WHY?! Tummies, tummies, tummies...

I have a confession.

Last weekend I spent $50 on a pair of Spanx to hold my tummy in.

Even as I was walking to the check out I knew it wasn’t right… I was conducting an inner battle in my head which was so loud I thought the Myer lady might have heard it.

I was wearing a certain dress for a wedding and I wished my stomach looked flatter in it.

This is the part of my body I struggle with. (Oh and my increasingly deep frown line that I refuse to Botox) I didn’t even realise I had such a problem with my tummy until I was handing over $50 for constricting jocks.

I know I’m not the only one who has insecurities around their tummy. Actually, there’s bloody heaps of us… Spanx had an estimated revenue of 400 MILLION DOLLARS last year alone. FOUR HUNDRED MILLION DOLLARS.

Whoa. That is just ONE company selling these things. God knows what the actual total is.

Why are we doing this to ourselves? I am promoting body confidence yet here I am worrying about how much my belly sticks out. What the fuck.

I miss Spain.

When we lived in Spain the beach trips were a daily reminder of the variety of body shapes, colours, ages and sizes. Everyone close to naked enjoying their bodies out in the sun. It felt so liberating. Young girls through to old ladies running (or lazing) around topless, no shame, no hiding. Big bellies. Round bellies. Wrinkly bellies. Stretched bellies. Pert boobs. Saggy boobs. Uneven boobs. Everything and anything.

I was just talking about those nostalgic memories with my nine year old daughter and she said Spanish beaches were like dog beaches but for humans. Where everyone just embraced how their bodies looked and had a great time! We often joke about how if dogs were insecure about their different shapes and abilities that they wouldn’t enjoy the beach as much. Have you been to a dog beach? It is PURE JOY!

So, clearly the conditioning around body image run deep… Even she who preaches it finds herself a sucker sometimes.

I don’t know the answer but felt I needed to confess.

PS. I am writing this with my tummy hanging out, which is where it will be free to be from now on…. Sorry tummy, I love you. xx

PPS. I’m off to re-watch the Embrace documentary to give myself a top up of self love and body confidence.

Allow Me to Reintroduce Myself... (AKA The Return to Social Media)

Oh hello there.

It’s been about five months since I said cheerio to Instagram. Now I have an urge to return. This most recent deep dive made me realise that I’m not going back on there for ‘business’ as such (which is why none of the pep talks from sales focued biz pals worked on me) I am on there for community. (Which yes, I get it, does feed my business overall but I’m just looking forward to sharing what I hope is helpful stuff with other humans, know what I mean?!)

Back when I was going through a really dark time I had someone DM me with “I hope this isn’t too forward or out of line but I just wanted to check you are ok? I love all of the sunrises you post but I can just feel something sad underneath. I know we don’t know each other but just wanted to say I hope all is well. Hopefully I’m wrong but sending this anyway.”

Months later when I told my sister about this she said that’s why noone knew how bad I was… Because my life looked so beautiful on my stories.

Since then I have gone through so much healing and know to speak up when things are getting too much but at that time, on that day, that DM from a stranger really touched my heart.

It’s funny how you forget these things until it comes time to writing about why you’re returning to Instagram…

I really did need the break. I suffer from overwhelm. I think that’s most of us these days right?! I was not good at boundaries (still a work in progress) and now I’m giving it another shot. You can follow along @jodiplumbleyphotography for new updates but while I’m here I wanted to post some tips for if you are ready for a social break of your own…

1. FIND A POSITIVE SUBSTITUTE APP

   I didn’t actually realise how much I picked up my phone to check Insta. I decided that my substitute was going to be INSIGHT TIMER. I would open up and do a quick 5 minute meditation or do a lesson from a course I’d signed up to. (This involved spending about $88 to upgrade the app for the year but it was a worthy investment IMO) Thanks Insight Timer for all the healing and encouragement since!

   My other go-to which I plan to keep up is DUOLINGO. My French is getting polished up faster than Versace silverware. J’ai besoin de pratique et je l’adore!

2. MAKE SURE YOUR PALS KNOW YOU’RE OFFLINE

   Otherwise you risk just looking like a rude bitch.

