LET'S get real
My journey started as a wedding photographer; it was the "realistic" dream job I was confident I could achieve. I shot over 100 weddings and was full time for a year and it was incredible. I got to meet so many great couples and go to a lot of cool places. I truly appreciate the experience I got to share with my clients beyond words. But there was one problem. I didn't appreciate myself.
In my life, what matters most to me is the time I get with my son and wife. And while doing weddings I had zero personal time. Don't get me wrong, I definitely don't regret it. Aside from learning and the experiences, it helped me overcome my social anxiety so I'm super grateful. But I needed more time with the ones that mattered most to me.
So, three years later and here we are. I chose to switch to boudoir for a lot of reasons. Of course, to get my free time back with my family. But why boudoir specifically?
As a person who's struggled with depression, one of my many issues was the fact that it took me until I was 26 to love myself! Self-love and self-confidence mean so much to me. And while each wedding was special, boudoir has a more special place in my heart. To have the opportunity of being a part of someone's journey into self-love and self-confidence is a HUGE honor!
Boudoir is something I wanted to get into from the beginning. But I was afraid that me being male would hinder my opportunities. And by no means am I complaining, it's completely understandable that some woman may have fears about being vulnerable Infront of a man they don't really know. I had issues with that with the people I did know! Its normal. And that's why I thought weddings would be the "realistic" goal. During my 3 years of weddings, I grew a lot as a person.
I learned to love myself, and I learned to stop being so afraid of what other people think of me. I found my own validation. I have the purest of intentions and just want to help people. I want to make art and I want to capture the beauty that's in everyone.
I chose boudoir because it fulfills the child in me that wanted to be a hero, a firefighter, a solider, a person who helps people. I chose boudoir because it gives the opportunity of growing self-confidence and self- love. I chose boudoir because it also celebrates the love I was able to find in myself and the confidence I found to just be me. We all have beauty in us, and we need to celebrate it!
Oh, and one more thing!
I truly believe EVERYONE, not matter who you are, or how you identify, EVERY body is beautiful. So, if it's an elopement and I'm capturing that loving look on your partners face when you don't even realize they're looking at you. Or if it's a small smirk turning into a fierce smile after a boudoir session, I live for the LOVE. And I want to preserve it so you can look back at that photograph and remember "THIS IS ME!"