I I have modeled professionally for over 25 years so that means I must be comfortable and relaxed in front of a camera, right?  The answer is that my comfort level has a lot to do with who is behind the camera.  I have worked with amazing photographers and yet felt anxious and stressed out because there is no connection.  They are busy clicking away but not letting me know what they are looking for – there was no communication.  The experience ends up frustrating for both the photographer and the model.  They are sighing because they aren’t getting “the shot” and yet they never told me, the model, what “the shot” is that they are looking for.  Sounds crazy, right?  It is more common than you think in a commercial setting.  The key to a successful shoot is working together to achieve what you want. This kind of collaboration is what you get at Lady Luck Pin Ups.
 When I booked my shoot with Jen, we started with a chat on the phone.  Jen wanted to discuss exactly what I was hoping to get out of the shoot.  She encouraged me to send inspirational pics of what I was looking for and she really cared that we achieved the goal, together.
When I arrived at the studio, the make-up artist Deanna, also took the time to really listen about the look I was going for and wanted to ensure my hair and make-up was on point.
While we were shooting, Jen would stop, check-in and ask if the pose was feeling, right?  Was I feeling natural and comfortable?  Did we want to try something else and offer suggestions in a collaborative way.  She even wanted to know my favourite music so she could have it playing in the background.  
She made me feel completely relaxed and I felt I could speak up about what I liked or didn’t like.  We were a team and we were working on a common goal.  When I received the pictures, I was delighted to see that we not only were the goals achieved, but they were knocked out of the park.
Whether you are a professional model or hate the camera, it all comes down to how someone makes you feel and the ability to relax and just be yourself.  Jen brings out the best in you because her personality is fun, approachable and she wants your feedback.  It is important to Jen that you work as a team, throughout the entire process.  It is the magical equation that delivers an excellent shoot, every time.
I would recommend Jen to anyone who is interested in receiving beautiful pictures of themselves.  You will not be disappointed.  

- Meghan Bradley, Director Of Curvy Expo and Plus Size Model

Ever since I can remember, I wanted to be a mom. I was the little girl always taking care of her dolls; pretending to feed them, changing their diapers and rocking them to sleep. When my husband and I got married almost 6 years ago we immediately started our family. 5 years and 3 kids later I felt as though I had lost myself, aside from being a mother to our three beautiful daughters, and a wife to the most amazing and supportive man, there was part of me that felt as though I was missing something. I have spent most of the last 5 years pregnant or breast feeding and my body no longer felt like my own. I was so wrapped up in our children that most days I didn’t even look in the mirror. Motherhood is amazing, but it can also be overwhelming. It’s very easy to focus on the children and forget to make yourself a priority, and that’s exactly what I had done.

About 2 years ago I came across a post on social media that asked ‘what is your favourite thing about yourself?’ Those seven simple words had such an impact on me. I couldn’t come up with a single thing I liked about myself, I focused on every single flaw and imperfection. I had always made excuses, ill love myself when I lose ten pounds, or drop a dress size, I have struggled with self-esteem issues for as long as I can remember but I knew it was time to set a better example. I am trying to raise three amazing little girls and I don’t want them to have the same issues as I was facing. From that moment forward I made a decision to set time for myself and embrace every imperfection I saw in the mirror. I began to make myself a priority, something that I felt guilty for doing for a long time, and in turn, I have learned that in order to be the best wife, mom and person I can be I need to take care of myself first. Having three little girls constantly watching my every move and copying what they see I knew it was time that I start loving myself just as I am.

I had wanted to do a boudoir photo shoot for the past 6 years, after the birth of our third daughter I decided I was finally going to do it, and I am so glad I did. It has made me see myself in a new light. It started out as a something I wanted to do as a gift for my husband, but it actually turned into a gift for myself.

Walking into lady lucks studio I was nervous, I had just had a baby three months before and I did not see myself as sexy. I had met Jen and Deanna twice before as I had had two group shoots previously but I had always chose pin up looks. I worried about my double chin, about my arms, my stomach, I could go on and on, but they have a way of making you so comfortable. When Jen had the idea of doing part of the shoot in the bed with nothing but my underwear and a sheet, I left behind all my negative thoughts and dove in. She turned the camera around to show me what the pose she just put me in looked like and, to say the least, I was blown away. There was no way that sexy lady was me!? I never thought that I would be comfortable with someone taking pictures of me practically nude, let alone loving the outcome! When it came time to put on my lingerie Jen has such an eye for what is going to look great. She put together two of the items I brought and addressed every insecurity to make sure I was comfortable and felt great and it shows in my pictures.