3. DON’T SET A TIME - JUST FOLLOW YOUR INTUITION

   I never say never (apart from just then) so I treated this as an experiement. I went to return a couple of times but then something threw me off it again. Go with your gut and make up your own rules.

4. BE PREPARED TO BE TOTALLY OUT OF THE LOOP IN GROUP SITUATIONS

   Luckily FOMO is something I don’t suffer from too strongly so I didn’t mind being in this situation. It was also really fun to find out news first hand from friends! Like in the old days!!

5. MAKE A POINT TO CONNECT WITH PEOPLE MORE IN OTHER WAYS

   A long lost friend and I reconnected over our shared exit from socials and we shared texts, voice notes and family photos with each other. We both found how special it felt to receive photos with news intentionally sent rather than just ‘broadcasted’ If you’re an old school romantic like me get out the ol’ rollerball and write a letter… Snail mail is the best surprise and an act of love.

6. GO EASY ON YOURSELF

   Like everything, you need to find what works for you. If your mental health is suffering then try taking a day’s break, or a weekend first. Baby steps and remember it’s all there waiting for when you want to return!

And from a business point of view - although 90% of my enquiries come from Google (thank you Thea Media for my awesome SEO) I ran into a lot of local people who asked if I was still shooting… they hadn’t seen my ‘exit news’ and just thought I wasn’t shooting anymore. Interesting how these things ripple out… So while I have no clear stats I think it did impact my business slightly. Although if I had got my ass into gear and done the Pinterest marketing I was meant to then I think I could have evened it out… I will never knowwwwwwww… Isn’t that the fun of it all?!

Wishing you empowering scrolls and timely breaks when you need.

See you on the Insta squares…

Peace out, JP xx

I'm Doing It... I'm Getting Out!

Anyone who knows me, or heck you can probably just pick up on it from my sporadic enthusiasm… knows I have long suffered from an intense love-hate relationship with social media, namely Instagram.

With every energy audit of my life, social media is always on the drainer list.

Now don’t get me wrong, I get a lot of positives out of Instagram but FOR ME, the negatives outweigh them.

I have written and re-written my love letter to social media, I have tapped through limiting beliefs, I have tried three different scheduling programs (paid and unpaid) I had someone managing it for a while. I feel like I have put a lot of work into this relationship but it’s still not working for me and it’s time to walk away.

I actually got to this point about six months ago. The decision was liberating.

But a trusted friend suggested to me - ‘do you think you’re scared of being seen?’

Oooh, interesting concept. Yes, there was definitely truth to that. I have spent the past six months really diving into it… there was (and still is) fear around success which for me, means being seen. I have worked, and continue to work, on that. But all the gripes I have with socials haven’t changed. And this decision to leave really does feel liberating.

FOR ME.

I put that in capital letters because I am not writing this as a diss to social media.

Hell, I wrote some pretty bloody romantic love letters to it let me tell you. I appreciate the power of it and the free access we have to tap into people all over the world. We can share ideas, get inspiration, so much good stuff. I have made amazing friends through this app!

But, FOR ME, as a highly sensitive person who is SOOOOO EASILY DISTRACTED I think it’s time to experiment how my life looks without it.

This past year, I have been really concerned with my daughter’s screen time. Her obsession to the i-pad and it’s unlimited content. I have read many books and articles on the dangers of too much screen time for developing minds and psyches. In knowing this, I had to examine my own behaviour… after being called out.

Lila would ask me a question which I wouldn’t hear because I am deep in the Instagram scroll. It’s become a thing that she calls out from upstairs when she is waiting for me to answer something… “Mummmmmmm, are you on Insta againnnnnnnn??”

Damn it. Caught.

I am guilty to admit she is right 89% of the time.*

I cannot control my scroll.

There I said it.

I have set timers. I just ignore them.

I have frickin’ admirable self control when it comes to a LOT of things but the old Insta scroll is just not one of them.

All of the texts I forget to reply to, articles I don’t write, paintings I don’t start, odd jobs I put off, calls I don’t make. I reckon cutting myself off from the scroll will help with all of this. (I am not a blind optimist, I could just develop another distracting habit but I will report back)

But Jodi, what about your BUSINESS?!

