Monthly Group Calls

A little-talked-about aspect of the Empowerment Experience is our monthly group calls. I'm really excited about them, though. I guess this is me talking about them more!

In our brand new Empowerment Experience group program — not only is there photography and online community. We're ALSO going to be getting together (online) for an hour and a half each month -- and each person will have a chance to hop into the hot seat (it's optional, but you'll probably want to do it).

The person in the (gentle, casual, low-pressure) hot seat can chat for 5-10 minutes about what's working in their life, what's not working so well, and what they're thinking about changing or shifting or growing. And then we'll have time, as a community, to rally around the person. To give them feedback if they want it, or just to hold space if they don't.

One of our in-person meetings back in 2016. We kept the vibe cozy. My aim is to translate the cozy, in-person vibes to our online group calls.

I used to run a group like this, it started back in 2016. It was a group of mostly-entrepreneurs and also some other folks, and over the course of the three years or so that we gathered: we saw everyone blossom. It's helpful to have accountability; to have support. To have people rooting for you, knowing they're in your corner. Celebrating your growth, shaking their fist with you at the annoying parts, and cheering you along as you grow.

This group used to be in person, but it translates beautifully to an online space, so we’ll be able to meet with all members of the Empowerment Experience each month, even if they’re not in Kansas City!

In Focus: Tiffany's Exploration of Boudoir and Building Community

In a recent conversation with Kinzie Elizabeth—CEO of The Empowerment Studio in Kansas City, chatted with recent (and upcomming!) client Tiffany! Tiffany is an avid enthusiast of boudoir photography and a proud supporter of local boudoir photographers in the community. She shared her experiences and excitement about being part of the inaugural run of The Empowerment Experience, our upcoming unique and transformative 6-month program. Tiffany's journey reflects not only her passion for photography but also her deep appreciation for community and self-discovery.

Celebrating Diversity in Boudoir Photography

Tiffany is a full-fledged Boudoir stan who delights in the idea of getting photographed by various studios around Kansas City. She emphasizes the thrill of seeing herself through someone else's lens, highlighting the uniqueness each photographer brings to the same pose.

"When everybody usually sends out their questionnaires, they ask, 'Why are you doing this experience?' For me, it's about seeing myself through someone else's eyes. It's amazing to compare pictures and see how different photographers capture the same pose. It's absolutely beautiful," Tiffany shares.

Her commitment to supporting local businesses extends beyond being a client. Tiffany actively recommends photographers to her friends and colleagues based on individual preferences, fostering a sense of community and collaboration among artists in Kansas City.

The Empowerment Experience: A Blend of Self-Care and Community Building

The conversation delves into Tiffany's decision to join the Body Liberation tier of Empowerment Experience’s inaugural run, a choice inspired by a shared love for fingernail polish (it’s amazing what a simple conversation can turn into!) and a passion for themed shoots—like the Alice in Wonderland idea that Tiffany has been dreaming up for ages. Tiffany expresses her eagerness to be part of a community of like-minded individuals where she can connect, share, and grow.

"Being a parent is very taxing, and sometimes you just want to feel like yourself, not just a mom or a wife. The Empowerment Experience is going to provide that space where I can be Tiffany and do what feels right for me. It's exciting to be a part of something where we can bounce ideas off each other and create a vision for our photo shoot," Tiffany explains.

Cheerleading for Empowerment: A Call to Invest in Self-Care

When asked about encouraging others to join The Empowerment Experience, Tiffany emphasizes the power of self-care and self-love. She believes that investing time in oneself is not only a form of self-care but also a means to be better equipped to help others.

"This is going to be a self-care thing for yourself. You're going to invest time in journaling, taking selfies, and connecting with others. You deserve it, and everyone does. The Empowerment Studio made me feel comfortable and at ease. You're going to have so much fun, and you deserve it honestly," Tiffany encourages.

In closing, Tiffany expresses her gratitude for The Empowerment Studio, where she felt an immediate connection and camaraderie. Her journey exemplifies the transformative power of self-discovery, community support, and the magic found in embracing one's true self. As she embarks on this new chapter, Tiffany looks forward to not just a photoshoot but an empowering, communal experience that transcends the lens, fostering personal growth and a sense of belonging.

Unveiling the Unexpected: A Boudoir Photography Revelation in the Empowerment Experience

I want to be super clear about something. I DON'T want to photograph you in lingerie....

…….unless that’s the exact thing you want to be photographed in.

I’m a boudoir photographer. And I loooove being a boudoir photographer (hello! That’s why I’ve had over 500 clients, and I've been doing this for over 11 years!) But boudoir is SO many things. It’s about intimacy. It’s about being seen and seeing yourself in an honest and powerful way. It’s not defined by what you’re wearing (or not wearing!)

That’s why we design your photoshoot TOGETHER in the Body Liberation tier of the Empowerment Experience!

How do you dream of being photographed? Maybe you don't know yet -- don't worry, that's what the 6 months together in the Empowerment Experience group program is for!

Together (through a series of prompts and selfies and deep dive conversations), we'll tap into who you are, and who you're becoming -- and THAT will inform the portrait session we create together. What attire will best reflect the vibe we're going for? What environment will help you feel your absolute best?

We’re going to work together to determine what your goals and aspirations are for this photography experience. How do you want to feel? How do you want to see yourself? We can create anything together.

Introducing the new Empowerment Experience

Okay wow, HI. So, we’ve been doing a thing. A whole new thing. We launched a BRAND NEW WAY to work with the Empowerment Studio.

In some ways, it feels like I’ve been gestating this magical experience for …… 11 years/since August? August was when I finally breathed it out loud to people other than myself and my Trello Boards.

Zoom forward to now, I feel like I’ve been in labor, like I just BIRTHED this new adventure.

I’m so lit up right now.

