Speak To Me Photography, one year later

This month marks 1 year since I embarked on this journey. I've talked about it before, but I feel like now is the time to reflect. Why I started this venture, what it means to me, what I've seen it do for others, as well as what we have going on in the future. I never could have imagined this is where we would be 1 year later.

The beginning

1 year ago I was deep into pole fitness and dance. Finding new ways to express myself and a community of strong women who made me feel strong, sexy and seen, in a way I never have. I was in a relationship with a man who did not make me feel sexy, I felt so deeply undesired and unwanted, felt trapped in a situation because I owned a home and 2 dogs with them. I had always wanted to do a Boudoir photoshoot and would keep studios websites as tabs on my phone constantly, just dying to pull the trigger and actually book them. But let's be honest, they can be real expensive, and in that relationship I didn't feel like it was something I would be able to share with my partner. So why bother. I shared this with a very beautiful, spooky goddess in one of my best friends (and now personal and professional hair stylist) Kasi, in her infinite wisdom, suggested I start doing boudoir myself. Knowing my mindset surrounding it, how I felt about female empowerment in connections with their body, and my artistic and creative sensibilities, something just clicked.

I began planning, researching feverishly. Learning everything I could on how to begin a photography studio, and specifically the niche of Boudoir. I had no interest in any other format at that time, and honestly still don't. I wanted to provide incredible, personalized and empowering experiences to women. Create a comfortable environment, harness the experience I have with being a therapist and counselor to allow women to feel like they can open themselves up and explore their inner and outer beauty, enabling me to show them a different side of themselves. And fortunately, many women have trusted me to do just this over the past year.

A year in review

In the past year, I have held 2 Boudoir Parties, 14 individual experiences, 2 couples photoshoots and 2 team photoshoots. In several different locations, I moved in the middle there and had to quickly make a game time decision as to how to move forward. It challenged me to adjust and overcome the challenge, making due with the space I have, and getting some pretty incredible outcomes. I've been able to see women experience emotional responses to their photos, and have a new found perspective on the relationship they have with their bodies. Seeing the connection 2 people share in a relationship, and how to bring that connection forward to be reflected back through the lens. It is honestly some of my favorite experiences to be able to capture that connection and memorialize it forward, tell the story in their reveal session and how they react so emotionally. In the Boudoir Parties, being able to create an environment of openness and creativity to be able to experiment different techniques and scenarios to enable others to see different skin tones and body types to enable them to find someone who looks like them in our portfolio.

I've been able to personally have several photoshoot experiences with different artists, and the team getting to explore the other side of the camera as opposed to always preparing others for theirs. Collaboratively we have educated ourselves on what creates a safe and warm environment for everyone who chooses to trust us with their Boudoir experience. I upgraded my camera, Kasi and Leah expanding their individual kits to serve clients better, and I have taken several educational courses on posing in addition to in person/virtual mentoring.

We made an incredible connection with The Dery Mansion in Catasaqua who took a chance on us and is entrusting us to provide Boudoir Experiences out of their beautiful space. Setting up a year of possibilities for our clients that is so unique and full of possibilities that we will be exploring ourselves in the next week.

Hopes and dreams for the next year

In the next year we are hitting the ground running. We have another Boudoir Party scheduled to prepare for the spooky and holiday season. Pushing the boundaries and exploring a bit more of a kinky side to holiday Boudoir. We have several inquiries and photoshoots booked in the coming months and are having more experiences with individuals who are finding us organically as opposed to knowing one of the #speaktomesquad in some fashion. There is something still so profound for me when someone books a photoshoot and uses my photos, or photos of me for inspiration. My initial reaction is ALWAYS shut up, then tears. Every. Single. Time.

We also have our anniversary party coming up in July, celebrating alongside the incredible individuals who have trusted us over the past year. In the fall we have a Wedding Expo we are participating in, in addition to continuing to develop our relationships with local vendors and venues. Continue to seek education on different approaches to posing, and finding other artists to collaborate with, or have photoshoots with, I certainly have a list for my personal photographers I want to have a photoshoot for myself with.

We hope to book more couples, and not just heterosexual couples. We want to celebrate love and connection with anyone and everyone who is willing to work alongside us and trust us with their Boudoir Experience. Push ourselves creatively and expand upon what we can offer our clients. The sky is the limit, probably.

So speak to us, tell us what makes you feel sexy and we will make sure to give you an experience you will never forget. And hopefully help you to see yourself in a completely different light.