I have always believed that people come in and out of your life for a reason.

Some people bring you lessons, some bring you joy, some bring you sorrow, some bring you a new way of looking at life.

This girl.. right here. She brought me a new way of looking at life.  And I am sure, that in her 27 years of life, I am sure she has done this for many people!

Chicken nuggets, boys, Apple Pie, Teddy Bears (she decided that I was her Teddy Bear)  and of course photo shoots. The top things on our discussion list, the day I went to meet this BEYOND amazing woman, to discuss her upcoming Lady Luck experience!

Some people have personalities that are so big, it oozes out of their every pore.  This is Shanele. To a Tee! This girl had me in stitches the whole time during our consultation and our shoot! I am quite sure, just by looking that these photos, you can see this for yourself!

The day finally arrived. Shanele, her mom and aunt arrived at our studio with big smiles on their faces! Our shoot started like they usually do, with Shanele being treated to hair and makeup with Deanna, our amazing hair and makeup artist. After she was done being beautified, then it was time for her to play in our large wardrobe!

We started with a fun Pin Up style theme, with Shanele wearing a super cute Cherry dress to start, then it was on to a sexier, more glamorous look!

About a year ago, Shaneles dad passed away.  She brought along with her a beautiful gold heart that contains his ashes.  It was such a great idea to bring it along, so we could include him in her photos.


The sounds of Christina Aguilera and Katy Perry rang through the studio the whole time we had our little photo shoot party! Shanele sang and danced, she had a smile on her face pretty much the whole time. As a matter of fact.. so did we.

At the end of our shoot, when the lights were turned off, the camera was put away, and Shanele was back into her “everyday” clothes, we all looked at each other with big big big smiles on our faces and expressed how great of a day it was and how we wanted to make sure we all remained in each others lives. This made me very happy to know I would be able to see them again and spend more time with Shanele.

This day.. it reminded me even more than ever, to BE YOURSELF. Enjoy life to its fullest and have FUN whenever possible!  And that chicken nuggets, boys and Apple Pie are also very important in life ;)

Shanele.. NEVER stop being you. Thank you for being you, and I cant wait to see you again.

- Jennifer  McCready (a.k.a. Teddy Bear)
Owner and Photographer for Lady Luck Photography and Studio.

#ladyluckpinups #pinupphotographer #therevivalsalon #ridgeway

Something happened today, something that I NEVER thought would happen. Ever.

I bought my very first 2 peice bathing suit.

Ok so let's go back a little bit. Before last summer, I would have never put a bathing suit on.. Nevermind a TWO freaking piece suit!
My fear of being stared at, made fun of, laughed at kept me away from beaches, pools,waterparks.

"Look at her..shes too fat to be here she's hanging out all over the place.. Shes ugly." These things constant went through my head.
And as I am sure.. SO many other women have been through the very same thing. The very same heartache.

After going to the beach 100 times last summer and after seeing other plus size women walking proudly in their two piece bathing suits.. I SWORE this summer I would get try hands on one too! I CAN DO THIS!

Let me tell ya, today, while trying it on, I had a hard time. Yes, the girl that has dedicated her life to helping other women love themselves and accept themselves.. Doesn't always love herself, cuts herself up, and tears herself down... On the regular.

I jiggled my upper arms, poked at my belly and whined about my back fat. Luckily I had my friend Vicki with me who I know would be completely honest with me and tell me if it looked terrible. I really have to thank her.. She too is a plus size woman, who always rocks a 2 piece and she really helped me see that it looked great on me! Sexy even!

One of the women who works at Torrid, piped up and offered her help as well, it was such a positive atmosphere, which made it all so much easier!

I'm not going to lie... I'm going to be scared wearing it in public for the first time.. But MAN.. If I even inspire at least ONE woman by stepping out there in that suit I will be a happy, happy girl!


So. If you too are in the same place where I was (and sometimes slip back to) take the plunge, try one on.. BUY THE FREAKING BATHING SUIT! 💙

#ladyluckpinups #torrid #fatkini #bodypositive #effyourbeautystandards

One of the biggest fights we will have in our lives is the constant battle against ourselves.

We doubt ourselves, we second-guess ourselves, we beat ourselves up, and we hurt ourselves..

I think one of the things that we do to ourselves the most, is not allowing ourselves to be who we truly are. In a world that is either telling you not to be who you are or telling you to be somebody else it's one of the biggest fights we'll ever fight.
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Imagine how much easier life would be if we could just be ourselves all of the time. No worries about hurting anyone, someone telling you you're not good enough the way you are, or someone telling you you need to be like somebody else. It would be wonderful.. Wouldn't it?