Recently, I met Christina.
Christina is an absolute powerhouse of a woman, navigating her breast cancer diagnosis and imminent surgery in a positive and life-affirming way.
By celebrating and immortalising in photos, she’s emotionally saying farewell to the body she loves.
I know everyone faces a diagnosis in a different way and there is no right or wrong way to react/handle this. However I couldn’t help but be inspired by Christina, I loved our shoot so much.
I’m looking forward to her joining me, once healed, for a body acceptance shoot.
I know it will help her get to know and strengthen her new body image in such a positive way.
I am truly honoured that Christina chose me (and trusted in me) after an extensive google search, travelling such a distance to join me in the studio.
Johanna ~x~
Christina’s boudoir shoot, in her own words:
“I wanted to do this shoot after being diagnosed with breast cancer and being told that a mastectomy was likely. I immediately knew I wanted to find a way to immortalise my current body, and a boudoir shoot, of course, fit the bill. Something I could choose to share, or keep private.
I think I’m quite unusual in that I love my current body and love and embrace my large breast size.
The thought of that changing and the change being something largely out of my control due to the surgical options I have is really terrifying for me.
Even though I know why the reconstruction size will be dramatically smaller than I am now, it is incredibly hard for me to wrap my head around aesthetically. Even though I understand that after the operation I will be, everything crossed, cancer free.
So, I’m in the process of grieving, not only in the diagnosis of cancer as anyone with cancer does, but for the loss of my perfect breasts in their current form.
So, I wanted to make sure that I chose the right person to do this. It was not just about “Can they take the photographs” but how they would make me feel.
I researched and looked up various options, contacting a few.
When I reached out to Joahnna and upon speaking to her, I felt immediately at ease.
When I shared that I’m looking to do it because of my cancer diagnosis, she explained that she used to be a midwife.
I knew immediately that she would be very compassionate, friendly and emotionally sensitive to my situation.
She also mentioned that she volunteers for Macmillian at a local hospital. I knew after our phone conversation that she was the right choice for me to book with.
The experience itself of the photoshoot was fantastic, I felt and looked incredible, thank you Lucy for the wonderful make-up.
Johanna made sure I felt comfortable and at ease, we talked and laughed throughout the shoot.
She also asked if I wanted to discuss my cancer or not, and there was no pressure, no prying and no look of pity.
Just genuine kindness. I can’t imagine picking a better person to do this shoot with.
I absolutely love all my photos and found the reveal cathartic, crying, at both how amazing I look in them, but also at the loss of my body in its current form.
My plan is to do a second shoot after my surgery and recovery. And whilst I went into this one with 100% body confidence, I know my next one after surgery will be different.
But I know that Johanna will absolutely be able to help me during the shoot to lift my confidence.
I plan to create wall art that’s a mixture of both shoots. Celebrating both my body as it is now before surgery and then accepting and celebrating the next chapter of my body post-surgery.
I highly recommend booking with Johanna if you want a way to immortalise and celebrate your current body. With someone who is kind, caring, and wonderfully talented.”
Thankyou to the moon and back Christina, can’t wait to see you for the next shoot.
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