Yes, this is what has kept me there for so long. (My personal insta is stuck on an overseas trip circa 2018) I realise the power of Instagram for business but the detriment to my mental health is over-riding those benefits.

For you darling people who enjoy my content, I will be funneling all my creativity into my newsletters aka Love Letters (which I trust will become less sporadic) and articles such as these where I can deep dive into the random shit I think and worry about… Which hopefully brings some solace knowing we’re not the only ones thinking it.

Yes, I will miss the memes. And the banter in my DM’s.

I won’t miss the worry of what to post.

I won’t miss the distraction of capturing every pretty moment of my beautiful day just in case I want to post later but then don’t anyway.

I will miss seeing what my pals are up to. And their cute kids (and dogs)

I won’t miss that horrible feeling of knowing I’ve missed replying to DM’s or comments.

I won’t miss the heart sinking or the stomach sickness when something that shakes me shows up in my feed.

I will miss the astrological updates but then realised that I can subscribe to people I love and get their best content there WHILE supporting their business.

The point of me writing this, rather than just disappearing into the analogue sunset, is that sometimes you have to make calls that go against the grain in the pursuit of finding what works for you.

For any other business owners reading this consider me a crash test dummy… As a service based business I’m going to see what happens when I go quiet on socials. I have a feeling I will end up more on Pinterest, which for a Pisces daydreamer like me is virtual heaven.

Anyway, if you’ve been considering something that feels like the ‘wrong’ way to do things but your gut won’t shut up about it, consider this your permission slip to give it a try.

What is the worst that could happen?

PS. If I end up a social leper due to this decision, please remember the good times you had with me. I love you.

* Please note that 72% of my statistics are made up

Getting Ready for your Shoot

Getting ready for a boudoir shoot is like getting ready for a date… With yourself. You want to be taking your time to do everything you can to feel GOOD! Seriously, I think a boudoir shoot should be the ultimate in self care. And I’m a big believer that’s its not how you look but how you feel.

When you book a shoot with me you receive a full guide on how to best prepare however here’s a little wrap up of some things to consider when getting ready…

TIME - make sure you’ve carved out enough of it so you’re not rushed and stressed. Luxuriate in the spaciousness of your time. Been outrageously SLOW. Take pleasure in all the processes. Have your bag packed the night before and leave plenty of time for travel so you can rock out to your favourite tunes on the way!

SCENT - smell is such a powerful sense and it’s a great idea to anchor your self-love photoshoot experience with a special scent or high quality essential oil. That way, when you smell that scent in the future you’ll be transported back to how damn fabulous you felt at the shoot. If you’re interested I can go into the science of olfactory programming and the studies of neuroscience. It’s so fascinating how our brains work and how we can make easy tweaks to help rewire the positive pathways!

SKIN - hydrating yourself in the lead up to the shoot is a great idea. Well hydration is a great idea anytime right?! Being well hydrated will not only give you a beautiful glow you will be feeling much better for it.

MUSIC - a getting ready playlist! An absolute essential in my opinion. You can check out my Spotify playlist HERE for some inspiration.

TAPPING - if you feel the inevitable nerves creep in just thank them for their excited energy and keep getting ready. Do a little dance and shake it out. When you arrive at the shoot I have some fun little rituals to help get on top of the nerves. If you feel you really need a boost of confidence you can try EFT… Here’s a little sequence I love doing from time to time: FIND IT HERE

All in all, treating yourself to a boudoir shoot is one of the most empowering gifts you can give yourself so the more you can stretch out the experience, the better! As always, if you have any questions feel free to reach out to me here.

Jodi x

Nothing says welcome home like a man rifling through your knickers and taking your phone.

Sounds kind of creepy doesn’t it. Welcome to Australian Border Force. The sun has just risen on a crisp and glorious Gold Coast morning and despite the amazing break you’re happy to be home. You’ve come back clear, refreshed, with a sense of clarity and purpose. Your to-do list is ready for you to hit the ground running. Sure, the overnight flight was a killer and you’re a tiny bit delirious but the promise of a strong coffee is on the other sides of those gates.

