It’s been a while since I’ve introduced myself, and so here is a post dedicated to getting to know me! Boudoir photography is so personal and it is really important that you know WHO is controlling the camera and the communication. I recently had these beautiful images taken by Julia Tomov for an upcoming project (and because I was overdue for an updated photo set). We wandered around The Works on the westside of Atlanta and I let her do her thing. It’s so rare for me to step on the other side of the camera, which also reminds me that I’m overdue for another boudoir session for myself!

So….here goes!

I’m Sarah! I’m the owner and lead photographer here at OWN Boudoir. My photographer journey began in 2008 when I used my student loans to purchase a camera. Luckily my financial gamble worked out and I’ve been working as a professional photographer since 2009.

Boudoir became my full-time focus in 2012 and since then I’ve photographed over 2000 clients in 16 different states and 6 different countries. Here are a few fun facts:

1. Since beginning my career I’ve had 7 different studios and we are about to move again! I like to keep it interesting ;)

2. A lot of my passion for boudoir comes from being raised Southern Baptist and feeling a lot of shame and secrecy around sexuality and beauty.

3. My favorite way to reset my creative brain is to lay on the floor and stare at the ceiling

4. The thing I wish I had more time to do is learn different lighting set-ups and techniques

5. The most underrated boudoir wardrobe staple is a simple satin chemise/slip with a side-slit. It looks great on most people, satin photographs really well, and it’s a versatile piece that can be hiked up/pulled down/scrunched tight.

Our boudoir shoots can include a shower scene, and if you’ve ever been curious about it then read below for more information (and photo examples!).

The definition of ‘boudoir photography’ has seen a huge shift over the recent years, especially here in Atlanta where boudoir photography has traditionally been defined as a sexy gift to give your significant other the night before your wedding (spoiler alert, boudoir has definitely expanded!)

Boudoir was reserved to white lace lingerie, a little something borrowed, a little something blue. It didn’t matter if you looked good in white or not, that’s what you were going to wear. The client would then be posed on the bed, usually in some cute-but-sexy type of pose (think: on the stomach, hands under the chin, feet kicked in the air). Once the photoshoot was complete, the bride would hand the images over to the recipient and then that was the last time she would probably ever think about doing a sexy photoshoot (boudoir or other!) ever again.

Thank fu**ing goodness that we’re out of that era of boudoir! Lately boudoir has evolved into such a wide genre that still has one focus: make the client look/feel as she desires in the privacy of her own bedroom (her boudoir!). Usually this type of shoot requires less clothing than you’d go to the grocery store in, of course, but on occasion it can mean just having some kick-ass images of yourself in your favorite cocktail dress that hits your boobs just right.

Of course, as the definition of boudoir evolves, so do all of the different ways that it can be photographed. About 7 years ago (holy shit!) we started experimenting with adding a ‘wet look’ to our boudoir sessions. I imagined I wanted to photograph our clients in a way that emulated how they fantasized of looking when they were in the shower. I’ve got a fantasy about how I personally look in the shower and it has something to do with the light hitting me just right, my mascara staying put, and not looking like a drowned rat. ;)

In our boudoir studio we have been able to add a shower scene to our sessions (upon request) for clients that are willing to let us mess up the hair and makeup we worked so hard on… the results are always worth it! Check out the below images from our recent boudoir shower scenes… and make sure to check out the links below each photo in case you’d like to snag any of these outfits yourself!

Button front crop tank for boudoir

We took a basic Hanes men's shirt and cut it up for this look

Sometimes things move too quick for you to take off your lingerie ;) Especially when couple’s boudoir is involved!

Absolutely one of the most sheer tanks ever, and I love it for shower boudoir AND regular ol’ dry boudoir

Here’s a list of additional wardrobe options that we love to use for shower boudoir:

• Tie-front crop top

• Our FAVORITE bodysuit for the shower look, and totally worth the splurge

• Great alternative to a cropped button-up tank

• Great sheer cover-up

The shower set is available as an add-on to any of our boudoir sessions. Our boudoir pricing and information can be found right HERE. Our full boudoir session availability can be found HERE.