I’m working hard on loving myself, making myself a priority and setting a good example for my three beautiful girls. My day at lady luck pin ups and boudoir has made me love myself as I am. It made me see that all those imperfections and flaws are in my head. I am not perfect, and I definitely don’t look like a girl from a magazine but Jen has helped me see that I am beautiful just as I am.

Two summers ago I wouldn't even look at a bathing suit. Let alone wear one in public.

T Shirts and horrible athletic shorts that added 20 pounds to my weight when wet.. That is what I chose to wear instead. Hot. So hot.
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Something happened last summer. A few things actually. The combination of seeing girls of all sizes proudly enjoying the beach in all kinds of bathing suits, and all of the body positive posts and stories online and most of all, wanting to practice what I preach.

I mean seriously. My life is dedicated to helping other women see, feel and embody, love for themselves. I better start working on myself too.

Don't always judge a book by its cover. Sometimes the people you see who are advocating for others, helping others, working for others, are in need of some help too. Part of my therapy for helping myself is through helping others. When I help a woman see and feel how truly amazing she is, it gives me this crazy burst of goodness. It's addicting.. Helping others. It's such a great addiction too. It's a healthy addiction, I'd say!

So back to bathing suits. The reason for this post.
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When I was in Jamaica, I was in Paradise. I mean obviously, right? It was weird to not answer emails, Facebook messages, Facebook page messages, Instagram messages and business text messages. I did a thing. A thing I haven't done in awhile.. I put all of the attention on me. Well, me, my beautiful, wonderful friend Vicki, drinks, food, the pool and the beach. And my thoughts.. Holy crap. My thoughts. Ruuuuunnnnn! This brain is full of crazy, creative, overthinking, over sensitive, best intentions, wildly wonderful things. Boy.. Is it ever.

Ok once again.. Back to the bathing suits.. Holy Hannah this writing thing is more fun than I thought it was going to be!
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We arrived in Jamaica, in the early afternoon. Almost instantly, once in our gorgeous room, we put on our bathing suits. That's right.. The girl who refused to wear a bathing suit a couple of years ago, was dying to get into her suit! I also thank my friend Vicki and Torrid (who makes the best suits ever) for this!

From that day on, for the next four days, I practically lived in my one piece. I felt like a BABE in it. *totally realized on the plane on the way home, that I didn't get a full shot of my one piece.. Guess I'll have to do that this summer! *
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Ok. So. I was itching to put on my new two piece. I was scared... But excited. Now, since I got the suit and posted the photos of it, I have heard comments such as "It's more like a dress" "It's not really a bikini" and yes it's true. It does cover more than your average bikini does. But dude... This is one big ass step for this girl.. A bathing suit that is two separate pieces, shows much more than a one piece and shows even a little bit of my belly..BIG PERSONAL STEP for me. JEN.

My first day wearing it I wasn't too sure how to feel. I was kinda hoping for some stranger to walk up to me and tell me it looked good.. I needed validation from someone else. I HATE THAT. Why.. I mean why? This is a good topic for another blog.. Totes. Because I didn't really get what I thought I needed, I shied away from wearing it again. I was scared.
Back to the one piece I went.

It wasn't until the last day we were there, I decided to give it a go.. Again. *DEEP BREATH*

I bugged Vicki to help strap me in, and after her words of encouragement, I went out into the world once again wearing my super awesome two piece. I felt good. Better than before. I went out knowing I was determined to get Vicki to take a photo of me wearing it.. On the beach (the beach I didn't want to leave.. Side note)

Determined I was. I had a get a photo. This one photo could potentially inspire other women to JUST DO IT this summer. If I could inspire even just ONE woman who was scared like me, it would all be worth it.

With people watching.. And the sun shining, I hesitantly asked Vicki to take my photo. I was scared to see what I looked like in that photo. So scared. I liked what I looked like in the mirror.. Would I like what I see in the photo (something 90% of my clients probably think when doing a shoot with me, I am sure)?

After taking a few photos I slowly walked up to Vicki, opened my photo gallery and holy crap. I was OK with what I saw!! That was ME! On a beach. In a two piece.. And I am pretty, maybe even a little beautiful. 🍀

Jennifer McCready is the Owner and Photographer for Lady Luck Pin Ups and Boudoir - www.lady-luck-pinups.com