A serious of emotions and reactions happen when another photographer emails you about having their boudoir session with you. 

1) This must be a mistake

2) I better be nice, I don't want them to judge me

3) Really? ME? 

4) Ok I guess they are serious. Breathe. Breathe. 

5) OMGimsonervous

This situation was no different! When she emailed me and told me that I was the photographer for her I most definitely had a heart palpitation. I was like, "Wait, you're coming all of the way to Atlanta to have a boudoir session with ME?". She immediately responded: "Duh".

There is such an honor involved when another artist notices your craft and loves it enough to invest in it. You'll read in her interview that she was "Hella nervous!!"... but really, so was I. We were nervous for different reasons, but you'll have to read on to hear about hers

Take the leap,

Sarah

1) How old are you... or if you prefer, who were you listening to at age 14 :)?

- 36 and jamming to No Doubt and TLC back then.  And still. 

2) What do you do for a living?

- Underwater Portrait & Newborn Photographer

3) What/who made you decide to book a boudoir session?

- While I've made self-portraits for a few years, after having my twin boys, I wanted to have something special for myself of myself - just as I am (but amped up thanks to the OWN team!).

4) Did you have any obstacles or fears about boudoir?

- Yes, being on the other side of the camera freaked me F out! And with little to no clothes, at that! Haha 

5) Why did you choose OWN? 

- 100% the initial reaction to the feel of your portraits.  Shadows and light are on point, not only in making your girls look gorgeous but, to give that alluring feel of the atmosphere.  It's as if you capture exactly what we (real women!) envision our sexy and seductive self to be - without the cheesy elements. 

6) How was the actual session different from what you expected (if at all)?

- I had a feeling, while I was hella nervous, it would be fun.  And Sarah didn't disappoint in the fun department.  

7) What was your favorite part of the entire experience? (priming, the shoot, seeing images, giving the images..etc)

- A mix of priming and the shoot.  You guys made me feel like a rockstar. 

8) How has the response been to your images?

- EVERYONE I've shown LOVES them!! My husband absolutely loved them and was in awe.

9) What is your advice for women interested in such a session?

- Do it.  Don't think twice.  The moment you're interested, and go see "what it's all about", just schedule it and do it.  That's the moment you have to take and run with it because you won't regret it.  It's empowering in an incredible way. 

10) Did anything change about the way you see your own beauty as a result of this session?

- After having my twins, 8 years ago, I've had a love/hate with my body.  Pregnancy (and marriage, haha) caused changes and while I've always embraced the stretch marks and looser tummy seeing it in this light made me realize just how beautiful it is that my body went through infertility treatments, carried two babies inside, nourished those two boys and has been able to keep up with their crazy energy, all with a side of sensuality.  

Every now and then I'll receive a client interview that gives me incredible insight into what goes on in the minds of my clients before, during, and after their boudoir session. For my clients (past, present, and future), this interview is even better for YOU. Booking your boudoir session, whether here in Atlanta, or elsewhere in the world should be one of those decisions where you have no doubts that the end results will be the best possible...for you. Do your research, explore styles, know what your options are. Find the best boudoir photographer for you... even if your friends like someone else! These are YOUR pics, not theirs. 

Read on....

1) How old are you... or if you prefer, who were you listening to at age 14 :)?

 I just turned 28 on Friday!

2) What do you do for a living? 

I'm in Marketing for an Advertising-Technology company in Atlanta.

3) What/who made you decide to book a boudoir session? 

It's something I've always heard of people doing for their husbands-to-be, so I thought about doing it, just had no idea with who/when/how, etc. My friend, Elizabeth Pishal, told me about the shoot she did, and showed some of the photos, and I was convinced it was something I had to do. 

4) Did you have any obstacles or fears about boudoir? 

Who doesn't? I was definitely nervous that the whole thing would be really awkward, and the privacy thing freaked me out a little bit, but it was something I wanted to do for my husband, and I'm SO glad I did. 

5) Why did you choose OWN? 

Elizabeth told me about her experience (and I saw her photos which were incredible). Another reason I chose OWN was the studio space. I LOVED IT. I have a few close friends that are photographers that offered to shoot my boudoir session (honestly, for a lower price than OWN), but the challenge was finding studio space that had that exposed-brick, dreamy lighting feel. That ended up being a lot more pricey & challenging than we thought, so at the end of the day OWN was a better deal. (Not to mention a much more professional, polished, 'she knows what she's doing' experience).

6) How was the actual session different from what you expected (if at all)? 

IT WAS SO MUCH FUN! Seriously. I was realllllly nervous, especially about what to wear, how to pose, how to look not-awk, but Sarah was incredible! She made me feel completely comfortable (even in my skivvies), and told me exactly how to pose, what to do with my body, my face, etc. She took the 'do I look stupid right now?' feeling completely out of the experience, and made it so much fun. By the end of the session, I felt so comfortable in my lingerie that I didn't want to put regular clothes back on! 

7) What was your favorite part of the entire experience? (priming, the shoot, seeing images, giving the images..etc) 

My favorite part was the shoot itself. I wasn't kidding about it being so fun. It was awesome. (His reaction was pretty good too though...).

8) How has the response been to your images? 

Honestly, at first it was a lot of "I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT'S ME", which has become more, "YAAAS THAT'S ME". It's oddly empowering, and they definitely make me feel sexy, daring & confident. 

9) What is your advice for women interested in such a session? 

Just go for it. I know it feels weird, even just having the word "Boudoir" pop up in your email inbox for the first time (*cringe*), but the session and results are SO worth it. 

10) Did anything change about the way you see your own beauty as a result of this session? 

Not a change in the way I see my beauty, exactly, but the session definitely helped me feel more powerful, sexy and confident overall. I've never been someone that really beats myself up over appearance, but this has helped me see a different type of beauty that I'd never really embraced. So, thank you for that!!