Ashley Durham, owner of The Secret Pin-Up, Boudoir and Glamour Photographer is a contributing member of Boudoir International. Today, we’re featuring a real boudoir shoot, photographed by Ashley in Colorado Springs. Her client, Abby was kind enough to answer some of our questions about her boudoir experience. Take a look at her gorgeous photos!
Why did you want to do a boudoir shoot?Boudoir photography has a tendency to make women feel amazing about themselves. I was in a slump and really felt like I needed that self-esteem booster. I felt like the session would do just that, and it definitely did. Never in my life have I felt incredibly sexy with so little clothing on.
How did you choose your photographer?I came across Ashley’s work while looking at fellow photographers that were attending an upcoming photography retreat. I immediately fell in love with her work. She’s amazing, and every image I saw made me feel like I absolutely needed her to photograph me.
How did you feel as you were preparing for the shoot?Preparing was nerve-wracking at first. Although after reading a blog post I found out that I didn’t have to stress out over what to wear. I had to choose items that made me feel comfortable. Outfits that I could actual say, “yes, this is something that I feel matches my personality.”
Any advice for ladies thinking about doing a boudoir shoot?Be yourself. If you are a generally happy person, laugh during your session. If you are serious, go for that sexy, seductive look. Work with someone who brings out the best in your personality. Choose a photographer that will talk to you before, during and after your session to make sure you felt comfortable throughout the process. Again, BE YOURSELF.
Your favorite moment of the whole experience?Seeing my images during the ordering session. I smiled the entire way through. I felt amazing in my skin, and that was not something I would have said in the weeks prior to the session.
Lingerie/shoes/accessories – any thing you want to share about what you wore, where you shopped, links etc?Victoria’s Secret is the place to go! Not only do they have amazing selection, but they have items to fit various shapes, sizes, and personalities. I felt sexiest in the PINK tank top. Still, to this day, my husband has a huge smile on his face when I wear it.
Just for fun: Define what SEXINESS &/OR BEAUTY means to you.Sexiness to me is something that comes from within. It’s the way you carry yourself, the way you smile. Beauty is the same way. You have to feel it inside to be able to radiate it on the outside.
Just for fun favorites: share your favorite lyrics from a song, or a favorite quote.“What could we accomplish if we knew we could not fail?” ― Eleanor Roosevelt
Did this experience change the way you see yourself, or the way you think of beauty? Anything else you want to share about your experience?Growing up I was never the “pretty one”. I never saw myself as beautiful, because I wasn’t told that I am. After my session with Ashley I discovered that I really am beautiful. Inside and out. It’s not what the world thinks about me, it’s what I feel about myself. Yes, I had my hair and makeup professionally done, but that doesn’t mean that the starting canvas wasn’t already beautiful. It took seeing my body in lingerie to make me realize that I can be so much more than I thought I was. I have a belly that is hard to get rid of, but I have a baby boy that steals my heart everyday with his smile. He is part of the way my body looks. If this body can create such an amazing miracle, it’s definitely worth photographing.
We’d like to extend a big thanks to Abby for giving us permission to share her boudoir photos on the Boudoir International blog. You ARE beautiful!
If you’re looking for a boudoir photographer in the Colorado Springs area, visit The Secret Pin-Up, Ashley Durham, Boudoir and Glamour Photographer on Boudoir International and see more of Ashley’s work on her website: http://thesecretpinup.com/