You manage to shuffle your overtired yet unbelievably perky child past the confectionary temptations of duty free and join the immigration lines. The taste of coffee and the long drive home to your puppy getting closer with each passport swiped!

Luggage collected and just one last line, almost there. Friendly faces all through the airport. How could you not be smiling, it’s one of those glorious GC mornings and no matter how good a holiday is getting home just has that feeling.

“Aisle 4 please”

Ok, open all your luggage. The routine questions… Delivered with such gravity the airport feels darker all of a sudden. Yes, I packed my own bags. Yes, I know the contents of them all.

One by one, carefully rolled silk dresses, bras, knickers, sparkly pants (of course) all laid out on the long stainless bench for all to see. Dirty washing bags unpacked and laid out a bit too close to all your clean clothes. But you go along with it, answering the tedious questions about your holiday and how long we stayed and what we did while we there.

Then a request for your phone.

Pardon?

We need to take your phone for investigation.

Why? I ask.

You don’t need to know the reason, it’s part of Customs Law. If you travel you agree that you will have everything searched upon re-entry to Australia.

Well fuck me, it’s been a while since I took a holiday but didn’t know this was now part of the fun.

Where are you taking it?

Into another room where I am not allowed.

What are you doing with it?

We are downloading all the contents.

But WHY? Have I done something?

This is a random routine check. Happens every day they say.

How long will it take?

We can’t say for sure. Probably a couple of hours. Maybe longer.

My delirium and lack of coffee starting to scream inside my head. My daughter looking at the whole situation incredulously.

I’m sorry - WHAT?

I think of all the nude photos on my phone. Yours and mine. The intimate family photos. The notes section for my next therapy session. My late night rants dictated into notes about how I don’t trust the government.

I feel violated. I feel pissed off. I feel highly fucking decaffeinated for this whole situation. Oh not just me, my partners’ phone too. Taking them both. BUT WHY?

We don’t need to tell you that.

I look at Lila. I think of the THOUSANDS of photos of her on both of our phones.

I look the AFP officer dead in the eye and say I know you are trying to find people doing bad things BUT HOW DO I KNOW WHO WILL BE LOOKING AT PHOTOS OF MY DAUGHTER???

No answer.

I ask to call a lawyer. Nope, not allowed.

WHAT?!

I am stunned. My overtired brain having a fucking hard time processing all this. Well what a nice welcome home to Australia.

When do we get them back?

We will call you when we are finished with them and you can come collect them.

But you’ve taken both our phones - how will you call us?

Um, we can email you.

We live over an hour away, our emails are on our phones. Everything is on our phones. We have three businesses to run, we were meant to hit the ground running today. You’ve taken our only communication.

Ummm, you can call us?

ON WHAT?

So we wait the suggested two hours, driving around aimlessly, pissed off with no sleep. Unable to locate a payphone anywhere I ask a nice lady at a petrol station if I can please make a local call on her phone.

Nope, still not ready. Hang on, I’ll check on how much longer it will be… We get cut off.

I call back.

What’s the number to call you back on? The customs lady asks.

THERE IS NO NUMBER TO CALL ME BACK ON. YOU HAVE TAKEN BOTH OF OUR PHONES. I explain that unable to find a payphone I have used a stranger’s phone to contact them.

They don’t know how long it will take. Could be hours.

Ok, that’s it. My sleepless delirium has kicked in and I need to get home.

We get home after ten days away with no phone contact. I use my computer to send the more pressing insta messages to people. Like Mum, wondering why she hasn’t heard our 7am flight has landed yet when it’s pushing lunchtime.

Or brains both overloaded on everything we needed to do today work wise. Still trying to comprehend how the hell you are not allowed to call a lawyer or get any answers when in this situation. Wondering why we had been chosen for this.

I start googling…

Oh shit! This HAPPENS ALL THE TIME!

WHAT THE ACTUAL?!

“Figures obtained by Guardian Australia reveal Border Force keeps roughly one in every 40 devices searched at the border. This comes after data released last month showed officers had searched phones, computers and other devices at the border 41,410 times between 2017 and the end of 2021.

