My Boudoir Story

Sometimes it is hard to put into words why I shoot boudoir photography. It is so much more than photos. It is about self-acceptance, body positivity and art. It is about getting glammed up and feeling hampered and special. It is about making a connection with my client and learning about who they are and what brought them to me.

I started shooting with our photography because I saw the beauty and everyone that came in my door. I believe that I can show any person what I see through my camera. Women tell me that they can't look beautiful because they are too tall, because they weigh too much or they have stretch marks. I love showing them the photos from their photoshoot and showing them that they do, in fact, look beautiful. I get to see their reactions to their photos and has changed me too. I know that each woman that comes in front of my camera is having a life altering experience where she gets to see herself through the eyes of another. This is often the time they have a transformation from feeling worthless or ugly into believing that they are wonderful and that they are beautiful. I have seen firsthand the difference that a boudoir session can have in the life of a woman. And every day I know I have the potential to change a woman's life.

The Transformation

The transformation that takes place in my studio is the best part of the experience both for me and for my clients. When she arrives, she’s often so nervous. I’ve had people be shaking and even in tears they were so scared. But then the magic begins. They get to relax and have a makeover. Each of my stylists is so good at their jobs of both transforming the clients appearance and making them feel comfortable.

When the shoot starts the first series that we do is to get you warmed up. We take some time to get to know each other. I explain everything I am doing and what to expect. Sometimes I'll show the back of the camera and I usually hear oh my God that's me no way. As we go on through the photo shoot the laughter and the smile start to come out. And when she starts to feel sexy and she starts to feel comfortable and I can tell that it's starting to click.

By the time I finish the session and go to the reveal I feel like I've made a new friend and I hope that she feels the same. I hope she’s had an experience she will always remember.

Once I show them their photos, their jaws drop. They get to see themselves like they've never seen themselves before. This is one of the most amazing things about being a Boudoir photographer. I get a chance to show them how I see them, and how they shine when they walk out that door. I love when they're smiling so big and they can't wait to tell their friends and family what they just did.

My Boudoir Story

I didn't get to grasp the gravity of what I accomplished from a woman until I had a boudoir session for myself. I have always been a bigger, plus size woman and did not love my own appearance. As a fat woman I often felt that I was both invisible and also impossible to miss. That I had to shrink out of sight, make myself smaller and stay out of the way. I believed that no matter how hard I tried, I never looked good. I am in a wonderful relationship with a man who is terrific to me, but I never felt that his compliments to me were genuine. He always told me that he thought I was beautiful but I never felt that way. I always just felt like he was just saying that not to hurt my feelings. And even though I spent my days telling women to believe they were worthy and beautiful, I never believed it for myself.

I had my own boudoir session in 2017 with a photographer I admired and felt could truly do me justice as a bigger woman. And when I got my own photos back from her, I kept looking at the images and I cried. Just like my clients do. I could not believe it was me. I was at my heaviest weight I had just been through some very difficult family circumstances and honestly expected to want to rip the images apart. But instead I felt beautiful. I felt confident and I felt like I could take on the world. I have my own before and after experience. Life before, and life after… because afterwards I started wearing clothes I was scared to wear. swimsuits without a shorts and t-shirt over top and I started feeling like if I could do that everything else was easy. I now can walk the talk and have personally experienced the power of boudoir.

Learn more