Embracing Your Femininity — Evansville Indiana Boudoir Photographer
For those who don’t know my incredibly talented friend Elaina, she is fabulous at literally everything she does. She came to the studio for a session this summer and graciously wrote about her boudoir experience with me in an article for News4U!! When she asked me if there was anything in particular I’d like for her to include in the article, I asked her to just write honestly about her experience. To me, honest feedback is the best thing I could ask for and the best marketing in the world.
She and I were Instagram friends before her session, and became irl friends afterwards as we realized we’re on the same wavelength almost always.
We had the most fun during her session, and got along SO well. I feel like I’ve known her for years. It wasn’t until we spent a solid three hours after her image reveal sitting in our fav local coffee shop shit-chattin’ and losing track of time that I realized that we were like, actual friends. Pinch me!!! It’s one of my favorite things in the world when a client turns into a friend, and the way that we can go a hundred miles a minute and joke with each other is my favorite. (The other day I invited her to host a podcast with me and in the same sentence immediately fired her and she won’t drop it hahahahaha)
Anyway, Elaina has graciously allowed me to share her writings about her feminine boudoir session with you here on the blog too along with all of her favorite boudoir photos! In the magazine article, we could only include one so I’m stoked that we’re getting to share the rest with the world. She was incredible in front of the camera, and I can’t wait for our next session!
It’s no secret that social media has a way of creating body image issues. I’ve experienced my fair share of it, and maybe you have too. It’s easy to start feeling a little insecure about your body when you’re constantly comparing yourself to the overly edited models on Instagram. I mean, come on, nobody can be that flawless, right? Let’s face it, a lot of people don’t feel comfortable enough in their own skin to post selfies, much less be photographed in the nude. The secret is, sometimes being put in a seemingly uncomfortable situation, like posing for a boudoir session, is precisely what a person needs to feel sexy.
Let me tell you, these steamy sessions are as much fun as they are empowering.
Eleanor started her photography business the day after she graduated college. She felt confident that’s where she needed to be, and she remains dedicated to making it her lifelong career. It’s important to Eleanor that her clients’ photos are authentically them. Boudoir shoots should not only portray a person’s perceived flaws in a new positive light, but also accentuate their best qualities. At least, that’s Eleanor’s philosophy. And it’s one that has earned her significant praise. She’s received a lot of positive feedback on Instagram from people reaching out and saying things like, “It means so much to me seeing beautiful women on your page, who have the same body type as me.”
To Eleanor, that’s the most rewarding part of her job; watching the confidence shift in her clients after a session.
Although I had never done anything like this before, I wanted to schedule a session for myself to see what it was all about. But before we raced into the studio, Eleanor suggested that I create a Pinterest board of boudoir shots that I find aesthetically pleasing. I was drawn to a particular vibe – very relaxed and vintage – and Eleanor worked her magic to match that overall look and energy.
However, the day of the shoot I was both excited and nervous.
It’s not easy being put in a vulnerable position, no matter how safe and respected you might feel. Going into my shoot, I was equally excited as I was nervous. But once Eleanor and I started chatting, all that nervousness, fear, and dread drifted away. It’s crucial to trust your boudoir photographer for this reason! Eleanor did a great job of making me comfortable right out of the gate. She was especially good at directing poses. She would strike a pose, and then I would do my best to mimic her. Let me tell you, it was very comforting to watch her performing all that awkwardness first. So, thank you, Eleanor, for sparing me a massive panic attack. I owe you one!
Now, a lot of people might be skeptical about being photographed in such a suggestive manner. Again, it’s not easy to make yourself vulnerable. But this is art, and her studio is a judgement free zone. Uhm, sorry, Planet Fitness. Frankly, I don’t think anyone has ever hyped me up so much in an hour, and to the point where all my concerns about my physical appearance were put at ease and I never stopped to think about how my body looked. Oh, Eleanor, you are good!
In my opinion, Eleanor is not only a photographer but a self-esteem miracle worker.
After seeing my pictures, I’ve felt a new level of confidence and pride that I haven’t felt in a long time. I’ve even found myself thinking about my next session. All in all, my shoot was immensely therapeutic, which is something I never would have dreamed would come from being in front of a camera. My boudoir images will forever serve as a souvenir from such a wonderful experience and as a constant reminder to always embrace my femininity. I would highly recommend treating yourself to a shoot with Eleanor. Tell her Elaina sent you!
Did you enjoy this post?
I would love to have you in the studio so you can have an experience like this for yourself! Whether you’re all in and ready to go, need some more info before we get started, or are on the fence and want to talk things through before you commit – I’m here for ya! Click here to get in touch!
