Walking the walk.

Photo captured last weekend while in Vegas by the very talented Heather Walker of Columbus Boudoir. Heather is someone whose work I greatly admire and also someone I am proud to call my friend.

"Walk the walk, Petra."   I say to myself when it's my turn to step in front of the camera.  One would think that since I do this for a living it would come easily, right?  Yeah... no!  

It's almost as though there are two little Petras hovering at my shoulders whispering  in my ears - the bitchy not-so-nice version of me says:

"What if my sexy face looks like bitchy-face?"

"Can I just lose 5 more pounds?"

"I'm a grandma now.  I'm too old for this!"

"My thighs look like ham hocks and I'm growing a turkey waddle!"

"My forehead resembles a shar pei puppy."

"If I stand sideways to the camera I could pretend it's a maternity session and really freak out my mother" ((sometimes I have to amuse myself to break the tension))

Humming the jello jingle "See it wiggle, watch it jiggle"

While the posing comes easily, I'm still a nervous wreck inside.  Even though I've stepped in front of the camera twice before, I feel anxiety. Through that anxiety I step in front of the camera and the kinder version of myself begins to whisper:

"You are beautiful inside, it will shine through"

"Own your age.  Remember that the years have given you something more precious than flawless skin, it's given you courage and confidence."

This year's boudoir portrait was shot by the very talented Heather Walker of Columbus Boudoir.   I've been a long time admirer of Heather's work and am proud to call her my friend, my cohort and partner in crime.

Anxiety gone.  Courage and confidence revived.  Inspired.