J left her first boudoir session with me four years ago filled with joy and empowerment. We had the chance to work together again this winter, and she was delighted to re-experience that surge of self-loving energy she has come to associate with boudoir. When planning her second session, J reflected on all that the past few years have held in her life, emphasizing how proud she is of what she has navigated and who she has become along the way. She wanted this boudoir photoshoot to feel like a holistic testament to her strength, integrity, and persistent joy.

On the day of her session, J brought two outfits. She started the session wearing a periwinkle pj set with long, flowy pants and a tank top with soft, lacy trim. For her second look she wore a colorful, floral slip. These looks felt simple and cohesive – allowing J’s self-confident body language and bright smiles to communicate her strength, joy, and self-compassion.

Some moments emanate confidence as J stretches out on my studio floor, taking up space in a calm, unapologetic way. Some moments feel quiet and self-loving as J kneels on the ground embracing herself. And some moments overflow with joy, capturing J’s bright smile illuminated by the sun-filled windows behind her. I love how much depth her portraits convey, even with only two outfits.

J’s Boudoir Videography + Studio Portraits

As one of the participants in my “Dear Body” series, J’s session also incorporated boudoir videography, which I paired with audio of J reading her powerful reflection of gratitude for herself and her body. Listen below, and keep scrolling to see all of J’s inspiring boudoir portraits.

“Dear Body,

Gosh we have had an interesting journey together. As I sit and think about it, you’ve shown up for me so many times, and I don’t think I’ve truly returned the favor. When we were born, you weren’t ready yet. You still had two months of development before you’d be ready to face this earth, but you survived against many odds and thrived against most. For our first year of life, you were very sick. You must have been fighting so hard in that tiny premature body, and then once you were stronger you had to do extra hard work to do things like crawl and walk that came easier for many bodies. I remember a handful of times when we were young and saw a doctor or physical therapist who said ‘I never thought you’d be able to do that’ - referring to playing soccer or swimming, but somehow we worked together to allow me to participate in and succeed at sports, which provided me with friends and exercise and kept us both strong together. I never thought about it this way before, but what you did was truly miraculous, and I’m so grateful for your strength and resilience.

Somewhere in those years of sports I learned to think of you as a tool to achieve things - swim laps, score goals, run marathons. You were so strong for those years, and your strength gave me many experiences. Playing college soccer, developing friendships through running, exploring new countries on my long runs, crossing the line at marathons - these were extraordinary moments and I am so grateful.

Our next adventure was growing and birthing our two phenomenal daughters. Wow did you ever show up for that. The changes and magic in you to grow them, birth them, and feed them for years are beyond comprehension. Someone was asking the other day what it was like to give birth and it was so hard to explain that you just took over - my brain wasn’t even part of the equation. It was so instinctive, animalistic, powerful, and somehow you knew just what you needed to do. How incredible, and what a life-changing path you have put us on. I am so grateful.

There were times I pushed you too hard - injuries, illnesses, and mostly I wasn’t listening to what you were telling me. But I am now learning to listen to you. I am learning to recognize your wisdom, and I’m wishing I listened to it sooner.

Maybe what you bring isn’t a tool or a way to achieve, but instinct and wisdom and connection to life around us. I am grateful for your patience as I learn to hear and appreciate you. Our journey now is less you listening to what I want you to do, and more me learning to listen to you instead.

I’m working on breathing more intentionally because we are connected by breath, and spending more time in nature. I’m working on being softer with you, less pounding and pain, more softness and sweetness. I still want to keep you healthy because I want to hear your wisdom for a long time, but I want to do it in ways that feel good to both of us.

I am grateful that I am learning to care for us differently.

Thank you for the incredible experiences you have allowed me, the incredible gifts you have given me, and the incredible wisdom you hold.”