I'd like to take this opportunity to request that any RECIPIENTS of boudoir photos take the time to write in to us right now! Once your read this interview you'll know exactly why. When boudoir is given as a gift I rarely get to hear the opinions of the recipient! My favorite part of this session, outside of having an absolute blast with this client and really being able to create a gorgeous set of images for her is that she let her husband chime in on some of these answers. We are getting a GEM of information, and just try not to 'awwwww' as you read his words. 

When this lovely women walked in to my studio I knew she was nervous, but most clients are! We had been planning her session for a while and even though she was nervous she told me that she was down for whatever because deep inside she knew that she 100% trusted me! Her images reflect that trust, and no matter what kind of medical history or physical history she had she knew that she was in great hands. Her session was so much fun and by the time she walked out of the door you never would have known she was even a tad bit reserved about having a boudoir session. 

Read her interview (along with her husband's comments) below,

-Sarah

1) How old are you... or if you prefer, who were you listening to at age 14 :)?

32

2) What do you do for a living?

I work in business development in the healthcare industry .

3) What/who made you decide to book a boudoir session?

A few years ago my girlfriend started looking into a session as a gift for her fiancé for their wedding. I thought it was a great idea (obviously!) but more than that thought it would be an incredible experience. Since then I’ve been looking for a reason to book a session. 

When I got engaged I thought ‘This is it! I’m booking!’ It’s something I’ve been wanting to do for myself for a long time and I would encourage anyone remotely interested in the idea to not wait. It’s so empowering. 

4) Did you have any obstacles or fears about boudoir?

Sure! Everyone has their own insecurities. My weight has fluctuated throughout most of my life in part because of health issues. Doing this shoot was an important reminder to me that my goal should always be to be proud of the body that I have. Sarah did an amazing job bringing out that confidence in me. 

5) Why did you choose OWN? 

Sarah highlights the beauty in each person that she photographs. I found myself looking on her Instagram several times a day leading up to the shoot. And every picture she posted I loved more than the one before.  She truly brings the best out in people. 

6) How was the actual session different from what you expected (if at all)?

I had a feeling it was going to be a great experience. And it was.  The only thing that might have been different from what I expected was how comfortable I felt as soon as the shoot started.  I thought it might take me a while to feel at ease with the process but that didn't happen.  I thought "I've been waiting for this for a long time and I just need to enjoy every minute of it.  No need to be nervous!" And of course Sarah made it easy. She makes you feel like you've known her forever and has personal touches that instantly make you feel more at home...music you like, food you enjoy and your favorite drinks!

7) What was your favorite part of the entire experience? (priming, the shoot, seeing images, giving the images..etc)

The shoot for sure! I was definitely nervous the morning leading up to the shoot but once I got there it was just a blast. Getting makeup and hair done is always so fun and then shooting the pictures was such a unique experience. It is something I've never done before and having Sarah show me some of the pictures as we went along was awesome!

8) How has the response been to your images?

I went straight to the source and asked my new husband for his thoughts...

"There was never a doubt from myself or anyone that's met her that my wife is absolutely stunning both inside and out. Her personality, smile and beauty light up any room she walks into. Sometimes it might be hard for her to see what others do from her own perspective, but the pictures from the shoot served as an affirmation that allowed her to appreciate how beautiful she is in a way that everyone else sees on a daily basis. It re-instilled a confidence that truly needed no affirmation to begin with, but once in a while it's ok to have a reminder that we need to appreciate and love ourselves and our own beauty, and these pictures allowed her to do that in a very positive way"

9) What is your advice for women interested in such a session?

Do it.  Just do it.  Start to finish it is such an empowering experience. I know I've said 'empowering' several times in answering these questions but it is the best word to describe a shoot with Sarah.  She's the world's best cheerleader and makes you feel completely comfortable with yourself.  You leave feeling like you're on top of the world. 

10) Did anything change about the way you see your own beauty as a result of this session?

I have my album out on the coffee table!  Sarah made me feel proud of myself and my body. I'm incredibly thankful for this experience. 

Every now and then I'll receive a client interview that gives me incredible insight into what goes on in the minds of my clients before, during, and after their boudoir session. For my clients (past, present, and future), this interview is even better for YOU. Booking your boudoir session, whether here in Atlanta, or elsewhere in the world should be one of those decisions where you have no doubts that the end results will be the best possible...for you. Do your research, explore styles, know what your options are. Find the best boudoir photographer for you... even if your friends like someone else! These are YOUR pics, not theirs. 

Read on....

1) How old are you... or if you prefer, who were you listening to at age 14 :)?

 I just turned 28 on Friday!

2) What do you do for a living? 

I'm in Marketing for an Advertising-Technology company in Atlanta.

3) What/who made you decide to book a boudoir session? 

It's something I've always heard of people doing for their husbands-to-be, so I thought about doing it, just had no idea with who/when/how, etc. My friend, Elizabeth Pishal, told me about the shoot she did, and showed some of the photos, and I was convinced it was something I had to do. 

4) Did you have any obstacles or fears about boudoir? 

Who doesn't? I was definitely nervous that the whole thing would be really awkward, and the privacy thing freaked me out a little bit, but it was something I wanted to do for my husband, and I'm SO glad I did. 

5) Why did you choose OWN? 

Elizabeth told me about her experience (and I saw her photos which were incredible). Another reason I chose OWN was the studio space. I LOVED IT. I have a few close friends that are photographers that offered to shoot my boudoir session (honestly, for a lower price than OWN), but the challenge was finding studio space that had that exposed-brick, dreamy lighting feel. That ended up being a lot more pricey & challenging than we thought, so at the end of the day OWN was a better deal. (Not to mention a much more professional, polished, 'she knows what she's doing' experience).

6) How was the actual session different from what you expected (if at all)? 

IT WAS SO MUCH FUN! Seriously. I was realllllly nervous, especially about what to wear, how to pose, how to look not-awk, but Sarah was incredible! She made me feel completely comfortable (even in my skivvies), and told me exactly how to pose, what to do with my body, my face, etc. She took the 'do I look stupid right now?' feeling completely out of the experience, and made it so much fun. By the end of the session, I felt so comfortable in my lingerie that I didn't want to put regular clothes back on! 

7) What was your favorite part of the entire experience? (priming, the shoot, seeing images, giving the images..etc) 

My favorite part was the shoot itself. I wasn't kidding about it being so fun. It was awesome. (His reaction was pretty good too though...).

8) How has the response been to your images? 

Honestly, at first it was a lot of "I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT'S ME", which has become more, "YAAAS THAT'S ME". It's oddly empowering, and they definitely make me feel sexy, daring & confident. 

9) What is your advice for women interested in such a session? 

Just go for it. I know it feels weird, even just having the word "Boudoir" pop up in your email inbox for the first time (*cringe*), but the session and results are SO worth it. 

10) Did anything change about the way you see your own beauty as a result of this session? 

Not a change in the way I see my beauty, exactly, but the session definitely helped me feel more powerful, sexy and confident overall. I've never been someone that really beats myself up over appearance, but this has helped me see a different type of beauty that I'd never really embraced. So, thank you for that!!