For weeks on end I’ve been dreaming up my business to the point where I am actually putting pen to paper, registering business names, writing business plans, converting the front room into a studio…

Ok, not really converting the front room into the studio but you get the idea – I am enthusiastic.

And the front room would make a bloody fantastic studio.

I am all about women – all women, any shape, any colour, any age – feeling good about themselves. This has been my creed for the past six months even while the plans were merely pipe dreams.

A comment was made earlier this week on a photography forum that I tried extremely hard not to take offense to… but sort of did anyway.

Although I know it wasn’t personal, nor was it directed at me nor was it made in any seriousness, it still hit me like a punch to the gut.

A reply to a request for suggestions on how to pose larger ladies was:

I guess it would be too cheeky to suggest that a wide angle lens may be a good starting point?

(For the record, the poster of that comment apologised and removed it – though not before I got onto my high horse and said something for which I in turn have apologised.)

It’s precisely that sort of self-depreciating comment or veiled insult that I would really like to stop.  We’re all worthy people (except for those who aren’t – like murderers, racists, rapists and kiddy-fiddlers) and we all deserve much better than to pay ourselves so much disservice.  As a woman, life can be particularly cruel if you’re not a glamazon.  I’m not sure what it’s like to be a male in the same situation (for obvious reasons) but I’m sure it’s the same sort of “not fun”. It’s hard enough to summon the gonads for dropping one’s daks and getting nakey in front of a lens. Snide remarks of any sort are neither appreciated nor wanted. And we’re certainly all capable of making such comments about ourselves.

My business is all about “love thyself”, self empowerment by showing people that they can look fantastic and doing a boudoir shoot for themselves more than a partner.

Consider me a “happiness consultant”.

Yes, I watched the first episode of Hung.  Oh Thomas Jane, why did you stoop so low? I could forgive you for The Punisher but you have done your dash now.

This post is dedicated to two of the most lovely and beautiful (inside and outside) ladies I know… Tam and Janet. The former possessing a shining inner light and major spark of creative fun, the latter possing a sublime grace and elegance I could only dream of having. They are my inspiration.

Tam (left) & Janet (right)