We’ve been sharing details of this new experience along the way with our email list (you can hop onto that list here!)

but I want to make sure the WORLD knows about it. No pressure EVER around here to jump in on anything that's not aligned, but I also feel like it's my responsibility to make sure you know about it in case it's the exact right thing, you know?

SO, all that said! Grab your favorite tasty beverage and cozy up because we're about to lay out the whole roadmap for the Empowerment Experience. Think of this post as your insider's guide to everything we're cooking up!

An overview: 

The Empowerment Experience is a 6-month group program that spans from April through September, 2024 where we combine the two things we do best in the Empowerment Studio: community and photography. 

What goes on in this group program?

The Empowerment Experience is a vibrant hub buzzing with individuals eager to shed self-doubt and embrace their true selves. Picture people gathering for personalized photo shoots, engaging in heartfelt conversations during self-reflection exercises, and bonding over shared experiences in a supportive community.

In this group program, you'll not only notice personal growth within yourself but you'll ALSO have the opportunity to visually mark your transformation through a collection of both self-portraits and professionally captured photographs.

How does the group program work? 

We'll have an online small-group community where most of our work takes place. That's where we'll do weekly selfie and journaling prompts, diving deep into self-discovery and reflection. Additionally, we'll have live group video calls where we come together to discuss our progress, share insights, and support one another in real-time.

In addition to our online interactions, there will be opportunities for in-person gatherings and activities in Kansas City, MO, where we can deepen our connections and further explore our growth journey together. Many of these gatherings will have a way you can participate from afar. 

What exactly does the Empowerment Experience include? 

📷 Epic, Dream Photoshoot 
👥 6 months of community + support 
💻 Live Group Calls with optional 1:1 hot seats
🤳🏽 Guided selfie + 📝 journaling prompts
💞 Monthly Group Activity 
📚 Living Content Library 
🎉 Group photoshoot experiences

What are the two tiers of the Empowerment Experience? 

Body Liberation Experience

To see/hear me talk about this tier of the Empowerment Experience live, you can tune in to this clip here: Body Liberation Experience

This tier includes a personalized, one-on-one dream photo shoot where you'll have the opportunity to design your own photo shoot experience. It encompasses everything from conceptualization to planning, the actual photo shoot, and the experience of receiving the final photos. You'll work closely with the photographer (me, Kinzie! 🙋🏻‍♀️) to bring your vision to life, whether it involves boudoir, fantasy, glamour, or any other style of photography. 

Additionally, you get access to everything in the Community Tier (details below). You'll benefit from six months of community support, group activities, and access to a Living Content Library. The Body Liberation Experience is designed for individuals seeking a deeply personal and transformative photo shoot experience.

Community Tier:

To see/hear me talk about this tier of the Empowerment Experience live, you can tune in to this clip here: Community Tier

The Community Tier is focused on building connections and supporting personal growth within a group setting. In this tier, you'll receive six months of community and support, including guided selfie challenges, journaling prompts, monthly group activities, and access to the living Content Library. While the personalized photoshoot is not included in this tier, participants still have opportunities to be photographed during group events and Empowerment Parties. The Community Tier is ideal for individuals who value community support, personal development, and collaborative engagement.

When do I have to sign up by? 

The sooner the better! If you sign up by February 14th, you'll be able to hop onto an 8-month payment plan with as little as $200 down today. The very last possible date to sign up is March 14th -- which will still allow you to hop on a 7-month payment plan. 

I have more questions! 

We almost certainly have answers for you! Here are your options: 

1) Go peruse the website where we talk all about the Empowerment Experience. There are some FAQs at the bottom of the page that you might find helpful. 

2) Check out the FAQs in this video!

3) Send me an email with any questions (even if you think the question might be answered elsewhere, but you'd rather just talk to a human about it!) -- I'm here for you, and there are no silly questions!! 

4) Book a call with me to chat it out - I can explain all of this directly to you, or you can come with a list of questions, or we can talk about whatever is coming up for you when you're considering joining us. https://empowermentstudio.as.me/video-chat

A Session Rooted in Self-Discovery: Embracing Empowerment with Sarah

I’m excited to share with you about a conversation I had with Sarah, a client and a friend, about their boudoir session last year. I feel like our conversation captured the essence of empowerment, self-expression, and the remarkable journey that unfolded within the walls of the Empowerment Studio.

Navigating Transformation with Vulnerability

Sarah described their initial hesitation and eventual immersion into the Empowerment Studio's environment of positivity and body neutrality. "It was kind of strange at first because I'm not used to people interacting this way in general," they admitted. "But it slowly kept sucking me in. This is what you need in your life."

Sarah vividly recalled what it was like to step into the Empowerment Studio space on the day of their session. "It was everything I hoped it could have been. You just made it so easy to relax!"

When I asked about a specific memory from that day, Sarah elaborated, "Putting on those wings, the little jet pack, and feeling like I could just fly over Kansas City and sprinkle love and kindness everywhere."

"Putting on those wings, the little jet pack, and feeling like I could just fly over Kansas City and sprinkle love and kindness everywhere." - Sarah

Ripple Effects of Empowerment

Sarah opened up about the ripple effects following the session. "I've had more kindness towards my body," they shared. "Even on the days where I'm not a hundred percent happy with whatever, I can stop and go, 'What? This moment is fleeting.'"

In a poignant revelation, Sarah acknowledged the profound impact of the experience. "Just being able to look at my body and, for the first time in 20 years, not nitpick every tiny thing about my body. That's nice. And I know my body's going, 'Thank you for finally being kind.'"

It meant so much to me when Sarah emphasized their comfort in expressing themselves authentically at The Empowerment Studio. "I can walk into the Empowerment Studio, whether for a shoot or just a get-together, and be a hundred percent myself,". Since this is an aspect of our space that we have created very diligently, I am always thrilled to hear this from clients.

