Lesley’s boudoir photoshoot story

Lesley, Age: 43  Dress size: 14

For me, For Your Eyes Only has been a life-changing – and very much life-affirming experience. I’m in my forties and have spent my entire adult life being overweight. In the last few years I’ve managed to shift some of the weight, however, I won’t lie – booking in for my FYEO photoshoot was the scariest thing I’ve ever done, and if I hadn’t paid up front I would’ve backed out for sure!

I booked the photoshoot as a secret wedding gift for my then fiancé (now husband). I’d never done anything like this before and I still can’t believe I went through with it, but it turned out to be one of the best days of my life!

On the day of the photoshoot I found the staff so welcoming, despite me feeling extremely self-conscious (and clearly used to nervous clients). I was really grateful that my female photographer took the lead from the start, giving me full instructions, but, as the shoot progressed, I felt my self-confidence growing and was able to ask questions and suggest a few ideas of my own. For the shoot itself I splashed out on new underwear (including the set I planned to wear on my wedding day and my fiancé’s rugby shirt, which I had to smuggle from his wardrobe unseen!).

Despite my initial doubts about how good I could ever be made to look, I absolutely loved the experience. I ended up thinking that even if I hated the end results, the actual shoot had still made me feel a million dollars. After the shoot I was flying, but keeping it all a secret was a killer. In the end, I had to tell someone, so I got straight on the phone to my best friend and told her what I’d done – and how fantastic and positive the entire experience had been.

On the morning of our wedding I got a close friend to hand-deliver a special book of boudoir photos, and I’ve since been told that when he opened his book he was absolutely speechless with delight. At the altar his second words (after telling me how beautiful I looked) were in whispers about his photobook! That alone would have made the whole thing worthwhile even if I hadn’t enjoyed myself half as much as I did.

You can tell from the smile on my face in the photos that I was feeling relaxed and comfortable – you just can’t fake expressions like that. I’ve had my favourite photo framed and hung above our bed – in it I’m lying on my back, stretched out with my arms behind my head – the curves are incredible!

“I have become more comfortable in my own skin”

Thanks to my FYEO experience I’ve quite simply become more comfortable in my own skin. I see myself differently as a result of the shoot, and I know I look and feel better than I have ever done in my life.