Why I Only Shoot Boudoir
I often struggle with the best way to answer this question, why I only shoot boudoir.
To me, Boudoir photography goes way beyond taking beautiful pictures of women. It’s become my life’s work to create powerful, transformative and empowering experiences for women. It’s a mission rooted in supporting women in their journey to rediscover their beauty and ignite their feminine spark.
I got my first Nikon DSLR camera when I was 20 years old, right around the time I became a makeup artist. Although I always enjoyed taking pictures, my passion for Boudoir photography only hit me in my mid 30s, when I did my own boudoir photoshoot.
I was immediately drawn to boudoir photography, as the confidence and self esteem boost it gave me personally, was incredible. As a makeup artist for so many years, I completely understood the power of looking and feeling amazing in your skin. I’ve always been a ‘girly girl,’ and have always seen the unmistakable beauty in everyone I know. I will often look at women, see their ‘canvas’ in my mind , imagining how I would enhance their natural beauty through color and light.
The progression from making women look beautiful to capturing that beauty on film was a natural one for me and when I turned 40. Yes, you can still start a new career in your 40s.
After 13 years working in the tech industry, feeling burnt out and uninspired, I read the book Big Magic: Creative Living without Fear by Elizabeth Gilbert. Her book fueled my commitment to relentlessly pursue my creative passion to realize my artistic photographic vision.
That’s when I realized, helping women express their sensuality and personality through boudoir photography is EXACTLY what I’m meant to do. I went from shooting in my bedroom in the early years, to turning my small guesthouse into a romantic and charming feminine boudoir studio hideaway, furnished with what I would call posh hotel chic—which is where I shoot today.
I’ve seen so many women reconnect with themselves through their boudoir shoot. The mindset shift that takes place in my studio is astonishing. Women come in, nervous, hesitant and skeptical: can I really make them look and feel beautiful?
I hear it all the time: “I was so nervous before this shoot!” but after ladies see a few sneak peeks on the back of my camera, I inevitably hear, “OMG, is that ME???!!!” — that’s when she finally believes she is beautiful.
With each shot, her confidence grows and with some emotive coaching, great music to set the tone and some movement to shake off that nervous energy, it all clicks. It’s when a woman feels wonderful in her skin and realizes that she IS a unique and priceless work of art.
It’s less about the pretty pictures and more about the feeling that travels way beyond the studio walls. It’s about helping women connect with their sensuality and to see their essence in a way that no other art medium can offer.
Tapping into their feminine power has helped many of the women I’ve worked with to “own” their beauty and make bolder life moves. In their careers and in their romantic relationships, the shoot became a catalyst to feel more ALIVE, to appreciate and realize their beauty and strength. Women from all walks of life, facing different challenges, all got their ‘sexy’ back and it’s that powerful energy that’s created a meaningful shift.
Want to witness all the amazing transformations like the strong and independent women featured on this blog post? Join them and over 1500 other local ladies in our Full Exposure Facebook Group, where we believe that beauty is a state of mind, not a size. The group features all the studio’s latest work, first access to VIP giveaways, invitations to local events, inspiring articles and a place where you can kick up your heels and let your hair down.