Under customs law, Border Force officers can examine people’s devices without a warrant when they visit or return to Australia.

The practice has been shrouded in mystery, with information on its operation having to be extracted from the department through formal freedom of information and parliamentary processes in the past few months.”

I implore you to do your own research so you can be prepared for what may happen when you re-enter our “lucky country”. If I had any idea of this it might not have been so infuriating. Being treated like a criminal in front of your child when coming back to your home city.

You may or may not have noticed but I’ve been off Insta and socials for a while now, prior privacy intrusions being the main reason. As a boudoir photographer I take privacy VERY SERIOUSLY. I have had a severe aversion to phones for the past few months… Not just the constant pressure to keep up but the constant scam messages, getting more elaborate by the day.

Being without our phones for 24 hours also made me realise how reliant we are on them. But that’s going to be another story…. I think perhaps this happened to me so I can continue my rant about technology and how much we are giving away. Like a crazy lady ranting, this is me now.

Would love to hear your thoughts on this…. I always thought that if you’re not doing anything wrong and have nothing to hide then police powers and searches shouldn’t concern you but turns out when it happens it triggered a severe mama bear reaction in me… If I’m going to be searched without a warrant I want to know WHO the hell is looking and WHAT they are doing with it.

“This is a prime example of the kind of privacy violations that can occur when you don’t have fundamental human rights,” she said. “A federal charter of human rights is long overdue in Australia.

“It is completely unreasonable that people should be subject to such an invasion of privacy without so much as an explanation.” - Samantha Floreani, program lead at Digital Rights Watch

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to write to Home Affairs to kindly request that my data gets deleted and private family photos of my beautiful young daughter don’t end up in the wrong hands. I doubt anything will happen though. Once you’re compromised, you’re compromised. This world is getting wilder.

PS. Also realised I do need to show up on social media as ran into someone who thought I wasn’t photographing anymore. Oops. Yes I am here, still going. I also appreciate the power of social media to share these topics. (That is, unless you read the recent article about how many people the Australia Government censored on socials the past few years. Ugh.) Keep fighting the good fight people xx

Why I *Was* on a Brief Hiatus

In case you didn't know, about 18 months ago we decided to buy a bar and restaurant. My head said no but something else told me yes... When I asked the universe for a sign I googled the business and it said "A little slice of Paris by the sea in Byron Bay" Paris?! Need I say more?!⁠

Obviously, the past 18 months have not been the ideal time to own a hospitality venue! It has become a family affair with all hands on deck - even Lila was working the door some nights! (And doing a fantastic job by the way!) ⁠

Throughout this time I have kept juggling my shoots but for my own mental health I just can't keep up the juggle any longer. Sometimes you just need to surrender and let go. It's for this reason I've made the tough decision to put a pause on my photography bookings for a while. I know my life purpose is to help people feel better about themselves so it's just a small hiatus while we concentrate on this Supernatural adventure... Of course you know I've asked for signs, and they are all there. Loud and clear. Surrender. (And focus) ⁠

When we would travel around Europe, Grant and I used to talk about owning a little bar one day… And because of this we really want to make sure we give this place a good go!
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We will be making some changes to Supernatural to truly make it our own, something we had planned to do when we bought it but didn't make sense then. We were purely in survival mode. But now, we're taking a deep breath and starting again... We will close on 31st July for renovations and re-open on 11th August which just happens to be the Sturgeon Full Moon - the 'coming of harvest,' This full moon moon harnesses the power of resilience and perseverance. How bloody fitting! ⁠

So while we concentrate on this project I won’t be taking on any new photography jobs. I can’t say exactly how long my photography hiatus will be but I know I will be coming back with more gusto and inspiration (or I’ll be a completely jaded and burnt out hospo worker - ha ha no, surely not?!)

To my incredible repeat clients and everyone I've worked with this year I bloody love you and so thankful you trusted me with your photos. Anyone already booked or quoted on will be honoured of course, I just won't be taking on any new bookings. Please stay tuned though and sign up to my newsletter and follow me on Instagram HERE to be the first to hear about when I am back shooting.
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And if you feel like a vino and a sexy night out in Byron Bay, you can find me at Supernatural... @supernaturalbyronbay ⁠

Cycles + Seasons

Since starting my business, I and it, have evolved. We are all constantly changing and my shoots and offerings continue to reflect that.

