One Year Later: How a Boudoir Shoot Helped Katie See Herself in a New Light
Live with Liz: Katie Martin’s Boudoir Experience One Year Later
You know how much I love checking in with Chicago Boudoir women, and this week on Live with Liz, I had the absolute joy of chatting with Katie Martin—a personal trainer, Chicago local, and one of the most inspiring women to walk through our studio doors.
It’s been a year since Katie’s boudoir session at Chicago Boudoir Photography, and spoiler alert: she’s still glowing. 🌟
💪 From Transformation to Celebration
Katie’s journey started long before she ever stepped in front of my camera. At 24, she made the decision to take control of her health—and she hasn’t looked back since. Now, 13 years later, she’s not just strong physically, she’s mentally fierce, too.
“Losing a dramatic amount of weight is not only a physical journey, but a mental one as well.”
As a personal trainer, Katie helps others feel confident in the gym, no matter their size, fitness level, or experience—and I couldn’t help but notice how much our missions overlap. Whether in the gym or in the studio, it’s all about helping women see themselves and love their bodies. 💕
📸 The Boudoir Session That Changed Everything
So what made Katie finally say yes to a boudoir shoot? She actually won one of our giveaways (yes, we really do those!), and that was just the push she needed.
“I was nervous and excited—and when those two come together, I know it's something I need to do.”
From the moment she stepped into the studio, Katie trusted the process. She got glammed up (first time ever having pro makeup done!), followed my posing guidance, and then... the magic happened.
🪞 The Photo Reveal Moment
At our studio, I do same-day photo reveals right after the shoot. And Katie’s reaction? Priceless.
“I didn’t recognize the person on the screen… Seeing myself like that, I felt confident, sexy, and empowered. Like—that’s me?!”
And yes, her photos are 🔥. She even shared that she has them saved in her Google Drive to look at whenever she needs a confidence boost… or to surprise her partner mid-workday. 😉
🧠 Boudoir Is Mental Health, Too
Katie spoke about how this shoot wasn’t just about looking good—it was about feeling strong, seeing her progress, and owning her power.
“I didn’t know my butt looked like that from behind! It looks like I know how to work out!”
That’s the power of boudoir. You get to see yourself from a perspective you never see in the mirror—your strength, softness, curves, and confidence… all through a loving lens. 💫
💬 Katie’s Advice to Anyone Who’s Nervous:
“You only get one body. Let’s take advantage of it. Let’s love our body the way it is, no matter the size.”
Whether you’ve just started a journey or you’re at your strongest, a boudoir session is a gift you give to yourself. Katie’s story is proof that empowerment doesn’t come from a number on a scale—it comes from celebrating how far you’ve come and loving who you are right now.