazing experience very much out of my comfort zone but well worth doing it would recommend this experience to anyone.”
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Tina Robb After being convinced by my 22 year old daughter, I finally built up the courage to enter for the #loveyourself campaign. I couldn’t believe it when I was messaged to say that I had been accepted to be part of this! As soon as I arrived for my photoshoot, I felt so comfortable and at ease throughout. All the lovely ladies at STUDIO81 were so welcoming and so easy to talk to, and have a laugh with. It felt like such a treat being pampered and feeling like a princess for the day and just thinking about me! When I viewed my images on the big screen after the photoshoot, I was blown away at how natural the poses actually looked, considering how uncomfortable they sometimes felt. It was also amazing to see with each image, how I had a different look, a different side to me that Chloe had brought out. This experience is just what I needed to enable me to gain more confidence, and to become the real me again! Thank you so much to all of you amazing ladies at STUDIO81, for me to grow and to become this person again! See you again soon, lots of love,
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Everyone has their story - I do as well, but one thing I have learnt from life - It can be as smooth as an untouched lake, or as tough as a tornado spiralling out of control. It is just up to you how you deal with it. My life is not perfect but it’s beautiful in it’s own way. My two little daughters and husband keep me busy, and time to time remind me that their life is around me. When I got a chance to be a part of #LoveYourself campaign, I was totally thrilled and nervous at the same time. It was my very first professional photo shoot. The STUDIO81 team made me feel extremely comfortable. Thanks a ton STUDIO81 for the opportunity. I had me time which was absolutely much needed. ‘To be beautiful means to be yourself’ that’s what I am taking with me from the #LoveYourself campaign.
Pooja Shahani “Oh what a experience it was. Loved Annalise’s make and hair do, Jeff’s photos and chating with Dorin. An absolute amazing team at STUDIO81. I have had a tough year so far, felt lost and weighed down. STUDIO81 was exactly what I needed to lift my spirits up. Felt like a princess for a day and it was totally worth it. Every woman should feel like that once in while. It made me realize how much we neglect ourselves sometimes. So all thanks to STUDIO81 and the team, I might just do this once in while to remind myself how much I love myself. The photos swept my husband off his feet :)”
Shristi Achari
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Hi my name is Lucy, I have definitely lost myself somewhere in the past, ooooo, lets say 10 years. I am a 35 years old and married. 10 years ago we had endured a vey bad experience with an ectopic pregnancy and found we couldn’t have any of our own, thats when I believe I started to let go. We were offered IVF but I had to loose weight as I was a plus size. “I am 42 years old. I have a 17 year old daughter and a 19 year old son. I gave up my studies and career from age 23 to look after my children, I would take them to sports, and typically be super-mum, cook, bake, clean, be taxi - like most mums, and I lost a little bit of myself. From my 20s through to my mid 30’s, standing in line at the grocery store I felt like I had to look away from the women on the covers of the magazines, not watch television, with their glossy skin and upthrust breasts and pouting lips and sultry, shadowed cheekbones. THEY were women, and they were always sexy. Far from anything I felt about myself. In my innocent child-like brain my body became like a hard shell. I was able to measure my insecurity. I needed to change. I eventually changed my career prospects in my mid 30s and retrained - then my marriage fell apart. Having put on weight for 20 years, I started the gym, and I changed myself. I entered events, cycled and did duathlons - until I tore two tendons in my shoulder.
But as my wrinkles from stress and smile lines from laughter get more profound, I still know I have many paths ahead. I have now met a wonderful partner and we hunt, fish and we enjoy the outdoors. He has a wonderful 17 year old son who I adore and treat like my own. So I feel I have 3 children - and am blessed by it. My loving partner encouraged me to follow through with the #loveyourself campaign photo shoot and do it for myself. The #loveyourself shoot was fun, I feel glamorous and I enjoyed feeling ‘treated’ and made to feel sultry with shadowed cheekbones and see that “I am” a woman. I’m happy to see myself and what I have achieved and I was delighted at my partners’ response when he wants my photo on his side of the bed.”
