The empowering side of boudoir: real stories from real women

There’s something incredibly powerful about choosing to celebrate yourself — just as you are. At Boudoir by Honey & Heather, I’ve had the honour of photographing so many incredible women, each with their own reason for stepping in front of the camera. Some come to mark a milestone. Others want to feel confident again after becoming a mum, going through a breakup, or simply needing a reminder of their worth.

But no matter the reason, the transformation that happens during a boudoir shoot is always magic.

In this new blog series, I’ll be sharing real stories from real women who’ve stepped into the studio — nervous, excited, curious — and left feeling empowered, confident, and totally badass. These aren’t models or influencers. They’re just like you.

Today, I’m chatting with Molly about why she booked her Cardiff boudoir photoshoot with me, how it made her feel, and what she’d say to anyone thinking about doing the same.

1). What first made you think about booking a boudoir shoot?

“Honestly it was so spur of the moment the idea to sending an enquiry to booking! I had been wanting to push myself outside of my comfort zone for a while but not quite sure how, and when I saw Heather’s boudoir shoot come up and knowing her work from being a guest at a Wedding she shot; I wanted to capture a side of myself that I don’t often acknowledge.”

2). Was it something you contemplated for a while? Or did you just go for it? Why did you wait/jump in?

“I saw a post for the ‘New Year, New Confidence’ package and was intrigued! A boudoir shoot had never really crossed my mind as something I would do but looking into it I decided to message Heather, checking she would be okay working with someone plus size and the warmth that came from her first response to me made me book there and then! Within 48 hours I think of the initial thought the session was booked!”

3). How did you feel before the session?

“ I was a mix of excited and incredibly nervous. I’m someone who is naturally more extroverted and happy being in front of the camera, but there was that thought in the back of my mind about how vulnerable I was about to be. “

4). Can you describe how you felt during the session?

“Surprisingly, once the session had started; I had a sense of freedom. Heather was so supportive and professional, she made me feel at ease so quickly! I had so much fun doing the session, part of the time I forgot I had barely any clothes on! I stopped overthinking my flaws and just leant into the experience. It was empowering - like stepping into a version of myself I didn’t know existed.”

5). How did you feel when you saw your photos for the first time?

“I was blown away! The flaws I thought I had, I couldn’t see them; I saw strength, beauty and confidence. It was emotional because I realised I looked so much more radiant and powerful than I give myself credit for. “

6). Did doing the shoot change how you see/feel about yourself in any way?

“Yes - it really did! It didn’t magically erase my insecurities, but it gave me a new perspective. I saw myself through a softer, more compassionate lens. It reminded me that I can be both vulnerable and strong, and that I deserved to celebrate myself as I am.”

7). What would you say to a friend who’s thinking about doing a boudoir shoot but feels unsure?

“ I’d tell them you don’t have to wait until you feel “ready” or until you hit some goal or milestone - do it for the person you are right now. It’s not about perfection, it’s about embracing yourself. You might surprise yourself with how empowering and joyful the experience is! And trust me, you won’t be regret having those beautiful reminder of your strength and beauty.”

Molly’s story is exactly why I do this.

Boudoir isn’t just about photos — it’s about rediscovering your power, quieting that inner critic, and seeing yourself through a lens of compassion and confidence. Whether you’ve been thinking about booking for months or this is the first time it’s crossed your mind, I want you to know: you don’t need to change a single thing about yourself to deserve this experience.

You are already enough — just as you are.

If Molly’s story resonates with you, maybe it’s your turn to take that leap. I’ll be right here to guide you every step of the way, just like I was for her.

Want to find out more or ask me a question about booking your own shoot? Click here to get in touch — no pressure, just a chat. 💬