Oh my goodness, what a fun and stylish session. Check out some photos of this gorgeous stylist, Jenn. She came to the studio recently and had sexy outfits, wigs, amazing makeup, and fun ideas to boot (go to the bottom of the blog for a few quirky jaded-prom-queen photos). She was also just so easy to be around and so quick to laugh. I’m also quite quick to laugh and happy to have a fun goofy time, so we hit it off FABULOUSLY.

Ms Jenn is a hair stylist and runs Retro Hair Studio. If you’re in need of a haircut or styling, book yourself a session ASAP. She is stylish as hell and cute and sweet and if she can make other people look half as cool and sexy as she makes herself look (and I know she can), then people should be knocking her door down. But knock it down in a very nice “hey can you cut my hair thank you so so much” kind of way.

Without further adieu, here’s Jenn’s answers to some Qs for the blog. Enjoy the words and the photos and thanks so much to Jenn!

What made you interested in having a boudoir shoot? 

I love anything that is Old School Glamour. Boudoir is a form of art....the photographer, how they pose you, their artistic flair, how the model reacts, and the artistic chemistry that brings out the end result.

How does your favorite photo from your session make you feel?

In a nutshell- it makes me feel good about myself!!!

What would you say to a woman who doesn't think she is beautiful enough to be photographed?

Every woman has Beauty...how is that defined?? It’s defined by how they present themselves, not only by how you look, but by what you bring to the world. Love, Hope, caring, your personality- the essence of your humanity!!!

What are your reflections on “beauty” in our culture? What have you observed in your time as a stylist?

Isn't Beauty in the eye of the beholder? Having everyone look the same is quite uninspiring!!! Having been in the beauty business my whole adult life I’ve noticed that now we have better skin care & better sunscreen. In this day and age, there isn’t one "LOOK" like there used to be!

What are your hopes for the next generation of women? What advice would you give to them?

I hope the next generation of women are confident in themselves. Hopefully they have the attitude that they can do anything they set their mind to!!!

What would you tell your 16-year-old self if you could meet her now?

YOU ARE ENOUGH!!!!!

What do you love most about being a woman?

I love spending time every day with women at my salon (retrohairstudio.com). I have the smartest, most interesting women who sit in my chair every day!!!! I get my best ideas from them & I hope some of that rubs off on me!!!!

Meet Christy. She is an amazing, articulate, and beautiful human being. Her boudoir session was so fun and lovely. And when I asked her to answer a few Qs for the blog I wasn’t expecting responses that were quite so eloquent and thoughtful and chock full of insight and well thought out advice. Pretty please read her writing below if you have any time at all, for yourself (and for good of the whole world really). She really bared her bod and heart during the shoot and my goodness did she bare her soul with these answers. If you want to follow Christy’s fabulous TikTok she’s @Xenawarriormama. Thank you Christy, and thank you reader.

What made you interested in having a boudoir shoot? 

I'm at my highest weight right now and I didn't want to put off accepting my body until I was at a more "acceptable" weight. I've struggled with my weight since going through thyroid cancer and it appears it's not going anywhere. So I thought "what now? Do I just continue hating my amazing body that gave me a child, that backpacked Europe, that allowed me to be there for my dying spouse, that has allowed me to experience fantabulous sex JUST BECAUSE it's not the shape I want?" Fuck that. This body is more than a shape, it's a movement.

I've known Maureen for a decade and each time I saw her post sexy pics I thought "I want to do that!" It took me a bit to get there, it felt vulnerable and daunting. But one day I realized I didn't have to be at the endpoint in accepting my body in order to take boudoir pics, taking the pics was a step in the journey! I'm so glad I did. The whole process was liberating, life-giving, and self-love-making. Just wow!

How does your favorite photo from your session make you feel?

My favorite photo shows my tits, my healthy thighs, and my tummy. Oh, and my sultry eyes, don't forget my eyes. I feel mature in a good way, in an "I could devour you whole because I know what I'm doing at this point in my life" sort of way. If all I liked from the shoot was that one picture, it would have been worth it.