I want to help women connect back into themselves and their power to remember how truly magnificent we are. The creatrixes of the universe. Oh you know, no biggie. Like everything in nature we are cyclical. In a constant state of death and rebirth. Our menstrual cycles being the most obvious example of this.

Having your own business is one of the biggest challenges and I’m finally understanding that everything works in much better flow if I am led by my seasons.

The best introduction I received to this concept was a podcast episode of Gina Torres’ This Is Womanhood with Jess Sawyer. She spoke of our cyclical nature and associating each stage of cycle with the weather seasons. (CLICK HERE if you want to listen)

Why I am telling you all this? Because it is the perfect thing to take into account when planning your boudoir shoot! I have always been pretty upbeat and nice to myself but I would often find myself crying and tantruming in my wardrobe having “nothing to wear” and “looking disgusting in everything”. It was my darling partner Grant that gently suggested to me this was happening at the same time every month and did I think it could be PMT? What?! I hadn’t even made the connection!! Once I knew, it was like I’d been given the key to my moods! I knew there was nothing wrong - it was just my pre-menstrual hormones talking smack.

Have you noticed how you change over the course of the month? Your moods, body, feelings?

Do you take this into account when you’re planning things?

Relating our menstrual cycle to the seasons is one of the easiest ways to acknowledge and understand how to honour and be gentle with ourselves…

For a thorough and eloquent explanation I recommend listening to the podcast linked above however if you just want my Cliffs Notes here they are!

Winter - bleeding. What do you normally want to do in winter? Snuggle up, rest, eat warm, nourishing foods, hot baths etc. Not really in the mood to do much.

Spring - woo hoo! Winter is over! The flowers are starting to bloom, days are getting longer - starting to feel lighter and brighter.

Summer - ovulation. It’s hot, tunes are playing, beach is calling. Feeling fabulous and sexy af.

Autumn - ah crap. Summer is over and winter is on its way again. I’m not ready for summer to end! This is when your progesterone levels peak and you get all those awesome pre-menstrual symptoms.

So, of course, I write this as it relates to me and my cycle and my interpretation. The best way for to know your body best is to start taking notice and tracking changes in your body over the course of the month. I use an app called Clue and monitored my changes for 3 months until I saw all the patterns emerge. I now feel I have a much kinder acceptance of my mood swings knowing they are coming from normal body functions rather than me thinking I’m a drama queen.

If you’d like more information on your cycle and what is happening Clue has a great article HERE

So, back to planning your boudoir shoot - if it was me I would be planning mine for my Spring or Summer phase as that is when I’m feeling my best. Do you track your cycle? Has it helped you navigate your life a little easier? I’d love to know and your comments might help others.

Until next time,

Jodi xo

Images from my shoot with Kirilly Dawn for Paradiso Magazine

The Beauty of Letting Go

Perhaps the biggest part of my shoots is setting your intention… Why are you doing this shoot? How do you want to feel? How do you want to feel when you LOOK BACK on the photos? What parts of your personality are you bringing out or wanting to breathe life into?

I think getting clear on why you are doing this for yourself brings so much more meaning and potential growth from the shoot. This is more than getting pretty pictures taken. It’s a celebration of you and being a beautifully imperfect woman.

We work on this leading up to your shoot and connect into that intention on the day… Then it’s a process of trust and letting go. The shoots then take on a magic of their own, I find this happens especially when shooting out in nature. Here are some of my favourites from a recent shoot with gorgeous Sarah from Hearts of Wild. I was inspired to get creative with some effects and she gave me her trust to play. All these and more were captured in about 5 minutes of her one hour long Untamed shoot out in the hinterland of Byron Bay. You can imagine how many photos she ended up with in her gallery!

This year has been full of inspiration to capture more creatively… Blur, motion, light play.

If you’re curious to find out what might come out in your shoot give me a holler here. All these and more were captured in about 5 minutes of her one hour long Untamed shoot out in the hinterland of Byron Bay. You can imagine how many photos she ended up with in her gallery!