Encouragement for Potential Clients

When I asked them to offer advice to those considering a boudoir session, Sarah encouraged folks to simply embrace the experience. "You are going to be a hundred percent comfortable," they assured. "Kinzie will make sure that whatever makes you comfortable in the studio, that's what the vibe is gonna be. Don't do it for anyone else. Just do it for you because this is gonna be something you remember for the rest of your life."

As the conversation drew to a close, Sarah emphasized the universality of the boudoir experience. "It's for legit everybody," they declared!

Journeying Forward with Empowerment

This chat with Sarah shines a light on the profound impact of the boudoir experience at The Empowerment Studio. Sarah's journey exemplifies the transformative power of self-acceptance, vulnerability, and embracing one's authentic identity. The empowerment journey doesn't merely exist within the confines of a photoshoot; it's a lifelong transformation that transcends moments and fosters lasting self-appreciation and acceptance.

If Sarah's story sparks something in you or you're just curious about your own empowering session, hit us up at empowermentphotographer.com/contact. Let's make your journey as magical as Sarah's.

Before you go, mark this on your calendar – we're hosting a Self Care Week from January 29 through February 2, 2024 with a Self-Care Workshop hosted by me on February 1. Come hang out with us, today, in our Pop-Up Facebook group dedicated to all things self-care.

Embracing the Season of Rest: An Invitation to Genuine Self-Care

In the commotion of life, it's easy to get caught up in the grinding pace of capitalism. January always feels a little bit extra “go, go, go!” Don’t you think? However, as I sit here today, surrounded by the joyful melodies of my child in the other room, singing about the simple pleasures of life, I am compelled to share a perspective on rest and the seasonality of our souls.

The joy of my child's delight in their song serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of genuine self-care. In a world inundated with New Year's resolutions and the pressure to set bigger, harder, faster goals, I find relief in the quiet moments, the chance to take a breath. All together now: in… out…

Winter is upon us, and like hibernating bears or trees shedding their leaves, we are seasonal animals too! The need for rest often gets overshadowed by society's hyper-focus on achievement. It's crucial to recognize that, just like the natural world, we must rest and store up nutrients for the blooms of the coming spring.

Reflecting on my own journey, I used to fall into the trap of thinking, "I'm okay, I don't need to stop, why bother resting? I'm fine." However, a transformative trip to Colorado in November 2020 changed my perspective. Unplugging in a yurt for four days required a good amount of extra effort on the front end, but it was a crucial moment that made me realize the unsustainable pace of my life.

Before that trip, my days were consumed by managing a 5,000+ member Facebook community—posting incessantly, always checking, moderating. That was on top of the already very full-time work for my photography business and the ever-tugging duties and joys of being a parent and a partner to many. Not to mention simply being a human in the world. When I took that break, it forced me to acknowledge the undeniable need for change.

Returning from the trip, the shifts in my life became evident. The pandemic had significantly reshaped priorities, and as I navigated a new phase of life, I recognized the importance of rebuilding with genuine self-care. It's not just about face masks or bubble baths; it's about consistently incorporating deep care into our lives.

To honor this journey, our team is dedicating a month to self-care—a celebration and exploration of rest and tending. Join us in the Pop-Up Facebook group, where we'll be sharing insights and fostering conversations.

Excitingly, we have planned a self-care week from January 29th to February 2nd, featuring prompts and conversations and of course selfie threads!

On February 1st, at 7 pm Central, I will be hosting an Empowerment Studio Workshop on Real Self-Care—meeting needs consistently. Secure your spot by signing up at empowermentphotographer.com/workshop.

As we embark on this journey, we invite you to be part of the exciting changes within the Empowerment Studio. Take care of yourself, and join the pop-up Facebook group! We look forward to seeing you around!

How we do Pre-Payment Plans in the Empowerment Studio

I hope this helps answer questions and for those of you who are on the fence, can help make it super clear to you one way or another whether it's a good time for you to invest in yourself via an Empowerment Studio session.

Doing a photoshoot is a big deal investment (of your time, your energy, and your finances), and while we can't magically give you more time or energy (if only!), we want to do everything we can to make this accessible for you and your budget!

I hear from clients that they absolutely LOVE that we offer Pre-Payment Plans here in the Empowerment Studio. I also know that when I make a bigger purchase, I really enjoy knowing that I can fold the investment into my budget. Payment plans are such a great tool to help us all plan for this experience -- and what a fun thing that you also get to look forward to your session as it gets closer and closer!

Here's how we get started:

First, you get booked in for your session with a $290 booking fee to lock in your session date. (This can be split into 2 payments if that’s helpful!)

Then, we hop on a call (either phone or video, your choice!) to begin chatting about your session. It's a great chance for us to start getting to know each other, and you can also get set up on a payment plan at this point. Most clients do, though you can also pay in full at that point.

When we are on a call, we look through the Empowerment Studio boudoir guide together (http://empowermentphotographer.com/boudoir-guide), and decide what combination of products and digitals is going to be right for you -- based on what products you're most interested in, and also your budget. There's no pressure to get any one package over the other, but I am happy to offer my advice based on your situation as I understand it.

Here's how the actual logistics of Pre-Payment Plans work in the Empowerment Studio!

Once we're on a call, we chat about what you are most interested in. (Full pricing listed here: http://empowermentphotographer.com/full-pricing)

Then, it's time to explore your payment plan options! We'll create your invoice and look at the overall total. We'll enter the amount into my payment plan system.

Once it's in there, we'll play around with numbers - enter how much you'd like to pay for a down payment, and then split the remaining cost of the collection you choose into monthly, biweekly, or weekly recurring payments. Each collection can be extended into 2-9 months of payments (a combination of pre- and post-session payments), and my payment plan processor is a very simple and visual payment plan builder so I find it easy to work with. I think you'll like it too.

