Hi blog, we meet again after a very long unintentional absence. The studio has been booked solid and as a one woman business owner, my shoots and client interactions are a priority and my poor blog goes radio silent. Sorry blog!

Not only has the Northern Virginia boudoir studio been busy creating and celebrating masterpieces there’s also been a lot of personal changes going on and it’s forced me to slow down and  re-evaluate what I want for my business in the next coming years. Don’t worry, I’m not going anywhere! Simply taking a breather. Perhaps another blog post on this will be in order for the future!

Now that I’ve gained some time to work on my personal projects, I revisited a recent one. My creative passion project has been merging my love for travel, beautiful landscapes and locations with nude figure studies. I’ve collaborated with some incredibly talented art models and explored some beautiful locations to create art and holy moly, it’s so much fun and is always the best way for me to recharge during a busy season in the studio. 

You might have seen on the instagram here and there and even on the blog some postings on my travel projects. This latest one being from Iceland in 2022. (I’ve been 3 times already, I love it there so much!)  I’ve decided to revisit and edit them in a way that reflects what I am drawn to in this moment and period in life. It’s fascinating to me because I’ve always heard that an artist’s work will often reflect a mood, a period in their life or era that they are experiencing and I can say that I know what that means now. 

When I first edited these images they were in color and vibrant as I wanted it feel exactly how I saw it when I photographed it. And thought in color was how it should have been processed. I’m also very much drawn to black and white imagery (more often than color) and when I decided to make this a black and white collection, I just fell in love, but mostly because I felt a connection to them unlike how I edited them last year in color.

This was a little bit of an A-Ha moment. My creative project has taught me to create what I’m connected to and not what I’m “supposed” to create. I mean I knew this, but now I REALLY know what this means. It’s amazing to me that even though I’ve been a boudoir photographer for 13 years, I’m still learning and evolving as an artist and I plan to keep it up. Learning new things, different techniques and styles that speak to me have been a way to discover parts of my artistry that fuel my evolution and I’m excited to see where it takes me.

Now, I think I need to get these printed in an album and display it at the studio.

Location: Iceland / 2022

Photographer: Julie Socher

Model: Icelandic Selkie

Get in touch! I’d love to hear from you

It’s a fact that most people who contact me say they’re doing this for someone special or an occasion and I get it. Most of us women have been conditioned to think doing something incredible for yourself is selfish, or vain, or you’re being too much. So we use the curtain of an occasion as the fore front reason as to how we can justify an experience like this.

I know, it’s really for you.

When I met with Ms. P, she was feeling great in all areas of her life. She had been getting into better physical shape, she’s killing it at work, and jsut all around fantastic, but like all my clients, there were still worries about doing a shoot like this. I would go on, but she does an amazing job at telling you all about her experience from her persepective:

How would you rate your boudoir experience on a scale of 1-10?: A definite 10! The consult was a great introduction and helped me get more comfortable with the whole concept. Julie made lingerie shopping easy by suggesting shops to work with (and now I have great go-to places!). The shoot itself was a great adventure. Julie made me feel incredibly at ease throughout; helped me drop all the judgmental stuff we all carry, and took on all the burden of arranging poses. Julie radiates her belief in the power of women and the importance of claiming and owning that!
It has been a bad ass year for me; I am reveling in my power, at the absolute top of my game at work, enjoying being fit and active, and feeling very much alive. My biggest concern was that, at 58, I felt more fabulous inside than I actually looked on the outside. Who wants to give up a positive illusion? I seriously considered not doing the shoot so I could hang on to any delusions that weren't realities. After all who wants to hear they look good "for their age"? I needn't have worried. Julie captured incredible shots that make my best attributes shine, and gave me photos that I will treasure as empirical evidence forever.

How has your boudoir experience affected you or changed you?: I started out thinking of the photos as a gift for my spouse but realized along the way they were really for me. (Admittedly he was delightfully floored when I surprised him at the reveal!) Prepping for the shoot led to some interesting introspection and revelations.
I was a bit timid about printing and displaying the images. My spouse insisted that one particular shot be 30" x 45" to hang in our bedroom and Julie echoed his encouragement. The trust she had built with me made me comfortable that this was not just vanity but rather a great aesthetic decision. It and the other images in our home remind me daily of my strengths. What a confidence booster!
Picking up my book and prints the same week that I became a grandmother will be something I will remember, and giggle about, forever!

What advice would you give someone who was nervous about or hesitant to book their own boudoir experience with me? : We are all way more fabulous than we give ourselves credit for. That is true right now, not ten years ago, not in two months when we lose some pounds, or the kids get older, or after we change our workout routine. Do it now! Wherever you are right now, have the photos done so you can see how incredible you are. You will be delightfully surprised and have so much to be proud of. Just look at the photos on Julie's sites, they are not professional models but real human beings who are not perfect but are absolutely awesome.

Is there anything at all you would change about your boudoir experience?: I wish I could offer some constructive criticism but instead will note a positive. I loved the care with packaging of all the aspects of the shoot. It made it all feel so lush and curated. All part of feeling very pampered and rewarded for taking the leap.

We are all way more fabulous than we give ourselves credit for. That is true right now, not ten years ago, not in two months when we lose some pounds, or the kids get older, or after we change our workout routine. Do it now!

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I’ve said in once and I’ll say it again: Boudoir is for any life stage and any (adult) age!

I hear it all the time, where women think boudoir is only for certain ages, or certain occasions. When in fact, I have clients well into their 60’s and 70’s ready to celebrate themselves. You know why? Celebrating yourself isn’t capped at a certain age. Nor do you need a special occasion like a wedding, anniversary or birthday to do one.

Here at Julie Socher Boudoir in Northern Virginia, we celebrate all life stages and milestones, or “just because.” So when Ms. J came in for her shoot and told us about her hesitations, we quickly reassured her, right now, is actually the best time.

In her words:

How would you rate your boudoir experience on a scale of 1-10?: 10+!!! Outstanding

How has your boudoir experience affected you or changed you?: Before My shoot I kept wondering if I missed my window for an experience like this. Maybe I should of done this 10 years ago. I thought I’ll just go and hope for the best and if I get a couple good ones I’ll be happy! Now I can’t wait to do it again ! Now, not only do I have some fun memories, I have some beautiful photos to look and when I’m feeling down and a nice surprise for my husband as well !

What advice would you give someone who was nervous about or hesitant to book their own boudoir experience with me? : Be confident that Julie will bring out the best in you. If you are not sure what to bring ... bring it all. I did and she guided me. Nothing like an expert opinion. You might arrive nervous and anxious but you will go home smiling, confident and even laughing !

Want to know more about a boudoir session? Get in touch!