Behind the Scenes with Zoey Andrews | Mildura Intimate Photography

Behind the Scenes with Zoey Andrews | Mildura Intimate Photography

I’VE been a freelance writer for more than two years and a journalist for over three years prior to that.

But never have I struggled to write something as much as I have sitting down to write this about myself for Pure Beauty.

I guess most of us just aren’t used to talking about ourselves, maybe I’m a bit scared also about how honest I will be. I’m probably more uncomfortable with being the focus of something.

But here goes anyway.

My name is Zoey. I’m 34 and have a husband, Daniel, and two amazing children - Lucas (seven) and Bohdi (three).

My husband works away from home a lot so mostly it’s just the boys and I hanging out, navigating life together.

I can be bright and bubbly but can also be plagued by anxiety and doubtfulness. Sometimes I hide a lot behind a huge smile.

Compared to who I was, I’ve definitely conquered and continue to overcome some challenges, and coincidentally enough I have Pure Beauty to thank for that.

2018

2018

My first experience with Pure Beauty was just over a year ago now.

It finally happened with a lot of encouragement and persuading from my husband, to do something for me in hope I would see how others apparently see me.

A few years ago I experienced something that not only destroyed my self confidence but also my self worth.

Little did I know that Pure Beauty was what I had been waiting to stumble across and when I did it began my journey of recovery; my path to self confidence and self worth.

I’m not “fixed” by any stretch, it’s a continual process, but Pure Beauty opened my eyes to the good stuff about me and showed me the not so good parts of me are insignificant.

I remember driving to my consultation with Lauren before booking my experience.

I’d spent so long viewing photos that Lauren had captured of other beautiful ladies.

I remember being ashamed and embarrassed that, in my current mind, she was never going to be able to turn me into one of her works of art.

I told her this so many times during our chat - that although I believed she was a miracle worker, I was definitely beyond her help.

She didn’t bat an eyelid and knew better. Even if I didn’t.

Fast forward to my actual experience and I was a mess of doubt and nerves beforehand.

2018

And then I stepped into the studio. Vee did my makeup and Mairee my hair. I loved both and I started to feel comfortable.

Being in front of the camera took some getting used to but Lauren’s energy and enthusiasm was infectious.

I left the experience feeling content and happy, promising myself that even if I didn’t love the photos I would remember how the experience made me feel.

In hindsight, I had no idea how those couple of hours that Saturday morning would change me.

Lauren flicked a sneak peak through to me that night. I was working doing media and publicity at Timmis Speedway for a Series my husband and I covered at the time.

I remember what I was wearing at the time. I remember where I was standing at the time.

I remember taking a while to come back down from the shock of what Lauren had captured and I remember not being very productive afterwards.

I couldn’t believe it was me. It clearly was. But wow.

At that moment I realised I didn’t care if my arms weren’t firm, I didn’t care I had a podgy stomach, I didn’t care that my thighs were wobbly. I had good bits and they far outweighed the insignificant bad.

That was my lightbulb moment and when I viewed the rest of the photos Lauren had taken at my shoot, I no longer cared anywhere near as much what others thought of me, I accepted myself - all of me.

I’ve now booked in my second experience with Lauren and I am so bloody excited. I cannot wait to push myself that little bit further and see the magic Lauren can create once again.
To be involved in Pure Beauty in the capacity of a blogger is exciting and a privilege to me. 

Lauren has built a platform of inspiring and rocking women. You might just all not know how amazing you are yet.

That’s why I would love for each and every one of you to experience a Pure Beauty shoot.

You deserve it.

So that’s me and my Pure Beauty experience.

2018

But who do I look up to, who inspires me?

It’ll probably come as no surprise to those that know me when I say my Mum - Lee.

Dedicated, giving, hard-working, loving, loyal, patient and strong is how I would describe her.

She’s everything I aspire to be in everything that matters in life.

In the public eye, there are two famous females who I look up to.

The first is New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern. 

She’s awesome because she’s a boss! She runs a country, manages a family and takes it all her stride.

The second is Meghan Markle and I think we can all learn a bit from her. 

How much criticism has she faced? How many people have tried to sabotage her fairytale?

And yet she’s made her own decisions and is living her own life, even if it is against the grain. 

She’s brave and opinionated and not afraid to stand up for what she believes in.

I hope I can enlighten and entertain you through my blogs for Pure Beauty and if there is anything you would like featured, please don’t hesitate to let me know.

I’ll leave you with this inspiring quote, one of my favourites:

“And one day she discovered that she was fierce and strong, and full of fire and that not even she could hold herself back because her passion burned brighter than her fears.” - Mark Anthony