When we find the sweet spot, we'll review the contract, add your primary payment method, and activate the payment plan. It'll charge your down payment, and schedule the rest of your payments so that they will come out automatically. At any point, you can log into the payment plan system and modify your primary payment method, check in on when your next payment will be, or even pay an additional amount any time so that you can finish your payment plan early.

At that point, we’ll also schedule your session! And then, WE'RE OFF!! Your Empowerment Studio session will be just around the corner!!!!

NOTE: We might schedule your session before your purchase is made in full — because we don’t want you to wait too long to come in for your boudoir experience after you’ve booked your session. After your session, we’ll meet up together on video chat for your Viewing and Ordering appointment to see your photos for the very first time! At that point, we’ll confirm your product order — and if you still have payments to make, you’ll receive your products and digitals once you are paid in full. If at that point, you really want your photos ASAP, we can explore other financing options. Lots of flexibility built in here!

What are the benefits to paying for a Collection in full before your session?

You get some pretty sweet bonuses! ​If you choose to pre-pay for a collection in full BEFORE your session (whether it's in full, or split into payments), you unlock a HUGE list of available bonuses.

Bonuses include:
Neon Shower Set, Glitter Bath (+$500), Couples Boudoir Add-On, Extra Boudoir Outfit, Weekend Session, Pre-Photoshoot Planning Session, Professional Headshots (2), Harnesses, Body Chains, Bath Session, Wings

More info about all the Bonuses here.

What to do if the numbers just aren't working the way you want them to?

Even with a payment plan, and our À la Carte menu with a wide range of products, doing a session in the Empowerment Studio is still a significant investment. And it may not fit into your right-now budget; our financial situations are fluid, so perhaps the answer is just "not yet," and that can be perfectly okay! That said, I'm a firm believer that anyone who truly wants to do a photoshoot should be able to do one. If you're determined to do a session in the Empowerment Studio, then we should be able to figure it out. Shall we brainstorm together?

Let's make a plan!

If the payments would still be too much to fit comfortably into your budget, figure out how much you *can* pay per month, and then let's work together to figure out how much you'd need to save up first to make the payments be that much. Always happy to hop on a call to help you with this. You can save up on your own and once you have a down payment ready in the amount that will make the payment plan work, let's get your payment plan started!

PayPal Credit

Another option is to use PayPal Credit, especially if you'd like to get your products/digitals sooner rather than later. PayPal pre-approves you for a certain spending limit, and you can use that credit to pay for your Empowerment session in full, OR you can use this in conjunction with an in-house Empowerment Studio pre-payment plan (for example, you could use PayPal Credit to pay off your remaining balance early). Then you have 6 additional months to pay off your balance (with 0% interest) to PayPal.

As you can see here, I'm REALLY rooting for you to be able to make this work, if you want to. It might be that this just isn't the right time, but also....... it might be? If so, I'm definitely ready for you!

A Quick Lil' Anti-Capitalism Rant

Real quick, gotta pop in here to say something. I want to acknowledge that capitalism is a super problematic construct, and we are all stuck living in it, but the fact that we're all in it together doesn't make it okay or fun. It doesn't hold space for any of our humanness, and no matter how much growth-work we're doing, no matter how complicated our life situations are, no matter how much abundance practice we do -- we all still have bills to pay that don't care about that stuff.

The more I think about it, the more mad I get, and the more determined I am to begin dismantling the system in the small ways that I can. That means doing what I can to build a business that is sustainable and can support me and my family, and it also means finding ways to make my services accessible to others who are also trapped in CapitalistFunLand™ with me.

I'm determined, with my business, to do as much as I possibly can to deconstruct from capitalism's hold. I do this in my business practices, how I orient with my team, and with payment plans and other policies I have established in the Empowerment Studio.

On THAT note, I want to mention that I am open to doing extended payment plans beyond the standard 2-9 months -- if this would be helpful for you, reach out so we can chat about what that might look like.

Client Story: A magical Gender F*cking Barbarian does boudoir at the Empowerment Studio ✨

Lol it should tell you something about this client here, that before I could start writing this post, I had to message her: "can I tell people about how you said you were a gender f*cking barbarian and asked me if I could hang with that?"

(She replied "ABSOLUTELY YES" by the way 🥰)

Here's the thing -- while I'm not the boudoir photographer for everyone (that's not my goal!), I am the ONLY boudoir photographer for some people! There are some people who are like, yeah, I actually couldn't do this boudoir thing with literally ANYone else -- and those are the exact clients I want to be reaching! Because we make some next level magic together, lemme tell ya!

Here's what this client had to say about that, why she felt like she needed to come work with me specifically:

"Actually working one-on-one with Kinzie in the studio was lots of fun, a little bit challenging in the BEST way, and most importantly, I felt absolutely safe and comfortable to experiment with things and be my complete, 100%, authentic self. And I can't emphasize enough how important that was, and WHY I answered one of the model calls. I am NOT your average human in any capacity. Everything about me is decidedly "off the menu" and not what you see every day. "Genderqueer barbarian gargoyle" is probably the most succinct way to put it, and finding a photographer who thought that was EXCITING was mind-blowing to me. I got to bring all of that style and energy to the session without having to stifle any of it."

I also asked this client why she wanted to do a boudoir session, and why she was interested in sharing her photos with folks out here, like you. I thought this response was REALLY special:

"I want people to know that there are different ways to do gender. There's more than one way to be a woman, or nonbinary (and yes, you can be a nonbinary woman!). You don't have to fit anyone's mold."

❤️🧡💛💚💙💜💗🤎🖤

Y'all, this amazing human's exact version of gender, of nonbinary woman, of genderf*cking barbarian, of gargoyle, just explodes out of every single one of her pictures, don't you think? I am so proud of what we created together here in the Empowerment Studio, and I hope you will join me in loving on the photos, and the human in them.

