How Boudoir Photography Helped Me After Crohn’s Disease and a Colostomy

A Letter to Women Like Me: How I Found My Confidence Again

(By Mrs. W.)

There was a time I truly believed my life was over.

Not in the dramatic sense, but in the quiet way, the way you stop feeling like a woman and start feeling like you’re just existing. Like you’re only here to survive, to care for others, to get through the day.

If you’re reading this and you feel even a little bit like that, I want you to know something right now.

You are not alone.

The Day Everything Changed

Eight years ago, I was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease.

My health declined fast, and I became seriously unwell, so unwell that I nearly died. I had to have an emergency operation, and that operation saved my life.

But it also changed my body forever.

I woke up with a colostomy bag.

It’s hard to explain what that does to your confidence unless you’ve lived it. People see the physical side, but what they don’t always see is the emotional side, the identity side.

Suddenly, I didn’t recognise myself.

I Stopped Seeing Myself

After that, I hid.

I hid behind baggy clothes. I avoided mirrors. I avoided anything that might make me feel vulnerable. I carried self doubt around like it was part of my body too.

And the truth is, I didn’t just lose confidence in my body.

I lost confidence in me.

I’m a mother to my own children, and I’m also a foster carer. I love them fiercely, with everything in me. But my days were full of everyone else’s needs, everyone else’s feelings, everyone else’s problems.

There was little time, and even less energy, for myself.

And I was in a marriage that often felt thankless.

Somewhere along the way I stopped seeing myself as a woman, and started seeing myself as someone who just had to keep going.

The Unexpected Moment That Started My Healing

Then something happened that I never expected.

My daughter saw Sarah’s boudoir competition on Facebook, and she entered it for me.

When she told me, my first reaction was fear.

I thought, how could I do something like that?

But underneath that fear was something else too.

A tiny spark.

A part of me that missed feeling like a woman.

Meeting Sarah, and Feeling Seen Again

After speaking to Sarah in depth, everything started to shift.

We met, and we talked about everything.

Not just the shoot, but me.

What I wanted from it. What my vision was. What I was afraid of. What I needed.

And most importantly, we talked about what we were going to do with my friend, “the bag.”

I call it my friend now because for years I treated it like my enemy.

Something that ruined me. Something that took from me. Something I needed to hide.

But Sarah didn’t make me feel ashamed.

Speaking with her gave me back my confidence, because she made me feel safe, seen, and understood.

She didn’t look at me like I was broken.

She looked at me like I was powerful.

The Day of the Boudoir Shoot

When the day came, I was nervous.

Actually, nervous doesn’t even cover it.

I was so nervous that I brought my friend with me to the shoot, because I needed someone there who knew me, who understood me, and who could help me feel brave enough to walk through that door.

And I’m so glad I did.

Because once I stepped in front of that camera, something incredible happened.

The lens didn’t see my illness.

It didn’t see my colostomy.

It didn’t see scars or fear or everything I thought I had lost.

It saw me.

The woman I had forgotten I was.

Strong. Resilient. Beautiful.

And yes, sensual too.

For the first time in years, I saw myself the way everyone else sees me.

And it was empowering.

Seeing the Photos Changed Everything

When I saw the images, it hit me like a wave.

My life wasn’t over.

My confidence wasn’t gone, it was just buried underneath survival mode.

The shoot didn’t erase my struggles.

It didn’t change my past.

But it changed how I saw myself.

It helped me reclaim my body.

My identity.

My self respect.

My Husband Left, But I Didn’t Lose Myself This Time

Not long after, my husband left.

And I’m not going to pretend that didn’t hurt.

Because it did.

But what I will say is this.

I no longer see myself through his eyes, or through the life that made me feel small.

I’m learning to see myself through my own eyes.

And through the strength it took to survive everything I’ve survived.

Why Wall Art Matters More Than People Think

Now, my walls are filled with images that remind me of who I am.

I love wall art, and for me it isn’t “just decoration.”

It’s healing.

It’s a daily reminder that I’m allowed to take up space.

That I’m allowed to be seen.

That my body is not something to hide.

That I’m more than my illness.

More than my bag.

