Whenever my work is published, it feels like my birthday. There is that same fluttery excitement, the same spark of joy, and the same sense of surprise that makes everything feel magical. That is exactly how I felt when I found out that my bridal boudoir work was featured in the current April June issue of Carolina Bride Magazine. The moment I saw the layout, I felt that familiar rush sweep over me. It never gets old. It never becomes something I take for granted. Every single feature feels like a celebration.
Although I have had the honor of being published many times over the years, this one feels especially meaningful. Bridal boudoir holds such a special place in my heart. It is timeless, romantic, emotional, and deeply personal. So seeing Carolina Bride highlight the beauty and significance of this genre makes me happier than I can truly express.
A Feature That Feels Like a Gift
The morning I received the news, I read the email twice just to let it sink in. It instantly lifted my mood in the best way. It also reminded me of all the brides who have shared their stories, their nerves, their excitement, and their dreams with me over the years. Every woman who chooses to do bridal boudoir carries her own reasons for stepping into that moment. Some want to create a beautiful gift for their partner. Others want to celebrate their personal growth before marriage. Many simply want to feel empowered and confident as they enter such a big life chapter.
Because of that, this feature in Carolina Bride feels like a love letter to all of those women. It celebrates their courage and their beauty. It honors their trust. It highlights how meaningful bridal boudoir can be.
Why Bridal Boudoir Deserves the Spotlight
Bridal boudoir is much more than a pretty gift for a wedding day. It is often a transformative experience. Women walk into their sessions with a mix of excitement and nerves, but they always leave with an entirely new sense of confidence. The shift is visible. Their posture changes. Their smile softens and brightens simultaneously. Their energy becomes lighter and brighter. Seeing that transformation is one of the biggest joys of my work.
This is why I am thrilled that Carolina Bride Magazine decided to feature this genre. Bridal boudoir deserves recognition. It deserves space in wedding culture. Brides spend so much time caring for everyone else during the planning process. A boudoir session gives them something just for themselves. It becomes a pause in all the chaos, a moment to breathe, a moment to reconnect with their own body and confidence.
Additionally, it creates images that tell a story. A bridal boudoir album becomes a keepsake filled with emotion, strength, and love. It is something they can look back on years later and say, That was me. That was my moment. That was the beginning of a beautiful new chapter.
The Excitement of Seeing the Spread
Opening a magazine and seeing my images printed on the pages always gives me butterflies. This spread in Carolina Bride is absolutely gorgeous. The layout is beautifully designed. The styling and colors complement the elegance of the images. The editorial team did such a thoughtful job showcasing the story. Because of that, I hope people will pick up a copy at the bookstore or grocery store. The whole issue is lovely, but of course, the bridal boudoir feature makes my heart the happiest.
Whenever I see my work in print, I think about all the moments behind the scenes. I think about the laughter during the session. I think about the soft adjustments to posing. I think about the spark in a bride’s eyes when she realizes she looks breathtaking. Those tiny memories come flooding back, and they make publication feel even sweeter.
What This Feature Means for Future Brides
This feature will hopefully encourage brides who have been curious about boudoir but hesitant to take the leap. Sometimes all it takes is seeing another woman’s story in a magazine to realize, I could do that too. Publications like Carolina Bride help normalize boudoir photography. They show brides that feeling confident is not only allowed but encouraged. They show that boudoir can be elegant, soft, romantic, bold, or anything you want it to be.
The article that accompanies the spread also helps educate brides on what to expect. It answers the questions they are often too shy to ask. It explains why boudoir is meaningful and how it fits into the celebration of marriage. This kind of visibility empowers women to explore something that can lift their confidence in ways they never imagined.
Why Client Privacy Always Comes First
One thing I want every woman to know is this. Even though my work is published often, your images stay completely private unless you decide otherwise. That rule is non negotiable. Your privacy is always respected. A publication will never see a single image you have not personally approved.
Clients tell me all the time that they love seeing my work in magazines, but they also worry about whether their images could be next. So I make this clear from the beginning. Your gallery belongs to you. No one sees it except you unless you grant permission. Some clients choose to be featured because they want to celebrate their journey publicly. Others prefer their photos stay personal and sacred. Both choices are absolutely supported.
Trust is the foundation of everything I do. You cannot create intimate, emotional, and vulnerable portraits without it. Because of that, I guard my clients’ privacy fiercely. Featuring work in magazines is wonderful, but protecting the women I photograph matters far more.
A Heart Full of Gratitude
As I sit here writing this, I keep thinking about how lucky I am to do this work. Every client I photograph influences my creative journey. Every session teaches me something new about strength, beauty, and vulnerability. Every publication reminds me of how important it is to protect that trust and honor those stories.
Being featured in Carolina Bride Magazine is truly an honor. I am grateful for the platform, the recognition, and the opportunity to share the beauty of bridal boudoir with a wider audience. Most of all, I am grateful for the women who allow me into their world for a little while. They are the beating heart behind every image.
If you see the April June issue in your local bookstore or grocery store, be sure to flip through the bridal boudoir feature. It is stunning, heartfelt, and full of inspiration. I hope it brings you as much joy as it brought me.
xo, Critsey