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"Back From the Brink of Despair." - Jen's Story

I’m an ER nurse. I’ve been an RN for 19 years. The past few years have been the most traumatic I’ve ever had. I was a kid who grew up in a broken home with a schizophrenic mother. Life was very chaotic. I swore I would never cause that kind of chaos in my kids lives. Then Covid hit…


I’ve struggled through the past few years with the pandemic. I had just recently gone through a divorce and was struggling to find a path with my kids. I was working an insane amount of hours to make ends meet and didn’t have much of a life.

I talked with my ex and we didn’t know enough about the virus at that time, so when lockdown started the kids went to his place. I went months without seeing my kids because we were so fearful about the virus, and my daughter was on an immunosuppressant while I was an “essential” worker. I was terrified I’d somehow transmit the virus to her. So we decided it was best for them to stay away from me. So they moved to his place and I continued to work in the ER. All I did was work! What else was I going to do? The depression and stress and isolation took its toll on me. I think I was at my lowest point. I was working 14-16 hour shifts 4 days a week if not more.

I don’t think I have ever felt so isolated in my life.

Once we realized that the pandemic wasn’t going anywhere, my ex and I came up with a plan that would allow the kids to travel between houses.

Unfortunately, my very sensitive daughter struggled with everything and had been struggling even before the pandemic. She’s plagued by anxiety and depression, which unfortunately is a genetic trait that I’m sure I’ve passed down. The divorce took its toll on her and she attempted suicide. We spent most of 2020 in and out of hospitals and outpatient programs with her. Ultimately, what it came down to is that she has a lot of anger with me about the divorce and feeling like I abandoned her. I didn’t abandon her, but I can’t fix her perception. She has since moved in with her father while our son lives with me.

I’ve been struggling with how to reach her and have been dealing with waves of anguish and acceptance since.


Then in 2021, I met a man who supported me in ways I didn’t think possible. He became a true partner. Through his kind, gentle nature I started to heal. I started to feel like myself again. I carry so much guilt about working like I did, but also don’t know what else I could have done. I’m making baby steps toward repairing my relationship with my daughter and towards healing myself. He has been instrumental in bringing me from the absolute brink of despair and helping me live again.


Part of why I chose to do my photo shoot was to give something to him as a thank you for making me feel whole again. Along the way I started to feel empowered, strong and beautiful.


I looked at those photos and couldn’t believe they were me. I’ve gained a confidence I didn’t think I could have, and a voice I didn’t know existed.

I’m finding that I’m not as mousy as I was and I’m advocating for myself more. That, in turn is actually helping me rebuild my relationship with my daughter! While I have a ways to go, I’m feeling very empowered and confident. She and I are starting to talk daily and my relationship with My fiancé has only grown stronger. Baby steps I guess!

I cannot thank your amazing team enough. I don’t even know where to begin. Your staff made me feel beautiful strong and empowered. You gave me something that I have never experienced in my life. So, thank you from the bottom of my heart. ~Jen


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Jen~

First of all, we are praying that you continue to take those "baby steps" to a more empowered, strong and beautiful you! You are gorgeous and fabulous and we are so honored that you shared your story to inspire so many women out there. But can we just take a minute, though and say: short hair or long, pinup or boudoir, smily or sultry - you NAILED this shoot! We LOVE all the fun things and the variety we got to create with you. Thank you for trusting us with your shoot!

xoxo,

~The Sugar & Spice Team


When you book a boudoir session with Sugar and Spice Photography, get ready for an amazing, fun experience. You'll step into our luxurious studio, where we'll pamper you with hair and makeup services, making you feel like the gorgeous bombshell you truly are.


Looking for Boudoir Photographers in MN? We are proud to have photographed thousands of women and have nearly 20 years of experience! Definitely check out our WHY CHOOSE US for your sexy photo shoot page and our LOVE NOTES page to see what our clients have to say, and then CONTACT US to book!


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-GO BEHIND THE SCENES-


Follow our team, clients and their crazy antics Tik Tok!

Get makeup and posing tips

See before and afters and all the fun that goes into our glam room makeovers

Check out our overflowing closets and immense wardrobe

And sooo much more!


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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.

WE ARE...moms, wives, engaged, divorced or single women...and we are on a mission to share our passion with you! Our intimate and 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.


Our drawers and closets are OVERFLOWING with smoldering lingerie and sexy costumes in sizes 0-26 and tons of shoes, accessories and props for you to choose from!


We have an adorable 6,000 sq ft studio serving Minneapolis and the Twin Cities with more than 20 amazing sets and countless props: from the bedroom ...to the kitchen ...to the locker room ...and everything in between!


Say BUH-BYE to lumps & bumps, cellulite, stretch marks, scarring & unwanted tattoos! We will contour and shape body to enhance your natural beauty. We have photographed women of ALL shapes, sizes & ages & we are masters of retouching. Our custom-tailored products INCLUDE body shaping and 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 experience with Sugar & Spice Photography.


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-CONNECT WITH US-


Instagram Sugar & Spice Photography- https://www.instagram.com/ssboudoir/

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Facebook Sugar & Spice Photography- https://www.facebook.com/ssboudoirpinup/

Facebook Bombshells Pinup- https://www.facebook.com/BombshellsPinup

Facebook Crowning Images- https://www.facebook.com/crowningimages

YouTube- View HERE



We know it's hard to pronounce, and even harder to spell (lol)... but if you are looking for a bonjour shoot, a bordeaux photo shoot, bordeaux photoshoot near me, boudoir photography mn near me, boudoir minneapolis - then look no further! You've found the best boudoir photographer in Minneapolis and the globe with Sugar and Spice Photography.

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