Jenna’s Boudoir Story: A 39th Birthday

Jenna’s boudoir story starts where a lot of women’s stories start in Detroit — with years of wanting it and being too afraid to actually do it. Her first session was about 10 years ago, when I was just beginning my career as a boudoir photographer. Then she came back for a second.

“I wanted a session for several years but was too afraid. I felt the need to want to acquire some confidence I desperately desired.”

What finally got her in the door, the second time, was a deadline she set for herself.

“I really wanted a 2nd session before I turned 40. And I chose to do this for my 39th birthday.”

Jenna’s nervousness wasn’t the kind I usually have to walk women through.

“I was nervous. But not nervous with Magan. I was nervous to see myself as the subject of her beautiful work.”

That’s the truer version of what most women are actually scared of when they book. It’s not the camera, or the photographer. It’s the part where they have to see themselves.

The drive over was its own moment.

“Omg. I can’t believe I’m doing this.”

By the time she was in the chair getting hair and makeup done, she’d already settled into what she wanted from the day.

“I was so happy with my hair and my makeup with my second session. I wanted a bold photo and a soft, gentle photo.”

Why she came in

“It was for me. I needed it done during my midlife era and exiting a very toxic, severe abusive marriage. I felt very down on myself and broken and confidence destroyed. This session really helped me.”

That’s what Jenna was carrying when she walked into the studio.

Some women book to mark a happy thing. Some book because they want the photos for their partner. Some book because they want to remember a body, a season, a self. And some women book because they’ve been broken and they’re putting themselves back together piece by piece. All of those reasons are enough.

None of them require you to qualify for them.

What she said about the day

“It felt nice to be able to open up about my traumatic past. And I still felt so safe to be able to be myself and she helped me to feel confident and beautiful.”

There’s nothing I can add to that. By the end of the session she was already thinking about more.

“I felt like I wanted more photos and more outfits.”

She left with adrenaline still going.

“My adrenaline was pumping. I just felt like a supermodel and could not wait to see the finish product.”

What she does with the album now

Jenna chose an album. She told me what she does with it.

“If I ever feel down on myself, I enjoy to glance at the book with my prints in them. As a reminder of resilience of my past.”

A reminder. We ALL need that reminder sometimes.

What she’d tell women who haven’t booked yet

“Please do it. Us women are beautiful in general and carry the world of a busy life on our shoulders. It is important for every one of us to feel beautiful and confident.”

She spent years afraid. She finally went. She came back for a second one before her 39th birthday.

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If something in this is calling you

If you read Jenna’s boudoir story and recognized yourself anywhere in it, the years of wanting it, the fear of seeing yourself, the hard chapter you’re trying to walk out of — that’s the only sign you need.

You don’t have to be healed. You don’t have to feel ready. Jenna wasn’t either of those when she booked.

Start the booking process — or learn more about the boudoir experience first.