“What you do, the way you think, makes you beautiful.” ~Scott Westerfield
This summer, I received numerous requests from female friends of mine to start offering boudoir photoshoots again. I have photographed boudoir in the past, but back then I was still teaching full time and had to be very careful about what types of photography I advertised or shared on my website and on social media outlets. Let me make something crystal clear - I think there is absolutely nothing wrong or dirty or perverted about boudoir photography!! I think it is an art form that is incredibly beautiful and empowering, and I personally feel that all women should experience a boudoir session at least once (if not multiple times) in their lives. However, for whatever reasons, society doesn't necessarily feel the same way - especially when it comes to school boards and school administrators. So, even though I greatly enjoyed creating boudoir and glamour art, I kept those sessions under wraps for the time being.
Well, I am no longer a public school teacher, and I now have much more flexibility in what I feel I can share with the public and offer my clients. For that reason, I decided to appease my friends' requests and recently began advertising and photographing boudoir photoshoots again. This summer, I was fortunate enough to photograph a number of fabulous, kick-ass women. My clients have a variety of ages and backgrounds and life stories - and every one of them is beautiful inside and out. I often hear women say how empowering boudoir photoshoots can be, and I agree wholeheartedly! Every one of my clients absolutely glowed during their entire session. Some arrived more nervous than others, but once we got started, every woman found her comfort zone and connected with me and my camera. (Sometimes a little bubbly helped this happen a bit faster - but that's not a bad thing, and that's why I offer it at my sessions!) These sessions are not only empowering for my clients, but also for me as a photographer. I feel so fortunate being trusted by my clients enough for them to allow themselves to be completely vulnerable in front of me.
"I am a woman with thoughts and questions and shit to say. I say if I’m beautiful. I say if I’m strong. You will not determine my story – I will." ~Amy Schumer
People often ask me what I enjoy photographing the most. That's a difficult question to answer, because I love celebrating all stages and phases of life and of love. However, there is something a bit different about boudoir photography that just pulls me in. I love being able to help my clients realize just how beautiful they are, while being able to use light and shadows and textures to create stunning portraits that we are both proud of.
While I love every single boudoir session that I have photographed, I'm not always able to share portraits from these photoshoots in order to honor and respect my clients' privacy. As much as I love these images and would love to share them all with the world, many of my clients choose to keep them private, because of their careers or for a number of other reasons. And, that is completely fine with me! My priority is creating art for my clients (and sometimes their partners) to celebrate their beauty - receiving permission to share the images is just an added bonus sometimes.
"The most beautiful thing you can wear is confidence." ~Blake Lively
Connor is one of my recent clients who gave me the freedom to share her images. I was fortunate enough to meet Connor a few years ago while I was being tattooed at Lucky 13 Tattoos & Body Piercings in Kutztown, PA. Connor has tattooed me multiple times since then, and I have referred a number of friends to her. We have benefitted from each others' artistic talents over the years - I have photographed Connor and her adorable daughter, and Connor has created tattoos and paintings for me. She is not only a gifted artist, but is also one of the sweetest, kindest, and real women you will ever meet. And she's a hell of a lot of fun to hang out with, too!!
Before I share a few images from our recent boudoir session, I'm going to take a moment to plug Connor. If you're looking for a tattoo artist, check out her work. She's leaving Lucky 13 in October and will be joining White Oak Tattoo Co. in West Chester, Pennsylvania. Look her up, and if you love her style, get in touch with her! (http://www.whiteoaktattooco.com/contact.html)
“We are all born sexual creatures,thank God, but it's a pity so many people despise and crush this natural gift.” ~Marilyn Monroe
If anyone wants to join my Ladies Only Boudoir VIP Group, or wants to set up a session of your own, get in touch with me! You can also follow me on Instagram here.
Without any further ado, here is Connor, in all of her beautiful, vulnerable glory. Our photoshoot took place at the incredible Stirling Mansion in Reading, PA. Thank you, my friend, for allowing me to create these portraits for you. And, thank you for allowing me to share them with the world. We really need to do this again soon!
“As if you were on fire from within. The moon lives in the lining of your skin.” ~Pablo Neruda
