First Impressions + Frantic Thoughts // Kierra Josette Artistry

"I had seen Kierra's work and I was blown away by the beauty of these gorgeous fierce women. I just knew I had to make myself try to do it. I was a nervous disaster. I spent several hours over several days trying to talk myself into it. I knew I wanted to do it....but I was so nervous especially after I took the time to really look at myself in the mirror naked. I had NEVER done that before. I couldn't imagine how "all of this" could look like anything beautiful in pictures. Part of me wondered if Kierra would be laughing in her head since we had never met before". 

Ladies. Please know that I would never laugh, assume, or judge you in any way shape or form during your boudoir experience. I know how scary and intimidating it can be to be in front of the camera. I'm here to help you and support you. Think of me as your personal cheerleader! Go team babe!

"When I arrived and I met Kierra my first thought was: There is no way I'm getting naked in front of her."

FREEZE.  Hello. This is real life, ya'll. I love how completely honest she is. Because, guess what? People judge, first impressions happen.  If you don't know what I look like (go visit the About Me tab on this website) but let me summarize-- I'm a petite 5'2, squeaky voiced gal with big glasses. Do not be intimidated by me!!  Seriously, I'm probably more nervous about your gorgeous self standing in front of me than what you are of me. 

"I got to know her a little while I got ready. I couldn't believe how sweet and down to earth she was. Once we started it wasn't 3 minutes before I forgot that I had no clothes on. I was having fun! She kept telling me how awesome and gorgeous I was. My nerves just melted away. I actually FELT gorgeous.

My favorite part was my first reveal session of all my pictures. Seeing myself so raw and exposed but so sexy. I couldn't believe it. Then when she told me I hadn't been edited or air brushed.....I was shocked".

You read that right. I do not Photoshop you. I won't make you 2 sizes smaller or bigger. I won't smooth your skin until your pores are non-existent. Now, I will remove a zit or touch up that bruise--because hey, hormones happen. But I won't alter anything that changes your true self. Learn to love those smile lines, girlfriend. 

"The self confidence I have gained with all of my sessions with Kierra is out of this world. I can now see the beauty that is me. I don't try to hide or blend in anymore. I'm no longer scared to accept a compliment. And when I look in the mirror now at my naked self....I see beauty not horror like I used to.

 DO IT! Just do it NOW. Not after you've lost 10lbs. Not when you've lost the baby weight. Not when you've got a tan. NOW. You're beautiful right now exactly as you are. And if you can't see that....you sure as heck will after you've had a session with Kierra. All of my sessions with Kierra have been wonderful. It's so easy going and comfortable. You really forget that you're naked. Working with her is so effortless. She amazes me more and more with each session

Don't do it for your significant other, although they will really enjoy the images, do it for you. These images are something you will look at for years. And this is an experience every woman needs to do for herself."

Her very first boudoir session with me!

Now, here are some favorites from our most recent session! 

Do it for yourself // Kierra Josette Artistry Session

"I wanted to do a session because I had seen some of the awesome work Kierra had done and you could just tell she could make you feel confident about yourself. I needed a confidence boost. Having 3 almost full term pregnancies, my body had changed a lot. I NEEDED something to prove to myself that I was still beautiful. My husband and asked me a couple times if I’d do it for him but in the end I did it for myself."
 

WOW! Those words had me all up in my feelings. What a crazy amount of trust these women have in me to photograph their inner most self. They open their hearts and hand me their souls and I have to somehow figure out a way to convey that through my photography. However, they make my job easy. During a session I watch actions more than I listen to their words. Don't get me wrong- I'm completely listening to what they're saying. But, I'm watching their body language. Their facial expressions when they talk about their past. I'm watching the way she holds her body when she talks about her insecurities. That's my job, to find these movements and show these women that these "flaws" are actually beautiful works of art. 

"During my session I felt beautiful! Kierra has a way of making you feel so comfortable in your skin it’s amazing. She made me feel at home in her home. I felt worth it! After my session my confidence was definitely boosted."

I think the biggest compliment someone can give you is telling you that you were able to make them feel worthy. That's my goal here--worthiness.

" She wants to know you not-- just pose you! And getting all girly looking was a lot of fun! It has made me feel much more comfortable in my own skin and love me for who I am. In one word AMAZING! Life changing."

I could write hundreds of words telling you how great these women looked and how beautiful their images turned out. However, you don't need to hear it from me. Listen to HER. Let these women tell their own stories. I'm just here to document them. 

"I want to thank you for what you do! Your making great changes in women’s lives each and every day! Next for me will be a couples session!" 

xoxo - Kierra

Warm + Cozy // In-home boudoir session // Kierra Josette Artistry

Last Spring I had a session with, we'll call her Miss S (this is in no way shape or form related to her name whatsoever). Miss S lived out of town so I traveled to her home for her very first boudoir session. Warmth. Warmth is what greeted me when I entered her home. You see, most in-home boudoir sessions are different because I don't know the client on a personal basis. However, I knew Miss S outside of photography. We had been acquaintances for about 2 years now. So when I entered her house I was super excited to see her again! Although we were friends there was still some anticipation--I'd never photographed her intimately before!

"I was VERY nervous and self conscious!" Miss S wrote in her testimony. 

Boudoir sessions aren't like family portraits. The leaves don't change to orange and you think "time to get nude for some pictures!" No. Boudoir is a process. It's a mental game between wanting to book a session and not knowing what to expect. Miss S had her own reasons for scheduling her session: 

"1. To surprise my husband! 2. To boost my self confidence which wasn't very high after birthing 3 children and nursing for 2 years! But, I was VERY nervous and self conscious!"

Nerves are normal. Nerves are normal. Nerves are normal. It doesn't matter how many times I say that, you'll still be nervous before your session. However, my goal as an intimate artistry photographer is to help ease those fears and nerves.

" My favorite part was the way Kierra made me feel so comfortable when I felt the most vulnerable! My feelings changed! I realized I was still beautiful( maybe even more so) with my mom body! I realized that my husband actually loves my body more after having my children than he did before! I have way more self confidence and I feel my husband and I are closer now that I can love and embrace the way my body is!"

I asked her if there was anything she wanted to let you readers know: 

"Don't be nervous! She's wonderful and will make you feel completely comfortable!"

Here's a few favorites from my in-home session with Miss S: