Reframing Your Self Image With Boudoir
As a boudoir photographer at The Vixen Society in the heart of Dallas, I have the privilege of guiding incredible women through a transformative experience that celebrates their inner art. Every session in our luxuriously spacious studio is an exploration of elegance, sensuality, and empowerment. Recently, I had the pleasure of working with a client whose style effortlessly combined flapper chic with a modern edge, creating a shoot that was as rich in texture and storytelling as it was in visual artistry.
“I had always had the idea of doing a boudoir shoot in the back of my head.” Ms B shared with me. “But what really triggered me into action was my recent move to DFW and realizing that I wanted to remember the amazing growth I’ve achieved personally in the past year or so. First and foremost, I wanted to do it for me, to memorialize what a baller I am and to inspire other women to similarly embrace and celebrate themselves, their beauty, and intrinsic power.”
With this in mind and the help of the accomplished make-up artist, LaDonna Stein, we carefully began curating the look and “feel” that would encompass our full day together in the studio. “At The Vixen Society we can do any hair and makeup look that the client wants,” Ladonna explains. “For this shoot in particular, we went with a moody/smokey vibe with a vampy dark lip, because Ms. B wanted to feel powerful and sexy! I will always use inspiration images as a jumping-off point to determine how dark we want to go and then adjust the colors, angles, and shapes to suit each person’s unique features and create a balanced look. I love a “no-makeup” look just as much as a vampy smokey one. For bangs, we have some special techniques to keep them from flipping up during the shoot and the laying down poses - movie magic! I always tease the underside of the bangs, and smooth the outer layer to the desired length and shape, with a solid wall of hairspray.”
Moody/Smokey Boudoir Makeup Look by LaDonna Stein at The Vixen Society
Our session began with a soft blue bombshell strappy lingerie set from Honey Birdette. The premium blue satin provided an almost ethereal touch, while the matching leather cuffs, with embossed buckles, added a bold edge. To complete this sultry ensemble, an adjustable collar with a luxe leash introduced a hint of avant-garde fetish fashion. The combination was both provocative and sophisticated, setting the stage for an unforgettable start to the shoot. But the vibrant, kitschy backdrop of the set, with its feathered lamps casting a warm, intimate glow, a plush velvet couch in a striking color, and an animal print throw rug, created an atmosphere of opulence and playfulness. Each element was photographed in a way to enhance the mood and complement Ms. B's energy.
My background in photojournalism constantly inspires my approach to boudoir photography. For me; it’s always about creating a visual story that evolves with each frame, revealing the many facets of a woman’s personality. It’s incredibly important for me to make sure that women are reminded that they don’t have to fit in a societal box. I want to show them that we are magnificent multidimensional beings that can BE and LOVE different styles from one moment to the next. That being said, as we transitioned to the second outfit, we leaned into the nostalgic flapper-inspired aesthetic that Ms. B connects with. She wore a stunning slip from Thistle and Spire with a draping fringe that framed her curves in all of the right ways. The satin bow closure at the nape of her neck was not just a beautiful detail—it was a key element in the storytelling of undressing, adding a layer of intrigue and allure.
Although I pose women head to toe during the entire session, some of the best moments come through unexpectedly. As natural light filtered through the window in our bedroom set, it illuminated Ms.B in a way that was both breathtaking and serendipitous. Although the shot was initially intended to be from the back view, the play of light on her chest created a portrait that quickly became one of my favorites from the session. We still laugh about the fact that I noticed the light as I told her to relax and then abruptly yelled “DON’T MOVE” as I bolted on top of the bed for the height that I needed to compose the perfect shot. It was a beautiful reminder that sometimes the most extraordinary moments arise from the unplanned.
From there, we flowed seamlessly into the fine art nudes in both the bedroom and our exuberant chandelier-adorned room in the front of the studio. In a particularly exciting moment during the session, our owner Tamara Paskey-Alexander, renowned for her artistry in fine art nudes in nature and beyond, joined us to add another layer of magic to the shoot. With her deep understanding and passion for posing the female body, she effortlessly collaborated with me to create a gorgeous series of images. We guided Ms.B into poses that highlighted the gracefulness that she swears she doesn’t have. The harmonious interplay and synergy between our artistic visions resulted in the three of us creating art that felt both timeless and deeply personal.
Describing the shoot with The Vixen Society, Ms. B said “It was so much fun, so affirming! I felt like a total rock star from start to finish.” This is a compliment that I don’t take lightly, considering that outside of my boudoir photography career I have been a photojournalist in the music industry for the past several years. And yes… I DO strive to make sure that every Vixen truly does feel like the rockstar that I believe they are. “I gained a new appreciation for the amount of work that it takes on both sides of the camera to create,” Ms. B continues. “It truly felt like I was a part of a collaborative art project.
After the session, I took the time to cull through the images and select the best to be edited by our expert retoucher, Amanda. When I received the images back, I put my artistic finishing touches on them and created a video slideshow set to music with all 55 images. When Ms. B arrived for her ordering appointment, it was time for us to sit back and watch the magic that we made on the big screen of our private ordering room. And her reaction upon seeing the photos was pure delight! “I felt bowled over, and so full of joy and appreciation for my body! I knew they were going to be good based on the teasers I saw on the day of the shoot, but I could not have prepared myself for how stunning they were! That’s me?! Incredible.”
Reflecting on past body image concerns, she noted, “I think every woman struggles to accept her body as-is, bombarded as we are with societal expectations around what constitutes beauty. I’ve always understood intellectually that everyone is beautiful in their own way and comparison is the thief of joy, but it’s difficult to self-apply this understanding. It’s so easy to scrutinize our bodies since we’re closest to them! But I think the best thing about this shoot was how it helped me reframe my self-perception…looking at those images, I could truly see how others see me and regard myself as a work of art. Any flaws or imperfections I might have fixated on before were minor compared to the overall impact of those amazing shots!” Since the shoot, she mentioned, “I look at those images almost daily, and they are fantastic reminders that I have the goods! Not just aesthetically, but in the way my personality comes through. I don’t talk crap to myself nearly as much, but when I do I’m very quick to remember that I have what it takes to overcome whatever negativity life throws my way.”
And to women considering a boudoir session, Ms.B advises, “Don’t hesitate! Images are powerful tools for reframing, so if you have any shred of self-doubt about being “hot enough” I would honestly say that every single woman is more than hot enough, and these ladies are imminently capable of proving that through the art they will help you create!”
In closing, I never think I’m able to put my gratitude for this work into words. But here we are with another blog post that shares how powerful and important the art of boudoir truly is. To the women who have shared these moments with me, thank you for being vulnerable, letting go, and trusting me to show you how beautiful you are. To the women reading this with a boudoir session on the books, get ready for an unforgettable chapter in your self-love journey. And to the women who are scared to book a shoot, you can do it girl and we’ll be there every step of the way.
- XO Emma Jaye
