A New Boudoir Experience | Tel Aviv Boudoir : Batsheva

When Batsheva originally contacted me last Spring, she told me that this would not be her first boudoir experience. This is rare, as most people are venturing into the boudoir world for the first time! It was really exciting, though, because I was able to help her explore different sides of herself. We took it as an opportunity to get creative about our shared vision, which made everything that much more fun!

In Batsheva’s words, “I did two boudoir sessions previously, one was a pinup boudoir session in 2015 and another one in February 2020. I did them because I love taking pictures and creating themed photoshoots. In May, I came across Rebecca Sigala’s work on a thread in a women only Facebook group. I knew I needed to book. I loved Rebecca’s work. The artistic style of the black and whites (later I learned Rebecca works with film, which I totally adored). I am complex, on the one hand I love taking pictures, making Tik Tok videos, I am into acting. However, I still have my insecurities regarding my body. Even though I learned to embrace my imperfections, they sometimes made me feel uncomfortable. Yet that didn’t stop me from setting up two sessions with Rebecca. In June and in November 2020.”

These beautiful images were the result of our first session together…

“I honestly couldn’t believe it was me! I have been photographed many times, and I have never been so satisfied with the final images.”

“I enjoyed every second of my boudoir session with Rebecca. Even if I was shy or embarrassed at times, thinking how I would look… It was empowering, uplifting and amazing.”

“I didn’t expect that I would gain more self-love from this, but I did. I am oftentimes very critical towards myself, asking myself whether I am good enough (especially after experiencing heartbreak and romantic disappointments), feeling not fit enough, etc. The shoot made me feel I am worth it. I am out there, and I deserve self-love!”

Batsheva, thank you for choosing me as your boudoir photographer. I am so honored that you trusted me, and I absolutely love what we created together.

Stay tuned for more pictures from our second session…

Hair and Makeup by Tiferet Lehrman

Self-Love is Possible : Boudoir Session

“For as long as I can remember my most demanding relationship has been the one with my body. It has gone from sworn enemy, to icy détente, spent a while at “it’s complicated” and then finally began to move toward full acceptance, with some possible sparks of self love. It was at this point in my journey that I decided to do a boudoir session with Rebecca…”

“I had made a decision long ago to not let my body size hold me back from the things I wanted to do, but the confidence I showed on the outside did not necessarily reflect how I felt about myself inside. I had a big birthday coming up, and something pulled me toward this idea, even if I wasn’t totally comfortable with it.”

“When I reached out to Rebecca she immediately put me at ease and got me so excited for the process. Her genuine desire to uncover the beauty in all bodies was infectious, and I secretly hoped that this photo shoot would bring my relationship with my body to the next level. I was cautiously optimistic, but also terribly afraid. After this investment of time, money and vulnerability, I might be left with pictures that I hated and have photographic proof that the way most of the world sees fat bodies is the way I should see my own body: as something to be covered up and denied, not something to be celebrated and displayed.”

“The day of the shoot came and I enjoyed every moment of it. Rebecca helped me feel so at home in myself, and that experience alone was incredibly healing. When I finally saw the pictures I was speechless, almost in shock at first, about what I was seeing, and then slowly these feelings of love and joy washed over me. To see myself in this raw way, and be so happy with what I saw, I never could have imagined it even a few years ago. I now celebrate these photos as evidence of all the work I’ve put into this very challenging but significant relationship in my life, and I can honestly say now that self-love is possible for any body.”

Finally Free | Tel Aviv Boudoir : Nina

I’m back to blogging, and I’m excited about it! With everything that goes on behind the scenes of boudoir photography, it can be easy to let my blog go a little bit. Yet there is always something that reminds me of why I started boudoir in the first place which leads me to think about my blog. This is where we tell stories. Not only are photographs worth a thousand words, but our bodies tell our unique journey; from our wrinkles and cellulite to our baby blue eyes and sun-kissed freckles to our scars and burns. I love that this blog gives women a platform to share their stories. It might be that the words speak to you because you have gone through something similar. Or it could be that one of the photographs hits you emotionally and reminds you of something beautiful within yourself. Whatever it may be, I’m grateful for this space.

This boudoir session was really special. I walked into the Tel Aviv loft, shortly after my maternity leave ended, and a week after the entire country was flooded, to Nina. A strong and gorgeous force of nature, who was willing to push herself out of her comfort zone. She did this session to feel sensual and feminine and to celebrate her body. As she told me her concerns about how the photos would turn out, I nodded and understood, but I smiled to myself because I couldn’t wait to show her how beautiful she truly is.

Over makeup and hair and delicious snacks, Nina shared part of her journey with Rhonda and I…

“I grew up with parents that were always commenting on what I ate and what they ate and how we all looked. I always had a thin sister who was the ideal example of what women should look like and I always felt insecure next to her. This was exacerbated by my parents feedback. Now I finally feel beautiful and even though my body might never look like the body of a supermodel it is perfect and healthy, and I feel good in it. I wanted to celebrate that feeling that I’m so glad I finally feel it.”

