Hey there, friend. Today, I want to share something really special with you. It’s not about me or my perspective as a boudoir photographer—this time, it’s about one of my amazing clients, Sarah.
Sarah came to me a while back for her boudoir session, and her journey was so powerful that I asked if I could share her story (with her permission, of course). She wrote about her experience in her own words, and when I read it, I got goosebumps. It’s such a beautiful reminder of why I do what I do and the transformative power of boudoir photography.
Here’s Sarah’s story, shared with her blessing:
Sarah’s Story: “I Wasn’t Sure I Deserved This”
When I first booked my boudoir session with Critsey, I’ll be honest—I almost canceled. The idea of being photographed in lingerie, with all my flaws on display, felt terrifying. I’ve spent years nitpicking my body. My thighs are too big. My stomach isn’t flat. My arms jiggle when I wave. You name it, I’ve probably obsessed over it in the mirror.
But there was a small part of me—a whisper, really—that said, “What if this is what you need to finally feel good about yourself?” So I decided to go for it, even though I didn’t fully believe I deserved to.
The Nerves Were Real
On the day of the shoot, I was a bundle of nerves. I kept wondering if Critsey would think I wasn’t “boudoir material.” Would she judge my body? Would I look ridiculous trying to pose?
The moment I walked into my shoot, though, those fears started to melt away. Critsey has this incredible energy that makes you feel like you’re hanging out with a friend who genuinely thinks you’re fabulous. She hyped me up before I even stepped in front of the camera, and for the first time in a long time, I started to feel…excited?
Seeing Myself Differently
The session itself was surprisingly fun. Critsey guided me through poses and encouraged me the whole time. There was music playing, and I started to feel less like I was exposing myself and more like I was reclaiming something.
But the real moment of truth came a few days later, when I got to see my photos.
I sat there, scrolling through image after image, and I cried. Not because I was picking myself apart, but because I didn’t recognize the woman in those photos—in the best way possible.
She was confident. Radiant. Sexy. She wasn’t focused on her so-called flaws. She looked alive.
And then it hit me: That woman was me.
The Lies We Tell Ourselves
For years, I’ve been telling myself a story about how I wasn’t enough. Not thin enough, not toned enough, not pretty enough. But those photos told a different story. They showed me that I’ve been enough this whole time—I just didn’t know it.
Seeing myself through Critsey’s lens was like putting on glasses after years of blurry vision. I saw not just my body, but my strength, my resilience, and my worth.
More Than Just Photos
What I realized is that boudoir photography isn’t just about the photos (though I absolutely love mine and can’t stop looking at them!). It’s about the experience. It’s about taking a leap of faith and saying, “I am worthy of feeling beautiful and celebrated.”
It’s about giving yourself permission to see yourself the way others see you—your partner, your friends, your family. They’re not obsessing over whether your arms are toned enough or if you have a flat stomach. They see you as the incredible, unique person you are.
And now, thanks to this experience, I see myself that way too.
What I’d Tell Anyone Thinking About Boudoir
If you’re on the fence about booking a boudoir session, I want you to know this: You don’t have to wait until you feel “ready.” You don’t need to lose weight or tone up or fix whatever you think is wrong with you. You’re already enough, just as you are.
Boudoir is about celebrating you, in this moment, without conditions. It’s about letting go of the lies you’ve been told about your body and embracing the truth: that you are beautiful, powerful, and absolutely enough.
Take it from me, someone who almost didn’t do it. The experience was more than worth it. And if you’re lucky enough to work with Critsey, I can promise you this: She’ll make you feel like a queen from the moment you walk through the door.
My Takeaway
After reading Sarah’s story, I hope you can see why boudoir is so much more than just a photo session. It’s a journey—a rediscovery of who you are and a celebration of everything that makes you uniquely you.
Sarah’s transformation is one of the reasons I love what I do. Watching someone step into their power and realize they are enough? There’s nothing like it.
So if Sarah’s story resonated with you, maybe it’s time to take your own leap. Your self-love era is waiting, and I’d be honored to help you step into it. You’ve always been enough. Now it’s time to see it for yourself.