We’ve got to start this off with a disclaimer, because of course we do. I am over 18, and there are some photos from my experiences here. These photos may be a bit lewd, but are ones that I think show off the shoot well. Now, to the good stuff!

Boudoir photography is usually in lingerie or partially clothed, and I’ve done two boudoir shoots! I wanted to do these shoots because I want to feel powerful. I think a lot of women (especially those of the nerdy persuasion) can struggle with feeling strong. We’ve worked so hard to get our female characters in leading roles, and absolutely smashing their strength in them. But I still tend to have issues feeling strong and beautiful. I had a feeling (and a lot of push from my girl Cassandra), that all of this would give me some super heroine vibes. While I don’t have all of Power Girl’s attributes, we have a similar bust line, and I felt just as confident as she looks in these shoots.

My first boudoir shoot in 2017, with Three Boudoir, a company that has photographers in a couple different states. A friend in California recommended that I try a boudoir shoot, because she’s heard so many positives. She sent me Three Boudoir’s Instagram, and my first thought was, No way, I don’t look like those women. Fun fact, I did it anyways. I had my hour long session with two wonderful women (one who posed me and fixed my hair, while the other shot). We used natural light from a window, and the photos were gorgeous.

While I originally spent $99 on that shoot, but that only gave me 2 edited images. As someone who has been trained as a photographer and editor, I know it’s hard work. So I think the money is well deserved. I (of course) ended up buying more images, bringing my total cost (not including transportation) to about $400. It’s not cheap, I know that.

In May, I did a second! I’m going through some personal stuff that’s really making me struggle, and decided to contact someone I’ve been following on Instagram for quite some time now, Amanda Swiger. Amanda is the owner of Philadelphia Boudoir, a one woman operation! This was going to be different from my other shoot because she was handling everything; the shooting, posing, fixing my hair, and editing. This woman is incredible! The thing is, I don’t live in Philly, I live just outside of Baltimore. So I booked myself a solo vacation, and hauled all of my favorite undies to Philadelphia.

Let me tell you, I had so much fun! I went through what felt like a million outfits, got 35 images that night to download as I pleased, and I genuinely felt good. Swiger was a champion, hyping me up for the entirety of my 1.5 hour shoot, while blasting fun tunes. While the price tag was $450, I can not get over how positive this shoot was.

I highly recommend a boudoir shoot to everyone! Do your research to find someone who can work with you and your body type, and has an editing style that you like.There were so many things I was worried about during both shoots, but all of the women I worked with were there to support me. I had incredible and unique experiences with both photographers. I was beyond blown away, and I can not recommend it enough. It’s not a cheap way to spend a day, but it’s well worth it!