Changing the Narrative: A Boudoir Shoot Through Terminal Cancer
We weren’t just capturing her journey through cancer—we were capturing her joy, her beauty, and the love that surrounded her.
There are moments in life that we are faced with unimaginable challenges that test the depths of our strength. Moments where time stands still, and emotions flood every part of us. A medical diagnosis of any kind is something no one can ever truly prepare for, no matter how resilient they are. For my client Kelly, the diagnosis of terminal cancer shattered the foundation of her and her family’s world. Yet, in the darkness of a diagnosis that would break most people, she made a choice — a choice to reclaim her story, her body, and her spirit through an act of radical self-love: a boudoir shoot.
To some, this might seem like an unusual decision for someone navigating a terminal illness. Especially if you have never experienced the power of Boudoir Photography. But for Kelly, it was an affirmation that she was still here, still beautiful, still full of love. It was very clear from the consultation call that this was a conscious choice to find peace in the body that had been profoundly affected by the treatments intended to heal her. Just a year prior, she had undergone treatments so grueling she wasn’t sure she’d ever leave the hospital again. But on a bright morning in Dallas, she courageously walked into the photo studio with a presence so powerful that the ground shifted. Because her radiating aura would not only change her narrative, but it would also change mine… forever.
The Best Hair & Makeup Artist in DFW: Styling Confidence After Hair Loss
At the time, I was the lead photographer at The Vixen Society. Unbeknownst to my clients, I had just gone through my own cancer scare, so even the consultation call resonated with me deeper than usual. The morning Kelly and I had met was like reuniting with an old friend. We started in hair and makeup with LaDonna Stein, who carefully listened to every request and concern with ease. Kelly had experienced complete hair loss the previous year and was rocking a chic short hair look. Before the session, we had spoken about her bringing a few of her long hair wigs to have a few different hairstyle options, but once we connected in person I discovered that her long hair had always been a big part of her identity. Both myself and LaDonna wanted to make sure that the shoot wasn’t about hiding or highlighting what she had been through, but that it was about honoring the woman she is and has always been. So, LaDonna styled her short hair first and then moved on to styling her wigs, so that when we were ready for them I could easily help her switch up her look.
The Transformative Power of Boudoir: Connection Beyond The Lens
While in hair and makeup, Kelly and I were able to connect on a deeper level. I listened to her life story from how she met her incredible husband to how she has dealt with this new stage in her life and everything in between. I learned that she is a loving wife, a nurturing mother, a grandmother, and a dear friend, and now she was asked to be a fighter. But what struck me the most was that despite the pain and uncertainty, she refused to let this disease and discomfort define her. She lives every moment in the now, with grace, and to the absolute fullest. And her sense of self remains unshaken, even on the days that it might waver. In that hour of getting to know her, I was left in awe of her kind heart untouched by turmoil and the unconditional love for her family. Once we moved to styling for the session it was like we were two girlfriends on a shopping trip. My squeals of encouragement and our laughter filled the studio in the most wholesome way. She looked absolutely stunning in the outfits, and the smile she gave herself in the mirror will be ingrained in my heart forever.
The session itself was effortless, flowing with an energy that can only be described as magic. Our first look was a modern Honey Birdette lingerie piece paired with sparkling heels and a total old Hollywood hairstyle. The second look was classic glamour boudoir - thigh-high stockings, Louboutin heels, and her long curly hair wig. The last look was saved for timeless fine art nudes that were a breathtaking tribute to the beauty of her natural form.
But that wasn’t the last look of the day…
Couples Boudoir: A Love Story Etched in Time
When Kelly first reached out, she shared a dream with me - one last wish for this shoot. She wanted to include her husband in a couples boudoir session. Though we no longer offered couples sessions, I knew there was no way I could say no.This was a couple who had been placed on a difficult path, but had proven that they could get through anything as long as they were together. They used this chapter of marriage as an opportunity to strengthen their relationship and support each other in ways that are more profound than most couples could ever imagine. So, it was my time to support them by capturing their love in a way that would live on forever.
Her husband arrived later that afternoon, unsure of what to expect but ready to do whatever it took to make his wife happy. I styled him in relaxed jeans and a crisp white button-down, the perfect contrast to Kelly’s sleek, all-black Honey Birdette skirt set. The first set of images were intimate yet tasteful, the kind that could proudly hand in their home without raising too many eyebrows. But those who looked closely would see it - the undeniable, unbreakable love between them. Halfway through the session, I asked them to look into each other’s eyes. In an instant, their faces softened. Their eyes welled with tears. And then, they were crying - silent, knowing that their tears carried a lifetime of devotion, promises kept, and a love that endured the cruelest of storms. I shot through my own tears, knowing that this moment was something beautifully sacred. The final half of the session was even more vulnerable, but they leaned into each other and trusted me to capture what words could never fully express.
Boudoir is intimate in ways that go far beyond the physical. It requires you to undress not just your body, but your soul. It’s an emotional journey as much as it is a visual one, and the art we create together isn’t just seen- it’s felt.
As a boudoir photographer, I constantly find myself navigating that delicate balance between professionalism and deep empathy. Every session holds a story, but this one in particular left an imprint. When I finally set the camera down after our session, Kelly and I embraced, and without a word we both broke down into tears. There are no words that can fully describe the honor of being trusted with bringing her vision to life. Through her tears, she thanked me for giving her and her husband this gift. But what she didn’t realize in that moment was that she had given me a gift that will last a lifetime.
The Lasting Impact of a Boudoir Session
When I sat down to edit the final images, I consistently found myself overcome with emotion, especially when working through the photos of Kelly and her husband together. Their love was inspiring - not just in the way that they looked at each other, but in the quiet moments between the clicks. The collection of gentle touches, the inside-joke kind of laughter, and the tears that they weren’t afraid to shed. I’ve edited countless sessions over the years, but I don’t think I’ve ever felt the weight of a story quite like this one. By the time their photo reveal and ordering appointment rolled around, I was both excited and nervous in a way that I hadn’t experienced before. I knew that this wasn’t just another appointment. This was going to be a core memory for all of us.
When they arrived, we sat together and watched the slideshow of their images. There wasn’t a dry eye in the room. Though I had fallen in love with every single frame, I never once considered asking for a model release that day. These images felt too personal and precious to share publicly. Much like the moments we shared in the ordering appointment that afternoon, they belonged to them. It wasn’t until much later, when I had reached out to the private facebook group looking for women who were willing to share their boudoir stories, that Kelly messaged me. She told me that she wanted to share hers and that she didn’t mind if the world saw some of her photos. They were part of her legacy, her love story, and the message that she wanted to give others.
Kelly’s Story: Sharing a Legacy of Love
As I step into my very own boudoir business with the love of my life, I felt very strongly that Kelly’s story is one that deserves to be shared over and over again. She embodies the kind of courage that quietly inspires everyone she touches. She reminds us that even in the face of the darkest storms, we can still not only find the light but BE the light. Her story is one of resilience, of choosing love over fear, and living every single moment to the fullest.
Because of Kelly, I am forever changed. She showed me that true beauty lies not just in how we look, but in how we live—how we love, how we endure, how we rise. This blog post is for her and every woman who has read this far and experienced her incredible spirit.
With all my heart,
Emma Jaye
