The Story Of You - Danielle.

Content Warning: These stories contain mentions of body dysmorphia, body image struggles, pregnancy loss, fertility struggles and gendered violence. If you find any of the below triggering, please find a list of helpful and free resources below:

DV/SV: 1800 RESPECT

Mental Health: https://www.beyondblue.org.au/

Eating Disorders and Body Image Issues: Butterfly Foundation 1800 ED HOPE

Meet Danielle who’s journey is one of those remarkable tales, a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the transformative power of self-love.

As a mother of two beautiful boys, Danielle's life today is filled with the joy and chaos of family life. But her path to this point has been anything but conventional. Growing up in the foster care system, Danielle faced challenges that no child should have to endure, from physical to sexual assault to getting into a toxic relationship at 16 with a 32year old that lead to substance abuse. "I'd rather talk about it than run from it," she shares, embodying a raw honesty that defines her character.

It's her openness about these experiences that showcases her extraordinary strength.

Life took a turning point when she met her current partner, a man who saw her worth when she was pregnant and helped her forge a path toward healing. Together, they built what Danielle had always yearned for: a stable, loving family. "His family means the world to me," she reflects, "it's so healing to have that in my life now."

Motherhood brought its own set of challenges. With her oldest son diagnosed with autism and her youngest born at 33 weeks facing respiratory challenges, Danielle's journey into parenthood has been intense. These experiences led her to some profound self-discovery, including the possibility of having undiagnosed ADHD herself, a realisation that helped her understand her own unique way of experiencing the world.

When Danielle stepped into our studio, she was seeking something many mothers crave: a moment to breathe, to reconnect with herself. "It's so hard as a mum just to take a moment to centre yourself," she admits. The transformation we witnessed was remarkable.

The photo session became more than just capturing images, it became a celebration of healing. Danielle chose to get her first tattoo during the experience, a dragonfly to cover scars on her wrist, symbolically healing both internal and external wounds. "The experience was so healing," she shares, "healing scars on the inside and outside."

Looking at her photos, Danielle saw herself in a new light. While some images were initially confronting, they ultimately revealed something beautiful, a woman who had not just survived but thrived. "I left feeling gorgeous and appreciative of my beautiful body," she reflects, "and had trouble choosing images because they were all so beautiful."

Danielle's story reminds us that representation matters. As she points out, while there's increasing visibility for plus-size women in the media, we rarely hear success stories from those in foster care. Her journey shows that healing is possible, that love can be found, and that everybody deserves to be celebrated.

In our studio, we witnessed a woman who had transformed her pain into power, her struggles into strength. Danielle's story isn't just about surviving, it's about reclaiming joy, embracing self-love, and finding beauty in the journey, no matter how winding the path may be.