Why I photograph boudoir…
Why boudoir photography?
It all started with weddings actually. I started doing wedding photography because I thought that was the only way a photographer could make a real living. However, it turned out that I did not like shooting weddings at all - too much family drama and pressure because it’s a once in a lifetime day. After several weddings I called it quits, defeated and ready to give up photography because being a wedding photography had been my dream for many years. This was Fall of 2020.
In January 2021, I decided to get creative, and booked a model for a boudoir photoshoot. She wasn’t a professional model, but a newlywed who wanted some sexy photos for her husband. I had never done boudoir before but I was excited to try something different.
That first photoshoot was magical. I felt like I had always been meant to do boudoir. I loved being a part of her transformation. She was naturally beautiful, but she didn’t know it. She said “I can’t believe that’s me! Is this what my husband sees?” I told her ”YES! You’re gorgeous!!!”
I was hooked! I knew that I wanted to help women feel amazing as a career. I knew that I wanted women of all shapes and sizes to see their own beauty, just as they are! I want to show women women that they aren’t too tall, too heavy, and they don’t have too many stretch marks.
Seeing clients’ reactions to their photos helped me realize that boudoir was my calling!
Here is a photo from that very first boudoir photoshoot!
The Transformation!
The transformation that takes place in the studio is one of my favorite parts of photographing boudoir. Usually women arrive quite nervous, and it is not unusual to hear shaky voices, or women visibly sweating from their nerves. However, once they sit in the hair and makeup chair. She starts to relax. That transformation begins, and the client starts to enjoy the process of being pampered and having girl talk with myself and the hair/makeup artist.
Once the photoshoot starts, I show images on the back of the camera right away. This way they can see right from the beginning just how freaking amazing they look! This helps women to feel comfortable and confident, they see how gorgeous they are on the back of the camera, without any editing!
By the end of the photoshoot part, we are friends, and we are both excited to see the finished photos. We have laughed and worked through nerves together. We have shared stories about ourselves. We will always remember this experience that we shared.
I send them out to lunch, and during that time I edit their photos, and later that day we have their same-day reveal session. This is where they get to see all of their photos on the exact same day as their photoshoot. They’re excited to see they’re photos, and most women are expecting the worst, even after our wonderful time together, and every single time they are surprised at how much they love their photos! This is so exciting because they get so see themselves as I see them, and how their partner sees them. Sometimes clients cry tears of joy and from being moved at finally loving photos of themselves. By the end they are smiling and can’t wait to tell their friends about their experience!
A bit of my personal story
Another reason why boudoir is so important to me has to do with my own journey. I grew up thinking that looks were what a woman had to offer the world. As a teenager my role models were Brittney Spears, Christina Aguilara, and many many teen idols who had a flat stomach and perfect breasts.
I grew up pretty pudgy, but also athletic, and in 8th grade, the sports and activity caught up with me and a lost a good bit of weight. I was ecstatic about my new look. I wanted to maintain it and I never wanted to go back to what I was before.
In high school I developed an eating disorder. I would starve myself, then binge eat, then over-exercise to burn it off. This wasn’t diagnosed but met the criteria of exercise bulimia. I did every single sport and workout I could fit into my schedule and my biggest motivation was maintaining my figure. I would punish myself with crunches at night. My mindset towards movement and body image was extremely unhealthy, and shallow even.
In college, my body image didn’t improve and I developed an alcohol problem to self-medicate my insecurities. I ended up marrying another alcoholic who ended up being verbally abusive and would tell me I was fat and he would threaten to leave me if I didn’t lose more weight. The thing is I had gained weight, but mainly because I was comfortable with him and I felt I could eat again and I thought he loved me for me. I was completely wrong about that. Eventually he did leave me for someone else just like he promised he would do if I didn’t lose weight.
When he left me I had no self esteem. I lost some weight but mainly I wanted to learn to love my body the way it was. I worked really hard and learned a lot from the body positive community and the fat liberation movement. My weight continued to yo-yo though, and I put a lot of time into healing myself with selfies. During my marriage and some after it, I went about 2 to 3 years avoiding photos. I didn’t want to see myself. Selfies were the way I could be in photos again and be happy with myself just as I was. No filters.
That photo above is a photograph of me getting some boudoir images done!!
Today, I literally do not care what size I am. I have worked hard to get here. Since my journey has been long and I have put in the work, I have so much compassion and empathy to give to my clients. I know about body struggles. I can give you space as you learn to love yourself too.
I have been a size 2 and a size 22. I know women’s bodies and I know how to flatter all body types. You’re body is not to big, or small, or weird! We all have insecurities no matter what our size, but it’s my job to help you see past that, and to see your true beauty just as you are! Let’s celebrate your body, battles, and the victories you have had. I’ll remind you how to love and be proud of yourself!
Interested in booking your boudoir photoshoot with us?
Also, don’t miss out on our VIP group of 4900 women who are also passionate about empowering women and body positivity! We do many games with prizes and will post sales and specials as well as body positive content.
