Dear Addition-Elle,I think it's time we had a chat. You see, I have been frequenting your establishment for quite sometime now and while I have been eagerly spending your fashion dollars and partaking in your plus size fashion, something has been bugging me and I think it's time I got it off my ample bosom.
You see, Dearest AE, while I absolutely love the gorgeous Ashley Graham and all of the other beautiful models you portray in your advertising, I can't help but feel slightly disappointed. As Canada's largest (and possibly only!!) plus size establishment (aside from Penningtons, which you also own) you have the opportunity to do something epic, groundbreaking, and revolutionary. You have the opportunity to provide your clientele with the one thing we ache for the most.....images of women like us, wearing your clothes. Nothing against the babes you showcase as they may fall into the "plus size" category (according to your blog post: http://blog.additionelle.com/2014/07/09/plus-size/), but I bet if I had a look at your main demographic, it would NOT feature a size 14/16 woman. I would bet that your average clientele falls between a size 20 and 24 and does not have that flawless hourglass figure that you tout in your fashion editorials.
Now, don't take this personally, because I love that you provide options for us plussies, where there wasn't any previously, but I think we can make a big difference here. You see, I have taken the liberty to provide you with beautiful imagery showcasing YOUR customers wearing YOUR garments and looking absolutely sexy and fabulous...and more realistic to how your customers look when they put on your lingerie. Seeing as it's 2016, I think we can all agree that it's time to stop marketing focused on getting women to want to be someone else and instead provide them with marketing that speaks to who they already ARE and how great they would look wearing your clothes!!
Now, I know this might sound forward and maybe even a little brash, and you are probably thinking, what the heck does this one girl know about fashion and marketing and OUR business...well, I AM your business. You see, I am an avid customer (I have the receipts to prove it) and I am pretty sure if I feel this way, so do a lot of your other customers (at least that's what I gather from the comments on the social media sites, saying they want to see more "bellies" etc.) And I am sure I can hear your marketing director scoffing at this letter, saying things like "nobody would buy clothes if they were on "REAL" bodies", but just think how we feel when we try your pieces on our REAL bodies and realize that we look NOTHING like Ashley Graham when we put on lingerie?? It would be rather radical (and amazing!!) of you to provide us with a more accurate representation of OUR body types. And yes, I know Penningtons has been featuring the gorgeous Tess Munster, but can we get more of that action in the lingerie department of AE?
Seeing as you essentially have the monopoly on plus size fashion in Canada at the moment, I realize you don't OWE me anything, but I think you have a chance to do something amazing and I promise that you will see a spectacular return on your investments (which, at the end of the day, is the idea, right?)
Oh, and PS. if you could get ring lights on your mirrors in the fitting room, I GUARANTEE an increase in sales. Downward lighting from pot-lights is flattering on no one.
XOXO,Your Customer Who Is Built Less Like An Hour Glass and More Like a Brick
(All of these babes are wearing lingerie purchased at Addition-Elle....as you can see, we all look fab as hell)
She Didn't Feel Sexy {Minneapolis Diaries} ~ International Boudoir Photographer
Miss A and I spent a lot of time together while in Minneapolis because she wanted to put herself into her clients' shoes, but also she wanted to get her mentorship on! I had the pleasure of photographing her in my gorgeous AirBNB and then hanging with her at her awesome Minneapolis studio! This babe was nervous, but also incredibly saucy once we started shooting! She totally gets my mission and promotes the same female empowerment at her boudoir studio, focusing on shooting ladies with curves. Both of us talked about how it was important for there to be diversity of body types in the media, and since we are technically the "media" we could help make this change! So, without further adieu, here is Miss A and her beautiful story.
I loved the experience and just the feeling of confidence afterwards and knowing that I have done this not only for myself but also for my clients when I photograph them. 
I was so scared and nervous and seriously thought that she couldn't bring out sexy in me because I don't feel that way... I sometimes feel cute or silly but not sexy and beautiful. And to be okay with my body, which is a size 28 and to actually see it being strong and holding those poses {which were hard work) and yet I could do it even at my size!
Overall, the experience really had me thinking and re-evaluating my body and how I perceive myself! Thank you for letting me see a different side of me and pushing me out of my comfort zone!
Not only did this babe kill it, but she now knows exactly what her clients feel: before, during, and after the shoot. You can see Miss A's own bog post about her experience here! I cannot wait to see her business grow! This is why I love, love, love to do mentorships (or teritorials as I call them)!! I, as one person, can only empower so many people, but if I can mentor and educate photographers to help them go forth and empower women, then so many more women will have their lives changed!! So, if you are a photographer wanting to impact more women and do more with your business, let me know or if you are a client who is ready to take the leap and do something you will NEVER regret, shoot me an email!
