Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Ashley (Miss Marie) Olson. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, Ashley (Miss Marie) thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. How do you feel about asking friends and family to support your business? What’s appropriate, what’s not? Where do you draw the line?

Asking your friends and family to support your business can be difficult. On one hand, they are the people closest to you and should ideally be supportive of your endeavors. On the other hand, your style of business may not align with their belief system, and in turn, they may not feel comfortable supporting you full force.

When it comes to asking for support, it is important to approach the matter with tact and respect. It is appropriate to inform friends and family about your business venture, share updates on progress, and invite them to engage with your brand through social media or word-of-mouth recommendations.

Something as simple as liking, sharing, and commenting on posts is the best way to give support. Asking your friends and family to like and follow your pages boosts your online presence and gains favor with social media algorithms.

This can be tricky in the modeling industry, especially boudoir. My family tends to share the “safer” images of my modeling, such as fashion or conservative boudoir. Many of my family members like and follow my pages to help give me higher numbers on social media. Not all of my friends and family agree with my career choice, and I don’t hold them against them.

When it comes to what is appropriate, it is essential to consider the comfort level of your loved ones. While some may be open-minded and supportive, others may have reservations due to personal beliefs or cultural norms. It is crucial to respect their boundaries and not pressure them into supporting something they are uncomfortable with.

Drawing the line in this context means understanding that not everyone will be on board with your business venture. It is important to accept their decision gracefully and continue pursuing your passion without harboring any resentment towards those who choose not to support you.

Asking friends and family for support requires sensitivity and understanding. It is crucial to respect their comfort levels while also pursuing your passion unapologetically. Ultimately, love should prevail over differing opinions, and you should feel free to pursue what makes you happy in life.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Society’s beauty standards always seemed unattainable for someone like me – curvy, short, and shy. However, my journey as a curvy boudoir model has been nothing short of empowering.

I began modeling in when I was 18 and a local photographer came across my Instagram page. He asked if I would be interested in shooting with him at a beautiful rundown farm. I agreed, excited and nervous to be in front of the lens. As I got more comfortable during the shoot. my confidence skyrocketed and everything felt natural. The empowerment I felt within myself was relieving, inspiring, and exciting.

Once those photos came out, and soon enough, requests started pouring in from photographers who wanted to capture the essence of body positivity through my images. Each photoshoot became an opportunity to challenge societal norms and redefine beauty standards.

As my career progressed, so did my self-acceptance. I realized that being a curvy boudoir model was not just about showcasing physical beauty but also about embracing vulnerability and celebrating every inch of myself. Through this journey, I learned that confidence is not measured by size but by how we perceive ourselves.

My work as a curvy boudoir model has allowed me to inspire others to embrace their bodies unapologetically. It has given me a platform to advocate for body positivity and inclusivity in an industry that often perpetuates unrealistic ideals.

My career has taught me the importance of self-love, self-worth, accepting who you are, and chasing who you want to be.

Are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

I wish I had known more about model safety groups when I first started my career. This has been an amazing tool to feel safer as a freelance model. These groups are places where I can find information on photographers other models have worked with and receive feedback on them. They also provide a list of “blacklisted” photographers that the industry has deemed unsafe to work with. These groups have prevented me from working with potentially dangerous clients as well as given me some friends in the industry.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

The most rewarding part of being a creative is inspiring others and transforming the modeling industry little by little.

I had the honor of modeling for ClickCon, a photography and videography conference based in Chicago. One day, I modeled a beautiful gemstone bodysuit with angel wings for Melanie Selemans’s class. I walked up and down Michigan Avenue, strangers were taking my picture from afar, traffic slowed and stopped around me, and kind passersby complimented me, but what stuck with me the most was a little girl who couldn’t take her eyes off of me. Suddenly I was shy. nervous, and afraid. What she said next brought tears to my eyes.
“Mommy, an angel! There’s a real angel!” she exclaimed, pointing her finger and jumping up and down.
She and her family approached me, slowly and unsure if they could. She watched with awe and admiration in her eyes while I flapped my wings for the cameras around me. I told the photographers around me that I would be back in just a moment, and then I asked the young girl if she’d like a picture with me. I wrapped her in my wing for the photo, pride and confidence radiating from me. I had never felt more important, more beautiful or more accepted before. She may not remember that moment forever, but I will.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.MissMarieModeling.com
• Instagram: www.Instagram.com/Official_MissMarie
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/miss.marie.modeling1

Image Credits
Personal Photo – Photog: Boudoir by Jennifer Smith Photo 1 – Photog: Christian Berens Hair: Pearl Garcia-Schober Makeup: Errin Austin Wardrobe: Melanie Seleman Photo 2 – Photog: The Boudoir Suite (Lea Flores Photography) Photo 3 – Photog: Kryptik Photography Hair: Pearl Garcia-Schober Makeup: Errin Austin Photo 4 – Photog: Tanya Smith Photography Hair: Melanie Saso Makeup: Allison Elizabeth Photo 5 – Photog: Film and Light Photo Wardrobe: Reyna Lovely Photo 6 – Photog: Julie Welch Photography Hair: Pearl Garcia-Schober Makeup: Errin Austin Wardrobe: Streetwear Sultan Photo 7 – Photog: Kiati Plooks Photo 8 – Photog: Jamie Brigman Hair: Pearl Garcia-Schober Makeup: Errin Austin Wardrobe: Melanie Seleman