What inspired you to do a boudoir session?: When I was planning my wedding, I was struggling to find a great gift to give to my fiance and decided that a boudoir album would be perfect. I knew that it was something that he had wanted me to do for a while and I thought maybe it would help me see myself through his eyes instead of my own jaded view. He absolutely loved it and I found that I did as well. A few years after that, I decided that I wanted to do a second session. This one was completely for me, I was craving the empowered feeling I got from the first session. I view my boudoir sessions as a form a therapy. I get sucked into a self-loathing cycle and start to pick myself apart. I think it is so important to have something that resets our views of ourselves and I have found that boudoir is able to do that for me. Boudoir makes me feel like a complete badass that can take on whatever the world throws at me!
What made you decide to schedule your session with Julie?: I had been a fan a boudoir photography long before I decided to do my own session and had been following quite a few different photographers on their social media sites. When I made a decision to do a shoot myself, I already knew what kind of look I was wanting. Living in the DC area there were a lot of different choices and I looked into a lot of different photographers. I found that Julie's images captured the feeling and look I was wanting in my session and her reviews were stunning. I couldn't find a single bad thing about her in any reviews. Her clients raved about her personality and her ability to make you comfortable and relaxed, as well as, the amazing photos. Many of the other photographers had images that didn't look like real people, but rather posed mannequins and reviews said nothing about them as a person. I knew I wanted to look natural in my photos and wanted to work with someone who would be able to calm my nerves about the shoot and Julie seemed like a perfect fit. From my first e-mail with her, I knew the reviews were right, she is an awesome woman. She answered every question I had, often before I even asked! She was available to walk me through the entire process; from booking a date, picking outfits that would work with my body type, posing during the shoot, and creating the perfect album.
What was your biggest fear in doing a boudoir session? Did it come true? What happened instead?: My biggest fear was that I was going to be Julie's first client that had no usable images, I thought my pictures would be so bad that she would just have to throw them out. This could not have been farther from the truth! When I saw the images from the shoot I actually cried, those pictures were the first time I ever saw myself as beautiful. I honestly couldn't believe they were of me. I had such a hard time deciding which photos were my favorites, they were all so good!
What was your favorite part of your boudoir session?: The whole experiences so wonderful its hard to pick a favorite part but I really enjoy changing into the first outfit and starting the session. There is something about the moment you put on lingerie just makes you feel powerful and sexy. Then when you start, you have Julie coaching you through everything which allows you to really enjoy yourself and take in the experience. The whole session is so much fun and you are laughing in between pretty much every pose.
If you were to recommend us to your best friend, what would you say?: Stop with all of the excuses. You don't need to be skinnier/heavier, or have more/less muscular, or have clear skin, or someone to give the photos to, or any other thing you can come up with. You are a perfect individual right now and you are enough as you are! We spend so much time tearing ourselves down that we miss out on how amazing we really are. Boudoir is a practice of self-love and appreciation.
These photos and this experience is for you and you don't need to justify your reason for wanting them to anyone. Do this for yourself.