More than what life has done to me.

To Any Woman Reading This

If you are reading this and you feel unseen, undervalued, or disconnected from yourself, I want you to hear me clearly.

It is not too late.

You are not broken.

Your body is not the enemy.

Your life is not over.

Your beauty is not diminished.

And your story is far from finished.

Seeing yourself the way others see you is a gift.

And it can change everything.

A Note to Women Thinking About a Shoot

If you’re reading this and you’ve been thinking, I could never do that, please hear me when I say this: I thought that too.

I thought my body wasn’t worth photographing. I thought I’d feel ashamed. I thought my bag would be the only thing anyone would see.

But it wasn’t.

The truth is, you don’t need to “wait until you feel confident” to do something like this. Sometimes you do it to find your confidence again.

So if you’re a woman living with Crohn’s, a colostomy, scars, stretch marks, trauma, heartbreak, or just years of putting yourself last, I want you to know you still deserve to feel beautiful.

If the idea of a shoot has ever crossed your mind, even for a second, take it as your sign. Reach out, ask the questions, have the conversation, and allow yourself the chance to be seen properly.

Because you are still you.
You are still worthy.
And your life is not over.

Sarah xxxx

Boudoir & Makeovers -

Why we find it hard to be ourselves!

Continuous Dieting?

Is it OK just to be YOU?

Hopefully, you will already know the answer; it doesn't matter what age, size, or shape you are, celebrate yourself and realise that your body is beautiful.(Although we may not always think it at times)

---

Avoiding Mirrors

Over the years, have you avoided all mirrors, not wanting to look at the real you?

Have you dieted, exercised, and endured mental torture to be like everyone else even though your body may have gone through childbirth and/or the menopause, and the fact that you may be fast approaching another big birthday?

In your mind, do you still have the mentality that you need to look like thirty something!!?

Stop right now!!!!!!

So, stop beating yourself up and start embracing your body. Come on, take off all your clothes and look in the mirror. Look at the beautiful person who stands before you, be proud of your body.

Be comfortable in your own skin.❤️

“If you are searching for that one person that will change your life, take a look in the mirror”

Start putting your energy into living...

You can still be careful with what you eat, drink plenty of water and exercise, but do it for yourself, not for the body you have been striving for, for the past umpteen years.

So let's be liberated and start being the real us.....

“Body confidence doesn’t come from trying to achieve the perfect body it comes from embracing the one you already have”

Sarah xxxxx

---

Take the next step, drop us a line and let us empower you.

Body Confidence Photography, Sussex and Kent.

At Sarah Tate Photography, we have enjoyed working with individuals of all ages, shapes, and sizes, ranging from 25 to 70. Each and every one of these beautiful souls had fears and insecurities, but with our help, they found the courage to book a Body Confidence consultation with us. Together, we explored all the options resulting in a perfect photoshoot for them.

We understand that stepping out of your comfort zone can be daunting. However, we assure you that we at Sarah Tate Photography will make your Body Confidence experience the most fun and relaxing time you will know.

When you look back at your images, whether they are hanging on your walls or safely displayed on a table, you will see that amazing person looking straight back at you.

Our mission is to bring out the best in you and capture that beauty for a lifetime.

How Boudoir Photography Can Help You Embrace Your Body

Having a boudoir photography shoot can be a great way to boost your body confidence. It allows you to see yourself in a new light and appreciate your body for what it is.

We can capture your best angles and highlight your best features, helping you feel more comfortable in your skin.

It's important to remember that boudoir photography is not about looking perfect; it's about celebrating your unique beauty and feeling confident and empowered.

If you're interested in booking a boudoir shoot, we'd love to have you come in for a consultation.

During our chat, we can discuss your preferences and determine the type of shoot best suits your needs and style.

Our goal is to make you feel comfortable and confident, so please don't hesitate to ask questions or voice concerns.

We're here to help you achieve the perfect boudoir photos you'll cherish for years.

Looking forward to meeting you!

A boudoir photography shoot can be a great way to boost your body's confidence. It allows you to see yourself in a new light and appreciate your body for what it is.

We are looking forward to seeing you ❤️. Sarah xxxx