Reframing Your Self-Image With Boudoir
Redefining beauty through an Empowering Boudoir Session on your own damn terms.
As a boudoir photographer in the heart of Dallas, I have the privilege of guiding incredible women through a transformative experience that celebrates their inner art. Recently, I had the pleasure of working with a client whose style effortlessly combined flapper chic with a modern edge, creating a shoot that was as rich in storytelling as it was in visual artistry.
“I had always had the idea of doing a boudoir shoot in the back of my head. But what really triggered me into action was my recent move to DFW and realizing that I wanted to remember the amazing growth I’ve achieved personally in the past year or so. First and foremost, I wanted to do it for me, to memorialize what a baller I am and to inspire other women to similarly embrace and celebrate themselves, their beauty, and intrinsic power.”
With this in mind and the help of the accomplished make-up artist, LaDonna Stein, we carefully began curating the look and feel that would encompass our full day together in the studio. “We can do any hair and makeup look that the client wants,” Ladonna explains. “For this shoot in particular, we went with a moody/smokey vibe with a vampy dark lip, because our client wanted to feel powerful and sexy! I will always use inspiration images as a jumping-off point to determine how dark we want to go and then adjust the colors, angles, and shapes to suit each person’s unique features and create a balanced look. I love a “no-makeup” look just as much as a vampy one. For bangs, we have some special techniques to keep them from flipping up during the shoot and the laying down poses - movie magic!”
Our session kicked off with a bold blue satin lingerie set from Honey Birdette, complete with leather cuffs and a luxe collar that added an avant-garde fetish fashion feel. Set against a playful, opulent backdrop of feathered lamps, velvet, and animal print, the vibe was equal parts sultry and fun… perfectly matching our client’s radiant energy.
My background in photojournalism constantly inspires my approach to boudoir photography. For me, it’s always about creating a visual story that evolves with each frame, revealing the many facets of a woman’s personality. It’s incredibly important for me to make sure that women are reminded they don’t have to fit into a societal box. I want to show them that we are magnificent, multidimensional beings that can BE and LOVE different styles from one moment to the next. That being said, as we transitioned to the second outfit, we leaned into the nostalgic flapper-inspired aesthetic. She wore a stunning slip from Thistle and Spire with a draping fringe that framed her curves in all the right ways. The satin bow closure at the nape of her neck was a beautiful detail and a key element in the storytelling of undressing.
Although I pose women head to toe during the entire session, some of the best moments come through unexpectedly. As sunlight filtered through the window in the bedroom set, it illuminated her in a way that was both breathtaking and serendipitous. Although the shot was initially intended to be from the back view, the play of light on her chest created a portrait that quickly became one of my favorites from the session. We still laugh about me yelling “DON’T MOVE” and jumping on the bed to capture it. It was a perfect reminder that magic often shows up unplanned.
From there, we flowed seamlessly into the fine art nudes. In a particularly exciting moment during the session, my mentor, Tamara Paskey-Alexander, renowned for her artistry in fine art nudes in nature and beyond, joined us to add another layer to the shoot. With her deep understanding and passion for posing the female body, she effortlessly collaborated with me to create a gorgeous series of images. The harmonious interplay and synergy between our artistic visions resulted in the three of us creating art that felt both timeless and deeply personal.
Photo Created in Collaboration with Tamara Paskey-Alexander
“It was so much fun, so affirming! I felt like a total rock star from start to finish… And I gained a new appreciation for the amount of work that it takes on both sides of the camera to create. It truly felt like I was a part of a collaborative art project.” Reflecting on past body image concerns, she noted, “I think every woman struggles to accept her body as-is, bombarded as we are with societal expectations around what constitutes beauty. I’ve always understood intellectually that everyone is beautiful in their own way and comparison is the thief of joy, but it’s difficult to self-apply this understanding. It’s so easy to scrutinize our bodies since we’re closest to them! But I think the best thing about this shoot was how it helped me reframe my self-perception… looking at those images, I could truly see how others see me and regard myself as a work of art. Any flaws or imperfections I might have fixated on before were minor compared to the overall impact of those amazing shots!” Since the shoot, she mentioned, “I look at those images almost daily, and they are fantastic reminders that I have the goods! Not just aesthetically, but in the way my personality comes through. I don’t talk crap to myself nearly as much, but when I do I’m very quick to remember that I have what it takes to overcome whatever negativity life throws my way.”
In closing, I never think I’m able to put my gratitude for this work into words. But here we are with another blog post that shares how powerful and important the art of boudoir truly is. To the women who have shared these moments with me, thank you for being vulnerable, letting go, and trusting me to show you how beautiful you are. To the women reading this with a boudoir session on the books, get ready for an unforgettable chapter in your self-love journey. And to the women who are scared to book a shoot—you can do it, girl. We’ll be there every step of the way.
“Don’t hesitate! Images are powerful tools for reframing, so if you have any shred of self-doubt about being “hot enough” I would honestly say that every single woman is more than hot enough. And Emma Jaye is imminently capable of proving that through the art she will help you create!”