The Empowering Photos That Got One Plus-Size Woman Fired From Her Job

   By SheSpeaksTeam  Oct 06, 2017
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A Texas couple who decided to have unique engagement photos done were pleasantly surprised when their sexy photos went viral and a stream of body positive comments came flooding in. The curvy bride-to-be, Stephanie, never felt more beautiful and confident, until of course her company got wind and decided to fire her over the images now seen all over the internet.

The couple’s photos went viral after the professional photographer, Wolf & Rose Photography, posted them on their company Facebook page. The pictures show both Stephanie and her fiance Arryn, topless basking in a lake, often kissing and hugging while looking utterly in love.

Before getting word that she was fired, Stephanie spoke with Huffington Post about the empowering message she hoped to send with the viral photos of herself looking confident and in love. She says, “Over the years, I’ve come to accept that I am always going to be considered plus-size. I push myself out of my comfort zone by wearing clothes that I love but aren’t in society’s mold of what is acceptable for bigger women, like crop tops, tight shirts, shorter dresses and shorts. I walk around with my head high, smiling, and show no shame in myself.” Though Stephanie appears to be topless in the photos, her front is never shown and she tells Buzzfeed she was actually wearing bathing suit bottoms and a top you would normally wear with a backless dress.

Regardless of how modest Stephanie feels the photos actually are, her employer has voiced a different opinion. Stephanie says that her employer Austin Bank Texas N.A was concerned for the company’s image after her photos began being shared on Facebook thousands of times. She told Buzzfeed, “They said I was topless and it was inappropriate and we’re a family-oriented company.”

Stephanie felt the one and only reason she was fired was because of these photos as she had worked very hard for the company and even had a promotion coming her way. She explains, “I was a model employee, I was moving up fast. I had a promotion within seven months. This one thing, for me, was the reason I was booted.”

But even being fired doesn’t make Stephanie regret her choice to take engagement keepsake photos. Her fiance is also glad that they had the experience. Stephanie says of Arryn, “He knows it puts out a good message and helps me in my self confidence, and how I feel about myself. He’s all about it.” The couple is also expecting a baby boy and looking forward to a wedding in 2019.

What do you think of Stephanie and Arryn’s engagement photos?

Do you think Stephanie’s company acted fairly by firing her?

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Comments
ShannonP by ShannonP | W BURLINGTON, IA
Feb 10, 2018

I totally agree they are lovely you should feel confident. I don't think employers should be able to do things like this. I have had very little reason to trust people though, so I NEVER friend coworkers.

MissAshley222 by MissAshley222 | frankfort, KY
Jan 16, 2018

I love the pic and congrats by the way!!!!

Chandyb47 by Chandyb47 | Bakersfield, CA
Dec 05, 2017

I don't see anything explicit about the photos and don't see any reason that she should have been fired.

Tball1522 by Tball1522 | Frederick, MD
Nov 01, 2017

I think the photos are beautiful. Women these days are given an unrealistic ideas and goals of what beauty is supposed to look like. Real women don't look like that. Real women have curves and beautiful imperfections that they should be proud of, not ashamed of. The way this couple decided to express their love for each other is their choice and would have no negative effect on the company she worked for. She should sue them for wrongful termination of employment.

Heathers2980 by Heathers2980 | Melrose , FL
Oct 15, 2017

Be yourself Stephanie. Be faithful to you and don't worry about anyone else

MommaBuresh77 by MommaBuresh77 | CRETE, NE
Oct 10, 2017

I LOVE these photos!!! Stephanie is showing the world her confidence. We need more body-positive images like this. Beauty comes in all shapes and sizes. The love these two are showing is exuding off the screen. I'd personally be proud of any co-worker that has that much confidence in themselves. What they do on their own time doesn't reflect on the business, unless it is something illegal.