The courage to see yourself: how lifestyle boudoir photography can help you be a bit kinder to yourself

We’re told every day how we should look, act, and feel. So yes, getting in front of a camera can feel like a pretty bold move.

My lifestyle boudoir photography isn’t here to gloss things over or create a perfect version of you. It’s a way to notice what’s already there—and to actually let that be seen. Giving it a space. Letting it be enough.

You don't need confidence to book

People often say they want to wait until they feel confident before doing something like this. But here’s the thing: that confidence? It usually comes during the session. Not before.

Brené Brown puts it this way, which I like a lot: “Vulnerability is not winning or losing; it’s having the courage to show up and be seen when we have no control over the outcome.”

And that’s exactly what this is. You show up nervous, unsure, maybe even convinced the photos won’t look good. But you show up anyway. That’s courage. And that’s where things change.

So don’t wait until you hit some imaginary milestone. You’re allowed to show up now. As you are.

Shame's sneaky like that

Shame around our bodies shows up in all kinds of ways—how we talk about ourselves, how we dress, the situations we sidestep because we’re convinced we’re not 'ready' or 'good enough.' Most of it’s been drilled into us over years of being told we need to look “better.”

But we know that shame shrinks in honest, empathetic spaces. When things are said out loud instead of hidden, they start to lose their grip.

Unfortunately some photographers lean into that shame, offering “fixes”—slimming edits, heavy retouching, angles that hide. That just feeds the problem.

But when you come to me, it’s different. No one’s judging your body or asking you to pose like a model. No retouching to erase what's real. No awkward posing to disguise so-called flaws. Just an approach that shows you as you are, with care. It’s just you, and that’s enough. That’s what breaks the shame loop.

What a lifestyle boudoir photo session feels like

This isn’t a styled shoot. You’re not expected to act a certain way or put on a version of yourself. It’s a space where you can take a breath and be whoever you are in that moment. We go at your pace. You get to wear what feels good—yes, it’s boudoir, so lingerie is part of the deal—but there’s a whole range within that. You’re not expected to bare all if that’s not your thing.

I’ll be there to give some direction when needed, but we’re not aiming for magazine poses. We’re looking for moments that feel like you. The way you brush your hair back without noticing. The pause before a laugh. The way your shoulder relaxes when you forget the camera’s there. That’s what I’m looking for. That’s the good stuff.

Perfection isn't the point

We’re all carrying this idea that we need to “get it right” to be worthy of showing up. But perfectionism can be such a trap—it gives the illusion of safety, while slowly wearing us down.

A lifestyle boudoir photo session with me gives you a chance to put it down. To stop trying so hard. To just show up as you are and let that be okay.

Keep the feeling alive

Don’t shove the photos in a drawer.

Keep them where you can see them. Let them remind you of what you felt that day. Of what’s possible.

They’re more than just memories—they’re a reminder of the power and authenticity you carry. Whether displayed proudly on your wall, kept in an album, or placed somewhere you can easily revisit them, they’re a reflection of who you are.

Why this work matters

There’s a whole industry built on convincing you you’re not quite there yet.

That if you just bought the right thing, did the right routine, fixed the “problem areas,” you’d finally feel okay in your skin.

This work doesn’t play that game. It gives you a moment outside of all that—no improvements required.

Just start

You don’t have to be sure. You don’t have to know exactly why you’re curious about this.

If the idea keeps hanging around in the back of your mind, that might be enough to follow it a little further. No need for big declarations. If you’ve been considering something like this, it might just be the right time to reach out and see if this experience feels like the right fit for you. We can talk through what you’re looking for, and figure out together if this is the right step for you."