On shifting and being open to change during the #SelfietoSelfLove challenge, and why we deserve to wiggle

Woo-wee, this #SelfietoSelfLove challenge is on FIRE. I am having such a blast with y’all over on our Facebook page. The compliments are next level, and people are already experiencing some mega shifting, which is so beautiful to witness. Sometimes I have to pinch myself to realize that this all happening because of a lil’ selfie challenge that I created. Existing in photos, and showing up for yourself — it’s some potent stuff, isn’t it??

I was scrolling through the Empowerment Studio community earlier and Frankie posted THIS following reflection (on a really vulnerable post I made) and it REALLY landed in a certain sort of way for me. They wrote:

"The selfie challenge always is that - a challenge. Room to grow, to see what you haven't seen well up until this point, to break through some cracks to show you that the cracks are there."

Whoaaaaa. Room to grow, baby. Let's create that!! Let's see those cracks! (....lol 🤭)

My Day 2 selfie, I look raw and present and beautiful. Open and ready.

But for real, though… Day 2 of this challenge was kind of a wild day for me. Lots of shifting is happening lately, and I feeeeel it deeply. Do you feel it??

Honestly, the stuff that’s coming up for me this week is NOT what I expected. Feels a little wild? Like some really big inside stuff is changing? But I …. don’t know what it is???? 🤪

I was texting with Audra about this yesterday, and they said: “It feels like I’m in a transition I don’t understand the end game of. Like, I can usually see the arc and where it’s going, but NOPE.” And this! This right here, this is it!! I’m feeling itchy, sitting in the discomfort of growth and the unknowns. I have a feeling that some big stuff is coming up for me, for my business — and not knowing how to plan for it (or over-analyze it lol), is a trip. And yet, that’s what we do here, right? We learn to sit in the discomfort of change and growth, and thank fuck we get to do it together. I am continuously grateful that we get to be in excellent company, in this wild, wild world.

It's interesting because the work we're doing here this week is like, "just some selfies and some compliments".... Right?? Like, when you look at this challenge on paper, it seems simple enough! But those of us who are IN IT feel how deeply it's something more than that. It's letting compliments land, being in community, stretching and growing and celebrating and showing up. Together. That's real nice, isn't it??

And so, this is why we’re wiggling today for our Day 3 selfie. Because we deserve to welcome in some magic. Because when inside things are shifting, it can be really generous to do some physical movement to release and help shake things up. A wiggle can be full of joy, and it can be full of release. Both/and.

Are you feeling the shifting happening? What’s it like to take up space in photos? To be in them by yourself?! What’s it like to make this time for yourself each day?

I just love that we're all hanging out in this beautiful selfie community container together right now. It's feeling potent AF and I'm glad you're on this ride with me. 💛💛💛💛

Compliments 101, intersectional-empowerment-style!

TALK TO ME ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE WITH COMPLIMENTS!

Do you like giving them? Receiving them? What do you love in a compliment? What do you wish people would do more or less of?

Since we're going to flex our compliment muscles this week, let's go over some Compliment Tips, intersectional-empowerment style! 😍

Seasoned Selfie to Self Love challengers know that during the selfie challenge, the compliments are a true highlight of the experience. The comments go wild!! If you're not already signed up, it's not too late! We just started today!! Or, if you’re seeing this post way later, no worries — we’ll do another one and you can totally sign up for the waitlist. Sign up here: www.selfietoselflove.com

I think there's actually some magic involved in giving a really lovely, juicy compliment that can LAND on the person who you're intending it for.

🎉 So, here are some tips! 🎉

1️⃣ Use non-gendered language:

Try to avoid words like "lady" and "queen" because the person you are complimenting might not identify as a woman, or whatever gender you presume them to be.

A general tip (for like, life, not just compliment parties in the ES!) is don't assume that you know the person in the photo's gender. Here in the Empowerment Studio, as within ANY community, we have members who are cis, trans, genderqueer and gender fluid, non-binary, intersex, and beyond. This means we can't assume anything - what pronouns someone uses, or how someone identifies! Let's be inclusive of our friends of all genders in here!

🚫 "You're such a beautiful woman!" --> INSTEAD, try: "You're such a beautiful human!" 👍

🚫 "Lady, you look amazing." --> 👍 "Friend, you look amazing."

🚫 "Oh my gosh, you have the most womanly curves" --> 👍 "Oh my gosh, you have the most captivating curves."

2️⃣ Give compliments that are 100% about the person who is in the photo.

I often see compliments where people refer to being jealous/envious of the person, or stating that they wish they looked like someone else.

🚫 "Omg my butt would never look that good in those pants." (aka your butt is great but mine isn't!) --> 👍 "Your butt looks amazing in those pants!"

🚫 "I'm so jealous of your gorgeous, long hair!" (aka your hair is gorgeous but also feel bad for me because my hair would never be that gorgeous!) --> 👍 "I love your long gorgeous hair!"

🚫 "Ugh I wish I could look as amazing as you do in that bra." (aka your boobs > mine) --> 👍 "You look freaking incredible in that bra. It fits you so well!"

Y'all, I get why we do it! It's SOOOOOOO freaking baked into our society. But ...... let's just not. Let's not put ourselves down in the process of lifting someone else up!

3️⃣ Don't assume how others feel about their bodies!

It can be REALLY easy to use our own internal biases and negative self-talk to project insecurity or dislike of someone else's body. And I get it! If you aren't a fan of your own wrinkly elbow, and you see someone who's elbow is even wrinklier than yours -- THIS DOES NOT MEAN THEY DON'T LIKE THEIR WRINKLY ELBOW! Who knows? Maybe they're in LOVE with their wrinkly elbow! Maybe they don't like it very much but pointing it out is not gonna help them in ANY way. Maybe they're working on learning to love it and you pointing out that it's a thing they "should" be insecure about will take them 20 steps back on their journey.