Vanessa Sutherland 018
Let the sleeping caged tiger awake and rise from within and wake up to who you are
Cath Sanvictores “When I think back to my photo shoot at STUDIO81 with Annalise and Jeff, I am still overwhelmed about my experience that day. I had no idea what to take to wear as most of the outfits in my wardrobe were jeans, tights, t-shirts and cardigans! I found a couple of nice tops and some high heels at the back of my wardrobe - never worn as I always believed they looked too good for me to wear but I thought - I might as well get past my comfort zone today! Haha! Thank you for reminding me it is good to know how to receive care and pampering and that I am a strong, feminine and beautiful woman inside who can have confidence in front of a camera! I can still hear Jeff throughout the shoot saying “Give me some attitude!” haha... it felt good to relax and let loose! Situations I have had to face in my life have caused me to grow up quickly and I developed this mentality that I always had to put myself last which isn’t necessarily bad but I have had to learn the balance of saying ‘yes’ to rest. I read recently that the practice of rest is a weapon - it counteracts the inherent negative way we think about ourselves and most of us have grown up with a negative way of thinking about ourselves and so internal rest is a weapon against this. I love that. I value rest not only just physically, mentally and spiritually and it is something I am
passionate about telling my friends about, yet I haven’t practiced it much lately! Taking part in the LoveYourself Campaign was one way I could show my husband and 4 children the value that it is good to take time out for yourself (by the way they could not get over how amazing I looked! They were going on and on about it when I got home!). Lately, my family have just seen me go through my ups and downs of running a business, juggling family life and attempting at keeping a balance. I strive towards giving my family, friends, clients, people I work with my best and my time and to have a day where the focus was on me time was just so uplifting. I went through moments of guilt and awkwardness throughout the whole photo shoot but Annalise and Jeff were just so great to be around and helped me relax. I looked at my photos during the viewing and I just stared at the pictures and could not believe they were me and I could not wait to show my hubby and children!” I hope that by sharing my story, this will encourage and touch other women young and old to take time out and to love and accept who they are and value who they are. Thank you STUDIO81 team! I now have a momento of a wonderful day!”
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“I saw the “LoveYourself campaign” callout on Facebook and I thought “Why not?!!!” It felt extremely exciting messaging you and claiming some “Me time.” Even thinking about myself in that moment made me feel special. As an artist, writer, Mum and a tutor, I am always encouraging others to spread their wings and believe in themselves. Even my children’s book “Little Wing” is all about a girl who believes she only has one wing. In today’s fast paced society it is easy to put ourselves last on the list, easy to think we don’t matter and silly to think it is our turn to shine! I did have doubts and felt very unsure about myself as the day got closer, but Annalise and her team put me at ease and made the whole experience fun and ensured I felt fabulous from start to finish.”
Claire Delaney
“It’s the small things in life that makes all the difference. The continuous small put downs that breaks ones confidence. The times you get told your opinion is worthless. That you are not pretty that no one will take you serious. And then the turn around! I realised I am strong, I am worth it, I have my own back, and I can do this. I am teaching my daughters to know better, to be confident that they are cherished and successful. I look up to the mountains and that is where my strength come from. Psalm 139:14 I praise Thee because I am fearfully and wonderfully made And that brings me to the angels at STUDIO81 from the first communications with Annalise, to my big day, it has been an uplifting experience. Everyone was helpful....encouraging...fun and laughter to go around. They helped me to see and discover my fun side, even to bring out the pretty Lacey things in the bottom of my bag.... THANK YOU.”
Magdalena Classen 020
“Thank you from the bottom of my heart to the wonderful people at STUDIO81. I’m so glad I went ahead and didn’t back out.”
Shirley McDougall “Kia ora! I am a 38-year-old mum of two daughters, aged 5 and 8. This year I started full-time work for the first time in almost 8 years. Prior to that I was a full-time stay-at-home mum, including five and a half years at Playcentre with my children. My new career is primary school teaching, and boy is it a whirlwind. It is busy and crazy but I love it. The biggest challenge this year has been balancing work and family life, which most of my friends have been doing for years. While I studied for my teaching qualification, we were extremely lucky to have my mum stay with us and do all the childcare, including belonging to Playcentre in my place. I always knew I was lucky, but once my younger child started school and both kids headed off to after school care every single day, I truly realised how lucky we had been before. I hope that I am modelling resilience to my children - that life is not always easy but we can adapt, be flexible, and roll with the punches. I also want to model to them that it doesn’t matter what size or shape you are, you can be happy, healthy and fit. ‘Weight loss’ and ‘fat’ are banned words in our household. However, it’s easier to promote these messages than to believe them myself. I have never, ever seen myself as pretty or beautiful. Ever. I don’t know what possessed me to sign up for STUDIO81’s #LoveYourself campaign, but I am so glad I did. I was very nervous, but couldn’t quite figure out why. I looked at their website and the campaigns from previous years, and it did look very impressive.
