I met Jesse years ago, when they booked me to document their wedding. I’ve remained friends with both Jesse, and their wife (Kara), because they’re both seriously awesome individuals, as well as a super cool couple. I did this session forever ago, but just didn’t get around to sharing it. With Pride month here, it seems like the perfect time!
This session was very different than any that I’ve done before. Not only was this the first time doing a session in my studio after dark, but this was also an opportunity for Jesse to document something life changing. As a trans/non-binary person, they wanted to have their breasts photographed, prior to having them removed via top surgery.
Anyway, I thought it would be fun to do a Q&A with Jesse. Please see below.
Q: Why was it important for you to schedule this photo shoot?
A: I felt it was important to do this photo shoot to help me process some of the emotions I have about my upcoming surgery. I also felt it would be a good way for me to end this chapter of my life. I view my surgery as a new beginning for me. I also felt like it would be good to have the photos as a gift for my wife, but also for me to look back on in 10, 20, 50 years. Coming out as trans/non-binary was a long, difficult process and I feel it is important to remember how far I've come.
Q: What is/was your goal in creating these images?
A: My goal was to show that gender is a spectrum and that boudoir isn't just for women. I am hoping to images will show that while I present masculine and identify as non-binary that there are still parts of me that are feminine. I also wanted to show the contrast between me in a bra (I hadn't worn a real bra in over 15 years) and me in a binder etc.
Q:. How did you feel in the days leading up to the session?
A: I felt anxious, but also pretty excited! I had never done anything like this before. I was nervous that I wasn't going to feel comfortable/confident in front of the camera in a bra/topless since I feel very disconnected from my breasts.
Q: Was the photo session itself what you expected? If not, how did it differ from your expectations?
A: Yes and no. I expected to be much more nervous than I was. I also didn't expect to have so much fun! I knew that Kel would have great ideas and I knew what to expect as a "model" since Kel did our wedding photography.
Q: What were you feeling during the photo shoot?
A: I felt alive. It was really empowering to have these photos done. I felt really confident and sexy.
Q: How did you feel right after the shoot?
A: I felt a mixture of happiness, sadness, and excitement. I was happy because it was so fun! I felt sad because it brought up some feelings I have about "taking away" a part of me that my wife loves so much. I felt excited to see the photos as I knew that they'd turn out awesome because Kel is amazing!
Q: How did you feel when you got your sneak peek?
A: I was amazed. The sneak peek photo is absolutely incredible. The lighting is perfect and I felt it really captured my essence.
Q: Is there anything else you'd like to add?
A: I just want to say thank you to Kel for giving me this opportunity! I have so many feelings about my surgery (and my body) and I think the photo shoot was a really good choice and that I'll cherish the photos forever.
