Soft and Sweet , My Very Own Outdoor Boudoir Shoot {Erika Nicole Photography, Eugene, Boise, and Portland Boudoir Photographer} « Erika Nicole Photography Erika Nicole Photography

Soft and Sweet , My Very Own Outdoor Boudoir Shoot {Erika Nicole Photography, Eugene, Boise, and Portland Boudoir Photographer}

As I sit here in Boise in an old car repair shop turned coffee shop, contemplating life and if I am ready for the internet and their mothers to see my boudoir photos, I smile… I always tell woman to do boudoir, embrace their curves and imperfections, and give ‘em hell! So why I am I so shy?!?! I’m not sure . This was literally one of the most confidence boosting and liberating things I have done… EVER.

For those of you who don’t know, I am 5’9″, 138 lbs on a good day (depends how much wine I consumed the day before and if I feel like fibbing), have the shoulders of a linebacker, and the boobs of a pre-pubescent teen, I did not see this shoot going well… However, I really wanted some pretty photos I could look back on a be proud of. So I figured my fear wasn’t enough that a little vodka and lemonade couldn’t cure!

I wanted to do an nontraditional take on boudoir. I wanted a super soft, sexy, and sweet shoot done outdoors. I know, right?! I was literally VERY scantily clad for all the world to see… I was thinking warm light, creamy skin, and a soft color palette. I knew to get the photos I wanted it had to be the perfect location and the perfect combination of outfits. So I literally scoured the countryside and planned my colors, clothes, makeup, and jewelry for weeks!

Let me set the stage… I was having a total fat day. For realsies. I almost didn’t do the shoot! Thank the lord for my mother, she convinced/tricked me… She asked, “What do you have to lose Erika?” I had no response. I had NOTHING to lose. Only love and appreciation of myself and my body to gain. I decided to bite the bullet… really it was more like ‘drinking the Russian potato water’… but regardless, I decided Wednesday was the day! Much to my father’s dismay, I decided to nominate my mother (who has an incredible eye and second shoots occasionally) to take the photos.

Given that I had a very specific vision, I didn’t want to hire another photographer to take the photos and lose my creative vision. So I decided to bribe my mother with a cocktail and we headed out! Lord knows I can be bossy when it comes to getting the perfect shot, so I figured, since my mother birthed me, she couldn’t be too upset if I got bossy with her , she had to love me flaws and all! With my direction and getting up every minute to check the camera settings and exposure…. we did it!

With a little beyonce on pandora, the help of Absolute peach vodka, and my mother’s patience… We created something I couldn’t be more thrilled with. This was seriously one of the most rewarding experience I have ever had. Never have I felt so beautiful or graceful. Lol, I used to race downhill mountain bikes for goodness sake!

Moral of the story. There never is a ‘right’ time to do boudoir. There is always going to be something holding you back. Your tan, your muffin top, your cellulite, your post baby body… I am here to tell you to let go. Embrace YOURSELF. This is you, right here, right now. Ask yourself why the hell not?! What have you got to lose? Trust me when I say my genetics decided I should be blessed with both cellulite and stretch marks! Did you see them in the photos? Nope. Why? Because the light is so warm, buttery and diffused, it practically photoshops all of your flaws out. You will never look more beautiful!

The photos below are not photoshoped. Uhhhh yea, I know, terrifying. They have only been warmed up and the lighting has been adjusted. I wanted to show you what is possible! And I didn’t want to alter the photos for my own reasons as well. I want to love myself wholly… flaws and all baby! If I don’t, why should I expect others to?

So without further novel length suspension, here are the photos!