What would you say to a woman who doesn't think she is beautiful enough to be photographed?

If you don't feel beautiful enough to be photographed, that's the exact reason you SHOULD be photographed. It's a radical act of claiming your worthiness. Claiming your sexiness, even when you don't see it....Maureen sees it. Allow yourself to suspend your disbelief and allow yourself to gently view yourself from someone else's lens.
I think we confuse action steps (wearing "that" dress, buying a two-piece suit, having boudoir pics taken) with being at the finish line of our self-acceptance journey. Those action steps aren't the finish line, they are steps along the journey. Push yourself a little bit, grow a little bit, heal a little bit, let other women build you up. It's balm to the soul.

What are your reflections on “beauty” in our culture?

Super interesting question. I was classically beautiful by our culture's standards for many years. Thin, tall, big eyes, tits. Then I gained 100lbs from medical issues and doors were no longer opened for me, people avoided eye contact, I was invisible. The larger I got the more invisible I became. I had to become intentional about the messages I was feeding my spirit. Seeking out books (i.e. Zaftig the Case for Curves or anything by Sark), seeking out friends with an enlightened fat positive outlook, distancing myself from toxic family belief systems (which sometimes means distancing myself from family for my own healing), finding fat-friendly doctors (so hard to find), getting back into counseling. It's all sorts of intentional acts to contradict the shaming and narrowly “acceptable” beauty standards. Surprisingly I have found TikTok to be so good for me! I follow countless ample-bodied women who own their sexiness! Feeding my eyes with images of larger bodies daily has given me a virtual support system on my body acceptance journey. (What precisely do I follow to get these gorgeous sexy big women? #curvy #curvytiktok #thicktok #bodypositivity #bbw)

What are your hopes for the next generation of women? What advice would you give to them?

I'm so very excited for this next generation of women. Watching my two stepdaughters navigate body image messages has been healing for me. A few months ago I took one of my stepdaughters out to buy jeans, she's a thick and curvy young woman. She exited the dressing room, shoved the unwanted jeans in my hands and said "My thighs are too healthy for these jeans." I got teary-eyed. I would have internalized shame that my thighs didn't fit the jeans, however, she saw the jeans not fitting her. It's a paradigm shift. It's lovely.

What would you tell your 16-year-old self if you could meet her now?

First off, I'd tell her to stop abusing laxatives and restricting food. I would talk with her about generational trauma. I would offer a different narrative about body size than what her family was telling her. I'd give her a copy of Zaftig a Case for Curves (out of print but worth the investment) and Succulent Wild Woman by Sark. In a nutshell, I would offer something different than what she was hearing, seeing, and experiencing. At 16 I thought beauty standards were concrete and irrefutable. Turns out they are a crock of shit. You know what's sexy? A woman owning her worth. That shit is sexy as hell.

What do you love most about being a woman?

I do love being a woman! I'm a cis woman, pansexual. I love how soft I am. I love my strength. I love my tits. I enjoy makeup and clothing (sorry men, you got the short end of the stick). I love that I was able to grow a child inside me. There's a strength that comes from not being born into the dominant demographic (cis white male) and I value it greatly.

Who has helped you on your body acceptance journey? Who are some peeps on social media who you follow?

I have lots of friends who inspire me, and I have just a handful of friends that I consider my Dear Ones. Those women accept me as I am as well as challenge me to face my shadows. Angela Baker, Kira Mista, Margaret Gillikin, and Jennifer Burtch (all on Facebook) are my dear ones and I would not be where I am without them.

Sark, the author, while not exclusively focusing on body image in her writings, has encouraged me to claim my full humanity more than any other author. I found Sark when I was in college (Succulent Wild Women) and her narrative was 100% different from that of my mother and grandmother. It offered me another perspective on living, vibrancy, and eccentricity. I've always been eccentric and made to feel badly about it growing up. Sark came along and gave me homework to eat a mango naked by moonlight. I was electrified!

