Over the years, my approach to boudoir photography in Central Florida has shifted. What once felt like a standard offering no longer supported the kind of experience I want my clients to have.

Every year, we’re encouraged to fix, improve, or reinvent ourselves — as if who we are right now isn’t already enough.

In December 2023, I made the decision to close my commercial studio and take a step back. After many years of photographing women, I felt called to slow down, reset, and rethink what I truly wanted this experience to feel like — for my clients and for myself.

These photos are just for fun, but they’re also a good reminder that creativity doesn’t have to be serious all the time. Sometimes you just have to play, laugh a little, and see what happens.

One of the biggest fears I hear from clients before a boudoir session is, “I don’t know how to pose.”
That’s completely normal—and it’s also why coaching is at the heart of everything I do.

Valentine’s Day has long been marketed as a holiday about romance, couples, and grand gestures for someone else. But beneath the roses and chocolates is a much deeper truth that often gets overlooked.

If you’re considering a boudoir photoshoot, one of the first questions that usually comes up is: how much should I spend on a boudoir photographer? The short answer is—it depends on what you value most.

When I eventually felt the pull to return, I did so quietly and with intention. I chose the name Shades of Grain, with the vision of slowing everything down and photographing exclusively on film.

After fifteen years as a boudoir photographer in Central Florida, I’ve learned the answer has little to do with the photographs themselves

When choosing between film and digital for a boudoir session, the difference isn’t about quality or superiority—it’s about how each medium feels in the final image.

There’s a quiet myth that boudoir is something you do before life leaves its marks. Before age. Before change. Before the body tells its story.

Film photography has a softness, depth, and texture that digital just can’t replicate. The grain, the color tones, the way light wraps around the skin—it’s all incredibly organic and intimate. There’s a dreamy quality to film that’s perfect for boudoir: romantic, raw, and beautifully imperfect in the best way.

So, you’ve been thinking about booking a boudoir session—but you’re not quite sure what to expect. Maybe you're feeling a little nervous (which is totally normal), or maybe you're just curious about how it all works.

So, you’ve booked your boudoir session (yay!) and now you’re wondering, “What should I do to get my body ready?” First things first—you don’t need to change a thing to be worthy of stunning, empowering photos. Boudoir is about celebrating who you are now, not chasing perfection.

A boudoir photoshoot is more than just lingerie and a camera—it’s a powerful, confidence-boosting experience that celebrates who you are, exactly as you are. Whether it’s for yourself or as a gift, boudoir is about embracing your beauty, feeling empowered, and capturing that magic in timeless photos.

There’s something transformative about stepping in front of the camera—not to hide, but to reveal. A boudoir session isn’t just about lingerie or lighting. It’s about confidence, self-love, and saying, 'This is me, unapologetically.' Whether you’re gifting the images or keeping them just for yourself, the experience is a powerful reminder that you are beautiful, right now, just as you are.