There are moments in life that break you.
For me, it wasn’t just one—it was many.
Surviving sexual assault shattered a piece of me I didn’t know how to rebuild. Living with multiple sclerosis introduced a daily battle that isn’t always visible to the world. Going through divorce forced me to reimagine a future I never expected to face alone.

Each of these experiences could have kept me frozen in survival mode. But I chose, slowly and deliberately, to fight for more.
Healing isn’t beautiful at first. It’s gritty. It’s full of quiet tears, hard conversations, therapy sessions, flares of pain, loneliness, and moments where you wonder if joy will ever feel real again. But then, one day, something shifts. You stop apologizing for what you’ve endured. You start showing up—for yourself.

For me, one of those moments came through something I never imagined would become part of my healing: a boudoir session.
Let me be honest—just the thought of doing a boudoir shoot terrified me.
The idea of being seen that vulnerably, that exposed—not just physically, but emotionally—stirred up every insecurity I thought I’d buried. I was afraid to see myself through that lens. I was afraid I wouldn’t like what I saw. What if all I saw were the reminders of trauma, illness, and broken dreams?
But that fear? It was the gateway to something powerful.
Because vulnerability is where transformation begins.



This wasn’t about vanity. It wasn’t about being sexy for anyone else. It was about me—claiming space in my body again. A body that had been hurt, betrayed by illness, and judged by its curves, stretch marks, and scars. A body that had carried pain but still stood tall.
During that session, something inside me woke up. I saw a version of myself that wasn’t just surviving—she was fierce, soft, radiant, whole. I didn’t need permission to feel beautiful anymore. I was reclaiming every inch of my story—on my terms.
And maybe the most unexpected part of this journey? I found love again.







After divorce, I wasn’t sure I could ever open my heart that wide again. I had built walls so high, even I forgot what it felt like to be truly seen. But healing helped me soften. Time helped me trust. And love—real, steady, accepting love—found its way in. The kind of love that didn’t try to fix me, but stood beside me while I did the work myself.
This wasn’t the fairy tale I imagined years ago—it’s better. It’s earned. It’s real.


Yes, I was scared. But I did it scared. And in doing so, I discovered a new layer of strength… the kind that only comes from letting yourself be seen—even by yourself.
I share this not for sympathy, but for solidarity.
If you’ve experienced trauma, chronic illness, heartbreak, or a loss of identity—you’re not alone. You are allowed to feel powerful again. You are allowed to define your healing. You are allowed to embrace your reflection and say, “She is still here. She is worthy.”




To the woman wondering if she’ll ever feel whole again… You already are. You just need to see it.
This is my advocacy. This is my truth.
And this is my invitation to anyone who needs it:
Take the photo. Write the story. Speak your truth.
Feel the fear—and show up anyway.
Reclaim your power—piece by piece.
To reclaim your power as Sara did, reach out to me and get in touch now!!! I’d love to chat with you, no obligation. sue@sierraelegance.com or 775-745-0445 text or call. Or fill out the contact form on my website- nevadaboudoir.com
Sara’s Equine Session
I couldn’t narrow down this session, they were all so good!!! Hope you enjoy this addition to her boudoir session!


























Divinely elegant.
A very fine job