TikTok women I follow who inspire me: @dejarose98 @karajeanthickqueen @kateleonard80 @_gaiamaia @abyinreallife @sunflowersandnico @cheapain

Mostly the work had to be done by me, myself and I. Retraining thought patterns is hard work!!! I'm not "there" yet, there are still days I don't like my belly. But more days than not I love the body I'm in. I do take a few steps back after a comment is made about what I am eating or someone asks for my weight (why is that a thing?) but it doesn't decimate me like it used to. That's progress, that's growth, that's self-acceptance. I can't wait to do another boudoir shoot when I turn 50!

Bug suit boudoir is ridiculous and the perfect combo of boudoir, backpacking, and play.

Last summer, Amie Heeter (one of my besties) and I organized the first-ever ADVENTURE BABES trip with a group of 8 women friends. It was a week-long backpacking trip to one of my favorite places on earth: Isle Royale National Park. Amie is a yoga teacher, hosts excursions, and is also a photographer. We both took the images in the post.

We were lucky on this inaugural Adventure Babes trip that the bugs were basically non-existent (this is not often the case on Isle Royale). One of the women on the trip had the genius foresight to bring a full-on bug suit, both for bugs and for ridiculous photo opportunities. We didn’t end up needing it for the bugs at all, so we all took turns boudoir-ing with it instead.

These are the super sexy/ridiculous results.

This trip has been in the works for years and a dream of mine for even longer (more trips to come in the future!). We hiked 40 miles along the shores of Lake Superior and gorgeous inland lakes, through magical bogs and forests. We skinny-dipped and giggled and played and took 2 days off from hiking to enjoy the beauty of the land and to relax, read, write, and talk. The dynamics between everyone were fabulous and fun and a transformative experience was had by all.

Check out my family and wedding website for more PG pics and a description of the Adventure.

If you want to be the first to know about upcoming Adventure Babes trips join my mailing list at the footer of this page. Quotes from a few women on the trip summing up their experience are also at the bottom of the blog. There probably won’t be bug suit boudoir on the next trip, but I’m 100% sure we’ll take photos with something else random.

Here’s what 3 Adventure Babes had to say about this trip:

“Adventure Babe founder Maureen Cassidy has a knack for bringing out every babe’s playful side, which makes an already great and exciting trip even more fun. She is also great at leading from behind, so you don’t feel like you’re being bossed around but rather on a trip with friends… and everything just happens to be perfectly organized without you lifting a finger.”

“From my heart, thank you for one of the most memorable trips ever! From the enchanted forest and waters, to experiencing my body as stronger than I knew, to the beautiful group cohesion. I felt safe, supported, and had a blast!”

“The Adventure Babes trip on isle royale was empowering and magical! There’s nothing like badass adventuring with women! I fell more in love with nature and my body in the most supportive group of women. I can’t wait til my next adventure babes trip!”

The woman in these boudoir photos is one of the rocks in my life. We met 20 years ago when we were both working at Isle Royale National Park. Since then we’ve both had kids, started photography businesses, been through divorces, said goodbye to our 20s and 30s and entered into our 40s. Through all that time I’ve remained inspired by this human- she had FIVE kids, leads a super successful education and photo business, AND she runs ultramarathons.

She’s been lucky and strong enough to make Minnesota’s north shore of Lake Superior her home. Lake Superior is one of my happy places and I’m always delighted to spend time there- with her and with the land. We took these pics on a hot summer day after I finished leading a backpacking trip to Isle Royale with Adventure Babes (I swear I’ll write a blog about that soon!).

We took these photos for funsies- to feel playful and youthful and light. I love the feel of the photos. I love the land and the nature in them. But most of all, I love the woman in them and the woman she inspires me to be.

I got home Sunday from a photography workshop in Belize (!!!). I was lucky enough to go there with some fellow photographer friends and it was a truly magical week. We learned from each other, took lots of photos, and also had time for some special vacation-type experiences. We went on a sailboat, went rafting through caves, went on a tiny plane, fed GIANT fish, and most crucially for me- we went snorkeling and swam with manatees. On the plane ride back to the states I was inspired to write the poem below- about the manatee and about a night out on the town. I’ve promised myself I will write at least 2 poems a month, it feels good to my soul. I feel vulnerable putting this in a blog, but I’m pushing myself to share more. I also included some photos from the rest of the trip.

