At 38 years old, with a busy career as a hospital doctor and as a parent to young children, I spend very little time on self care and my appearance. Life is so very busy, that being pampered comes bottom of the pile of priorities! However, I would honestly say that spending a morning to myself at the Portrait Boutique, having my makeup done and having this photoshoot, was such a special treat - it was actually therapeutic! For me to be made my most fabulous self and to get some beautiful photos done and just how brilliant I felt that morning will stay with me for a long time! I really wasn't expecting it to be so enjoyable. 

I felt so nervous before the photoshoot, would I be able to pose right, would I look awkward or not at all like myself? I was excited about it as the day approached but also didn't want to find myself super embarrassed and terrible at posing! I was still nervous on the morning of the photoshoot, but got more and more excited and actually, once I was in the boutique and having my photos done, I actually felt relaxed and pretty at ease and wasn't half as embarrassed and shy as I expected. Kate has a great ability to direct you gently and make you feel your most confident self. 

I didn't want too much skin on show, too much bra - Kate completely listened to what I was happy with and guided me about what combination of clothing would work well for the shoot. I brought some pieces from home that I love and used some of the boutique clothing. Unexpectedly, it felt amazing having my photos done and I came out beaming after such a fun morning! I walked around town afterwards feeling utterly fabulous.

When I saw the photos, I felt pretty amazed at how great they were, and how so many of them felt like 'me' but just stunning. I was so pleased with them and felt pretty proud of myself as well to be honest!

I would highly recommend it as an experience. It has made me see that though I may not be my 23 year old self any more, I am still pretty great. I may have smile lines and a caesarean scar tummy, but I can still feel beautiful in my own skin. 

Even if you don't like being photographed, I would say to reconsider and think about whether a morning of confidence-boosting could be what you need!

Thank you Kate, for the beautiful photographs, I will cherish them!