My Why. Why I chose Boudoir over everything else.

For years I've dealt with low self-worth and anxiety. I struggled with feelings of inadequacy and lack of confidence due to past experiences. After finding my power and voice within the niche of boudoir, I realized that I could help build women back up so that they didn't have to feel like I have. Like nothing. Like I wasn’t worthy. Like I wasn’t good enough for anything or anyone.

To be able to help women have even just a moment of unwavering confidence in themselves is the most incredible thing I have been a part of and after seeing the change happen, I knew this is exactly where I needed to be.

I am a body positive photographer and strive to help every woman love their body and truly love themselves.  I love that every lady is different, if we weren't, the world would be a really fucking boring place. I strive to provide every woman that I photograph a renewed perspective. Although I cannot take away past experiences, I can help you look forward and help you love the woman looking back at you in the mirror. Let me take you there. To the place where you can experience yourself. 

 Beauty is more than outward appearance – beauty is a state-of-mind. Feeling beautiful and acknowledging your beauty can lead to a shift on so many levels – physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually. To me, boudoir photography is about so much more than showcasing your body attractively and intimately; it’s about rediscovering your authentic self. 

I know from experience that nearly every woman has some perceived “fault” that prevents her from “seeing” her beauty and embracing her uniqueness. When I get to show women pictures of themselves captured in intimate and artistic photographs, there are three typical reactions: silence, joyful laughter and emotions or tears.

Many of us are unkind to ourselves, insecure and we’ve bought into that little voice in our head that tells us we’re not good enough, not pretty enough – not worthy and deserving.

Boudoir is a chance to rediscover our beauty, our passion, to learn to love ourselves again. I think it’s easy for women to lose themselves in the roles they play and negative experiences of the past. I like to ask women, when did you stop thinking you were beautiful?

Societal perceptions of beauty can play a huge role in developing a negative self-image, and this can lead to poor self-esteem and a lack of self-confidence. I ask women to list ten things they love and then ask where they appear on the list. Sadly, many women will not place themselves in the top 10. I want to help women rediscover their beauty! 

Boudoir can be an empowering experience where beauty is recognized, honoured and celebrated – a transformative adventure where a woman can rediscover her value, her femininity, reconnect with her authentic self and learn to respect and appreciate herself again. 

I really believe that we become what we think about, most of the time. If a woman thinks she’s beautiful, she’ll open herself up to beauty – to seeing her beauty and uniqueness.

The camera, with encouragement from the photographer, removes perceptual filters and allows facets of a woman’s personality that may have been blocked to come through and become visible again. Though this can be challenging, but when it happens, it’s incredibly powerful.

Even if I can create one minute of unwavering confidence, it’s worth it!

-Erika xxo