Cancer survivor embraces new body

Embracing one’s flaws and imperfections can be difficult for many people, so to then go in front of a camera lens and be comfortable documenting those flaws is a challenge. But for one young woman who has gone through major surgery to fight cancer, she is embracing her new body and feels more empowered than ever before.

Being in the spotlight has been the last thing on 28-year-old Amanda McQueen’s mind. Since being diagnosed with stage three breast cancer three years ago, she has been in and out of the hospital, and is not yet in remission.

“I went straight into chemo. Did six rounds of chemo, I also then had a double masectomy and had them both removed and then went into 25 rounds of radiation,” said McQueen.

The major surgery left her feeling less confident in her body, but a chance encounter with photographer Melissa Kelly at a fundraiser for breast cancer has led to this: a boudoir shoot with Amanda front and centre.

“I think she is a true a inspiration to women. No matter what you’re faced with you deserve to feel beautiful, you deserve to feel sexy, you deserve to feel like a woman. And I am so fortunate to be a part of that. I love being able to be a part of that,” said Kelly. “Amanda is getting married in less than two weeks. This shoot, is all part of a surprise for her fiance…who she says has been her rock throughout it all.”

She’ll give him the photos on their wedding day. Not only is this shoot a gift to him, but Amanda says it’s also a gift to herself and all cancer survivors.

“If I could, to even show them my pictures of what I’m getting done, just for women to be confident in their bodies because it doesn’t change who you are, and sadly a lot of people do look at you and go, oh, you’ve had your surgery, how you feeling?” said McQueen. “They look at you differently and I don’t want to be looked at differently. I’ve always been a sexy person and I want to get back that confidence to be sexy again without them.”

The result: a perfect photo finish.