It Saved Her Life ~ Winnipeg Boudoir Photographer
I know the tremendous impact I want my work to have on the women who not only come in for a shoot, but also for those viewing it from afar, but sometimes I forget exactly how much it actually does. I posted a casting call in my VIP Boudy Babe group awhile back and Miss S scooped it up, coming in for a session and attempting to give herself some love. Little did I know that this session would affect her as much as it did. I will let Miss S take control of the blog now and tell you in her own words exactly how her session changed her view of herself.
When I first saw Teri's work, all I could think of, "I need this. Like. Now."
So I showed it to my partner, who agreed that it would help. I told him it would save my life. So when Teri was doing a casting call, I jumped on it. A week before I came into Teri's studio, or as I call it, "Magic Boudy Land", I was terrified. Scared. What if she is repulsed by my look? I have so many scars, pimples, etc, what if I just look like a girl with a disease? What if my partner hates them? What if *I* hate them? These were all things that were going through my head, and more. I was diagnosed with BPD(Borderline Personality Disorder), PTSD(Post Traumatic Stress Disorder), Anxiety(all varieties at different levels), and depression. So as some could imagine, I didn't think I could do it. I have huge body issues(Body Dysmorphia, very low self esteem, etc), and it causes me to think, and feel like nothing. That *I* am nothing, or not worthy of being loved by anyone. But as I walked through the door of Magic Boudy Land, my worries kind of melted away.
Teri is an amazing person, she radiates with so much glitter and sparkle that I don't think anyone could be sad in her room. She just makes you feel at home and loved, and very welcomed. When we got started, after makeup(which was so mystifying), she explained things clearly, with no pressure. It's like we were friends for years. She treated me like an equal, a sexy goddess, a beautiful woman, a normal human being.
After the shoot, I was so happy. I was radiating glitter and sparkle and so much sass. I was confident. And I am in love with myself. I know getting a boudy shoot to some may seem like nothing, or that it won't do anything. Or that it's "not for you" or that you have to be a certain body type to get one. No. It saved my life. My humanity. Not only am I more confident. I feel great. It's like a personal high. I advise everyone to get one done. Sure, you may still have bad days, but I find that I still think I am sexy even on the worse days. I am loving myself, and everyone should feel this way.
I'm not gonna lie. I totally teared up when I read her email. This session SAVED. HER. LIFE. No, wait. SHE saved her life. She followed through with her session despite the constant battle in her mind. There are a number of women out there who would cancel, reschedule or just not go forward with their session because of all of the fears Miss S listed, but look what happened when she pushed herself so far outside of her comfort zone?? SHE DID AMAZING!! She is renewed and one step closer to being at peace with herself. Had she not pushed past the fears she would be in the same self-depricating and emotionally damaging state that she was, but this bombshell DIDN'T let her fear stop her. Instead she faced it head on and powered her shoot with her nervousness (and as a result, "killed it" as the kids say these days). It's clients like this that pull at my heart and make me dig my feet in even more to help build a community and world of women who can embrace their worth and fabulousness. Do something this week that scares the shit out of you....do something that makes your soul feel on fire....and do something just for yourself. (If part of that is booking your boudoir session, hit the contact button above or join the VIP Community on Facebook to get one step closer!!)
Fierce ~ Winnipeg Boudoir Photography
It is no doubt that Miss Nikita is a force to be reckoned with and when I combined her personality with my attraction to a fun style of shooting inspired by Ellen Von Unwerth, we create magic. Fierce magic. Throw some animal prints at this blue eyed babe who gave me some of the best faces I could ask for and you get this killer shoot! Sometimes (all the time) it's fun to play, to make mistakes, and to enjoy the pursuit of something new.
Hands to Myself {Inspiration Session} ~ Winnipeg Boudoir Photography
As soon as I had seen Selena Gomez' video "Hands to Myself" I was immediately inspired! Not just because of the catchy song, but the entire video was glorious and I wanted to do a session based off of it, so I contact Miss M because she had the perfect look for the shoot! Right down to the super straight hair (and willingness to let me handcuff her) she killed this inspiration shoot. The video is at the bottom if you haven't seen it yet. Nicole Velasquez of Envy Beauty Makeup Services did a fab job on the hair and makeup for our own "Selena." (If you want a smokey eye that doesn't make you look like a panda, contact this babe.)
