I Didn’t Wait for a Reason. I Just Wanted to Celebrate Me.

Thinking about doing a boudoir shoot? Do it. Do it for you. Don’t wait for permission—or a perfect moment that doesn’t exist.

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bou·doir shoot

/ˈbo͞oˌdwär SHoot/

noun

A confidence-fueled, professionally photographed experience where a woman chooses to show up—boldly, beautifully, and completely on her own terms.

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Why I Booked the Boudoir Shoot

I booked my boudoir shoot because I felt strong. I felt beautiful. I felt confident. It was my birthday gift to myself—a way to celebrate where I was in my life, in my body, and in my womanhood. I wasn’t waiting for permission. I didn’t need a reason. I just knew I was ready.

How It All Started: A Year in the Making

I’d been thinking about doing a boudoir shoot for almost a year before I made the leap. It started with following different boudoir photographers on social media—just quietly observing, seeing what styles I liked, what resonated, and what didn’t.

Eventually, I narrowed it down to a few photographers. But I kept coming back to one: @biancabenboudoir. Her work had a softness to it—clean, artistic, and tasteful. Her content felt powerful but not performative. Sexy, but never forced. It felt real.

When I reached out, the consultation was easy and comfortable. Bianca was warm, patient, and completely open to all my questions—no matter how random they were. And let’s be honest: I’m a jean shorts, tank top, flip-flops, no-makeup kind of woman. So the idea of doing a lingerie shoot? A little outside my norm.

But I wanted to do this. I really, really did.

So I booked it in March 2024 as a gift to myself for my October birthday. It gave me time to plan my looks, make payments toward my package, and mentally prepare to show up fully.

The Delay (and Why I’m Glad I Didn’t Cancel)

Here’s what happened: life.

October rolled around and so did hurricane season—literally. A major storm hit right on the day of my shoot, so we had to reschedule. Since it was a natural disaster, it didn’t count against my one reschedule in the contract (which is good to know, by the way).

I bumped the shoot to December… which ended up being a terrible idea. Between birthday month, Thanksgiving, and Christmas, let’s just say I was puffy and not feelin’ it. So I rescheduled one last time—for March 2025.

By that time, I was almost 10 pounds heavier than when I originally booked, and my life had changed dramatically. I didn’t even realize at the time just how mentally, emotionally, and physically off I felt. But still, I showed up.

And you know what? The photos came out stunning.

So don’t wait until you lose the weight. Don’t wait until you “feel” ready. Because five years from now, you’ll wish you looked like you do now.

Just do it.

The Day of the Shoot

I got plenty of sleep, washed my hair the night before, and arrived with a clean face and a packed bag of outfits. When I walked in, Bianca and Justina (hair and makeup goddess) greeted me with such warmth that I immediately felt at ease.

Hair and makeup are included with your shoot—and for someone like me who doesn’t do glam on the regular, it felt like a makeover moment. It was fun, effortless, and so confidence-boosting.

Once hair and makeup were done, we moved into the studio. Bianca walked me through every pose and setup. We selected a few outfits from the ones I brought (pro tip: bring more than you think—you’ll be glad you did). Your number of outfit changes depends on your package, but having options makes a huge difference.

The lingerie I wore was a mix of pieces from Popilush, Adore Me, and AvidLove. Comfortable, flattering, and just spicy enough to feel amazing in.

And the best part? I was still my goofy self. That’s how comfortable I felt. If I’m joking and laughing in front of the camera, you know I’m in a space where I feel safe, confident, and seen.

After the shoot, I grabbed lunch nearby and came back to select my final images and album. Yes, I added on extras—and yes, I appreciated that I could make payments toward them afterward.

When I Got My Album

When the album arrived in June, something shifted in me.

It wasn’t just a book of pretty pictures. It was a reminder of the woman I am. The woman that I lost over the past year. When I looked at those images, I saw her again—that strong, confident, radiant version of me.

And something inside me sparked back to life.

The fire. The light. The passion. The drive. The woman I’ve always been—she was right there. The photos reminded me of what was already mine. My confidence, my power, my light was just beneath the surface. I had reclaimed it all and more. While I am not who I once was, that’s OK. I am much stronger now.

Final Thoughts: Just Do the Shoot

This was something I did for me.

I felt strong, beautiful, and bold when I booked it—and I’m so glad I didn’t wait for a “better time.”

I love me.

I love these.

They’re beautiful.

And I’m proud of them.

And yes, I’ve already decided: I’m doing a shoot every decade for the rest of my life. Because why not?

The Women Who Helped Me Feel Amazing

Big love and gratitude to the local ladies who made me look and feel incredible from the inside out:

• @biancabenboudoir – Photography & Studio Magic – Bianca
• @justbeautyhmua – Hair + Makeup – Justina
• @derekthesalon – Hair Color + Cut – Olivia
• @arsenaultaesthetics – Skincare – Dr. Beachy
• @injectorbeachy – Aesthetic Injector – Dr. Beachy
• @arianna27 – Personal Trainer – Arianna
• @kiaramaggy – Moral Support + Vibes – Past Personal Trainer – Kiara
• @morgana.at.lush – Esthetician – Morgana

💖 Ready to Celebrate Yourself?

👉 Do the shoot.

👉 Do it now.

👉 Do it for you.