When P decided to book a boudoir session for herself, she was emerging from a season of life full of transition. She felt inspired to do something self-loving and grounding for herself as a way of celebrating her power and softness amidst a season of change. One of the highest honors of my work as a Minneapolis based boudoir photographer is getting to create body-positive, empowering boudoir art with clients that they can look back on to remember their most authentic, beautiful self. P’s session overflowed with this inspiring, self-loving energy, so I’m delighted to share some portraits from P’s session!

As a reminder, all of the portraits I share on my blog, on instagram, and on my Illuminate Boudoir pinterest page are here because a client has given me permission to share their portrait(s). Consent is so, so important to me in photography (and in all facets of life!), so I ask every client I work with which, if any, portraits they feel comfortable sharing publicly. I believe boudoir photography is first and foremost for you – to capture yourself, to celebrate yourself, to document yourself in a meaningful season of life. If I also get to share the art we create together publicly, then that feels like a beautiful bonus!

Some folks choose to keep all of their portraits private, some folks allow me to share all of their portraits publicly, and some folks like P feel comfortable sharing some portraits while keeping the rest private. Although I'll only share some anonymous images from P’s session, I am amazed by how much story these handful of images contain, reflective of the powerful energy woven throughout P’s entire self-loving boudoir experience.

boudoir session review

After her session, P also shared such moving words about her intentions going into her boudoir photoshoot, and her takeaway afterwards:

“I wanted to capture my dichotomies in this shoot: how strong I am and how soft I can be. I didn't realize this would be a way to challenge my own views about myself. I was so excited to be art and I broke my own heart with how shocked I was by the end results - in the best way possible. This was truly a celebration of myself and a celebration of all I've survived.

I look at myself now, and I don't want to hide. I don't want to try to flex or suck in my stomach. I notice my expressions in the mirror. I've stood up for myself more and I've been firm with what I want and what I deserve. I am kinder to myself. I've been able to nurture a different side of me that I've been trying to nurture for years in therapy and never could - who would have thought a photoshoot could be a solution? Not me!”

A powerful, self-loving boudoir photoshoot

boudoir session review

portraits at my Minneapolis boudoir studio