Why Boudoir Photography Is So Much More Than Photos - My Conversation on KTS Success Factor
Why Boudoir Photography Is So Much More Than Photos
I recently had the absolute honor of being interviewed by Dr. Sarah Brown on the KTS Success Factor Podcast for Women, and I walked away from that conversation feeling so energized and grateful. It’s always powerful when you get to reflect out loud on your own journey, and this episode really took me back to why I started Chicago Boudoir Photography in the first place.
We talked about confidence, leadership, entrepreneurship, and how stepping outside your comfort zone can completely change the way you see yourself. And yes… we talked a lot about boudoir.
Because here’s the thing most people don’t realize: boudoir photography isn’t about being “sexy” or looking perfect. It’s about reclaiming your power.
When Sarah asked if I’d ever done a boudoir session myself, I laughed. Of course I have. Way more times than my husband can probably keep track of. But the very first one? That one changed my life.
I came out of that experience feeling bolder than I ever had before. More confident. More willing to take risks. I genuinely believe that single shoot gave me the courage to open my own studio, apply to speak on the TEDx stage, and say yes to opportunities I would have talked myself out of before. I didn’t realize how much I needed that confidence until I felt it.
That’s why I do what I do now.
Before opening my studio, I was working as a professional photographer and accidentally stumbled into boudoir. I’d never heard of it. Never seen it. But what caught my attention wasn’t the lingerie or the poses. It was the transformation I saw in women. They’d walk into the studio nervous, unsure, sometimes even apologizing for their bodies… and they’d walk out glowing. Standing taller. Smiling differently. Something shifted.
I knew in my gut: this is what I’m meant to do.
So in 2018, I opened Chicago Boudoir Photography here in Winnetka, (read how I got started here) and I’ve been all in ever since. My mission has never been about just taking pretty photos. I want this experience to feel like self-care. Like self-expression. Like coming home to yourself.
If you’ve never explored boudoir before, you can learn more about what we do here: 👉 https://chicago-boudoir.com
During the podcast, Sarah and I talked about how confidence doesn’t stay in one area of your life. When a woman feels confident in her body, it spills over into everything else. Her career. Her relationships. Her leadership. I’ve seen it happen over and over again. Women book a session and then go on to ask for promotions, start businesses, speak on stages, leave unhealthy relationships, or finally stop playing small.
That’s the ripple effect.
We also talked about community, which is such a huge part of my business. I run a Facebook group called VIP Group for Empowered Women of Chicago. There are over 10,000 women in there now, and it’s honestly one of my favorite spaces online. It’s not about selling. It’s about connection, support, real conversations, and reminding each other we’re not alone. I’d love for you to join! You don’t have to live in Chicago — empowerment travels.
Another part of the conversation I loved was around entrepreneurship and building a brand that actually feels good to you. I shared three things I truly believe:
Know your “why.”
Don’t wait until you feel ready.
And build something that feels authentic, not just trendy.
Perfection is overrated. The brands that really connect are the ones that feel human. Real. A little messy. Just like us.
We also touched on privacy, which is something I take incredibly seriously in my studio. Some women want to keep their images just for themselves. Others love to share them. I call it Team Private and Team Share. Both are perfect. You get to choose your own story, your own comfort level, your own way of showing up.
That’s empowerment too.
If any of this resonates with you, I really encourage you to listen to the full episode. Sarah is an incredible host, and we went so much deeper than I can capture here.
🎧 Watch the KTS Success Factor Podcast episode here:
And if this conversation sparks something in you… if you’re curious about what your own boudoir experience could feel like… start here:
Schedule a free consultation:
👉 https://chicago-boudoir.com/schedule
Browse my boudoir portfolio:
👉 https://chicago-boudoir.com/boudoir-portfolio
Read our FAQs:
👉 https://chicago-boudoir.com/faqs
See what other women are saying:
👉 https://chicago-boudoir.com/real-women
You don’t have to be ready.
You don’t have to be perfect.
You just have to decide you’re worthy of feeling powerful.
And trust me… you are. 💛