Reclaiming Sensuality and Self-Love: My Conversation on The Women’s Vibrancy Code Podcast
The Power of Boudoir Photography and the Journey to Self-Confidence
When I sat down with Maraya Brown on The Women’s Vibrancy Code podcast, we dove deep into something that so many women quietly crave—but often hesitate to talk about—our relationship with our bodies, sensuality, and self-confidence.
Maraya opened the conversation by sharing how she incorporates boudoir photography into her women’s retreats as a way for women to reconnect with their feminine energy and celebrate the transformation that happens when we truly feel at home in our bodies. I loved that. It’s exactly what boudoir is meant to do—help women see themselves as the art they already are.
From My First Boudoir Shoot to Empowering Thousands of Women
I shared how I first discovered boudoir photography—not behind the camera, but in front of it. Even as a professional photographer, I had never experienced anything like it. I grew up in a conservative home where “good girls” didn’t do things like that, and I was nervous to be photographed in lingerie and nude.
But that photo shoot changed everything for me.
It was transformative—a turning point that gave me permission to see myself differently. I walked out feeling powerful, alive, and ready to show up more boldly in my life. That experience led me to open Chicago Boudoir Photography, a boutique studio devoted entirely to helping women feel confident, empowered, and celebrated—just as they are.
The Many Reasons Women Choose Boudoir
Over the years, I’ve photographed more than 2,000 women—from brides-to-be and new moms to cancer survivors, divorcees, and grandmothers. Every woman comes with her own story.
Some come to celebrate joy—an engagement, a birthday, a new chapter. Others come to heal—after illness, heartbreak, or loss.
I’ll never forget Sarah, a client who came in one year after surviving a massive heart attack. She wanted to photograph her scars, not hide them. For her, it wasn’t about looking “perfect.” It was about honoring the body that saved her life.
You don’t need a near-death experience to decide your body is worthy of celebration. You already are.
Boudoir at Every Age
One of the things Maraya and I talked about is how boudoir photography isn’t reserved for one “type” of woman.
Bodies change. Hormones shift. Life moves through seasons—pregnancy, postpartum, perimenopause, menopause. Every chapter of womanhood brings something new, and every version of you is worth celebrating.
Some of my clients are in their 40s and 50s; others are in their 70s. Every woman belongs in front of the camera. Boudoir isn’t about being young or fitting a mold—it’s about saying, “I matter right now, exactly as I am.”
Boudoir Is About Expression, Not Exposure
We also touched on a common misconception: boudoir is not about how much skin you show.
It’s about how much of yourself you’re willing to reveal emotionally. You can be in a robe, a dress, or a towel and still radiate sensual power. Sexy isn’t about nudity—it’s about presence, confidence, and authenticity.
Boudoir is an art form that invites you to show up and be seen. To step outside the stories that say you’re too old, too curvy, too something. To look in the mirror—or at a portrait—and think, “That’s me. And I am extraordinary.”
Creating a Safe, Supported Experience
When a woman books with me, she’s not just signing up for photos—she’s stepping into an experience designed to make her feel supported from start to finish.
Before the session, we’ll talk about what you want to feel, what’s lighting you up, and what brought you here now. On the day of your shoot, you’ll come as you are, and my professional hair and makeup team will pamper you. I’ll coach you through every pose and make sure you feel confident and relaxed every step of the way.
Before you even leave the studio, you’ll get to see a slideshow of your images—unedited and unfiltered. That moment, when you see yourself as art for the first time, is often the most powerful part of all.
A Reminder to Take the Leap
I ended the episode with something I say often:
If there’s something calling to you—whether it’s booking a boudoir shoot, starting a business, or stepping into a new chapter—don’t wait until you feel “ready.”
Ready is just a decision.
If you don’t have the confidence right now, borrow a little of mine. Take the leap. Everything you want is waiting for you on the other side of fear.
Listen to the Full Episode
You can watch my full interview with Maraya Brown on The Women’s Vibrancy Code podcast below, or listen to it on Spotify or your favorite podcast app.
And if this conversation inspired you, I’d love to chat and invite you to the studio for your own transformative boudoir experience.