We love sharing more than just beautiful photos from boudoir sessions. We like being able to share stories and words about why this is important and what makes women want something like this. Here’s some amazing words from Ms. S’s boudoir session.

Tell us your story, a little bit about you and why you decided to do a boudoir session? Is your story what made you decide to do this for yourself? 

I spent 16 years of my life under the control of an abusive best friend. It was mental and physical and left me feeling worthless as well as giving me a terrible self image. Through a lot of hard work and good friends I removed myself from the situation at 22 and began the very long journey to self love. As much as I’ve grown and learned about myself, my negative physical self image has been one of the hardest pieces to overcome. I wanted to do a boudoir session to have the chance to tell my story. Not necessarily in words and to others but to tell the story of my own bravery and self confidence to myself. I wanted to do this so I had a tangible way to see the beautiful person I am.

What was your biggest concern prior to booking your Boudoir Session? How do you feel now? 
I felt that I would be incredibly awkward and unable to relax. That I would be forcing the emotions I wanted my pictures to show. I was afraid I would hate every image and be unable to overlook every flaw. What I discovered was that there will always be certain parts of my body I don’t like no matter what and certain poses I won’t like. But I also discovered an ease of self and a new way to look at the pieces of myself I didn’t like and see the grace and the flow of my curves. I learned that if I was feeling confident and happy and loving myself that is what my pictures showed.

What, specifically, did you enjoy most about your portrait session and why?
My favorite part was the camaraderie between all the women at the Femme Farm. The moment I walked in the building I immediately relaxed and the excitement began to bubble.

Were you comfortable during your session? How did I make you feel? Did my posing instruction help you feel more confident?
I was so comfortable!! I was at ease and relaxed and enjoying every moment. You helped me to feel confident and empowered.

What did this shoot do for your self confidence, self worth, and self image? Did you discover anything about yourself that you didn’t know was there or that you forgot was there? How has your boudoir experience affected you or changed you? Tell me your story. 
It boosted me. My pictures hang at my vanity so everyday I can look at the radiant person I want to be. Some days are hard and these pictures help get past those hard days. Positive self image is still a battle I fight everyday but it’s much easier now that I’ve done a boudoir session. My session gave me the ability to look at a picture of myself long enough to move past the instant negative talk and move into all the things I love about myself and the things I loved in that moment.

Was your experience what you were expecting? If not, how was it different?
It was a little different than I expected. I didn’t expect to get over my awkwardness so quickly. I didn’t expect to have so much fun. And I definitely didn’t expect I would love my session so much I would hire you as my wedding photographer!

What advice would you give someone who is nervous about or hesitant to book their own boudoir experience with me?
I would say to just jump head first and do it. And if you are nervous, do what I did and have your significant other take some fun practice photos of you!

Have you thought about booking your own shoot with Melissa? Download your complimentary Dream Shoot Planner by clicking HERE.  It will tell you all about the experience and what to expect.  I would love to chat with you!  You can email me at melissaleephotography.mn@gmail.com. And if you’d like to know more about the boudoir experience head to this BLOG about how this experience is designed to transform you. I can’t wait to hear from you!