Instead, just don't mention that body part that you think might be an insecurity in the first place -- or if you do, try to find something that you GENUINELY love about it. (I kind of dig this second option, IF you can really really be genuine and not backhanded in your love. Because in learning to love something on another person, we get the chance to learn to love that part of ourselves more too. But for real, y'all, be careful with this one.)

🚫 "You look so great even with your wrinkly elbow" --> 👍 "I love your hair!"

🚫 "Don't feel bad that your elbow is so wrinkly. I still think it looks okay." --> 👍 "The angle of your elbow really allows it to catch the light in the most beautiful way."

🚫 "Your wrinkly elbow doesn't make up who you are. You are so much more gorgeous than that! Like, look at your beautiful eyes!" --> 👍"Oh my gosh, I cannot get over the way the light reflects and bounces all over your skin. I'm especially drawn to the wrinkles in your elbow. They look like a map of magic, and it makes me feel so drawn to your energy in this picture."

(Yeah okay the Elbow Metaphor is getting a little strange but like..... you get where we're going with this, right??! 😂)

Alright, my dears! With all of THAT in our back pockets, let's dig in! Which tip is your favorite? Did you learn anything new from this post?

It's time to practice and strengthen our compliment muscles (if only there was a really epic selfie challenge that could help you practice this..... 😉😆 --> www.selfietoselflove.com)

Why we don't talk about weight/diet culture in the Empowerment Studio

Content warning: talking about talking about weight loss/diet culture (my, my this is getting meta )

In the Empowerment Studio, we don't talk about diet culture/weight loss/weight in any capacity.

Say whaaaat? Here's why!

One of our goals in the Empowerment Studio is to create a protected space for folx who have historically not had a safe platform to explore body love. People in the body positivity/liberation movement are inundated with posts about weight loss and diet culture in every single other online space. Few spaces are immune - and we want our community to be one of them.

With that in mind, let’s steer clear of posting before-and-after photos, chatting about weight loss goals/journeys, and/or bemoaning our current bodies.

In the Empowerment Studio, we believe that every body--every shape, every ability, every curve, every texture, every roll—is magical and beautiful EXACTLY as it is right this very second (and it was beautiful the way it was yesterday, and the way it will be tomorrow; bodies are always changing, and they are always all good).

This a really good time to remember to be gentle and kind to EVERY version of our bodies. We can be proud of the bodies we have here, today, and what we can do with them, without throwing shade at the bodies we used to have, or comparing ourselves to the bodies we might or might not have tomorrow. It's really hard to dive all in on loving ANY bodies when we're stuck in comparison mode (whether that's you comparing yourself to someone else, or to yourself).

A common and very reasonable question that I get pretty often:

"But I'm proud of my weight loss journey, I've worked really hard, it's helped me feel more empowered!"

And my standard answer:

I love you and I love your body and I'm so glad YOU love your body. I'm especially glad that you are feeling empowered. Please PLEASE share your body pride and self-love with us, for real -- that love is contagious and inspiring and we soak it all up here. BUT let's keep your shares specific to how you feel in your body now—not how your body was wrong before.

An example of how to implement this shift:

Instead of saying, "I've lost xx lbs and I'm so proud of myself!" you could say, "I'm feeling so good in my body lately and I'm so proud of that."

What I love about this is that now we're celebrating a really beautiful side of your journey that you might not think to talk about otherwise!!!! The NOW is the part we want to know about. I kind of love what happens when we ditch the numbers and talk about the FEELINGS instead. There's magic there; I believe in it deep in my soul.

Still wanting to talk about your diet culture things? There are tons of Facebook groups where you can post before and afters, talk about weight loss, discuss body goals, etc -- let's keep the Empowerment Studio free from those topics so that members have this space to explore their relationships with their bodies in other ways.

THANK YOU for reading along and for being so awesome. I really value the consent and safety we practice in our community, and I know it's a reason why a lot of you choose to stick around. This is really good stuff. Let's keep it up.

I'm so glad you're here.

Moving forward with Boudoir in the Time of Covid™

Our studio is cautiously re-opening in July! With the intimacy and length of boudoir sessions, I've had to implement a lot of modifications in order to photograph sessions -- for the safety of everyone involved. Here’s the scoop! I thought it might be interesting/reassuring to folks who are curious about boudoir sessions to see what we’re doing to keep ourselves and our clients safe.

Here are some of the new policies and practices we’ve put into place. I’m an open book so if anyone has any questions or clarifications, or heck, if you’re reading this and you’re like, OH YEAH I believe in Kinzie keeping her clients safe and I wanna be one of them, get me a boudoir shoot ASAP — send me an email at kinzie@empowermentphotographer.com!

COVID-19 STUDIO POLICIES as of July 1, 2020:

- For the time being, I will not be able to photograph clients who are high-risk for Covid exposure. If you think this might be you, reach out to me and we can chat it out. (Since we’re all having to make our own best decisions as we navigate the Covid-waters, each person’s situation is so different. As a result, sooooo much of what we’re doing right now is really going to require extensive and thorough communication. Good thing that’s one of my special-est and most practiced skills!)

- I moved the studio downstairs, and it's now in a space where I can photograph you with 6' minimum distance. (Also, the light is even better than it was upstairs, this increases accessibility for clients, AND there's a window seat. This is one weird perk of COVID, that it forced me to look at other options for shooting spaces -- and now look at us go!) 

The downstairs area before — it was mostly used as an event space, and it’s also where clients would get their hair and makeup done at the start of their sessions!

Not quite done yet (we need art on the walls!), but it’s getting there!

- Hair and makeup services are optional. My hair and makeup team are taking Covid precautions very seriously, and their already-impeccable hygiene practices are next level now. They'll be wearing masks the entire time they work with you. If you paid for hair and makeup artistry and you would rather come hair and makeup ready (or go for a natural look!), just let me know and I'll apply that fee as product credit towards your package. 

