Why I Shoot Boudoir Photography

Sometimes I find it hard to put into words why I shoot boudoir photography. To me, it is so much more than photos. It’s about self-acceptance, body positivity, and art. It is about getting glammed up and having a great time. It’s about the transformation that takes place between the time you walk into my studio and walk back out the door. It is about feeling beautiful, and that is something I believe every person deserves.

I started shooting boudoir photography because I saw the beauty in everyone that came in our door. I believed I could show any person what I see through my camera. Women tell me they feel they can’t look “that beautiful” because they feel too tall, weigh too much, or have too many stretch marks. I loved showing them the photos from their shoot and showing that they CAN, in fact, feel beautiful. Seeing their reactions to their pictures changed me. From that moment on, I knew I had found my passion.

The Transformation

 The transformation that takes place in our studio is the best part of the whole experience for us. When a woman arrives at my studio, most of the time she’s nervous, sometimes even visibly nervous. Shaky hands and voice, sweaty hands and faces are things I see all the time. Once they sit in the chair to get their hair and makeup done, the transformation begins. The client slowly starts to shed those signs and feelings of nervousness and anxiousness.

 Then the shoot would start. The first series is to get you all warmed up. When I show the client the back of the camera after the first series, 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. The sexy eyes come out. And you can tell that it’s starting to click for them.

Once we have the VIP reveal session, we’re friends. We’ve shared an experience that they will always remember. We’ve laughed and shared stories about our lives.

 When I show them their pictures on the projected screen, 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 significant other sees them and 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 the experience they just had.

A Little Piece of My Story

 I’ve always had two passions growing up, martial arts and photography. When I was 13 years old, I was crushed by a car and spent a summer in the hospital. At that time, I was given lots of martial arts and photography magazines. I learned, I studied. I was told I would never walk the same again. I didn’t let that take me down. I was young and had indominable spirt as part of my martial arts training. I went to class as soon as I could, I couldn’t participate at first, so I began taking photos of my friends. The next thing I know they are giving me money to take photos. Soon enough, I was working out again. Learning to use my crutches, then a cane as a self-defense mechanism. Slowly but surely, I was walking on my own, I was competing again.

 In high school I was told, I would never amount to anything. You see, back then, they didn’t have the testing they do now. I have dyslexia. Ironically enough, I was even told this by my photography teacher. Little did they know, most dyslexics have an artistic eye. Ask me to figure out settings for a camera on paper I couldn’t do it. But hand me a camera and I can make it “sing”.

 So began my photography career. Like when I was 13, I didn’t let anything hold me back. I’m still that way today. I’ve always had a studio, from high volume high school seniors and sports to 1000’s of weddings and events. The last few years I’ve changed course and become a small boutique style studio. Specializing in beauty/boudoir and family photography.

 The reason behind my approach to beauty and boudoir photography is deeply rooted in my personal journey. Initially, I ventured into beauty/boudoir photography solely as a business endeavor. However, it unexpectedly transformed my perception of myself as an artist, photographer and individual. I came to realize the immense strength, elegance, and grace that women possess, often unnoticed, as the unsung heroes of our everyday lives. Since that revelation, my mission has been to capture and unveil every ounce of beauty, inner strength, and confidence in every woman I photography.

My own dudeoir photoshoot….