Boudoir With a Purpose: seeing Herself Through New Eyes

If you’ve ever looked in the mirror and thought, “Could I ever really do something like a boudoir session?”- this story is for you.

Because Ms. J? She’s been there. She spent years quietly admiring boudoir from afar, following photographers, watching the stories unfold, and daydreaming about what it might feel like to see herself captured that way. But like so many women, she rarely saw bodies like hers in the spotlight. So she tucked the idea away. Maybe one day. Maybe when she felt “ready.”

Spoiler alert: that day finally came, and it turned out to be everything she never knew she needed.

When More Than Was the Wake-Up Call

Ms. J had been following Hype Girl Boudoir for nearly three years before she booked. She adored the energy, the inclusivity, the representation- but it still didn’t feel like her time yet. There was guilt. Unworthiness. Mom-life. That little whisper that said, “You can’t spend that kind of money on yourself.”

Then she saw our More Than Passion Project. A boudoir movement centered around body acceptance and reclaiming your identity outside of the roles we wear like armor, and then something clicked.

She told us she resonated so deeply with the message that she applied on the spot. “The next day I was accepted, and the rest fell into place perfectly.” For the first time, this felt like something bigger than just a photoshoot. It felt like a purpose, a yes to herself.

Real Talk: The Nerves Were Real

Even with that full-body YES in place, the nerves didn’t just disappear. Ms. J admitted she was equal parts excited and terrified leading up to her session. “There were moments I wanted to cancel,” she said, “but just as many moments of pure excitement for this absolutely wild thing I was about to do.”

One of the things that helped was her one-on-one consultation with Marcella. “She was so thorough in explaining the flow of the day, my outfit and product options… she really eased my nerves.” And that’s the point- we never want anyone walking into this experience unsure or overwhelmed. The support starts way before the camera comes out.

Every Outfit, From Our Closet (Yep. Every. Single. One.)

Let’s talk about these stunning lingerie pieces she’s wearing, shall we?

Everything Ms. J wore during her session came straight from our client closet—a curated collection of sexy, bold, romantic, and edgy pieces that is style and size inclusive. We spent a ton of time going through options together, finding the looks that spoke to her, challenged her just a little, and made her feel like that bitch.

And here’s the juicy part: the piece she was most scared of? Ended up being her absolute fave.

When we pulled a completely backless (save for some straps) bodysuit for her Dark Library Bonus Set, she nearly backed away. But she trusted the process—and by the time we shot in it, she was obsessed with how she looked. “I was terrified of that piece when Tiffany pulled it off the rack,” she said. “But by the time we got to it, I was in love with how it made me look and feel.”

Chills. Every damn time.

The Shoot: Silly, Sexy, and So Damn Empowering

Day-of, the energy was electric. From the moment she stepped into hair and makeup, things started to shift. “I loved this part,” Ms. J said. “The team really listened to my vision and brought my dark romantic makeup dreams to life.”

Then came time to take photos! We started with her most covered outfit and slowly worked our way into the bolder, more revealing pieces- something we do that’s intentional. We build confidence, layer by layer. And Ms. J? She brought the fire.

Even though she called herself “painfully awkward,” you’d never know it from the images. “Thanks to Tiffany’s guidance, none of my photos show that,” she said. And that’s the thing—you don’t have to know how to pose! We coach every movement, every glance, every damn hand placement. Head here, eyes there, hips this way. We’ve got you.

The vibe? Playful, encouraging, totally relaxed. “Tiffany and Marcella are so much fun and their silly, playful personalities keep the mood light,” she told us. “As the session went on, I was laughing so much I forgot that I was ever nervous.”

By the time we wrapped, she was on a full-blown high.

The Reveal: That Holy Sh*t Moment

After lunch, it was time for the big reveal. The moment where Ms. J got to see herself- maybe truly- for the first time in a long time.

She was nervous. The “what ifs” crept in. What if I don’t like them? What if I look gross? What if I wasted my money? But the second the first image popped on the screen, those thoughts were gone.

“I was honestly in disbelief that I was looking at myself- and that I loved what I saw.”

She scrolled through her gallery in shock and awe. “It felt amazing to see myself that way. A whole, beautiful person that could still be desirable even in this body that has changed so much.”

Before her session, she actually prepaid for our Rose Collection, using the bonus set (hello again, Dark Library) and her product credit to go all in—a massive luxe album with her 40 favorite images and the matching digitals to go with it. No regrets. Just a lifetime reminder that she is powerful, worthy, and so damn beautiful.

What This Was Really About

Yes, it was a boudoir session, and yes the photos were stunning. But for Ms. J, this was something deeper.

“This wasn’t just about me,” she told us. “It was boudoir with a bigger purpose.”

She stepped into a space she was scared of. She showed up for herself in a way she never had before. And in doing so, she gave herself permission to be seen. Not as a mom, a wife, or a to-do list, but as a whole-ass woman.

“This experience gave me so much,” she said. “Core memories were made that day. I would do it again in a heartbeat and I truly think everyone should get to try this sometime in their life. It’s healing, empowering, and just plain fun.”

Thinking About Booking Your Own Session?

You don’t have to “feel ready.”

You don’t need to “lose the weight.”

You don’t need to know how to pose, or wear lingerie every day, or even call yourself sexy yet.

You just need to be willing to say yes to yourself.

And from there? We’ll take care of the rest. All you gotta do is tap the button below.