My Photography Journey

If 15 years ago someone told me that I would be a boudoir photographer I would have laughed in their face.

I was on track to become a forensic psychologist and possibly go into law. I was going to work for a firm, climb the corporate ladder, max out my 401 (k), take two weeks of vacation a year, and build a life with a white picket fence around it.

AND while I find nothing wrong with that dream, that’s not where I ended up or how my story went.

I ended up in the photography world, which I thought was temporary – I’d just do this fun job until I was done with my undergrad. Then it turned into until I was done with my graduate degree. Then I graduated with that and found that even with a Master’s degree, I would be taking a massive pay cut to go work for someone else. So I decided that it was time (after almost 6 years in the industry) to really put in an effort and build my business.

Today, I am 15 years into this business. I have put blood, sweat, and tears into it. I have had years where I felt on top of the world and years that absolutely sucked. I have had experiences that have made me want to keep going, building bigger and better, and some that have made me crawl under my covers and cry.

Being self-employed has not been the dream that social media sells. I do not wake up every morning with a million leads and people throwing money at me. Every day, I wake up to figure out what I need to do that day, where I need to put in my efforts, and how I need to serve my clients.

The one lesson I’ve learned through this decade and a half is that in order for any business to thrive, you have to build relationships. My clients, past, present, and future, are the stars of this show. I adore every single one, and I have learned so many lessons from each and every one.

There is never the same woman that walks through my studio doors. Boudoir isn’t just sexy photos for someone else; it’s an experience that changes lives. I’ve walked with my clients through so many transitions from marriage to babies, to job changes, to promotions, to breast cancer diagnoses and victories, to divorce, to being empty nesters, to life after 50, 60, and even 70.

I’ve stuck around in this industry because being able to meet women from all walks of life, to hear their stories, to provide a space that is safe, to talk, to grow together, to laugh and cry together is what my life’s journey is about.

Thank you for being here. Thank you for sharing your time, life, stories, and souls with me. I wouldn’t be here today, doing what I love if it wasn’t for all of you.