“Just for me”: M’s calm and confident boudoir portraits

While my clients choose to do boudoir for a wide spectrum of reasons, I find that many folks choose boudoir as a way to celebrate coming out of a challenging or formative life chapter. M booked her boudoir session to mark an important turning point in her life. After navigating a season of flux where she felt stretched in many directions, she arrived at a calmer chapter that allowed her to pause, exhale, and reconnect with her heart and body. She asked herself “what is something I can do that’s just for me?” and immediately boudoir came to mind. M wanted to create art to celebrate the solid ground she now stood upon. 

When planning the session, M envisioned a spectrum of portraits – some that felt casual, cozy, and effortless and some that felt more sensual, confident, and sexy. She wanted her portraits to feel storytelling and illuminate different facets of her personality in an organic, unposed way. 

In M’s Words

After her session, M shared such touching words about the enduring impact of her boudoir experience: 

“I gained a sense of self from my session that is hard to put into words. I loved capturing beautiful, empowering images of myself and this body I call home, but my boudoir session was so much more than that. It was a moment that made me feel simultaneously lighter and stronger. It was a lesson in self love and self discovery.” 

M’s Boudoir Portraits

M began the session in a teal-colored cotton bra and high waisted underwear set, which in some portraits she paired with a gray sweater from my studio layering wardrobe. With the sweater gently draping off her shoulders, these portraits have a calm, effortless, everyday feel. 

Next M wore a deep, emerald green lingerie set with fun straps and lace detailing that she ordered from cantiqLA, a body-positive lingerie designer I often recommend. She loved the drama and confidence this look inspired. She was also eager to incorporate artsy compositions and figure detail portraits into her session, playing with light, asymmetry, and shadows.  

M ended her session with a series of implied nude and fine art nude portraits where she was wrapped up in a soft flowing sheet. These portraits feel elegant, settled, and full of self-love.