When I was younger, I had a goal to make it to the height of 5'8" because I had learned that was the minimum height to be a model. Ssomehow, I made it half an inch over that goal height. However, I did not account for the fact that unless I wanted to be a plus-size model, that world is one that I would never step foot into. It's not that I am super big, but I am definitely not super small, and having met many a local model in my days as a writer at Now in Salt Lake, I know that despite these big baby blues of mine, I am not what photographers, fashion designers and other artists are looking for as their main subject.
As I grew into my own body and began accepting it for what it is (some days I am still working on accepting it), I found the world of pin-up. Looking at vintage photos of pin-up models, I realized that though I am still not as little as some of those girls, I have the curves to make pin-up photography work. Since my pin-up discovery, I have desperately wanted to do a pin-up photoshoot, but did not know where to begin in making it happen.
Then I met Mia Allen.
The beautiful business owner is the creator behind Pinup Jane, a local photography company that can take any woman no matter her age, shape, size, height, hair length, whatever...and turn them in to a pin-up model.
I had the opportunity to shoot with Mia because I expressed an interest in being a part of the annual Pinup for Pups calendar that she photographs for. Okay, maybe it was less of expressing an interest and more of begging her to let me be a part of it by telling her that my dreams would come true if I could do a pin-up shoot for that calendar. Either way, she knew I was interested.
Mia asked me to send in a photo of my dog, Dylan, and she indicated that she thought I would do work very well for the project.
A couple of weeks later, Mia really did make my pin-up dreams come true.
My experience with Mia was one that I think every girl should have. Especially those girls who have never done any sort of professional photoshoot. Or those who have not had their hair and makeup done by a professional. Trained in all things pin-up and photography, Mia turned my look into something extraordinary. More than that, I was glamorous. I could not believe my eyes when I finally got to look in the mirror. I felt like I was on a makeover TV show.
When my hair and makeup was finished, Mia picked out a series of outfits that she thought would work best for my body. After changing, I was ready to be photographed with my pup.
He was terrified of the little popping sound that the flash makes, but Mia was able to get some great photos of him and I nonetheless. The photos that Mia took are unreal to me. I look amazing. Beautiful even. And I can't believe that they are of me. Because I look damn good!
Every woman should experience this. And if you are in Utah, then you are lucky because you can contact Mia and experience first-hand what it is like to feel good about yourself and your body. I realized in that shoot that my hard work and exercise is paying off. Of course I have a ways to go, but for once in a long time, I didn't care about wearing shorts in front of someone. And Mia made me feel very comfortable by complimenting my physical assets that she said were perfect for pin-up and showing me photos of myself throughout the shoot to feel better about pin-up poses and facial expressions I was doing. She made me feel so good that I didn't want to leave.
Being a girl in this world isn't easy. Each woman owes it to herself to show off her beauty. And Pinup Jane is an excellent way to do it. I dare you to go do a pin-up shoot with Mia and come back and say you were anything less than glamorous. I double dog dare you. And you'll think me later.
I can't post my photos with Dylan until the calendar comes out but believe you me, I will be posting them when I can.
(Photo above by Mia Allen of Pinup Jane)
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