Why I shoot boudoir photography

If you have had a phone consultation with me, you’ve heard this. But I wanted to put into words why I shoot boudoir photography, so that those who have not yet connected with me personally can know my “why”.

Yes, there will be gorgeous photos. But boudoir is about so much MORE than that. It’s about self-acceptance, body positivity and art. It’s about getting pampered with glamorous makeup and hair styling, and laughing and having more fun than you ever expected. It’s about seeing yourself transform — from your professional hair and makeup, to your photo shoot to your image reveal, and walking out of the studio feeling beautiful. I believe that everyone deserves that.

How it Began…

I started shooting boudoir photography when a bride asked me to help her create a unique gift for her fiance. I had never photographed boudoir, though I had a lot of experience photographing dancers and fitness competitors – so we jumped in. I had no idea how to pose her, but we very shortly were having fun, and she LOVED her images. I remember her saying “I never knew I could look that pretty!” …and I was hooked. I could see how beautiful she was, even before our photoshoot, and I knew right then that I wanted to be that mirror for other women. To show them what I saw through my lens and to help them to connect with their strength and beauty.

The Transformation

The best part of this experience is the transformation that takes place when a client sees the back of the camera for the first time. I usually hear "OH MY GOD, that's me? NO WAY that's me!" As we go into the next series and then the next, the laughter and smiles start to come out. Then she starts to feel sexy. They sexy eyes come out. And you can tell that it's starting to click with them. I see them transform from the beginning to the end of the session.

By the time we finish the session, we're friends. We've just shared an experience that they will always remember. We've laughed and shared stories about our lives.

Once I show them their pictures on the big screen TV, their jaws drop. They see themselves like they never have before. This is one of the amazing things about boudoir photography. I get a chance to show them how I see them, how their spouse sees them, how they have felt on the inside but never seen on the outside. I can be their mirror. When they walk out that door, they’re smiling so big and they can't wait to tell all their friends about what they just did.

A Little Piece of My Story

I didn't quite grasp the gravity of what I was accomplishing for women until a few years ago. I had been photographing fitness competitors, dance recitals and family portraits and it wasn’t until a few months into photographing just boudoir I could see the transformation that would take place during a session. I would see the tears of joy when clients would come back for their order session and say “I can’t believe that’s me”.

I have always been blessed with an athletic body type. I had to work at it but learned through diet, nutrition and exercise I could make changes in my body and learn to maintain my weight. It wasn’t until a few years ago when I had a low back injury and things changed. I could no longer go for an afternoon run and leg workouts were out of the question. I had to learn to adapt and make changes. That’s been the hardest part for me. Learning to adapt to getting older and giving myself grace when I need to rest.

Seeing myself and fully loving and accepting myself is a personal struggle. I’m not the young athlete that can just join a cross fit class or go for a run. I have a few extra pounds I want to get rid of. I don’t enjoy going to the gym like I once use to. But that’s all ok. As I get older I’ve learned to love and accept myself as I am right now. I can still go on 3 mile walk at the lake. I may have to stretch the next day but I can do it.

Working with my clients always helps me to put things into perspective. As they find that self-acceptance and start loving themselves, I am reminded to do that for myself. And when I go live in my VIP group on Facebook, while I see the wrinkles and everything on camera, I also see a vibrant, joyful woman who LOVES her work and connecting with her clients. 

Let me show you what I see, so you can start seeing it too.