The magical ways in which life unfolds….

Before you enjoy this gorgeous woman’s gallery, I first want to share with you a very personal story of how this photo shoot came to be.

It’s taken me a while to want to revisit parts of this story, but it’s one I feel compelled to share…

Ten years ago I visited Bulgaria for the first time. I remember back then being mesmerized by this ancient amphitheater in the city of Plovdiv. I wasn’t a professional photographer 10 years ago, nor had I even touched portraits, but back then I somehow had this knowing that I’d shoot there one day.

Eight years later, on my second trip there (and still mesmerized by this ancient theater), I met someone that I became close with. We kept in touch when I returned home and reunited for a trip together just a few months later. The following summer I returned to Plovdiv for more travel adventures with this friend- and it was from there that things went south fast.

I like to think I have a pretty solid head on my shoulders. I’ve traveled all my life, independently and often fearlessly, on several continents. I’ve come across my fair share of dishonest people and less than ideal outcomes. (Living in South America will prepare you for just about any travel mishap). Always managing to work through bumps in the road with a sense of relative ease and confidence, this particular situation left me feeling weak and lost because it was a deeply personal attack. I don’t think anyone had ever disappointed me so much before in my life.

So there I was in this obscure Bulgarian city, wrapped up in a very unhealthy situation. Feeling devastated- in a country where I knew no one- I was in pieces. “What the fuck am I doing here?!” I wondered as I sobbed in this person’s living room. “How is this my life right now?” Those thoughts ran through my head as I wondered what to do next.

Asking the universe for guidance, I reached out to a friend (love you B) who, despite living in Mumbai and having never visited Bulgaria, happened to know someone in Plovdiv (what are the chances?!) and immediately puts me in touch with Vera- the beauty you see pictured here.

Within minutes Vera picked me up and rescued me, a total stranger, on a day when I felt broken. Welcoming me into her home, Vera showed a level of kindness and compassion I hadn’t ever experienced before from someone I just met. She had dropped all of her plans for the day to help a stranger in need-never even thinking twice about it.

“Take all that love you gave to this person and give it back to yourself”, she told me. Words I’ll never forget.

My dear Vera consoled me for two entire days as we bonded over similar life experiences before I flew back to the Bay Area.

As I healed over the following months I would often think about how Vera dropped everything to support me in my grief- someone she didn’t even know- and my heart would literally swell with gratitude to the point of tears. The world needs so many more people like Vera- opening their hearts, minds, and homes to those who need a little extra love.

One year later I returned to Plovdiv and photographed Vera at this ancient theater. After two other failed attempts on previous trips, I had finally found my perfect model-the woman who was meant for this photo shoot all along, since the day I conjured up the thought of it 10 years ago. More importantly though, I found someone that I’m so proud to now call my friend. We brought this dream shoot to life and then vacationed on the Black Sea coast-this time meeting Vera with a full, happy heart.

Truly kind and beautiful souls sometimes feel hard to come by, but I’m so grateful to have met this one. Enjoy her gorgeous boudoir gallery and please leave her all the love in the comments below…

XO,

Lindsay

As always, for more info on a boudoir session in California or anywhere in the world, visit HERE.