I get so many emails and calls with women who say something along the lines of, “I’ve been dreaming of doing a session like this for years, but I’m still a little scared.” Or “I’ve been following your work for years and was always to afraid to reach out. It was too real if I contacted you.”
It’s amazing to me the amount of women that are yearning for a boudoir session. I honestly can’t stand the word “boudoir” as it doesn’t feel true to what I’m trying to convey for my clients. I would rather call them “Discovery Sessions”.
The best thing to remember is that you aren’t doing this alone.
I’ve got you.
And, you’ll soon discover that you’re braver than you think and that YOU’VE got you.
I really mean it when I say that all women should do one of these sessions AT LEAST once in her life. It’s not always comfortable or natural to stand in front of someone’s camera and strip down to your most vulnerable.
But, that’s where the magic happens.
That’s when we “strip” everything away and get to the bare bones of what called you to action in the first place. I know that after my divorce, I had an aching to do something like this for myself. And, I did. And, it was scary and incredible. Through the fear came clarity and strength. I absolutely cherish those photographs, but even more so, the experience. It took me a lot of therapy, meditation, exercise, love from friends, and work to get me through my hardest times. The boudoir session that I did alongside all of that was a huge part of my healing. It all went hand and hand.
Do the session. Take the time to face the really hard stuff. Take the time to celebrate the really good stuff. Do it because you deserve it.
Now, on to this amazing queen:
Krysten is one of my closest friends, so she didn't have to look very far to find a boudoir photographer to do her session. The catch was that she wasn't sure if she was in a place in her life where she was ready to do it. This is when I STRONGLY encourage women to book a boudoir session. There is a reason they are resisting it and it's so important that they face what ever that is. She casually mentioned wanting to do something special for her husband for their anniversary. I told her she HAD to do it. She showed up at my home, took a swig of tequila, and let herself be vulnerable in front of me. This is Krysten's take on the session:
“I have always had mixed feelings about boudoir photography. My skepticism almost held me back from one of the most fulfilling experiences of my life. When I decided to book a boudoir session with Shannon, I was at a crossroads in my life. My husband and I were about to move to a new city, start new careers, all while struggling with a two year infertility battle. I loved Shannon’s other boudoir sessions and knew that this may be my last chance before life got in the way. I booked the session with our 3 year anniversary in mind, only doing it as a gift to my husband. What I didn’t realize was that it wasn’t for him. It was for me. I never realized how I could feel so vulnerable and so powerful at the same time. I have also never felt so secure in myself. Shannon didn’t ask me to contort my body into ridiculous poses so that she could get the perfect image. I stood before her camera as myself and that is what she captured. Yes, Shannon has mastered her craft, but beyond that, she is somehow able to bring the inside out in her work. You will never feel more comfortable and empowered in yourself than in front of Shannon’s lens.”