Hope you’re having a beautiful day wherever you are.

Jodi x

Creating the Perfect Boudoir Space

They say you teach what you need to learn yourself… Ha, this is definitely it! If you come into my bedroom you would think I’m still a teenager. You are lucky to find the floor between clothes, pillows and unpacked suitcases. We’re not even travelling any more and I still have unpacked suitcases… What the?!

When I am occasionally struck by the tidy-up stick I REAP the benefits… I sleep better, I feel more organised and generally love life just that little bit more.

The tips below are what I was sending to a client to set up for her Boudoir In Isolation shoot and I thought what great tips to create a sanctuary for our every day… Why don’t we make every day that little bit more special with ritual and intention. (By the way I am MAKING myself do this when I get home!)

1 - CLEAR THE CLUTTER

Ugh, can someone else do this part?! It is SO rewarding once done though! Clearing your room from junk under the bed, piles of random things on your bedside tables, clothes everywhere, makes for a clear energy flow and just generally gives a feeling of calm.

If you can limit the objects in your bedroom to the essentials and things that bring you joy you will notice such a difference to the way it feels!

2 - TREAT YO SELF

Make your bed like you mean it. Get some sheets that make you so happy it’s bed time. You know that feeling when you get in and a rush of the warm + fuzzies takes over your soul because you’re so cosy? If you don’t know that feeling then that’s what you’re chasing here!

3 - BE A BUZZ KILL

By this I mean remove any electronic devices that don’t need to be in your room. It took me a few years to convince my partner but we have been happily TV free in the bedroom for a long time now. Removing TV’s and limiting your screen time before bed actually helps you sleep better.

4 - INTENTIONAL SPACE

You want your boudoir to be a place for rest, recharge and love making. Keep it a work free zone. It makes for a much calmer environment when it is time to go to sleep. Be sure the items in your space are things you love or what bring you joy…

5 - CREATE A RITUAL

Every night before I hop into bed I light a sage wand (my beautiful friend Bhony makes the most amazing ones! www.bhonbhonblossom.com) and I walk the perimeter of my room - I thank my ancestors and ancestors of the land for their love and guidance throughout that day and I then set the intention for a restful sleep. I ask anything that is not in alignment with our highest good to leave the room - it is not welcome there. I ask anything that no longer serves me to fall away. I put out the sage and hop into bed. Have you never saged (aka smudged) and think I sound weird? Don’t take my word for it - Oprah does it too - read about the benefits here.

Here’s to serene, clutter-free, sexy boudoirs and restful nights sleep!

Oh and if you’re curious about my “Boudoir in Isolation” shoots - you can find out more here. They are the perfect way to pass the time in lockdown whether you’re in Melbourne, Sydney, New York, London, Tokyo, Madagascar, anywhere in the world that has wi-fi basically!

Sweet dreams,

Jodi xo

Return of the Disco

A boudoir photography session doesn’t have to be your ‘typical’ lingerie on a bed or naked on the beach (although clearly I LOVE and encourage both those options!) A photoshoot can be a chance to indulge in your own creative expression… Playing with props, light and music to create a total VIBE.

Teddi Emerald is a women’s empowerment healer and runs incredible in-person and online programs including ‘Confidence of a Queen’ and ‘Body Bang Bang’. Teddi is such an inspiration for reprogramming your subconscious beliefs, living your truth, and accepting and celebrating your body as it is!!

Teddi is also the owner of the funky second-hand retro fashion store in Byron Bay called ‘Trash Vintage’ so I knew she would be the perfect muse to channel some retro disco vibes!!

Teddi and I have worked together on a few shoots over the years but I think this is my favourite… 70’s disco music was playing, the sun was beating down and we created this fun nude disco shoot in the creative explosion of ISO life!

If you would like to check out Teddi’s online programs check out her website HERE or for daily doses of awesomeness follow her on Instagram

Teddi is also offering a FREE Body Confidence Master Class this Wednesday! I cannot recommend Teddi highly enough and this course is FREEEEEE!!! You’d be mad to miss it! You can save your spot here… FREE BODY CONFIDENCE MASTER CLASS