“Through this boudoir session, I learned to trust the process and go with the flow. We were originally supposed to do the shoot a week earlier. But due to thunderstorms, it had to be postponed. I was upset because I had gotten ready for everything for this specific date. However, it was worthwhile to wait because we had a great day and great weather and everybody involved was calm and excited. Although I was feeling good about my body in general, these pictures taught me to love it more and just love myself for doing something really exciting and therapeutic.”

“I think this is a therapeutic experience. As somebody in the mental health field, self-care is extremely important. So why not pamper yourself in a way that boosts your confidence and makes you feel like a queen? All women deserve to feel sexy. And if they don’t, I certainly encourage them to explore ways that make them feel sexy and what better way than an empowering photoshoot? I believe that sexiness radiates from the inside, and as soon as you start posing for these photos you gain a sense of confidence that you never thought you had.”

“When I got my pictures for the first time, I was so nervous to look at them. What if they were all bad? Since Rebecca works with a non-digital camera, I couldn’t see any of the shots mid-shoot.”

“I was so thrilled with the results. Of course, I didn’t love every picture, but I knew that was due to some insecurities I still have. Rebecca is definitely an expert in every way and the pictures reflected that. I fell in love with so many of them and was so excited to show people. Even though I don’t have a partner, I still wanted to share them with my friends who also loved them and were so impressed by my ability to decide to do this.”

“I finally feel like I’m at a time in my life where I am really confident with who I am both inside and out, and I wanted to celebrate that. Thank you, Rebecca, for this experience! I want to do it again!”

Makeup and Hair by Rhonda Lev

Embracing Vulnerability through Boudoir | New York Boudoir : Ekka

For many years I struggled with my weight, but I still always loved my body. About 10 years ago, I had weight loss surgery, and I realized that while I didn't hate my old body, I loved my new one. Then, 5 months before my wedding in August of 2018, my weight loss surgery began to fail me, and I needed an immediate revision. Very quickly I saw my body returning to the way it once was, months before needing to fit into a wedding dress.

I was devastated.

With help and support of those around me I was able to have it fixed, and my weight went back down, but my body was still different. That was the moment that I realized I wanted to capture how I felt.

Through doing a boudoir session, I also wanted to give my biggest supporter, my husband, a token, a gift- beautiful pictures of the body he loves and the person he loves most. He loves every flaw and every part of me and has helped me love and embrace those parts of me too. What makes him happy makes me happy. We love my little tummy pouch that I will never loose, my stretch marks on my wide hips and thighs, my multiple laparoscopic scars on my tummy and my mushy arms.

As my session approached I hoped for a wonderful space where I could learn about myself and my confidence, and a take away of a really beautiful time in my life, both physically and spiritually…

My experience was beyond any expectation. As much as I told myself and others I wasn't nervous, I think I was on the inside. But at the same time I was so ready for this experience. I got to know Rebecca Sigala through a wonderful and close friend of mine whose endorsement of the experience and, moreover of Rebecca, put me at ease and even made me eager to have this experience.

I loved chatting with Rebecca and Marcus Santiago, the makeup artist and hair stylist, leading up to the shoot. It broke the ice and made us all feel like friends. By the end of that one hour we were all following each other on social media and looking forward to the boudoir session.

I felt confident and vulnerable at the same time. My confidence came out of knowing my body and not being ashamed to share my flaws with the camera and the woman behind it. My vulnerability came from not knowing how to act in front of the camera. Rebecca helped me overcome that vulnerability and guided me through the process to help create with her the best looking pictures of me.

Overall, I couldn't stop speaking about the experience with my close friends and family. Even telling people I did this no longer made me feel bashful. I was so excited waiting for my photos!

When Rebecca sent me the final gallery of images, I viewed them together with my husband, and he was blown away. I knew he would be. He loved the intimacy of the shots, the style of the photography, the color and the black and white, and he loved the little personal touches I added by making sure we featured parts of my body that I know he loves, and I love too. I was also happy to have been able to have the creative freedom to wear special items I knew he would love and would make this session really special.

I ended sharing a bunch of pictures with my closest friends. They loved them too! I was also super proud and honored each time Rebecca shared a picture from my session on social media!

I took from this experience a greater sense of confidence. I not only accept having to be in a vulnerable state, but I embrace it. It no longer makes me feel vulnerable. I guess my husband has also helped me with this. With him I have always felt like my best self; free, open, and confident. I never felt like I ever had to be ashamed or hide any part of me. Until my session with Rebecca, I didn’t feel that same way around others.

This session made me realize that it isn't about the others, it’s about me. I now have that confidence and comfort-ability to be really open and free.