Why I shoot Boudoir..
My "Why" for Shooting Boudoir
I could write a book on all the reasons why I shoot boudoir photography. But I prefer to actually empower women rather then to talk about doing it ;)
To me, it is so much more than getting your picture taken. It's about self-acceptance, empowerment, body positivity, and art. It is about getting pampered and laughing your butt off with what it feels like your new bestie (aka mwah) . The transformation that takes place between the time you walk in my studio and
walk back out that door is so empowering it’s unexplainable . To walk into my studio with so many negative feelings, and walk out with confidence is something I believe every person deserves.
I started shooting boudoir photography because once i did a session myself and felt so beautiful and confident, i wanted to give that feeling of empowerment to everyone!
I believed I could show any person what I see through my camera. Women tell me they feel they can't look "that beautiful" because they feel too tall, weigh too much, or have too many stretch marks. I loved showing
them the photos from their shoot and showing that they CAN, in fact, feel beautiful and love themself. Seeing their reactions to their pictures changed me. From that moment on, I knew I had found my passion.
It was now my job to be a mirror for my clients. Not the mirror that the world shows you that shames you, but the one who sees past all of the lumps, bruises, and imperfections. The one that shows you your sparkle.
The Transformation
The transformation is the very best part of the entire experience for us. When a client arrives in my studio, most of the time she’s nervous, sometimes even visibly nervous, shaky hands and voices, sweaty hands and faces are things I see all the time. Once they sit in the chair to get their hair and makeup done, the transformation begins. The client slowly starts to shed those signs and feelings of nervousness and anxiousness.
Then its time for the boudoir experience. The first step is to get you all warmed up and chat about posing. When I show the client the back of the camera for the first time, I usually hear "OH
MY GOD, that's me? NO WAY?! As we proceed through their session, the laughter and smiles start to come out. Then she starts to feel sexy. They sexy eyes come out. And you can immediately tell they actually feel sexy and in love with themselves. By the time we finish the session, we're basically besties who just shared an experience that they will always remember.
Once I show them their pictures at their ordering appt a few weeks later, their jaws immediately drop. They see themselves like they sever have before. 'This is one of the amazing thing about boudoir photography. I get a chance to show them how I see them, how their spouse sees them and be their mirror. When they walk out that door, their smiling so big and they can't wait to tell all their friends about what they just did.
A Little Piece of My Story
When I was a child I grew up living a sheltered life I didnt like going out or doing much, instead i was a home body. I played outside, with rocks, made my very own, what I called “perfume” out of crushed up flowers, played with my siblings, road atvs or horses and helped my parents with yard work or in the garden. When it came time to have sleep overs as a kid at my cousins, or with friends i never wanted to because i felt most comfortable at home.
I was always very shy I didn’t have many friends, i never talked to anyone unless they talked to me first. I even went to a private school, where i wore the same outfit every day for 7 years. Which quickly became an issue when it came time to join public school. I struggled with self-love and confidence, never knowing what to wear, or wether i fit in or stood out! I wore braces throughout high school and had scoliosis since I was in middle school which caused me to always hunch, upon other many other health issues, so I always felt like the weirdo. I always wanted to be a cool kid but instead I was a follower I was trying to be better and be like everyone else.
It was til about junior year that I started to learn to accept being just me. And wearing what I want to wear. Come to find out I was voted best dressed for my class and worried for nothing . Although I was still very shy, I never talked to anyone unless they talked to me first. I always hated doing simple tasks that made me r self independent, like going to the bank, or returning something at the store, or even asking for help with a store associate. It made me so nervous and anxious to do something so simple.
When I started college I went to school for photography, who knew would end up being my forever passion. I did my first session with my cousin in 2009, we enjoyed taking photos of each other, we got all dressed up and felt like models for the day. I felt pretty, and for once liked the way I looked in photos.
I’ve always enjoyed helping and caring for people , to make people happy and take care of them made me feel content. So I started playing more with photography, taking family photos and weddings, and it was so rewarding each time a client seen the images I took of them. Their face lit up and I could just feel the love they felt. Then one day I heard about boudoir photography and how it helped women feel more confident, and the lord knows that was something I needed. So I took the leap and did a boudoir session for myself, to say I felt beautiful was a understatement, I walked out of their as a new women, held my head high and felt unstoppable!
YEP, that’s me from my own session!
That was the day I realized I won the lottery and found something to not only mask my insecurities but help others do the same! Now 7 yrs in I specialize in photographing about 100 women a year and helping them feel confident and love themselves more. I have been blessed with a gift and I want to help change others life’s as much as it has mine.
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Chelsea Brinton
Owner & Photographer