healing through a boudoir session| oceanside, california boudoir photographer

I want you all to meet my girl, Haley.

Haley is quite honestly one of the most amazing people I have ever had the chance to work with. She booked her session with the intent to gift her and her fiance with some gorgeous photos to share and love on before their big wedding in Hawaii.

Sometimes it takes needing to do this for “someone else” in order to get your booty through the door. I get it. But what’s so amazing is that 10 times out of 10, you soon realize this is a gift entirely for you. And ya know what? YOU DESERVE IT.

I’ll say that again.

You. Deserve. It.

Haley was kind enough to share a little about her story & her experience working with me. I think it’s so important to give my clients the space to speak and share about their “why” because this often gets lost in translation when sharing their gorgeous images. Without context and more behind their intention for booking, we’re just seeing beautiful photos of beautiful humans.

never in a million years would I have thought that I would be in front of a camera getting photos taken, especially in lingerie.

As a domestic violence survivor, my body felt so foreign to me.

I did not love her. I did not value her. I was ashamed of her in more ways than one.

I have always struggled with finding comfort in my skin and loving myself, letting someone love me or

let alone being in focus for anything. I had admired Carrie Anne’s art for a long time via

Instagram and wished I could be comfortable enough to ever imagine myself in her space. After

some time of watching her live videos, seeing her positive messages and sensing her calm

nature, I decided I wanted to take the leap of faith and book a session.

I instantly felt she had a personal interest in me. I wasn’t just one of her clients. She was invested

in me and wanted to know my story. She was engaging, answered every question and

encouraged me to book the session. The process that led up to my session was so easy. Carrie

Anne and Kat had me fill out an in-depth questionnaire which led up to a custom made, just for

me, style guide. Think of this style guide as your own personal shopping look book. The links

were specifically set up to the websites and filled with my color and size choices.

It made shopping so easy.

On the day of my shoot, as I entered the studio, a cute little sign with my name on it helped

welcome me to the space. Meeting Carrie Anne, my nerves were high. After walking in, I met

her makeup artist, Christina and they both made me feel much more relaxed. While getting my

makeup done, I felt like I was chatting with two old friends, laughing and listening to music.

Both of their energies were very calming. Before we began my session, Carrie Anne asked my

permission for any positioning and personal touching.

As a survivor, this was incredibly meaningful.

Asking for consent prior to beginning the session gave me ownership over my own

body which was something I struggled with. Throughout my session Carrie Anne hyped me up

so much. She made me feel empowered and incredibly beautiful. In some moments I couldn’t

help but laugh because she would get so excited for me.

After my session concluded, she sat me down and I was able to go through the raw images of

her work. They were incredible. I looked so beautiful. I looked so powerful. I couldn’t help but

sit there and cry as I scrolled though the images. It felt so freeing. I picked out the package of

products I wanted to purchase and had edited images before I knew it. The hardest part of the

entire process was deciding which images were my favorite because I loved them all.

Carrie Anne ignited a love for myself, my body and my beauty;

something I had been missing since I was 15 years old.

She changed the way I view myself and helped me even further in my

healing process. I thank her for her calming space, caring soul, fueling energy, and

encouragement. She is like therapy for your soul and your sense of self. A session with Carrie

Anne truly did change my life and I could never thank her enough.