Forget a Boudoir Session. Book an Embodiment Photo Shoot.

It’s the month of love, and while I’m a big fan of shooting couples in love, I have in recent years become a huge proponent of embodiment sessions for the purposes of self love. So many people have a misconception about boudoir sessions, thinking they’re lurid or lascivious in some way. Nothing could be further from the truth. But because of these preconceived notions, I like to call them embodiment sessions as, really, they are the ultimate act of self love. They are perfect for any woman looking to build her self-confidence, and maybe share her most intimate side with someone she’s given her heart to.

What Is a Boudoir / Embodiment Photo Shoot? 

A boudoir photo shoot is a session that involves a woman getting super comfortable in her own skin. The word “boudoir” is French. It represents a woman’s private dressing room. The idea behind these photo shoots is that the photographer is capturing the woman relaxing in a state of undress or the act of getting dressed. 

While we call this “boudoir,” it isn’t only about dressing or undressing. It is really an intimate session of self love, of embodying your most beloved self —  a session where we give you the space to be you in whatever capacity you feel confident and comfortable. You can wear what feels good to you, what speaks to you and liberates your most authentic self. You are encouraged to fully love and celebrate yourself as a whole. The session can be in the comfort of your home, my home based studio, or even outdoors, if that calls to you.  The idea is to liberate the beautiful wild woman. I will help you plan our location and outfits after hearing your vision for the shoot.  

Frequently, the women in my shoots will wear lingerie or a negligee. I use angles that amplify the beauty of my subject’s curves, her softness, her femininity. 

A boudoir studio is a safe space where women can allow themselves to be vulnerable and exposed. Not only is there no judgment coming from the photographer, but the best photographers will help the woman in an embodiment shoot feel empowered, uplifted, and celebrated in all her liberated glory. 

And while a woman should feel sexy at all times and especially during one of these photo shoots, the real goal is intimacy. You, the woman, are essentially taking yourself on a date. You are revealing the most hidden parts of yourself —- your vulnerability, your trust, and yes, your skin. 

Indeed, while many clients plan and schedule these sessions as a gift for their significant others, they often come back after the experience to tell me what a therapeutic act of self love it was.

So, really, an embodiment shoot can be a gift to yourself, to your significant other, it can be an anniversary gift, you can even book a session during your pregnancy! Those are some of my favorites.

I recommend women book several boudoir shoots over their lifetime to celebrate your growth. Aging is a beautiful gift, and it comes with wisdom and an appreciation of our naturally changing bodies. 

When the shoot is done, I do natural editing and deliver a wonderful selection of color and classic black and whites for you to cherish. 

You can also opt for an embodiment album. I create photo books for clients from

your favorite list in your private online gallery. 

Who Should Do a Boudoir / Embodiment Photo Shoot? 

Everyone!

Ever since I first started doing embodiment shoots years ago, I have been an advocate for women getting to know themselves on an even deeper level through this type of photography. 

Every woman should do a boudoir shoot. 

It’s not just about getting naked, or next to naked, in front of the photographer and the camera. Yes, some of it is about that. 

But it’s really about getting next to naked with yourself, on a deeper level than just clothes. It’s about pushing yourself to see yourself as beautiful while I take pictures of you. It’s about seeing yourself as someone genuinely worthy of being photographed in all of your sensuality. It’s a process.

Pose, smile, adjust, feel amazing, relax, close your eyes and take in all that is you.  

Be nervous, overcome the nervousness, let loose, smile, have fun, and pose again. 

It’s a whole process akin to therapy that is an amazing experience for any woman ready to step outside of her comfort zone. 

Then, when you see your photos, you undergo yet another transformation of falling even more deeply in love with yourself. 

You’ll see your pictures and feel something you may have never felt before. 

“My God. I’m beautiful.” You’ll think to yourself. And you’ll be so glad you took the time to love yourself. 

Why Does Self Love Matter? 

Why does self love matter, anyway? 

Who cares if you love yourself as long as you love your husband, your children, your extended family members, your friends. 

You’re such a loving person. 

Do you have to love yourself? 

Yes. Yes, you do. 

Motherhood is the quickest pathway to martyrdom perhaps on earth. 

