A visit to a boudoir photography studio can be an incredible way to learn more about yourself. The photos you take will help you see what makes you beautiful, which is the ultimate goal of any boudoir session. 

But the boudoir experience is about much more than photos. It also teaches some very important life lessons. Not only am I a boudoir photographer, but I’ve actually been on the other side of the camera too! 

At my own photoshoot, I learned that there’s a lot more to life than just what you see on the surface. I learned that I am beautiful and worth it – and that my body is something I should embrace. Most importantly, though, I learned that doing the photoshoot taught me all these things about myself and made me understand who I am better as a person.

If you’re thinking of taking some boudoir portraits, here are a few things that YOUR visit to the boudoir photography studio may teach you: 

1. Learn to be mindful of what’s happening in the present moment instead of dwelling on the past or worrying about the future.

In life, we are all constantly thinking about the past or future. We might be dwelling on something that happened in the past and not letting it go. Or maybe we’re worrying about what will happen in the future and how to prepare for it. But this is truly wasting time because there is only one moment that exists: now. 

It’s easy to get caught up in our thoughts and lose sight of what’s happening right now, but by being mindful of present moments, you can actually live your life so much better. 

A boudoir shoot, in my opinion, is a great way to appreciate the present moment. I’ve been a boudoir photographer for years, but it never ceases to amaze me how much my clients grow from their experiences. I believe this is because boudoir helps them confront their vulnerabilities in the moment and learn self-acceptance. During the shoot, they often find strength within themselves that they didn’t know existed before.

In some cases, boudoir has even helped them get out of abusive relationships or feel better about themselves after a breakup, during an illness, or another challenge. It really is that powerful!

2. Self-care is one of the most important things you can ever do for yourself.

Is it just me, or does it seem like self-care is often portrayed as a luxury? That it’s something you can do when you have the time and money to spare. But what if self-care was actually more of a necessity? What if taking care of yourself helped you be better for others? 

The truth is, we’re all human beings with emotions and needs. And sometimes we need some attention in order to help us feel better about ourselves. When you take care of yourself, you’re less likely to feel down or focus on negative thoughts.

One of my clients put it perfectly when she said, “I have to admit… I was nervous. But I wanted to do something to celebrate ME at 38 years old. I’m a divorced mom of two and finally living my life to its fullest potential and genuinely HAPPY. I needed to capture this point in my life… so I booked her! I admire the way she’s able to get the best angles and highlight your body in its best light. She was professional and gave great direction. Her studio is classy, sexy, and breathtaking. I’m so happy I did it and LOVE my photos!”

3. Make finding and pursuing your passion a priority.

I really feel that you should be able to wake up most mornings actually looking forward to what you’ll do all day. I know there are a lot of people who have jobs that they dislike and this can wear on them mentally, emotionally, and physically. That’s why if you have a passion, I encourage you to go for it with all that you have. Trust me, you’ll be your happiest when you’re doing what you love. 

Another lesson I’ve personally learned from boudoir is to have the courage to go for my dreams, even if it’s scary at first. Scared was exactly how I felt when I first decided to open my own studio in Brooklyn. But taking the chance was the BEST decision I’ve ever made. 

Now when I’m taking photos of my clients, I feel like I’m having so much fun that time flies by. There’s no place else in the world where I’d rather be than in my boudoir studio. My hope is that this happiness reflects in the work that I do. 

4. It’s important to make time for the things you love in life, even if it’s just 10 minutes a day.

We all know that time is the most valuable resource we have, and yet it’s often the first thing to be sacrificed. We’re so busy running from one task to another, or trying to get ahead of our deadlines, that we forget how important it is to take some time for ourselves.

I’m not going to lie, this is hard for me too. I have a lot of responsibilities and sometimes it feels like there’s no time left in the day to do anything else. But that’s when I need to take a step back and think about what my priorities are.

What am I doing with my life? What makes me happy?

It might just be 10 minutes of reading or doing some exercise, but whatever it is, make sure you’re spending your time on things that bring you joy.

Here’s what one of my clients had to say on this topic: “I am so happy I did this for me. To celebrate the body that I have now and to take myself out of my comfort zone. The experience was amazing.”

5. Start replacing your worries with positive actions.

I’m sure that you’re aware of how much time and energy worry consumes. It is so easy to get caught up in your thoughts about the future, or about what might happen.

It’s ok to have negative thoughts sometimes, but it’s also important to make an effort at replacing those worries with positive actions. When we focus on our fears they can seem bigger than they really are. But when we focus on what we CAN do instead of just thinking about what could go wrong, then our problems no longer feel so big.

Boudoir, for example, is a great way to let go of your fears and just do something fun. It’s empowering, liberating, and gives you the opportunity to be in control.

I’ve seen so many women who are afraid that they’re not beautiful enough or don’t have the perfect body for boudoir photography. But everyone has beauty and everyone deserves to feel sexy! It doesn’t matter what size you are, how old you are, or what perceived flaws you have – we all deserve to feel confident in our skin.

6. Stop comparing yourself to others.

Comparison is a dangerous game. It can lead to feelings of inadequacy and even depression. We’re all different in so many ways, but we all have our own set of strengths and weaknesses. Comparing yourself to others only sets you up for failure because there’s no way that you’ll be able to measure up or live up to someone else’s standards.

Boudoir teaches you that it doesn’t matter what other people are doing with their lives – it matters what YOU want out of life! Your boudoir session is all about you, and as you plan it with your photographer, you’ll get to know yourself so much better. 

In a recent review, a client had this to say: “I picked Evgenia because her talent and style is incredible but also because all the reviews kept saying how comfortable it is to shoot with her. I thought, ‘That’s nice for them but I’m far too anxious and uncomfortable with my body.’ And I spent weeks leading up to the shoot preparing to hate the result because of my own self-esteem issues. But Evgenia is every bit as talented, fun, relaxed, and pleasant as the reviews say and I had so much fun.”

7. Embrace the lessons life is teaching you.

I believe that life is a series of lessons. We are constantly learning and changing, and the people we meet teach us something new about ourselves. 

It’s up to you to decide which lessons are most important for you to learn as well as how they’ll affect your life moving forward. I’ve learned many lessons throughout my life, some good and some bad, but I am grateful for them all because they’ve helped me grow into the person I am today.

That’s why I love boudoir so much. A boudoir session helps you to look at yourself in a way that you might not do on your own, and it can provide a true opportunity for self-reflection and growth. 

Ready for YOUR visit to the boudoir photography studio?

As a top boudoir photographer in New York City, my goal is to empower you and make you feel your best ever. Contact me today for an experience that will help you see yourself in a different light and learn more about who you really are… an incredible and beautiful person!