If you had the opportunity to grow outside your comfort zone in a way that allowed you to practice self-care, inner healing, and a deepened appreciation for your body, would you take it?
Today’s featured Spark Alumni did!
As a dancer, who gives her all to her family, this Spark Alumni put life on pause for one day to engage in self-care at the Show Your Spark studio. The day held many emotions as she shed layers of expectations and performative-based ideologies to fully embrace her inner Spark and body.
Her body showed up for her in ways she doubted it still would. Seeing herself in the portraits created during her Spark Session enables her to silence her inner critic and better appreciate all her body does for her.
Read on to see how this dancer and mother allowed herself to shine in our studio!
I am a perfectionist who grew up in a high-achieving family. To say that I’m hard on myself is an understatement. I love my family, my job, and my hobbies, but it’s hard for me to say I love myself. I’m still trying to find that balance between taking care of others and taking care of myself.
I booked my Spark Session because I wanted to prove to myself that my body is beautiful just the way it is. I remember having body image issues as young as age seven, when I used to sit in my chair in school with my hands under my knees so my thighs would look thinner. I’m short and I have a young face, so well into my adulthood, the words “cute” and “little” were frequently paired with “girl” to describe me. I wanted to show myself that while I can be cute, I can also pull off hot, sexy, gorgeous, and maybe a little bit dangerous.
Initially, I was more excited than nervous about my Spark Session. I’m a dancer, so my entire life people have watched me use my body to create art in various states of dress (and undress). In all of that time, I always portrayed someone or something else. It’s never truly been ME on display. This time, as the clothes came off, the only thing under them was me. That made me more nervous than anything.
I loved the entire experience! I really need to treat myself to a good pampering more often. If I had to pick a favorite moment, it would be when I got to see the pictures at the end during the slideshow premiere. I cried. I cried because I could truly see myself as beautiful for the first time. I cried because my body came through for me, just like it always does. Lindsay’s photos proved to me that my body is amazing at this weight and size and shape.
As a result of my Spark Experience, the doubts and the desire to be thinner or lighter are not as loud as they once were.
The photos in the mermaid bikini probably mean the most to me. I had to talk myself into wearing something that exposed my midsection. Trying to figure out how to put the outfit on was interesting! (It took the entire studio staff to do so!) I’m so glad I stepped out of my comfort zone with that choice. The photos are fantastic!
I would absolutely recommend the Spark Experience. My advice is this: Step out of your comfort zone. Go for the bold makeup. Get naked in a bathtub or shower scene. Wear that gorgeous 2-piece set that you think will make you look fat. You’ll look amazing, and you’ll be glad you tried it.
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Are you ready to grow outside your comfort zone through empowerment photography? If so, contact us today to begin the conversation! We can’t way to meet you, hear your story, and help your Spark shine!
