Sharing Divine moments in front of the camera
I fell down the rabbit hole and met the most wonderful people in Wonderland who made me feel and look like the most beautiful woman on the planet
Over the past few months we have been championing the incredible work women do in the region with our West Women of the Year Awards.
The campaign is a celebration of the selfless and inspiring actions women do in business, charity, sport and throughout their community.
One of our category sponsors is Divine Divas Boudoir Photography in Bath which has been helping women boost their body confidence for nine years.
When women book a shoot, they are invited to join a private, girls only Facebook group, where they can ask questions, read about other people’s experiences and voice their excitement and nerves.
Jo Menneer of Divine Divas said “The Divine Divas Girl’s Group was established by Divine Divas Boudoir Photography a year ago – with the hope women would share their ideas, tips, inspiration and anxieties about their boudoir experience shoot.
“The group has become so much more than that – a platform for sharing women’s stories, as well as their fears, their achievements and their journey with us.
“It has also become a place to celebrate each other and build each other up.”
Some of the group’s most prominent conversation starters met up for a photoshoot in celebration of Internationa l Women’s Day. [had] a random unladylike dress sense’.
In her own words, that left her feeling ‘suffocated and without a future’. It’s our privilege to say she did not leave feeling that way.
“Harriet and Emilie were both incredible at their roles,” she said of her shoot. “Emilie was amazing at relaxing you and getting a real feel for the vibe I wanted – I had some very definite ideas but she didn’t just stick with those and produced the most amazing images.
“The Facebook group was invaluable for setting you in the right mindset and giving you ideas.”
»» Emma Oliver
»» Emma arrived feeling almost sick with nerves, but has now graced the studio twice.
“It took me a while to get the courage to book my shoot but I was put at ease over the phone when booking and it was explained very well,” she said
“Going into the photo shoot I was relaxed but not sure how much skin I was comfortable showing.
“I had so much fun with my photographer. We were laughing most of the way through and I was open to all of the suggested shots.
“Having seen my photos, I am still amazed that it’s me, but I have so much confidence in my own image now – I would do it again in a second.”
»» Bess Lane
»» Bess came to Divine Divas very camera shy but with an image stuck in her head of Cyd Charrise she saw years ago in a book belonging to her sister.
“I have never thought of the camera as my friend – you have shown me that it can be,” she said.
“Being inspired by a photo I have been obsessed with for 50 years and have it interpreted so well has made my decade – not just my day.”
»» Donna Osmond
»» Arriving at the studio, she could not believe how nervous she felt. She said: “I think everyone should experience this – a real ego boost. “I have just had my viewing and can’t believe it was me.”
»» Alice Moore
A lady with a smile to die for, she has now come to Divine Divas three times. “A friend shared a Divine Divas post on Facebook and thank all the Alice In Wonderland’ characters that she did as it was the best experience of my life,” she said.
“I fell down the rabbit hole and met the most wonderful people in Wonderland who made me feel and look like the most beautiful woman on the planet.”
»» Sarah Jane Illott
»» Like so many women who come in, Sarah had experienced a rough time and needed something to reboot how she saw herself.
“I enjoyed every moment of my Divine Divas experience,” she said. “And I was so very at ease with Emilie taking my pictures, she was truly amazing.”
»» Donna Hall
»» After inquiring and then spending months hiding from our calls, Donna came to Divine Divas ‘full of self-doubt’.
A carer to her two daughters, Donna put herself way down her list of priorities and telling them to accept and love themselves, she was aware she wasn’t quite able to practise what she preached.
This is what she wrote after her shoot. “I turned from a scared, anxious, cautious and safe 42 year old, into a wannabe vixen in no time at all.
“A few failed relationships in and I have zero self-esteem. Several life challenges mean I have little confidence but, this afternoon I felt confident, empowered, and full of sass I didn’t even I know I possessed. I feel on cloud nine.
“I went in saying I couldn’t relate to sexiness at all. I was unable to pout or exude any self confidence but I was soon posing and even suggested I lose my bra.
“Just go for it and lose your inhibitions and society’s beauty standards can be shelved and your inner goddess released.
“I don’t know where my goddess came from but she appeared.”