After battling leukemia for SEVEN YEARS - and searching for a transplant donor - I am finally getting my miracle!
When I found out I needed a transplant - we first checked with my five siblings to see if they would be a match. Not one was a match. Expanding the search for a donor just created more disappointment. The entire United States did not have a match for me. My miracle came just recently when I found out a donor match was found internationally - in Spain!
Beyond facing the difficulties of this illness, I have faced the daily struggle of trying to show strength for my children. When I received my diagnosis, my fiance left. I am a single mom and find myself crying at night to hide the pain from my children.
I also had to face the impending hard chemotherapy with accompanying hair loss and weight loss - and what to me would feel like a total change of identity. I have been slowly cutting my hair to avoid such an extreme shock of going bald. During the search for a donor, I scheduled a shoot with Sugar & Spice Photography. This was my third shoot, but it was very special, as I wanted pictures to remind myself of what I looked like before this change.
I wanted (and needed) an experience to cement in my memory who I AM. I needed a day with no stress - no worries - even if for just one day.
During the session, I felt like Julie and Katya were sisters! After being glammed up with hair styling and professional makeup application, I felt so amazing. It was so freeing to not have to worry about hair and make up or anything else, and just have the girls pamper me. I came away with pictures to remind myself of how strong I am - how empowered I felt - and help focus on the path of being able to be ME again. Even after the surgery, when it's difficult to recognize myself, I will have these pictures to remind me how to find myself again and be strong. It's survival mode now, and there's still a fight ahead - but I can see the goal.
I wanted to share my medical journey and experience with Sugar & Spice Photography to let other women know that they are strong and beautiful. And no matter what your circumstances, there is hope - and sometimes an experience such as this - can help get you through. I can't wait to come back after my surgery for another shoot!
~Maria
Maria~
Our hearts go out to you - what an amazing story of a miracle and God's goodness. Thank you so much for sharing it with us! We're praying for you...you've GOT this!
xoxo, the Sugar & Spice Girls
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-WHO WE ARE-
Sugar & Spice Photography is a Minnesota based, women-owned small business that specializes in boudoir and pinup photography. Â
WE ARE...moms, wives, engaged, divorced or single women...and we are on a mission to share our passion with you!  Our intimate & tasteful boudoir photography is created to...
...CELEBRATE each woman's individuality, helping them to look and feel beautiful, be playful and ooze sexuality with dignity, elegance and class.
...ENLIGHTEN and empower the women that we touch, and help them realize that they are beautifully and wonderfully made by their Creator.
...TRANSFORM and unveil the inner bombshell of each woman, by pampering her, laughing with her, and making her feel as amazing as she is!
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-A LUXURY, EMPOWERING, BODY POSITIVE EXPERIENCE-
A boudoir photography shoot with us is done tastefully and beautifully with an all female team to nurture your comfort and ensure that you feel pampered, empowered & sexy!  Nervous?  We will coach you through the entire amazing, super fun experience…from outfit selection to posing! We’ll give you the Hollywood treatment and help bring out your inner supermodel!
Our sessions INCLUDE hair styling - with clip-in hair extensions at no additional cost, professional photography makeup & false lash application.  Â
Our drawers and closets are OVERFLOWING with smoldering lingerie & sexy costumes in sizes 0-26 and tons of shoes, accessories and props for you to choose from!
We have an adorable studio with more than 20 amazing sets and countless props: from the bedroom ...to the kitchen ...to the locker room ...and everything in between! Â
Say BUH-BYE to lumps & bumps, cellulite, stretch marks, scarring & unwanted tattoos!  We will contour & shape body to enhance your natural beauty.  YOU DO NOT HAVE TO BE A SIZE 2 TO DO THIS!!!! We have photographed women of ALL shapes, sizes & ages & we are masters of retouching. Our amazing products (which include albums, magazines, calendar & more) INCLUDE body shaping & retouching.
You may be shocked that the perfect gift for him...turns out to be the perfect present for you, too….!  Check out hundreds of testimonials from our clients who left their session feeling empowered, confident, beautiful and sexy!  Discover your inner bombshell with a boudoir photo shoot with Sugar & Spice Photography.
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-CONNECTÂ WITH US-
Instagram Sugar & Spice Photography-Â https://www.instagram.com/ssboudoir/
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Instagram Crowning Images- https://www.instagram.com/crowningimages/
Facebook Sugar & Spice Photography-Â https://www.facebook.com/ssboudoirpinup/
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