How It All Started | Kansas City Boudoir Photographer

DAREDEVILS!

It’s been a minute eh?!

I hope everyone had a tremendous holiday season! I took some time off to focus on family and myself and recharge for the year ahead - and let me tell you - IT WAS NEEDED! Can you relate?

Over the weekend - well yesterday actually - I had the 2022 Boudiebassador team over for a kick off party. We had SO MUCH FUN! During the event we got on the subject of how I became a boudoir photographer and it made me realize I don’t think I have ever shared that story here before.

So let this be your warning - if you don’t give two hoots how I got here, feel free to skip all this. Tehehe.

HERE IT GOES!

When I purchased my first DSLR camera - a Canon Rebel T3 if you’re curious - I actually had no intentions of becoming a photographer at all. It was 2012, I was finishing college, and my brother had just had his first kid, my niece Kori. I was an obsessed scrapbooker at the time and I wanted to learn how to take great pictures of my niece to make her a scrapbook.

I picked up my camera at a discount for only $250 at Walmart because it was the display model and a newer version recently came out. I found an online photography 101 course (also $250 in case you are curious) offered by one of my favorite scrapbook “influencers” and practiced as much as I could between work and classes.

One of the first pictures I took. I practiced A LOT on my pup.

Towards the end of my photography 101 course. I remember being SO PROUD of this picture back then. It’s still a favorite of Bowser.

As my skill set improved, I started taking photos of my family and friends for fun. After awhile, word got around and friends of friends etc started coming to me for various photo needs - fall family portraits, senior photos, even a couple family weddings! I enjoyed connection with people and being behind the camera so took on projects as a hobby for several years when I had extra time.

And of course I have to share one of my niece, Kori. I cannot believe she will be 10 tomorrow.

I TRIED IT ALL YOU GUYS!

For the most part, though, I stuck with family sessions and seniors for about 5 years - still just as an occasional hobby. I definitely preferred working with seniors over family sessions, though if I am being honest. Working 1:1 with my subject tends to be more my vibe, allowing me to connect easier- plus seniors take directions WAY BETTER than toddlers. HAHAHA

Around 2017 I had a friend of a friend reach out to me wondering if I offered boudoir sessions. She was looking for a gift to give her boyfriend and wanted someone she could trust with the intimate nature of the session. I was ECSTATIC! I had been taking classes online for boudoir and learning everything I could about posing women.

I instantly fell in love with the experience of a boudoir session - for both sides, mine and the client! It was so different from other photoshoots I had done up until that point. As much as I love a good family photo, the experience was just not the same for me.

In my experience - usually the only person that wants to be there is Mom. Dad usually is a little bit annoyed he has to dress up and pose for a photo. I could feel that energy, even if he did his best to hide it. The kiddos DEFINITELY were not into it. WHY did they have to wear these uncomfortable clothes and WHAT DO YOU MEAN I can’t go play on that playground over there? AMIRIGHT? Mom would generally show up frazzled apologizing to me - “I’m sorry I look like a hot mess. I was running all over this morning trying to get the kids dressed. I barely had time to fix my hair.” Been there? Being the empath that I am - I would absorb all of that energy and leave feeling drained as hell. NOW! Don’t read this and think that every family photographer has this experience. MANY are fulfilled and energized from photographing family sessions - that is their JAM! And it shows in their passion and incredible images. I was not mine.

After photographing a few more friends and models for practice I quickly found how impactful a boudoir photoshoot can be for someone. It is a full day, focused on making you feel like a million bucks! The session is SO MUCH FUN. It is like playing dress up with your gal pal and laughing the whole time. You get to see yourself dolled up with the red carpet treatment - complete with hair and make up - posed to perfection. It is having the biggest hype man - me - by your side cheering you on the whole day. GO LITTLE ROCKSTAR! It’s finally being able to see the beauty in yourself that everyone that loves you sees. TALK ABOUT EMPOWERING!

I WAS HOOKED! After just a couple of clients, I was officially focused on boudoir and never looked back. Divulged was born! The more I pour myself into my work, the stronger my passion grows. Every client that steps in front of my lens - putting their guard down to let me in - reminds me why I will forever be obsessed with what I do. It fills my soul hearing clients tell me I made them feel seen and more beautiful than they have ever felt. That the momentum from the confidence they gained from their session has pushed them to make other improvements for their happiness and well being. That virtually hanging out in my VIP group online is the highlight of their day and that they feel seen and supported there. That I changed their lives.

NO MY DEAR! You changed mine! And gave me immense purpose in this wild world. I’m not crying - you’re crying!

This got emotional. So anyways, if you want me to be your biggest hype man for the day - maybe hit me up or something. :)

Take care of yourself out there. Protect your peace. All that jazz.