40 Over 40 Campaign
Ashley Gravelle + 40 + Oncology Nurse + Mom of 3
“I had never even contemplated doing a boudoir shoot. Sure, I like feeling pretty and sexy as much as the next person, and I have fun with my hair and makeup on a daily basis. But my relationship to my body is far more complicated and I never considered that it would be something to celebrate, on purpose, in photos. Also, the voice that most moms hear spoke loudly: “it’s too expensive; how could you possibly spend money and get pictures of JUST yourself; it’s vain; people will think you are full of yourself”. While I wouldn’t consider myself overly modest, I, like most adult American women, have had a little love/mostly hate relationship with my body. I can remember wanting to be “smaller” when I was not yet even a teenager.”
“I used to want to change my body to fit a mold. Now, at 40, my body bears the scars of pregnancy, C Section and several surgeries over the years. I have cellulite and stretch marks and spider and varicose veins. But I finally see I’m also strong. I’m in the gym, lifting heavy, seeing strength I’ve never had before. I finally realized that “small” does not equal healthy. A lower number on the scale does not make me any happier or more content or fulfilled. This body, the one that carries me everyday and has grown and birthed 3 beautiful children, is just fine the way it is today. Does that mean I regret my tummy tuck and boob job and Botox and filler and that I’ll stop doing all those things? Nope! Because that’s the whole point. Those are the things that have made me feel good or function better and that’s Ok…”
“Doing or not doing those things is not what gives my body value or beauty or make it worthy of celebration. I will never wake up and think my body is finally perfect and ready to be photographed. But I want to do it anyway. I want to be brave and celebrate the space I am in. Body acceptance is not a final destination. It’s a choice we make over and over and over again, and maybe somedays we don’t at all. But these photos are a way to step out of the noise of your own brain and just capture a moment. And when you see the finished photos you will be blown away. Yes, you’ll be amazed and your own hotness 🤣 but you’ll also be so proud of yourself for choosing to embrace your body with all its changes and self perceived flaws. You’ll always be able to have the pictures and remember the day when you were a stone cold babe and you’ll be reminded she is always in there.”
