Hi there! I’m Critsey Rowe, owner, and photographer at Couture Boudoir. Recently, I had the pleasure of working with a wonderful woman who was hesitant about booking a boudoir session but ultimately decided to surprise her husband with a special 40th birthday present. In this interview, she shares her experience and feelings before, during, and after the session. I hope her story inspires other women who may be hesitant to try boudoir photography and shows them how empowering and beautiful the experience can be. So without further ado, let’s dive in!
Was there anything holding you back from booking a boudoir session?
Yes, I was nervous about being uncomfortable and awkward as well as that the photos wouldn’t be worth keeping.
What made you decide to book a boudoir session?
I really wanted to give my husband an amazing 40th Birthday present. And while I don’t love my body that much I knew that it would be something that he would love and cherish for a lifetime.
What made your decision to book Couture Boudoir specifically?
I really wanted to surprise my husband and I knew this was something he would never believe that I would do.
What were you most nervous about before your boudoir session?
I was the most nervous that I would not be able to relax and take good pictures.
Describe how you felt during your session.
The time during hair and makeup helped me to get into a better frame of mind and feel more comfortable with some general chit-chat. I was definitely nervous in the beginning and worried I was not doing the positions correctly. After the first 15 minutes, I really started to feel more calm. Critsey did an amazing job to make me feel relaxed and explaining what to do in detail for each position. By the end, it felt natural and like she was just going with the flow with whatever came to her mind for me individually. I was so excited by the end to see the final result.
How did you feel about yourself after seeing your boudoir photos?
After getting the photos back, I was so in awe of what Critsey was able to create. They felt like masterpieces of art and I couldn’t decide which ones to keep so I ended up buying them all. It was well worth it and I know that I will look back on those pictures in 20 years and be so thankful to have them.
Describe your overall experience with Couture Boudoir…
From booking, in the beginning, all the way to receiving my photos, the whole process was amazing! Critsey was so easy to work with and made the whole process a dream come true. She worked with me to be able to get the photos back quickly so I would have them ready for my husband’s birthday and the excitement that he had when he opened them was better than anything I could have imagined.
What would you tell other women hesitant in booking a boudoir session?
Do it! You won’t regret it. It is so empowering. As a woman who suffers from body dysmorphia, it was one of the best things I have ever done for myself.
*Please note the photos posted are not of the actual client as she wished to remain anonymous.
