Mara is Fabulous Vancouver Boudoir Studio

Have you ever felt insecure? About anything, let alone parts of your body?! I have to say it frustrates me to no end that society makes women feel like they have to be perfect, especially when perfection doesn’t exist! Seriously, we are all perfectly imperfect and that’s freaking amazing!! Why would any of us want to be just like someone else? 

I’m always so proud when women become woke to realizing their true worth because y’all are worthy! Y’all are perfect in your own ways! Then add in ageing and society doesn’t go easy on us then either. Somehow ageing isn’t cool but that’s why I’m here with the 40 Over 40: Fabulous Beyond 40 Experience, to try to reverse that societal norm and help women to realize just how fantastic they really are! 

I’m shooting 40 Women Over 40 as part of The Fabulous Beyond 40 Experience and I welcome YOU to participate! The Intimate Photos photo shoot will lift you up, make you feel incredible and remind you that you are a special woman! Perfection might not exist and we are embracing that and you! Just like Ms. Mara featured here who really tried for perfection in her youth but now realizes she doesn’t need to! Life is too short!
 
We’ll meet Mara below and you can read some of the other Client Spotlights who’ve already been to my studio for their Boudoir Session, and learn all about the full experience here. Will you be one of the 40 Women Over 40 to participate?

Mara is Fabulous Beyond 40! 

Age: 41

What Made You Want to Celebrate Being Fabulous Beyond 40 By Doing An Intimate Photos Session?

I love the idea of showcasing that wrinkles, stretch marks, and other signs of a life well lived have nothing to do with a woman’s ability to be beautiful, confident, and sexy.

What Did You Enjoy Most About This Experience? How Did It Make You Feel About Yourself?

Oh my goodness, what didn’t I enjoy about this experience? I loved being dolled up with the hair and makeup. My outfits were simple, but made me feel like a super sexy version of myself, and Michele gave so much positive feedback that it was easy to settle into “modelling mode”, slightly moving this way or that way for what felt like the perfect shot. The photos are incredible, and I literally want to show them to everyone. I cannot recommend this experience enough!

What Have You Learned to Appreciate More as You Have Aged?

I think one of the wonderful things that has come with age, at least for me, is an appreciation of the body I have and all that it can do. Maybe part of that is being more in touch with the idea that it won’t last forever, so I’ve got to flaunt what I’ve got while I’ve got it, instead of hiding my perceived imperfections.

How Has Your Relationship With Yourself and Your Body Changed Over Time?

In my youth, I feel like I was so focused on perfection and that anything that might be criticized was a source of embarrassment and should be managed or hidden. As I age, I see things changing in my body that I can’t control and am not willing to hide, and it’s very freeing to just acknowledge and accept. For example, I have gnarly varicose veins on my calf, but I am not going to wear pants year round!

If You Could Go Back in Time and Meet Your 18 Year Old Self, What Would You Say to Her?

Be less judgmental. That’s really about insecurity and there’s no need to measure ourselves against others.

What is Your Motto or Favourite Quote?

All lives make a large impact on the world and on the future—but the kind of impact you end up making is largely within your control, depending on the values you live by and the places you direct your energy. 

– Tim Urban, WaitButWhy.com

What Advice Can You Offer Other Women Of All Ages, Around Ageing and Fully Embracing Who We Are In The Moment?

Do what you need to do to make yourself feel good, right now, where you are. Don’t wait until you hit your goal weight to buy jeans that make you feel awesome, or put off getting a manicure that you love because you don’t have an event to go to. Figure out what makes you feel strong and confident and get it. Conversely, if there are things that are making you miserable, change them or leave them.

---

Yes! Mara, you have such a great outlook on life and ageing and acceptance. Thank you so much for sharing your confidence and yeah, go get that mani/pedi!

We are celebrating 40 Women Over 40 and you have the opportunity to be one of them! Learn all about this Empowering Fine Art Portraits Experience in the link below and reach out to me asap to get your name on the list!!

Click here for all of the 40 Over 40 details.

---

Photos shared with permission.

Michele Mateus is a Boudoir, Intimate Portrait & Nude Fine Art Photographer located in Coquitlam, BC. Serving Coquitlam, Vancouver, Greater Vancouver and Fraser Valley, BC. Studio, Outdoor and On-location Boudoir Photography.

Hair & Makeup By Jenny Valla.