I nearly backed out countless times (including on the way to the photo shoot!), but my husband supported me and was pleased I was doing something a bit different for myself. Annalise reassured me on the phone, and on the day of the photo shoot. She and Chloe were lovely, and so down to earth. There was much more laughter than I expected, but none of it was at my expense! I think that was one of my worries. I viewed all my photos and carefully chose two, as my budget was very limited. I nearly cried when I saw how happy I looked in the photos. As I left the studio with a smile on my face, I suddenly realised what I had been worrying about. I had been worried that even after the makeup, the hair styling, and the expert photography, that they wouldn’t be able to make me look as good as everyone else. That there was something fundamental about me that meant I couldn’t be made to look beautiful. In all my life, I have never learned to use makeup or do anything with my hair. I am not a feminine person. But when I do try to make a bit of an effort, I feel it ends up being a disaster. The thing that lightened my heart was feeling that I really did look beautiful in those photos. That when my husband tells me I’m beautiful, he must really mean it because perhaps that’s what he sees when he looks at me. I know that beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and that it is only skin deep. I know these things. But it made me feel so special that I could look beautiful too.
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“ I was fortunate enough to be part of this wonderful amazing campaign. I am Samoan, and a single mother to my beautiful kids. I definitely have responsibilities, day in-day out, but having some time for myself added into my routine is a must. Therefore I thank you STUDIO81 for all the love and for giving me this awesome opportunity to participate. I had so much fun with you all. God Bless.”
Aiga Mataia
“I would like to extend my sincerest thanks for the most lovely, eye opening experience I had coming out of your studio. When I saw the photos, I first thought, wow....is that me? It can’t be. I felt such an awesome feeling after finishing the shoot and seeing the finished product. Going back to when I was young, I’ve never felt pretty. Even after finding a husband and having kids, I would always find myself comparing myself to other women and asking myself: ‘Was I good enough?’ Doing this photo shoot and getting a makeover was a real eye opener, because I had always poured my time into the motherly/ wife/work duties that society and family has expected of me. I felt pretty for the first time in my life, like I belonged somewhere, like wow....this is what it’s like to feel pretty. I’ve never felt good enough and have always need validation. Coming out of this shoot, I felt so good about myself, and I never ever get dolled up and wear makeup because I don’t have the time....so thank you very much STUDIO81 for bringing out another side of me, and for spreading such a positive message behind your campaign. #loveyourself”
Amanda Vakaafi 022
“When I saw the #loveyourself campaign on Facebook and read the brief it caught my eye! I thought to myself this is exactly what I need. Having a 3 year old and a 8 month old and being a stay at home mummy my world revolves around taking care of my kids and I wouldn’t have it any other way! From being a working woman, having a social life, having my own time and having sleep, to now being at home looking after two kids, them being my social life and yep having no sleep, I sit back and think how my life has changed. I love my new life but I have been selfish and have forgotten to look after the most important person - me!! I now have no time to myself, lost my confidence and neglected my mind and body. When I got accepted for this photo shoot I was so excited and nervous to have a break and to have the opportunity to focus on me! I couldn’t figure out what to wear as after having my kids I became very self conscious and lost my confidence in my body image.
Walking into STUDIO81 I didn’t know what to expect, I was also very nervous and didn’t know what to do with myself As it has been nearly over a year that I had been alone without the kids for nearly 3-4 hours!!! But the nerves all went out the window when I worked into the studio. Annalise made me feel so comfortable and did a amazing job on making me feel good about myself again! Jeff the photographer was outstanding he made me feel so comfortable during the shoot, and beautiful! He actually photographed me during my wedding! I felt like me again!! I forgot about my kids for a few hours and focused on me!!! I left there feeling refreshed and confident. STUDIO81 thank you for letting me have this experience and making me have a break from my busy life for a few hours to focus on me and making me feel beautiful.”