- We'll have two client/photographer phone calls before your session to screen for risks. I'll be contacting you to set up a time to chat about your health and your recent experiences leading up to your session. We'll probably talk about a week before your session to go over the big stuff (checking in if you've had any high-risk exposure, if you're feeling any symptoms, etc) and then again the day or two before to make sure nothing has changed, and that you're not having any new symptoms). 

- I'll be photographing you from 6' away. This won't be a problem in terms of the quality of your photos, but it does mean I'll be asking you to help me with adjusting your own straps, and arranging your own hair. Funny enough, doing all these Zoom sessions have really helped me get good at guiding clients on this stuff, so I don't think it'll be in any way an issue for your session.  

- I'll wear a mask the whole session, so you won't be able to see my big goofy-obsessed-with-you grin, but I'm sure you can picture it. 

Hi! It’s me, Kinzie, ready to show you how great your butt is. Let’s do this thing!

- Precautions on your end: I'll take your temp with a touchless thermometer when you arrive. Please wear a mask for your arrival and while you settle in at the studio. I'll ask that you wash hands immediately upon entering, and take off your shoes when you first get to the studio. We’ll also have you put your phone in a basket at the door when you arrive. You can gather it on your way back out of the studio.

- I'll sanitize all hard surfaces before you arrive and after you leave

- I'll also bleach spray the whole shoot space the night before, so it has plenty of time to disinfect and dry before you arrive 

- I'm changing clothes immediately before your session, and will change out again right after 

- We will still do same-day Viewing and Ordering appointments, but they'll be on video chat instead of in-person // So, on your session day, you'll come to the studio (most sessions start at 10 am), we'll photograph your session, and then I'll send you on your way to grab a bite of food and relax and celebrate how awesome you feel. Then, a few hours later, we'll meet on Zoom -- and I'll have your final images ready for viewing! It's still the same amazing rush of seeing your photos the same day as you're taking them, just in different locations; this is gonna be real good! 

- Client Lingerie Closet: I'll be pulling items for you with clean hands 24 hours before your session, and setting them out so that you'll be the only person touching them on the day of your session. Anything you touch (whether or not you try it on), I'll be washing after your session is over. 

And then some things will go on as before: 

- I'll continue to practice frequent hand-washing, and ask you to do the same.

- I'll have freshly washed sheets for the studio bed, and I'll be putting them on right before your session with clean hands.

- There's probably a whole lot of other things I can't think of right now because even in normal life, I'm a germaphobe, so I'm always extra careful anyways. (Those of you who have been to the studio before know we’ve had a sign up for YEARS that says, “It’s flu season, wash your damn hands.”) This has just taken things to the next level in the Empowerment Studio. 

Wall art that I just ordered — courtesy of the incredible artist Mezay Ugbo of The Everyday Print Co / https://www.instagram.com/theeverydayprintco/ — for the new studio set up downstairs. I can’t WAIT to show off the new space once it all comes together!

Y’all, 2020 has been a wild ride so far. And I think that’s gonna keep being what — so now it’s a matter of adapting and pivoting as we need to. We can do that! We can do anything. It feels so worth it to put the puzzle pieces together of how to make it work that we can still do this thing -- boudoir must go on!! 

I can't wait to start shooting again. Even though I'm pretty wary of, ya know, the world right now -- I'm also so aware of how good and powerful and transformative boudoir is, and how important connection is, so I know that with all these precautions, we'll be adding a lot of good to the world. And we need that right now. Maybe more now than ever. 

Big love, 
Kinzie

Empowerment Studio COVID-19 policy updates

Hello to our incredible, sustaining, epic, powerful community. We are so glad that you are here and we are so glad we’re in this world together. These are times that call for creativity and comforts. We honestly couldn’t imagine being in better company than with you in this digital space.

We wanted to talk to you about what we’re doing in our physical and online spaces to make sure everyone is safe and still connected.

IN PERSON INTERACTIONS:

• In the studio, we’re a pretty low-volume space with already very intense sanitation practices. We’re still making a point to go extra hard as far as sanitizing goes. (Like, literally, Kinzie the Germaphobe already had a giant-ass bottle of hand sanitizer decked out in blue sequins on the stairwell of the Empowerment Studio, and signs all over that say, “Wash your damn hands, it’s flu season” on the studio walls, long before this pandemic began.)

• At this point, we feel comfortable moving forward with photoshoots as planned. That said, we are offering no-fee rescheduling to any clients who don't feel comfortable moving forward with their session on the date we have planned. Do what feels right to you and we’ll be communicating with you if you have a session coming up soon.

• Kinzie herself is going to be limiting her own social circle and interactions to help keep her safe and healthy, and so she can bring as little risk of exposure into any sessions. We ask that our clients coming into the Empowerment Studio alert us if they have high exposure risks so we can evaluate if it's best to reschedule your session.

• We're going to be following CDC and WHO recommendations for all business practices, so if we do get word that we need to stop/modify anything, we'll do so and keep you updated.
  

ONLINE INTERACTIONS

We’re working hard to lean into physical-distancing but socially, it's more important now than ever that we continue to connect and engage with one another. Our Empowerment Studio has become such a place of comfort and peace to us all.

• The Empowerment Team is working hard to add more virtual hang outs. We already have a few on the books. We're also in the process of evolving our Empowerment Studio Patreon membership to cater to these shifting times -- because we want that space to be a resource for YOU.

• If now feels like a time to engage in a positive, encouraging, pleasure-filled space, then please join us! We welcome your love and light into our community, and hopefully the love and light you'll get in return will support you in this very transitional time.

In case you're not already hanging out in there with us: The Empowerment Studio is our Facebook group full of women, femmes, non-binary and trans folx who feel comfy in our space. http://empowermentphotographer.com/community to join us (and please do; we welcome you in!)

