Crystal has very few qualms about her life. She’s looking forward to celebrating her 40th birthday in a few months, she’s happily married to the same man she fell in love with when she was 15 and she has three incredible kids – a nearly married Marine, a seven year old son with autism who is her everything, and her five-year-old daughter who is too smart for her own good.
Still, she says she lives a far from perfect life. Like many people, Crystal manages bipolar disorder.
“I have bipolar disorder and the depression and anxiety hit hard sometimes and often puts strains on my relationship with my husband. He does his best to be supportive but I don’t always make it easy for him. With the support of my family, friends, and an extremely supportive therapist I am working on dealing with the depression and hard days one day at a time,” she explained to us.
Crystal says she made two changes in her life that have given her a new and extremely fulfilling purpose and helped balance her depression; 1, she started her own business, and 2, she joined some positive, pay-it-forward groups through Facebook, one of which was our Facebook group for VIP members.
“It’s all about positivity and good energy…reaching one end of the country to the other in an ongoing circle of kindness that is just spreading further and further, is an incredible feeling. In the process of starting these new journeys I have made friendships with some of the most incredible people…the groups have helped some of our members, like when some were down and thinking of suicide or in a rut. The group helped them find a reason to keep going and put those thoughts and feelings behind them, and those stories are what let’s you know you are serving a purpose greater than your own.”
Crystal says our group definitely helped get her into the mindset of her second shoot (yes she had such a great time the first time she just had to come back and see us again!).
“I did a couple model call before and I absolutely loved everything about it. I was so comfortable with Mike the first time. With such an amazing experience it was easy to decide there is nowhere else I would go for my solo shoot,” she said.
Crystal came to the studio in the evening for one of our night sessions and she says she was on the edge of her seat all day waiting for it!
“I had an evening session which was amazing in itself, I love the dark, so that alone put me at ease, but the session itself was amazing! Erika and Mike are an amazing team together. They have this energy and vibe that you just gravitate to. They make you feel like a queen and you leave absolutely believing you are one too.”
For this session, Crystal brought a ton of options, from booty shorts, to lingerie and she even surprised herself by doing a few topless and nude shots.
“Before I left the house I wasn’t even sure I wanted to do topless shots but since I need to be more comfortable with that part of my body, I wanted to make sure I stepped out of my comfort zone. I’m so glad I did, the photos were amazing and so worth it. Mike and Erika made me feel so comfortable with them and myself that I decided to do some nude photos,” she said.
When the time for her big photo reveal came, Crystal was speechless.
“There is nothing that can top getting to sit down and watch the slideshow as the music plays, to set the most perfect music! I was just in awe of how incredible they were. How incredible I looked.”
She chose 15 images for an album, 15 reminders that she’s a badass!
“I feel better about myself, I am proud of myself, and I am still feeling the high from my session three days later. When I get down, I remember what Erika had me repeat to myself, ‘I love myself, I love who I am, I am beautiful, I love the bitch I am.’
She continued, “I think about how good I felt and how amazing the photos came out.. I have a new sense of self-pride and confidence! I just want to thank Mike and Erika for everything! You both are incredible at what you do and I will be forever grateful for everything you have done for me!! A level of therapy my therapist could have never given me!”
Ready for your own therapeutic solo boudoir experience? Book your session by calling 610.539.6920 or by visiting http://allebachphotography.com/contact/