One of the questions I get asked most often is how I manage shoots in European cities where English isn’t my client’s first language! Honestly? I am very lucky that the majority of my clients have English as an almost fluent second language, but as a total lover of languages myself, I try to spend as much time as possible trying to learn a little of the local dialect wherever I go, if only to break the stereotype that Brits are lazy when it comes to speaking other languages! I have some teenage slang-heavy Italian under my belt from when I spent a fair chunk of time there in late teens and early twenties, enough Swedish to order a vegan meal plus gin in a restaurant or a tram ticket from the Pressbyrån, and some incredibly basic tourist Japanese! However, when it comes to France, I have about 9 years of French lessons under my belt, so for those of you who don’t speak English, know that my French speaking skills are just about strong enough to direct you comfortably through a shoot! With that in mind, I thought it would be great to bring one of my wonderful Parisian Boudoir Makeover Day clients, Enza Beltempo, to the blog today and ask her about her shoot experience….

Content warning: This interview includes conversation around the theme of pregnancy. Take me somewhere else please!

Enza Beltempo

Name: My name is Enza Beltempo. Full legacy of my Sicilian father, but I’m French!

Occupation: I work in a store where we sell all kinds of books, music instruments, and everything creative from fine arts to kids activities. My job is to give advice on creative products, or board games also. I have an artistic background so that helps a lot!

How would your best friend describe you? She will tell you that I am a very happy person, that I bring my ray of sunshine everywhere I go. Even if I’m not feeling well, I’m still here for my friends and family.

Name three things that you always carry with you? My phone, a book, my favorite lipstick. I asked my future husband and he says that my book is my teddy…

What was the last book you read? I’m currently reading Midnight Sun, the last book of Stephenie Meyer (the author of the Twilight Saga!) I’m such a fan of Edward Cullen, I’ve dreamed of being his vampire girlfriend when I was younger… I still do sometimes!

Do you remember how you originally found me? I believe it was on Miss Victory Violet’s Instagram account. I saw a picture of her that you took and immediately fell in love with it.

What inspired you to book a photoshoot? I’ve always wanted to be a model, but always thought that I was not pretty enough. Then you and Ella came into my life through Instagram and I thought, maybe it could be me on those amazing pictures? So I booked the photoshoot, didn’t tell anyone at first. It was so fun to choose my lingerie for the shoot! 

Who would play Enza Beltempo in a movie of your life? That is a good question! I’d say Elizabeth Taylor, she’s a true inspiration for me, and she’s a brunette so why not? Or Salma Hayek, for the mediterranean look.

Whats the most interesting thing about you that the internet doesn’t know about you yet? I always tell everyone that I don’t want babies because I’m afraid of pregnancy, but actually I want to have twins so my babies could be like me and my twin! I really am afraid of pregnancy though, I don’t really know why… Oh and I’m doing all the decorations at my own wedding! I’ve done the invitations, I’ll share them as soon as I send them, I’m so in love with it!

Tell us about one of the outfits you wore for your shoot – why do you love it? The purple and orange outfit was a gift my future husband gave to me for one of my birthdays. When I put it on, I feel sooo strong. I feel beautiful and sexy, and I love myself in it. It is very difficult for me to love myself because of various things that happened in my childhood. But my boyfriend is really helping me on that point and I can’t thank him enough for that. 

Describe your shoot experience? First I was kind of shy to meet Ella and Tigz, and very nervous because of my English! I thought, what if my English is so bad, they won’t understand me? [Tigz’s Note: Enza’s English is PERFECT!] I do make mistakes when I talk and when I write… But they were so kind to me that it came naturally after our first meeting. Having my make-up and hair done by Ella was a dream come true, and then came the moment of me, undressing myself, to be in lingerie in front of a camera for my first time ever! Very stressful for someone like me. I remember Tigz being so patient, and so encouraging, it made me smile when she asked if I’ve ever done this before. It was such an incredible experience, I would definitely be doing it again if I have the chance ! Again, I felt strong and beautiful, thanks to these two angels!

What song gets you on the dancefloor? So many songs actually! I really love dancing, my favorite song would be A Little Less Conversation from Elvis Presley. Or Twistin’ the night away by Sam Cooke.

What are you most proud of in your career so far? I always get what I want, because I always work hard for it! I like having goals to achieve, and when I do achieve them, that’s what’s making me proud!

What is your top body confidence tip? Think of the mirror as a friend, not an enemy. You are beautiful, no matter what people say!

What will your autobiography be called? From ugly to beauty : kindness is key!

If you could be a model for any brand, which brand would it be and why? Any lingerie brand, I really love love love lingerie! Obviously, What Katie Did is one of them!

What advice would you give to anyone thinking about booking a session of their own? Do it! It is a great way to gain some self confidence, you can only be happier after that! It may be kind of expensive, but then you’ll have a great experience to share with your loved ones, and super great pictures that will last forever! You can tell your grandchildren you were a very famous person back in time because you took those beautiful pictures with Tigz! 

What exciting project are you working on right now? I’m working on a lot actually. I’m doing some watercolor projects for my best friend’s baby to come, drawing pin-up girls for all the events of the year like Halloween, Christmas, etc. And I am working on my wedding! I’ve already found my wedding dress, it is perfect for me! Can’t wait to put it on again. Feel free to share your ideas, my wedding theme is Under the Sea. We are making our decorations and invitations from A to Z, it’s a lot of work. So big thanks to Pinterest and my friends! You can find all of my projects on my Instagram account. 

Want to feel strong and beautiful like Enza Beltempo? Book your own boudoir shoot with me today – check out my boudoir photography packages here and then send me your preferred dates via the contact page. I can’t wait to hear from you!