In this episode of Owning Pleasure of Black Women, we dive into the transformative power of boudoir photography with photographer Laquel.

This isn't just about taking sexy pictures—it's about the profound experience of seeing yourself through a lens that celebrates rather than criticizes.

Laquel shares how she creates safe, welcoming spaces for women to explore different sides of themselves, why most women have never experienced professional pampering, and what happens when high-achieving women finally give themselves permission to be seen.

Tune in as we explore the intersection of creativity, rest, self-care, and the revolutionary act of prioritizing yourself—even when guilt shows up. If you're tired of being everyone's photographer but never in the frame yourself, you won't want to miss this one!

Key Takeaways:

1. Self-Care Isn't Selfish—It's Necessary: Laquel shares why creating moments for yourself (whether through photography, gardening, or reading in the tub) isn't indulgent—it's essential for maintaining your sanity and identity, especially during chaotic seasons of life.
2. The Power of Being Seen: Most women never experience professional photography beyond maybe their wedding day. Boudoir sessions offer more than pretty pictures—they reveal parts of yourself that have always existed but you've never gotten to witness.
3. Creative Rest is Real Rest: We discuss creative rest as one of the seven types of rest, and how tapping into your creative side (photography, sewing, reading, gardening) actually restores you in ways sleep alone cannot.

Listen Now:

Ready to discover what becomes possible when you give yourself permission to be seen, celebrated, and pampered? Hit play to explore how boudoir photography is helping women reconnect with parts of themselves they've been too busy to notice!

Links Mentioned:

1. Download the 7-Day Self-Care Reset: Ready to transition from survival mode to thriving? Get started with our free reset designed for high-achieving women who are tired of feeling guilty about prioritizing themselves. [Download here at javerywellness.com/reset]
2. Ready for Deeper Transformation? If this conversation resonated and you're realizing you don't want to carry these patterns alone, our clinicians at Javery Integrative Wellness Services work with women like you every day. Complete your intake form at [javerywellness.com/get-started]
3. Connect with Quail: www.laquelwright.com

Connect with Us:

1. Instagram: @javerywellness
2. Facebook: @JaveryIWS
3. YouTube: @JaveryWellness
4. Website:

In this episode of Owning Pleasure As A Black Woman, we're moving differently this January. Instead of the usual pressure to fix, grind, or reinvent yourself, I'm sharing the three words guiding my 2026: Space, Intuition, and Invest.

Tune in as we explore why creating space isn't selfish—it's essential for capacity. Discover how your intuition didn't disappear, it just got drowned out by years of over-functioning and survival patterns. And learn why investing in yourself before crisis mode isn't indulgent—it's strategic wisdom.

If you're tired of the annual January performance and ready to move through this year with intention instead of pressure, this episode is for you.

● Space = Capacity, Not Laziness: Learn why creating space—internally and externally—is essential for high-achieving women who are constantly running but never truly present. Discover how lack of space shows up as irritability, numbness, and resentment, even toward people and commitments you care about.

● Intuition Is Body-Based Wisdom: Your intuition didn't disappear—it got quieted through years of overriding your body's signals. Explore how to reconnect with the body-based wisdom that helps you make aligned decisions and trust yourself again.

● Investment Is About More Than Money: Discover why choosing support sooner instead of later is strategic, not weak. Learn how investing your time, energy, and resources in yourself before you're depleted creates sustainable thriving instead of constant survival.

Ready to move differently this year? Hit play to discover why creating space, trusting your intuition, and investing in yourself aren't selfish—they're essential for women who are ready to thrive, not just survive.

● Start Therapy with JIWS: Ready to move from understanding to transformation? Our clinicians work with high-achieving women navigating exactly this. Complete the intake form at javerywellness.com/get-started.

● Download the 7-Day Self-Care Reset: Curious about what this work might look like but not ready for therapy yet? Get your free guide designed for women tired of survival mode at javerywellness.com/reset.

● Join Our Email List: Be the first to know about upcoming episodes, resources, and insights for high-achieving women ready to own their pleasure. Sign up here.

1. Instagram: @javerywellness
2. Facebook: @javeryiws
3. YouTube: @javerywellness
4. Website:

In this episode replay of Owning Pleasure As A Black Woman, I'm pulling back the curtain and sharing my personal words for 2025: expand and repurpose.

If you caught our previous episode about choosing words over resolutions, you know how transformative this practice can be. Now I'm walking you through exactly how I selected these words and what they mean for my journey this year.

These words represent my desire to deepen relationships, simplify life, and embrace the growth I've already achieved without adding unnecessary stress.

Tune in for actionable tips on choosing your own words of the year and learning how to expand on the foundation you've already built. If you're ready to grow intentionally without burning out, this episode is your roadmap.

• Why Words Over Resolutions Still Wins: Choosing words instead of specific goals helps you avoid the pass/fail mentality that leaves you feeling like a failure at year's end. Words create alignment and allow for flexible growth in multiple areas of your life—every action that connects to your word is a win, no matter how small.

• My 2025 Word #1—Expand: This word is about growing intentionally in personal life, business, and self-care without adding stress or overwhelm. Expansion means deepening existing relationships, exploring new experiences, and allowing myself to take up more space in areas where I've been playing small. It's not about doing more—it's about going deeper and wider with what already exists.

• My 2025 Word #2—Repurpose: Instead of constantly creating from scratch, this word reminds me to leverage existing work, content, and habits to create a more focused and impactful life. Repurposing honors the foundation I've already built and makes room for strategic growth. It's about working smarter, not harder, and recognizing that I don't need to reinvent the wheel to create value.

How to Choose Your Own Words:

1. Reflect on Where You Are Right Now

1. What areas of your life feel ready for growth?
2. Where have you been playing small or holding back?
3. What foundation have you already built that you can expand upon?
4. What feels heavy or redundant that could be streamlined

2. Choose One or Two Focus Areas (Maximum)

1. Don't overwhelm yourself by trying to expand everywhere at once
2. Pick the areas that feel most alive or most ready for growth
3. Remember: You can expand in different areas throughout the year—you don't have to do everything in January

3. Remember This Critical Truth

1. Healing isn't constant work. At some point, you need to live and enjoy the fruits of your labor
2. You've already done so much internal work—now it's time to experience the life you've been building
3. Expansion doesn't mean more self-improvement projects; it means living more fully in the growth you've already achieved

Questions to Guide Your Journey: