Shamelessly Self-Centered Boudoir — Evansville Indiana Boudoir Photographer

Traditionally in the past, boudoir sessions have been seen as something to be booked to give a gift to your significant other, as a wedding day gift to your brand new spouse, and as an experience to help you embrace your body for your partner. While I love any reason to book a boudoir session, I’m not over the moon about is how partner-centered all those lines of thinking are. Don’t get me wrong, I absolutely love seeing you in the studio to create artwork to gift to your significant other for your wedding, anniversary, or their birthday. I think boudoir photos — especially printed in a custom album — are a beautiful and intimate gift to give to someone you love.

But in my studio, the boudoir experience that I offer is self-centered first. (How millennial of me!)

I adore the idea of gifting photos to your honey, but I hope your session is for you first.

Here’s what I believe: you and I aren’t here on this planet to be beautiful for others, to be appealing to others, to be sensual for others. Even if those ‘others’ are our significant others and partners. We exist to be those things for ourselves, if and when we want to be. We share those parts of ourselves with those who earn the privilege, if and when we choose, and if it makes us feel good. Never because it’s expected, and most certainly never because we feel obligated. We are fully our own, and we show up in the world how we want to, when we want to. We live this life on our terms, and do things that empower us and light us up from the inside out.

Are you with me? I completely adore when you share the finished product with your significant other, if you want to. (I can’t imagine not wanting to share it all with everyone, lol, hence my own boudoir photos plastered on my own social media!) But I hope the experience of the session is for you first to make yourself feel a sense of empowerment and inspiration. I designed the boudoir experience to be so totally focused on YOU, and I wholeheartedly believe that you should do it for yourself first and foremost.

Nothing that we do in the studio is for anyone besides the incredible human in front of my camera.

Every beautiful image, every experimental pose, every inside joke, every giddy squeal, and every hype session is for you. My only goal is to make you feel like a freaking rock star and to capture gorgeous, intimate photos that are totally and completely YOU. This is a celebration of who you are, how amazing you are, and of the body that you call home. I consider this experience to be so special and sacred, and a time for you to connect with yourself, your spirit, and your body. This is a space for you to explore how you feel and to make choices within this space that feel empowering and help you safely stretch a little outside your comfort zone.

My studio is a space where you can be brave, vulnerable, and own all of what makes you you.

And you and I both know that you have so much to offer the world. When you step into this space, we throw negative self-talk out the window and embrace our ownership of our bodies and our love of ourselves. Today I’m sharing a session that I did with one of my best friends. She is one of the strongest, most honest, most badass women I’ve ever met. She’s basically Wonder Woman.

This was her third session with me; her first was one of the very first boudoir sessions I photographed when I began my journey with boudoir photography in 2018. I’m so so grateful for her unwavering trust and belief in me. She’s brought four of her friends with her over the last few sessions she’s had because she knows how transformative the experience can be. Keep scrolling to see a few of her gorgeous images, and hear from her all about what her session meant to her!

Why did you choose to invest in a boudoir session?

I really enjoyed my first session with you and all of our friends. I remembered being very nervous to put myself out there, but after I looked back on the photos and remembered all the support i received from my closest friends, I truly had a blast! I kept thinking that "if I can do this, so many other people can too," so I asked my friends and sister to join me for this session. They could not understand why I enjoyed the first one so much, so I had to share the experience with them. I will share my pictures with those who ask; however, they are mostly for me to prove to myself that I am confident and beautiful!

Why did you choose Eleanor Elaine Photography for your session?

GIRL.... Who doesn't want to share their bold side with the boldest of them all!!! For real though, I enjoy supporting my friends in everything that they do. If that means stripping down for some bomb photos, I shall participate. I have been fortunate enough to see your art bloom in every way imaginable and I love every minute of it!

How did you feel before your session, and what did you do to prepare?

I was a little nervous per usual. Everyone has parts of their body that they do not enjoy. Going through the police academy, I was building muscle/gaining weight in places I have not before so I was a little apprehensive about putting my growing body out there. I went shopping for a few new things however I was super excited that I was able to grab things that I already had that still fit, but looked different. I did not have the much time to prepare for this shoot because of my crazy schedule so the night before  I treated myself to some wine and painted my own nails.

What were you most nervous about before your session?

I was most nervous about how I would feel exposing my more built self.

What were the biggest questions you had before your session?

CAN I WEAR JEANS?? I love the loungey "mom jeans" and after searching Pinterest for an eternity, I knew I needed them to be a part of the session, I just didn't know how. [Note from Ellie: we worked it out together, and she absolutely ROCKED it!}

How did you feel during your session?

I felt confident and I honestly did not even think about if i looked "chunky" or not. You helped keep conversation going and made me laugh a lot. I liked having the support too. I was very relaxed more than I was the last time.

What was your favorite outfit, and why?

I really enjoyed the oversized sweater. I was covered where i wanted to be and i was comfortable. After getting the pictures back, I felt that those turned out the best because there was no worry.

How did you feel after your session?

I felt like i could conquer the world. No joke, turned up the tunes, and probably stuck my head out the window singing for the full drive back to Evansville. [My friend] was probably annoyed, but YOLO! I was happy for no reason, but for myself. It was nice.

Would you do it again?

HELL YEAH!!

How did you feel when you received your gallery and saw your images?

I WAS OBSESSED!! It was so hard for me to choose just one that I truly liked. I honestly did not know that my body could look good in photographs.

Which photo from your session was your favorite, and why?

On the floor, full body, arched back!! That pose was difficult; however, the aftermath was beautiful.

Did you feel like the investment was worth it?

YES! I honestly believe that you could up your prices... AND I WOULD STILL PARTICIPATE IN A MILLION MORE SESSIONS. You are worth it. The photos are worth it. The atmosphere is worth it! UGH YES, YES, YES TIMES INFINITY!

Would you recommend a boudoir session to others?

YES!!! Secretly I already have and I want to plan another SO SO SO SOON!

What would you say to someone who's unsure about doing a session?

Coming from someone could not even pronounce "boudoir" until less than 2 years ago; MAKE THE LEAP!! This session is how I went from being uncomfortable in my own skin to becoming more confident with how my body adapts to our ever changing lives. Yes you may be nervous, but through out it all you have Ellie's support. Ask the hard questions; like what do you think about this outfit, or can we try this; she has the answers and she is the best person to get suggestions from. It is not all of the time that we get to feel good about our evolving bodies, take the time to enjoy who you are right now!

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!