Everyone needs you. Everyone counts on you. Everyone calls out for you. 

And of course, of course, it is a joy. It is a privilege. We chose this life.

We chose the marriage and the kids. 

But we never chose to disappear. 

And we do no one any good when we disappear into the lives of our loved ones. 

The silent woman in the background of everyone else’s lives —- cooking, cleaning, planning, budgeting, doing laundry, smiling, waving, taking pictures. 

But never being in the picture. 

Never being in the picture. 

There is so much evidence in the world today that husbands, children, family members, and friends all benefit from your love so much more when you love yourself. 

Confidence is everything, and self love is the ultimate act of confidence. 

You shine brighter, you smile bigger, you stand straighter, and you speak more clearly.

And everyone notices. 

When you love yourself, you are more capable of loving everyone else around you that much more deeply because it comes from a vessel that is running over, not one that is in constant need of replenishment. 

So, if you’re feeling depleted, drained, exhausted by life, womanhood, motherhood, it might be time to hit the reset button. It might be time for a supreme act of self love. 

Take yourself to a movie, to dinner, to a coffee shop with a good book. 

And get yourself into the picture. 

Get Into the Picture 

If you feel a response within as you read through this piece, I want to hear from you. 

Let’s book your boudoir session today. 

Until you do, I hope you will get into the picture more. 

Are you taking pics of your kids and husband all day long? Your animals? Your meals? 

Are you in any of these pictures? 

Do you ask your husband to snap shots of you? Of you and the kids? 

This is a habit you must get into. 

Years from now, maybe decades, you will look at these photos and you will wish you were in them. 

So, here is your reminder to get into the picture with your kids, with your husband, by yourself. 

All by yourself in all of your vulnerability and beauty. 

Because vulnerability, after all, is beauty. 

There will never be a perfect time, so don’t wait for it. Your time is now.

Book your session today. 

The Difference Between a Mini Session and a Full Photography Session

If you’ve been hearing your friends and family talk about their photo sessions, or if you happen to follow any photographers (like me!), you’ve likely been urged to “book a mini session today!” This may have left you wondering what a mini-session is and why you should book one. So, let’s talk about it.  

Do You Need a Photo Session?  

First, do you even need a photo session? After all, you just had photos taken last year. How often are you supposed to do these things?!  

Well, as a photographer who loves what she does so much I find myself having to forcibly put down my camera and just be present with my friends and family, of course I’m going to tell you that you can never have too many photo shoots.  

But the truth is that you do want to take family photos at least once a year when your kids are little.  

You’ve heard that expression, “The days are long, but the years are short?” It gets to the heart of this concept. Or, as the wise Ferris Bueller once told his audience, “Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.”  

That’s the point of doing photo sessions with your favorite photographer.  

It helps you stop time for just a second and document your family life. Sure, I know you have 10,000 photos of your kids on your phone, and maybe even a few selfies and pics with your spouse, and I love that for you. God knows I have at least that many.  

But getting dressed and ready for a photographer to capture your moments and tell a story with the camera is a different experience entirely --- one you won’t forget, because it will be documented.  

Further, I’m a huge proponent of getting moms into the picture (more on that later), and even if you take selfies, there’s nothing like having someone else, especially another mother, take your picture with your kids and your husband.  

So, you’re sold on getting your pictures taken. Now, which shoot is right for you?  

What’s a Full-Length Session?  

A full-length photography session is the traditional kind of shoot most people are familiar with. We pick a location, either at your house or another local spot that means something to you and your family, and you get dressed for the occasion.  

Once we’re all gathered, I’ll take the time to prepare you and your family for what’s to come, calming down frantic kids and easing nervous dads into the process (yes, dads can get super nervous).  

For the next hour and a half, I’ll take a mixture of staged photographs and candids. I’ll mix and match your family members --- kids with dad, kids with mom, the whole family together, just the couple, etc. --- and we typically move around a bit to get different angles and lighting.  

The goal of these sessions is to “freeze” this season of your life and tell the story of who you all are, separately and together, so you can look back on it in the years and decades to come.  

I recommend doing these full-length sessions at least every five years, and maybe a bit more frequently when the kids are little.  