Rachna Singh 023
When I saw the advert on FB I thought it would be the perfect opportunity and post my message at age 54 good enough? I thought it won’t happened coz I am too old !!! But they message me few days later that they accept me. Like my mind blown whoa but at the same time I always imagine myself in modelling. The reason I decided to take the part in the #Loveyourself campaign is because I just want to show people that life is too short and you have to do things for yourself. I have experienced a lot growing up bullied, threats to kill me thru my teens because of my deafness, it’s not easy as I am the only child. I experienced a lot of sadness in my life, my mum died when I was 37 and my dad 10 years later all things have shut down but at the same time I push myself to moved on. I bought myself old classic chev 55 ( Vanilla Shake) it’s was the best thing ever! I was feeling run-down, over weight and ugly, thing have been hectic at work. I am still struggle with myself confidence at times (feeling that I am not good enough or worthy) never done anything like this before but am starting to open up and come out of my comfort zone. Married for 34 years with a deaf man with two lovely daughters that I am proud of, trying to be a good mum to balance them out and one just got married last January, never felt so proud. My other daughter is engaged to be married in a year or two. When I saw this opportunity to do this photo shoot I had to get my chance to feel confident and be beautiful to show my daughters and my husband. On that day I was really nervous, I hadn’t told anyone about this...thought I am a crazy woman but once I arrive at the door it was like...whoa I am really here. Annalise was so amazing with make-up and my hair, done like a princess, I never felt so happy as she is so full of light, smile and lots of laugher at the same time, felt so relaxed. Meet Jeff, cute guy with nice smile pretty nervous himself coz I am deaf.. I said just go with the flow and he had a great eye looking thru the camera. Very professional image myself I am modelling today !! I was #Glamour first
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and then later felt so calm that I asked for one photo of boudoir. Never felt so nervous as I always wanting to do this. I did it and proud of myself. When I saw the big screen with so many photos, I wanted it all as I can’t believe I looked so glamorous, looked so happy, calm and empowered. Thank you for much for my special day and best memories in my heart xx I think I broke my world record for deaf woman attending modelling? Who knows?! I am sure everyone out there can learn to loveyourself, it’s so important for your life. Smile.
Lynne Harvey
A huge thank you to the team that made me feel and look amazing. I may not be a mother to a human child, but I was a carer, a wife, and thanks to cancer, now a widow. I met my late husband 10yrs ago, and we were the best of friends. Even though I moved to work in the mines of Western Australia, we always kept in contact. I returned 2 yrs ago and we decided to properly date and live together. Six months of happiness later we were hit with a terminal cancer diagnosis with a prognosis of three months. And so began the roller coaster of treatments, and the highs and lows of medical trials. Somehow, he had the strength to purchase an engagement ring, proposing Christmas morning. Things were looking to improve, but his health declined in the new year and we decided to marry at Easter. Our 15 yr old Labrador , his childhood friend/flatmate with ms and another friend were best men, and my boss and sister as bridesmaids. It was a lovely day but cancer never takes a break. Ever. Unless you are very very lucky. My heart goes out to others who are fighting it, knowing the stress of juggling medication routines, comforting, caring 24/7, with limited sleep and running a household. It is one of the hardest journeys I have ever faced. Ryan passed away 14 months after diagnosis, and George, the Labrador three months later. While sad, I like to think they are happy together; father and “son”. And in a weird twist of fate (aka accidental housefire), wonder if they sent the neighbour and his dog to fill their void and look after the flatmate and I.
Christy Boyd “The seasons of womanhood are all different. I am a wife and mum, and have three amazing children. I’m trying to just do life and live. I got caught up in the roller coaster of life and forgot about me. My career’s changed many times, and then I turned the Big 50! I looked at myself and said ‘What about me?’ I decided to do things, and challenged myself to embrace things I never did before – one of my dreams was to do a photoshoot. Me… alone. The LoveYourself campaign empowered me as a Lady, as I learned to embrace who I am and just be ME as I saw the Love and Strength I have inside of me. Doing the LoveYourself campaign made me feel pampered and absolutely glamourous! It’s a precious, priceless moment I will treasure forever. Me being ME and loving myself!”
Vanessa Stoffberg 025
AMAZING YOU How would you like to be photograph?
9 Teed St, Newmarket, Auckland • 09 52225 81 • pr@studio81.co.nz • www.studio81.co.nz