"You're Amazing Just the Way You Are" a Boudoir Photo Shoot
If you struggle to see the beauty in yourself, this story is for you! This is one woman’s inspiring journey — how she overcome years of negativity and discovered how gorgeous she truly was at her boudoir photo shoot.
Living in the Shadows of Self-Doubt
Growing up, her body had always been a subject of critique. She was surrounded by voices that planted deep insecurities in her heart. Family members, classmates, even friends had carelessly thrown words like “fat” and “unattractive” at her. Over time, those external criticisms about her body, her worth, and her beauty became internalized, shaping how she saw herself.
For many decades she lived in this cycle of negativity. She heartbreakingly believed that she was unworthy of love, beauty, or confidence.
But her real friends and loving boyfriend always saw the beauty in her. She didn’t quite understand how to see it yet, but the love and support of those closest to her made her wonder: was her beauty truly defined by others? Or could sheh re-write her story and learn to embrace and celebrate herself just as she was.
Taking the Leap to See Herself the Way Others Did
One day as she scrolled through instagram, she saw that we were giving away a special, expenses-paid boudoir session to someone in our community who deserved a confidence boost.
Although she was nervous about how she might look in her photos, she didn’t hesitate. This was her chance to reclaim her narrative, and to celebrate the woman she was becoming. She was ready to see herself through a new lens.
When she applied for the boudoir giveaway, one of the questions we asked was “Why would a boudoir session be a meaningful and empowering experience for you at this moment in your life?”
This is what she wrote:
“I don’t love my body but I’m learning to. I’ve always carried extra weight and my family/parents and siblings, and classmates at school called me fat growing up. So I always felt disgusting. It took me a while to get back out there after being in a terrible relationship for 17 years bc I thought I was too fat and no one would think I was beautiful. I also had several friends tell me I should lose weight before anyone would find me attractive. Thankfully, I listened to a few who encouraged me and met the man of my dreams who loves me, treats me like a queen and thinks I’m the most beautiful woman he’s ever met. It’s been so empowering. I’d love to celebrate the beginning of my new found self-confidence with a boudoir session.”
Just a few days later we called her with the good news — she had won our free session, and we were ready to bring her dream boudoir photo shoot to life!
The Plan: Highlighting Her Beauty, and Supporting her Through Insecurities
When we first started planning her session, I could tell she had an amazing vision for how she wanted to see herself.
As we planned, we focused on creating a session that would highlight her favorite features in the most flattering way possible. I asked her about her favorite features, and immediately she knew. Here’s what we wanted to highlight in her photos:
Her radient smile
Her long legs
Her tall, feminine frame
Her gorgeous wavy hair that felt effortlessly chic
These were the parts of herself she loved, and I could see why! They were striking, vibrant, and so uniquely hers.
Combating her Fears
Like many of my clients, she also shared some worries. She was self-conscious about her belly — something that many of our clients find it scary to see on camera.
I recommended that we try a range of lingerie looks, some that showed off her belly, and some that would give her a little extra coverage, flatter her figure, and help her build up her confidence. We chose poses and wardrobe options that would elongate her legs, and show off her figure, and I told my hair and makeup artist, Hailey, that we wanted to emphasize that beautiful texture in her hair.
By the time her shoot day arrived, we had a plan that truly reflected her personality and beauty. I knew we were going to create something magical—and more importantly, that she was going to see the radiant woman the rest of us already saw.
Arriving on Set: Discovering Her Natural Beauty
The day of her session, she arrived to our studio and settled into the makeup chair. The excitement of the day started to feel real. Our hair and makeup artist, Hailey, began to transform her into the best version of herself — emphasizing her natural beauty with a look that was glamorous look that was true to her style
“I don’t know how you made my lips look so full!” she exclaimed, looking lovingly in the mirror.
Hailey smiled and said, “Girl, your lips ARE that full! I’m just bringing out what’s already there.”
It was a small moment, but it carried so much weight. She hadn’t fully recognized that the beauty in herself was already there, waiting to be celebrated. It wasn’t about creating something new; it was about enhancing what was already hers.
By the time her makeup was finished, she couldn’t stop smiling. She looked radiant, not just because of the artistry of her look, but because she was beginning to see herself in a new light. This was the confidence she had been searching for, and it was shining through in every glance at the mirror.
The Photoshoot: Smiles, Confidence, and Pure Joy
Once she was ready, the camera started clicking. The energy in the studio was electric, and it was clear she was having so much fun. She couldn’t stop smiling — not the nervous, hesitant kind of smile, but the kind that comes from feeling completely in the moment, joyful and alive.
As I guided her into poses, she trusted the process completely. Whether it was elongating her legs, tilting her chin just so, or adding a playful touch of movement, she brought her full self to every shot.
Every now and then, I’d turn the camera around and show her a preview of the shots we were creating together. Each time, her reaction was priceless. She’d wordlessly break into a huge smile and nod enthusiastically.
Her excitement was infectious. With every new photo, her confidence seemed to grow, spilling over into the next pose and the next.
By the end of the shoot, it was clear she loved how she looked in her photos. But more importantly, she loved how she felt: joyful, empowered, and absolutely stunning. It was her moment, and she owned it completely.
Creating the Perfect Keepsake
Sitting down with her photos, she was captivated by the beauty and confidence reflected back at her. She created a stunning album of her favorite images, but when it came to choosing a title, she hesitated.
How could she sum up something so transformative in just a few words? Nothing seemed big enough to capture the depth of her journey.
We brainstormed ideas together, and I sent her a resource of boudoir book title ideas. After a few days of thinking on it, she knew exactly what to say.
The words came from a song her partner often played for her. He’d told her that every time he heard it, it made him think of her. The lyric was from a Bruno Mars song: “You’re amazing just the way you are.”
It was perfect. Simple, heartfelt, and full of love — not just love from him, but love for herself. It was a declaration of the beauty she now saw in herself.
When the album arrived, embossed with those words, it felt like the perfect culmination of her journey.
Now, every time she opens it, those words remind her of not just how far she’s come, but of the powerful truth she’s finally embraced: she’s amazing, just the way she is.
She Truly is Beautiful, Exactly as She Is
Her boudoir session was a declaration of self-love, a breaking free from years of doubt and negativity. It was a celebration of the confidence she had worked so hard to reclaim.
For anyone considering their own boudoir session, her story is a reminder of what’s possible when you take a leap of faith and choose to celebrate yourself.
Get started on your boudoir journey by booking online, or by contacting us for a free consultation. You can also download my free Ultimate Guide to Boudoir to learn how to make your photoshoot experience amazing. If you’re ready to embrace your journey and see yourself in a new light, book your session with us today.
👉 Contact Us to Book Your Free Consultation and take the first step towards celebrating you.
