Mandy’s
photo shoot
with The Boudoir
Mandy
Mandy’s photo shoot
with The Boudoir
Mandy
Let me introduce myself.
My name is Mandy, I am 44 years young and live in Essex. I don’t like labels but I guess for the sake of this article, I have been a crossdresser since I was at school. In fact I think it may even go back further than that, way back when I was a toddler. I have been told that my sisters dressed me up. Perhaps that’s where it all began?
Back then I was so far in the closet I was in Narnia, I didn’t really understand why I wanted to dress this way – I guess I thought it was wrong and not acceptable. But I would imagine that so many of us have been there in the beginning struggling to understand these urges. Whenever my mum used to throw out any clothes for jumble I would always have a quick rummage in the bin bag before it was collected to see if there was anything I could use. But as time went past, I grew and was unable to really dress that much, as I had nothing that would fit me.
I thought that maybe I had just outgrown a phase. This was not so and, once I was out to work, I signed up for a mail order catalogue, and seeing all those lovely dresses brought everything back to me. From there it just snowballed really.
I would like to thank my whole family for being so understanding; it really means so much to me.
As time went by, I gained access to the internet and found, like so many others no doubt, that I was not alone. I found something on the net called a dressing service. I was very intrigued by this and, after much deliberation, made the decision to visit The Boudoir in London. I could not believe the results; Jodie is such a talented person. Jodie took lots of photos and I still treasure them to this day.
Flash forward many years and I am no longer in that closet and in the very lucky position of having the support of my family behind me. I know that I am far luckier than some. It was a really tough decision to decide to tell my mum and dad: I had read so many heart wrenching stories in the past and didn’t want to alienate myself from my loving family. I would like to thank my whole family for being so understanding; it really means so much to me.
A little while ago, I came across the Transliving site and found such a wealth of information available that I bought the magazines on a regular basis – I’ve always been impressed with it.
I decided to become a member and take the decision to attend my first party back in May this year. What a great night out it was. I would thoroughly recommend it to anyone. Once you have been to your first party, you will want to keep going back. Now I look forward to the monthly party and have made so many new friends. Shane and Stacy work tirelessly for the community and deserve our support to ensure these wonderful events are able to continue.
As I mentioned, I really enjoyed the Transliving magazines and for many years I had wanted to be able to have a professional photo shoot. I had seen many in the Transliving magazine in the past and often wished that I could treat myself to one. Earlier this year I was made redundant from my job and was really fortunate enough to walk into another straight away, so now I had the means to be able to treat myself. As mentioned previously, I have visited Jodie at the Boudoir on several occasions in the past for makeovers and she has
always worked her magic to turn me from an ugly duckling to a beautiful swan, so I knew that I wanted Jodie to take care of the photo shoot. I e-mailed Jodie and booked the appointment. I wanted to choose four looks for the shoot and after a little thinking I decided on the four looks I wanted.
(1) Showgirl in the style of Kylie
(2) Prom Queen
(3) Bride
(4) American style waitress
Nothing was too much trouble and I was really looking forward to the day of the shoot which finally came round. That day I was up really early had a good breakfast and close shave and was off for my grand day out.
The whole day was an absolutely brilliant experience from arrival to departure. Jodie offered me a coffee before we began. Then it was time for the make over. It never ceases to amaze me how fantastic it is when Jodie works her magic. As we were nearing the end of the make over, I was told to close my eyes. The wig was then selected and once Jodie had styled it I was allowed to open my eyes, and all I can say is WOW! (modest aren’t I?). Jodie had done it again!
It was now time to get dressed and the first of my outfits was to be the American waitress.
Jodie’s father Mike had arrived by now and was setting up the in house studio. Mike took time to explain how the shoot would work and Jodie was there to fix any little last minute adjustments to either hair, make up or outfit. Jodie also suggested the type of pose to adopt as well. After ten shots in each outfit I changed. The next was the bridal gown, which was so gorgeous and Jodie really worked wonders with the hair style for this look. Another ten shots and it was time to become Prom Queen, then afterwards Showgirl. The time passed so quickly it was incredible. Before I knew it, I had been there for over five hours!
The whole day was never rushed. Time was taken for each look. I would thoroughly recommend to any of you out there thinking of a photo shoot to go ahead and book one. My recommendation for who you should use? Well, that would be Miss Jodie Lynn at The Boudoir. I really cannot sing her praises highly enough.
All photography: www.theboudoironline.com