MACKENZIE’S STUDIO BOUDOIR EXPERIENCE

Mackenzie’s Studio Boudoir Experience | Destination Boudoir Photographer | San Diego | Auburn, Ca | Bella Rosa Boudoir Photography

MACKENZIE’S STUDIO BOUDOIR EXPERIENCE

When I asked Mackenzie if she was willing to not only share her photos publicly, but her personal story as well, she immediately said YES! It was SO RANDOM that we met {I mean she won a giveaway we did with well over 1,500 entries!} But I absolutely believe in meant to be, and that is exactly what this was… Meant to be!

beautiful girl posing with her eyes closed and fake eyelashes

When I first talked to Mackenzie and met her, I could instantly tell she was so special. She has a glow about her that just makes you want to know who she is.

She is an open book too… So willing to talk and share. Her journey has been so challenging for ANYONE, let alone at 35 with no family history. I hope you take the time to read her words and to enjoy some of my personal favorites from her luxury boudoir session with us!

“In July 2020 I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I have no family history and I wasn’t a gene carrier and I wasn’t even old enough to get regular mammograms. I was only 35. My OBGYN found my lump at a regular check-up.

My treatment consisted of multiple surgeries, reconstructive surgeries, trying to freeze my eggs and going through the IVF process 2 1/2 times with very poor results. And then continuing with 20 rounds of radiation that left me badly burned and now I take hormonal therapy to help reduce my risk of recurrence.

All of this left me with such diminished self-confidence. When you have to alter your body in a way you would’ve never chosen it can destroy your confidence. You don’t even want to look at yourself in the mirror.

I remember laying in the hospital bed asking my surgeon, who was changing my bandages the next day, if I could look and I just burst into tears. I felt mutilated and like I had lost a piece of myself because I had.

After primary treatment was over and I started hormonal therapy this caused weight gain. It has been very difficult for me to get it off even doing everything right.

When I saw this contest and I entered I had no idea I would win. I just put in for it because I saw it online and thought hey that would be fun to do but never really thought it would be me. I didn’t even know people actually won those things that you see on Instagram or online. So you can imagine my surprise when I was re-watching the Facebook live event and heard my name called.

Although I was ecstatic I also was terrified. I didn’t want anyone taking pictures of me let alone of my body in little to no clothing after my surgeries and weight gain! I almost even thought about not doing it because I was that scared.

However, I had lots of friends that were supportive and encouraged me to go through this experience. Brittany and Sabrina were so wonderful. They made me feel so beautiful and I remember sharing my story and I started crying while my make up was being done so we had to start talking about something else so it wouldn’t ruin my beautiful make up.

I was convinced that I would not take any good photos. But I wanted to do this experience to try and love my body for what it’s been through and what it has allowed me to do. The experience was so therapeutic. I laughed and I cried during parts of it. Brittany was really there to help me get something special out of this experience. I could tell she truly cared about me and I could tell she cares about all of her clients.

When I came to view the photos I actually had trouble narrowing it down to 50 photos because I liked so many of them. I wanted to write this review to let any girl know that if she’s on the fence about doing this she definitely should.

I was terrified and I cried the days leading up to it and as I said earlier this was true therapy for me. To have to look at myself in the mirror and see parts of my body that I wasn’t fond of and accept all of those parts… It was work and it was needed. I cannot think Brittany and the Bella Rosa team enough for this experience.”

I wanted to share this blog with her words and photos for several reasons. Not only to bring awareness to breast cancer, but also to bring awareness to nerves and self-doubt. These feelings are common and our experience has been created to help you break through personal barriers and become the best version of yourself.

Finding self-love and confidence is a journey. You will feel it deeply some days and others you might be searching so hard to find any bit of it. Just remember that this journey is different for everyone and you never know what battle someone is fighting just from looking at a photo! All bodies are beautiful! I hope you love and support our mission!