Body Confidence and Business Success: My Grateful Connections Interview
How Body Confidence Can Change the Way You Show Up in Life and Business
What does feeling confident in your body have to do with running a business, taking risks, or putting yourself out there?
As it turns out, quite a lot!
I recently had the pleasure of joining Melinda Leonard on Grateful Connections: What Gratitude Built for a conversation about body confidence, women's empowerment, entrepreneurship, and the experiences that shape how we see ourselves.
We talked about my journey into boudoir photography, the women who have inspired me along the way, and the lessons I've learned from building Chicago Boudoir Photography. We also explored a connection I believe deeply in: when you begin to recognize your own worth, it can change how you show up in every area of your life.
You can watch the full interview below!
My Personal Boudoir Experience Changed Everything
Before opening Chicago Boudoir Photography, I was a wedding and family photographer. About 12 years ago, I decided to experience a boudoir photoshoot myself.
I was nervous. Really nervous!
I grew up in a conservative household, and doing something like a boudoir session was far outside my comfort zone. I remember my hands literally shaking as I tried to put on my lingerie.
But I did it anyway.
And when I walked out of that studio, I felt like I had broken through a barrier. I had done something that scared me, and I realized I could take that feeling of accomplishment into other parts of my life.
That experience eventually inspired me to open Chicago Boudoir Photography. I wanted other women to have the opportunity to experience that same sense of possibility for themselves.
Today, my mission is to empower women through beautiful portraits and help them celebrate their bodies, relationships, and careers so they can feel confident in all areas of their lives.
You Don't Have to Wait for a Different Version of Yourself
One of the topics Melinda and I discussed was how often women put off doing something for themselves because they think they need to change first.
Maybe they want to lose 10 pounds, grow their hair out, reach a certain age, or wait until life settles down.
But here's what I believe: every chapter of a woman's life deserves to be celebrated.
Your body doesn't have to look a certain way. Your life doesn't have to be perfect. You don't have to reach some imaginary finish line before you're worthy of being photographed.
Whether you're celebrating a new beginning, navigating a major life transition, or simply wanting to do something for yourself, there's value in documenting who you are today.
I've photographed women at so many different points in their lives, and their reasons for coming into the studio are just as individual as they are.
Sometimes it's about celebrating a joyful milestone. Sometimes it's about reclaiming a sense of self after a difficult experience. And sometimes, it's simply about seeing yourself in a new light.
There is no single right reason to celebrate yourself.
How Body Confidence Connects to Business Confidence
This is where our conversation took an interesting turn.
Melinda and I talked about how confidence in your body can influence the way you show up professionally, too.
Think about it. When you believe in your own value, you may approach a networking event differently. You may feel more comfortable speaking up, sharing your expertise, raising your prices, or saying yes to an opportunity that feels a little intimidating.
It isn't about suddenly loving every photo of yourself and expecting your business to take off overnight.
It's about developing a deeper belief that you have something valuable to offer the world.
As a small business owner, I've learned that building confidence is an ongoing process. You can be good at what you do and still struggle with imposter syndrome. You can have years of experience and still wonder whether you're ready for the next opportunity.
But recognizing your own value makes it easier to take that next step.
That's one reason I'm so passionate about body confidence. It isn't just about appearances. It's about how we see ourselves, what we believe we're capable of, and what we're willing to pursue.
The Lessons I've Learned From Running a Small Business
Opening my studio was one of the biggest leaps I've ever taken.
I knew photography, but I had a lot to learn about running a business. I had to figure out websites, pricing, sales, marketing, customer experience, and all the details that go into turning an idea into a sustainable business.
During our conversation, I shared a few lessons I wish I'd understood earlier.
1. You don't have to figure everything out alone.
Finding a mastermind group and investing in guidance helped me learn from people who had already walked the path I was trying to navigate. Running a business can feel lonely, and connecting with others can make a tremendous difference.
2. Being new doesn't mean you have to work for free.
Early on, I gave away dozens of photoshoots because I thought I needed to prove myself before I could charge appropriately. I gained valuable experience, but I also learned how important it is to understand your costs and price your work sustainably.
3. Feedback is a gift.
You can't improve what you don't understand. Asking people what they love, what they don't, and what matters most to them can reveal things you might never discover on your own. Their actions can teach you, too. Pay attention to what people actually choose and purchase.
4. Keep putting yourself out there.
I applied for opportunities that didn't work out, faced rejection, and continued trying. My TEDx talk, Nudity Doesn't Have to Be Naughty, gave me a way to share my bigger mission beyond the studio. It took preparation, practice, and a willingness to put myself in an unfamiliar position.
You don't need every opportunity to work out. You need to keep moving toward the ones that matter to you.
A Photoshoot Can Celebrate More Than Appearance
One of the stories I shared with Melinda was about a woman who came into my studio on the first anniversary of a massive heart attack.
She had survived an experience that changed her life and left her with significant surgical scars. She wanted to celebrate being alive, being here with her children, and everything those scars represented. She chose to keep them visible in her photographs.
For her, the session wasn't about creating a flawless image. It was about honoring her story.
That experience captures something important about the work I do. Boudoir photography can be a way to mark a moment, celebrate survival, acknowledge change, or reconnect with yourself.
Our bodies carry us through so much. Sometimes, we deserve to pause and recognize that.
You don't need to have a dramatic story or a major milestone to make a photoshoot meaningful. You simply need to decide that celebrating yourself is worthwhile.
Building Confidence One Day at a Time
During the interview, I also shared my book, A Year of Body Confidence, which offers a practical approach to building body confidence through daily affirmations and small actions.
I believe that the words we repeat to ourselves matter. Our thoughts can influence our actions, the opportunities we pursue, and the way we treat ourselves.
Confidence doesn't have to arrive all at once. Sometimes, it starts with a small decision to be kinder to yourself, acknowledge something your body allows you to do, or take one step you've been putting off.
Over time, those small actions can help you develop a different relationship with yourself.
And that shift can reach far beyond the mirror.
Watch the Full Grateful Connections Interview
I'm grateful to Melinda Leonard for inviting me to share my story and for creating a space where women can talk honestly about confidence, business, and the lessons we learn along the way.
Whether you're curious about boudoir photography, working on your own confidence, or building a business of your own, I hope you'll take something meaningful away from our conversation.
Watch the full interview with Melinda Leonard on Grateful Connections: What Gratitude Built.
And if you've been waiting for the right time to celebrate yourself, consider this your reminder that you don't have to wait until you're a different version of yourself.
You are worth celebrating right now.