Again, we’re so happy to have people like you in our community at a time like this. It’s so empowering to see the way we take care of one another.

Why I don’t share posts that make fun of people’s bodies on my facebook page

Another one of those male boudoir sessions is floating around the internet again (you might have seen it - it's the nice looking guy with pumpkins?). I just feel like I need to put this out there, because each time one of these posts goes viral, the link gets messaged to me, posted to my wall, posted in my facebook group The Empowerment Studio, and all over the place. 

And I KNOW that people are seeing boudoir and thinking, "Kinzie!" Which, obviously I'm down with that! You know I love me some gorgeous boudoir photos. (And you make me feel so loved when you think of me!)

But what I don't love is these supposedly hilarious photo shoots of men who are actually BEAUTIFUL people, but the session makes fun of both: A) men's bodies and B) the genre of boudoir. What I'd like to know is, why can't men actually be beautiful? Why can't we celebrate their bodies as well? Can't we throw them some love as well? Can't we photograph them in a way that feels sexy, that is empowering? Can't we share their photos because they are beautiful people, not because we want to laugh at them? 

And I should say: I am not personally mad at a single person who has shared these posts with me in the past! I truly love each and every one of you, and the fact that you take time out of your day to think of me, and to share something with me -- that means so much. But I also don't think it's fair to the beautiful bodies out there that these posts are making fun of, to not speak up and say something. So please don't take this as a personal attack, if you've shared these posts with me in the past. I promise I still love you!! Let's just spam each other with videos of otters practicing excellent self-care.

This is making me feel like I need to photograph men again (I've photographed some guys in the past, but it's been a while!) so that I can truly celebrate the male form as well. And I'm not just talking about only photographing muscular, chiseled men -- though they are gorgeous too. No, I want to photograph every single body, and help them see that they are beautiful. 

Sexy Selfie Tips

Hello you incredible human beings, 

Okay, so how the heck do you take a sexy selfie? You're in luck. Here I am, comin' atchya with my very best.... *drum roll please!* 

Sexy Selfie Tips!!

Get in the mood: 

• Take a moment to yourself. Breathe deeply. Give yourself three compliments. Fix your hair, or put on a favorite outfit -- do something to make yourself feel amazing. 

• Listen to the Flow Pose body meditation at the top of this post to get connected with, and grounded in, your body.

• Play some music that makes you feel amazing, and move your body around to the beat.

Clothing: 

• Wear as much or as little clothing as you want for this photo, but do make sure you feel great in whatever you're wearing. Add or subtract clothing to find what you feel best in!

• Don't be afraid to tug/lift/tuck/otherwise modify your clothing to create the shape and silhouette that you're after. I've taken some great sexy selfies when I was wearing a simple t-shirt - just by tugging at the neckline/lifting the hem a bit! 

Posing: 

• Include or try to feature one of your favorite body parts/something you love about yourself - if it's something you love about yourself, you will feel more confident as you're taking the picture

• Move that phone around again, and shoot from a lot of different angles

• Use a mirror if you want to! That's a great way to get more of your body in the photo

• Arch and twist and bend and wiggle to find your pose - you never know what combination body parts and angles you'll enjoy in a final photo

Expression:  Let's talk "sexy face": First of all, what the heck is that??! The face you have is sexy, always! BUT if you want to work towards a more typically recognized sexy face (or if you're just wanting to bust out a different face than usual for this selfie), here are a few tips you can try: 

• Whisper A-E-I-O-U in slow motion and watch your mouth as you do it. Sometimes one vowel or another will be the one that does the trick for you, and for other people, it's the shape your mouth makes as you transition from one letter to another. Try smiling a bit as you say it, and see if that changes things

• Breathe through your mouth, or breathe in, hold your breath for a second, and then blow out through soft lips

• Put your lips together as you're working out the pose, and once you're ready to start shooting, lightly part your lips and relax your tongue 

• Look down or close your eyes, and right before you start taking the pictures, flutter open your eyes slowly and look directly into the camera

• Hold your mouth open lightly and breathe through your mouth, and then don't actively smile with your mouth, but think very very VERY smiley thoughts with your eyes

That last tip personally makes me look a little constipated 😂, but it works for some people! What works for one person will be totally different than what will work for another person. 

That's why I have so many different tricks up my sleeve to get you to do different faces! All the more reason to practice all of these things in front of a mirror, or better yet, in front of your photo-ready phone, so you can snap a bunch of photos and review later. 

SUPER IMPORTANT: Don't be afraid to laugh at yourself! Taking sexy selfies can be a ridiculous experience, and you are doing an awesome thing by trying! If a regular selfie is already a specific kind of art form, a sexy selfie can be even more elusive! That doesn't mean it's impossible, though - it just means it'll take even more practice to find your groove. That's not to say you can't find an awesome pose/angle early on, but the more you do it, the more easily the sexy selfies will come to you! 

Alright, my friends! Don't forget to be kind to yourselves as you are taking and posting these selfies. That is a gift we all deserve to give to ourselves.   

A Sexy Selfie 3 ways

Today, I went LIVE in the Empowerment Studio to shoot my #SelfietoSelfLove Day 3 challenge photos -- and I am DELIGHTED by the results. 

Here's the final image I went with, but there are so many that I just adore:

I used a timer for this, and shot a ton in a row because there wasn't much time to get into position. But I think something about the spontaneity of this moment, paired with the pose, really works! And I just loooooove my belly in this one, and the fact that you can see my stretch marks in it.

And here are my other top pic(k)s! 

1) Sexy selfie in my regular clothes, not making too many modifications, quick and easy:

2) Sexy selfie standing up, no props needed: 

3) Sexy selfie lying down!

Which one is your favorite? Also, gladly accepting compliments in the comments! Shooting these live was vulnerable for me, but I ended up having an amazing time with it once I got going!! 

Have you taken your Sexy Selfie yet today?