Special shout-outs to some workshop participants:

The workshop was organized by Danny K, a talented woman & universally friendly photographer out of Mississippi, who usually organizes the Fearless Photography conferences. Fearless has been MIA the last 2 years because of COVID, but I’m so glad Danny has found other ways to keep us photographers moving forward together. He calls these small retreat workshops “Collective Wanders,” and that pretty well sums up the vibe and intention.

Almost every photo below was taken by an EXTREMELY TALENTED PHOTOGRAPHER, Kara Counard from bloom photography in Door County (HIRE HER RIGHT AWAY!). Thy pics hopefully give you a sense of just how beautiful the scenery was, and just how ridiculous we are.

Group Photo by San Franciso’s top choice wedding photographer Duy Ho Photography. Check out his work! You will not be disappointed.

Sharon Varorny, my great buddy and the photographer behind SV Photography. We flew together to Belize from Madison. She helped push me to write my poem and inspires me always (which is a sentiment she would hate).

Lisa Hibbert, also a super talented wedding photographer, honorarily served as our group ambassador in Belize. By the end of the week, locals knew her and she even had nicknames.

The singer and the manatee

I can fall in love in an instant

Once, twice in a day

That day on a Caribbean island 

I was known as the tiny dancer

Sunrise by the seaside

Cake in the oven 

Adventures out at sea

This day I fall deep for a gentle manatee

Lifetimes in a second

A slow pouring of hearts

Nothing needed

Nothing said

He looked at me

That majestic manatee

Turned my way

Twirled and played

Gentle calm beauty

Witness of the sea

Then there’s me…Ridiculously wearing all my clothes

10 ft below 

Later that night, the wildness came out

unhinged unruly

I danced for a crowd and locked eyes with the singer

Big-bellied and bearded

my imagination through the wringer

A common song, a sweet feeling of home

No words, no touch

A gentle rush

The perfect way to end a Caribbean day  

This couple had a boudoir session a few weeks ago and I was SO impressed by their intimacy and comfort with each other. They’re in their 70s, are obviously still very much in love, and have sexy bodies to boot. They had done a little boudoir-style shoot by themselves in the 1970s and were hoping to get more pics like that. The photos they brought to the boudoir session showed realness and the tenderness of love. I’m so happy that they wanted updated images, that a shoot was on their “Fuck It List” (amazing), and that I got to be the photographer! I had a FABULOUS time with them and was on cloud 9 for a week after. It’s inspiring to see a couple so happy in themselves and cohesive as a unit. Neil and I share that intimacy now, and it’s exciting to imagine us still having it in 30 years.

Side note: I took some photos in the new style I’m imagining/playing with/want to pursue further: bodies and flowers- nature at its finest. You can see some at the end of the blog.

Lucky me, this badass couple agreed to answer a few Qs for a blog. Without further adieu, here are their answers:

How long have you been together?

We've been together for 43 years, married for 42. It was love (or pheromones) at first sight.

What made you want to do a boudoir shoot? 

Our daughter did one with you and suggested we'd like it. She said you were looking for more diversity in your subjects.

What relationship advice do you have for other couples? 
Our advice: keep having sex, keep having fun, keep having compassion for each other's needs and shortcomings, and remember: it's LOVE.

How would you describe your boudoir shoot?

Our boudoir shoot was a dreamy, sexy, sensual, relaxed, fun experience. It made us more in love with each other, and with ourselves. You made us believe in our own beauty and sexiness!

How has your relationship with/view of your body, and each other’s bodies, changed over time? 

We were more critical of ourselves when we were younger; as we've aged, we realize beauty emanates from within. Cliche, I know, but at 71 it's unfolding before our eyes!

What else is on your fuck it list?

Fuck it! Life is meant to be enjoyed every single day!