What’s a Mini Session?  

“But wait Olivia, you said once a year!” 

You caught that, did you?  

Yep. That’s where the mini-sessions come in.  

Look, not everyone can afford a full-length session once a year, and not everyone wants to go through the whole process that often.  

But a mini session can get you in and out and your family in print in just 30 minutes.  

These sessions can also be on location, but it’s usually a location of my choice, so I can book back-to-back sessions, save myself some time and energy, and keep the process simplified for you.  

During these sessions, you come prepared to shoot, and I’ll take mostly traditional-style photos that are staged by me, and I’ll mix a few candid shots in as we change poses.  

They’re quick and easy, and the goal is a lifestyle update. I, like most photographers, offer them seasonally as well as throughout the year.  

You can usually get in, get out, and get about 10 prints for under $100.  

I recommend booking a mini session at least once a year, around your full-length shoots.  

A Happy Medium 

I also offer a happy medium, somewhere between full-length and mini-sessions.  

These shoots take about 45 minutes and are a kind of upgraded version of the mini shoots. You’ll still either come to my studio or a prearranged location, I’ll often have various equipment to catch the best angles and lighting, and you’ll arrive ready to shoot.  

In the 45 minutes that follow, I’ll get posed photos and candid shots of you and your family. It’s a great way to document where your family is right now without committing to a full-length session.  

What’s Right for You?  

It depends. Like with most things in life, you’ll choose the photo shoot that makes the most sense for where you are in life right now.  

If you just had a full-length session done, you might want to book a mini. If it’s been a few years, but you’re not ready for the full feature, book a 45-minute session,  

And if your family photo shoot is long overdue, it might be time to buckle down and get a nice, long lifestyle session done, complete with family pets and grandma alongside you all. 

Truly, the best way to know which photography session is right for you is to talk to your favorite photographer. She’ll have a discovery session with you, discuss your needs, and get you in the books based on where your family is today.  

Ready to talk? Fill out my contact form and let’s get started.  

At-Home Lifestyle Sessions for Your Family

The longer that I am a mom, I realize the little things really are the big things. Sure, that’s what everyone says (I can see you rolling your eyes a little bit!), but those everyday moments are beautiful. They’re authentic. From gardening and bath time to cooking, playing outside, and reading, these are the moments that define your family story. This is why I’m passionate about in-home, lifestyle sessions. In these sessions, dance parties and spontaneous laughter (and even chickens!) are welcomed.

Why do a lifestyle session? An in-home or at-home lifestyle session focuses on the organic and genuine moments. What’s so cool about these shoots is it also allows your family members to be themselves, to do the things you normally do (such as baking, cooking, reading books, and riding bikes), and children often respond well to the comfortable feel. These shoots are not about having a picture-perfect, Pinterest home, but about celebrating what makes your family unique. A family lifestyle session can be done indoors or outdoors, whatever will best showcase your style and your family. I am able to harness whatever natural light is available to get the best, dreamy shots of your sweet crew.

When can I book a lifestyle session like this? I book these sessions year-round. You can choose indoor or outdoor (or a combination of the two) at your home. In the familiar setting of your garden, home, or backyard, formality gets removed, and the focus shifts from perfection to authenticity. I find that I capture more goofy laughs and genuine smiles when children can be in their own space, and I can include animals or pets as well.

Why are lifestyle, at-home sessions so convenient? One of the most notable advantages of in-home lifestyle sessions is the convenience they offer. If you’re a parent, you certainly know what it’s like to pack children up in nice clothes, and transport them to a photo location. While some respond well to that style of photos, some children experience anxiety and get nervous about traditional photos. By bringing me (the photographer) to your home, you’re able to relax, spend quality time with your family, and avoid the hassles of rushing out the door. Weather uncertainties are also a little less stressful with an at-home session. The unpredictability of weather elements like snow, wind, or hail is eliminated if you have an indoor session (crucial in a state like Oregon!), ensuring that the focus remains on capturing genuine moments without worrying about external factors. As kids grow at an alarming pace, these in-home lifestyle photography sessions become a timeless keepsake, allowing you to reminisce about the details that may fade with time but are forever preserved in the images of your everyday life!