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The No 1 Question I Get Asked

As a Boudoir Photographer

As a boudoir photographer, I get asked lots of wild questions. But the No 1 question I get asked the most is, “How did you get into photographing boudoir?” It’s a pretty funny story and I”m sharing it live!

I didn't really find boudoir photography, moreso, it found me!

MY ORIGIN STORY

When I started out as a photographer, I did a bit of everything: weddings, family portraits, seniors, and even baby photos. While each experience taught me something, none of it truly resonated with me. I struggled to connect, and honestly, photographing toddlers or navigating the chaos of weddings wasn’t fulfilling.

Then, in 2008, a co-worker with a love for vintage aesthetics asked me to shoot her engagement session with a fun, pin-up twist. A few months later, she invited me back for a playful, retro-style shoot in her pink dressing room. I said yes, not realizing this session would completely shift my career.

"I struggled to connect, and honestly, photographing toddlers and navigating the chaos of weddings wasn’t fulfilling."

That shoot was a revelation. Unlike weddings or family portraits, I didn’t have to wrangle toddlers or deal with awkward family dynamics. My only focus was making her feel beautiful—and I loved every moment of it.

Watch the live on YouTube. ⬆️

THERE'S A NAME FOR THIS???


Not long after that shoot, I came across an article in Professional Photographers of America magazine about the growing boudoir genre. It was eye-opening. Here was a whole world of photography dedicated to celebrating women, their confidence, and their beauty. I realized I’d already dabbled in it without even knowing it had a name.

From there, I dove into research. I practiced on friends (with their enthusiastic consent and some tequila involved!) and honed my skills. Each shoot was a new opportunity to learn, improve, and connect.

broken image

An image from one of my first boudoir shoots. (Cringe?)

Finding My Purpose


In 2011, I made the leap. I rebranded my business, focused exclusively on boudoir, and never looked back. That first year as a boudoir specialist, I booked more clients than I ever had before. It was clear: I’d found my niche and that's when A. Dannette Boudoir was born!

Boudoir photography allows me to combine artistry, empowerment, and connection in a way no other genre ever could. It’s about celebrating women as they are—strong, beautiful, and uniquely themselves.