When I first started offering Virtual Boudoir Shoots, they came from a desire to create meaningful connections with others during lockdown. Amidst a sea of endless Zoom parties and lighthearted group banter, I missed deep conversations, the kind that only really ever happen in one-to-one scenarios. And it turns out a lot of you felt exactly the same, because I could NOT have predicted the outpouring of love for this shoot package and the connections I have made throughout this year. One such virtual client is Somatic Experiencing practitioner Cacky Mellor, who fell into my life one Friday afternoon in May via FaceTime. As one of the most wonderful and fascinating humans I’ve ever had the pleasure of knowing, it has been such a privilege to keep connecting with her throughout 2020 – both in front of and away from the camera – and I know so many of you will feel inspired after reading her interview today…
Cacky Mellor M.Ed., Doctoral Candidate
Occupation: Embodiment practitioner and trauma specialist
How would your best friend describe you? Oh gosh, I had to ask around a bit for this answer… My best friends would describe me as very much my own person. I have always done things a little differently, following my intuition and being true to myself even when it did not make sense to other people. I am deeply caring and have a gift for connecting with people, making them feel seen and cared for. I think they would say I am hardworking, passionate, artistic, and utterly hilarious. I am always up for a spontaneous adventure and we don’t even have to go anywhere for the adventure to unfold. I am also fiercely loyal and loving and will always show up to support them however I can.
Name three things that you always carry with you? A mask (#2020), multiple lipsticks, and the necklace my sister gave me in celebration of my niece’s birth. They are always close to my heart.
What was the last book you read? The Testosterone Files: My Hormonal and Social Transformation from Female to Male by Max Wolf Valerio.
Do you remember how you originally found me? I originally found you through Miss Victory Violet’s Instagram several years ago and fell in love with your ability to tell stories through your photographs. Your photography is so captivating and glamorous. I blush a little thinking my images are a part of that story.
What inspired you to book a photoshoot? Covid has been really challenging. I have wanted to book a shoot with you for years and always planned to do so as a celebration upon finishing my dissertation. When my dissertation was paused due to the pandemic, I was disheartened. About that same time I saw you were doing virtual shoots and I couldn’t pass up the opportunity! It felt like divine timing. (Now I can’t wait for an in-person shoot once I finish this Ph.D.! Eeeek!)
Who would play Cacky Mellor in a movie of your life? In my dreams I would be played by Scarlett Johansson!
What’s the most interesting thing about you that the internet doesn’t know about you yet? It is hard to choose… but fun fact: I am ridiculously good at winning giveaways/raffles. Have been since I was a little kid. I’m just lucky I guess!
Tell us about one of the outfits you wore for your shoot – why do you love it? The corset that I wore was a gift from two of my best friends for my 30th birthday. It felt like wearing a hug from them. I felt so supported and loved.
Describe your shoot experience? It was such an empowering experience. Tigz is amazing! She is a professional through and through. I instantly felt safe and relaxed with her. We had so much fun together! It felt amazing to take time and space for myself to feel beautiful and powerful and fully present in my body during the shoot. We could all use a little more joy and embodied pleasure, especially right now. And to have the gorgeous photos as tangible reminders of that embodied experience is such a gift to myself.
What song gets you on the dancefloor? I love dancing so it is not hard to get me on the dance floor! I particularly love West Coast Swing dancing. I have many favorite songs, but I think one that stands out in this moment is “Let’s Fall in Love for the Night” by FINNEAS. It is a playful one to West Coast too.
What are you most proud of in your career so far? I am proud and deeply honored to be able to hold space for client’s transformations. It is such a gift to be able to witness their process and growth.
What is your top body confidence tip? *It is your birthright to fully inhabit your body*. One of the foundational pieces of this work begins in the body—reclaiming our body, mind, and soul. Coming into this present moment as much as it feels safe to do so. That does not mean this work is easy. It can be incredibly painful and challenging, especially when you have had experiences where it wasn’t/isn’t safe to be in your body. I deeply honor and respect that – and I invite you to access the relative safety available to you. Whatever you have had to do to cope and survive to this point is adaptive and resilient and served you at one point. This is not about a “where you are supposed to be” or that you need anything to change or be “fixed.” Thank you for getting to this moment.
If it feels safe enough to do so, I invite and encourage humble, reverent curiosity about what works for you in this moment and to play with that. The more you are able to inhabit your body and the present moment, the more resources you have to be your authentic self, navigate stress and uncertainty, serve your family and community, and work to change oppressive systems. Even to create just a little bit more spaciousness, a little more room to breathe. I would be honored to be of support in this process for you.
What will your autobiography be called? Hmm… In this moment I would imagine it would be titled, “Somatic Reclamation: The Embodied Adventures of Cacky Mellor”
If you could be a model for any brand, which brand would it be and why? Catherine D’Lish just because it would be pure heaven to be wrapped in one of her gowns. I get goose bumps just thinking about it!
What advice would you give to anyone thinking about booking a session of their own? I cannot recommend booking a session with Tigz enough! Working with Tigz was playful, empowering, and healing all at once. You may be in lockdown, but a virtual shoot with Tigz could truly be a liberating experience.
What exciting project are you working on right now? I am excited to have launched my Somatic Experiencing practice, “Somatic Reclamation: Liberating & Integrating Psyche, Soma, & Soul.” Somatic Experiencing is a body-based trauma intervention that works with the body’s innate wisdom to heal. I specialize in working with shame and the power of words to impact body, mind, soul, and society. I am finishing my advanced year of Somatic Experiencing training and my Ph.D. in Depth Psychology with an emphasis in Somatic Studies at Pacifica Graduate Institute. It is amazing to be able to offer support to those on their healing journey. It is hard to put into words how much I love this work. It is nourishing on a soul level and I know I am making a difference in the world every day. I feel so blessed to get to do something I love.
Want to feel joy and embodied pleasure like Cacky Mellor? Book yourself in with me today for a Virtual Boudoir Shoot.
This is a beautiful set of photos and an even beautifully written account of personal story telling. I’m a huge supporter of Cacky and now of Tigz! Thank you both for existing together to make magic