Plus-Size Boudoir:
You Can Do This!
I’m super excited to be writing this blog post. As a plus-sized woman myself, I’m hoping this inspires those who are reading this who might be feeling like boudoir “isn’t for them” because their body is bigger and has more curves than a supermodels. But oh my GOSH, you couldn’t be more WRONG! Boudoir was made for you, girl! It’s the reason my job is the BEST, and why the hard work (physically, mentally, emotionally) is worth it.
You might not believe it, but almost every single woman I’ve met, even the ones I feel like have the PERFECT body, have body insecurities. And we often downplay the insecurities when they’re coming from smaller bodies because, “they can’t really actually feel that way” or something like that. But their insecurities are as real as yours, believe me. They’re shaking and SO nervous to change into their first outfit to get started for their photoshoot, just like you’re feeling. It’s hard to believe right?!
Anyway - that was me partially going off on a tangent. My point is, your insecurities are normal. And I totally get it! But let’s not let our bodies stop us from doing things we really want to do, mmk?! I promise you, you will be SO surprised by how easy it is once you get started, and the photos are going to show you a side of you that you probably have never seen before. How I see you, how your loved ones see you.
Honestly, it’s a little hard for me to share photos of my plus-size clients for a couple of reasons. A lot of us are still scared to put ourselves out there, so they ask me not to share their images. Or we choose images that hide our biggest insecurities (that’s ingrained in us, am I right?!) so the photos don’t actually show what our “everyday” selves look like… as in, they don’t look plus-size in their boudoir photos. (Another reason I especially love when my client’s let me show their “everyday to slay” photos where I can show an everyday photo of them next to their boudoir photos!)
I wanted to share some examples of clients of mine who consider themselves plus-size and have given me permission to share their images and information. While sharing our boudoir images is vulnerable for us to do, we know that it very well may convince another woman, similar to us, to take the leap and try a boudoir session.. and potentially change their life. (I know that seems dramatic, but having a positive experience towards your body is sometimes a big catalyst towards a change in self-talk and the way we might think of ourselves, having a snowball affect towards the rest of our lives! You know what I mean?!)
So now to show off some of my GORGEOUS plus-size boudoir clients!
Kathy did an outdoor mini session with me. For reference she is wearing a 22/24 jeans. Here’s what she has to say about her boudoir experience, “One thing I would say is if you think you want to, do it! You’ll love the way you feel, you’ll love seeing your curves in different lighting, makes you appreciate your body now. Even if you are working to lose weight, working to love yourself, anything like that - documenting it through sexy photos only gives you motivation and a boost of confidence!”
Cristin is a friend of mine who I surprised with an outdoor boudoir session for her birthday one year and also did a mini boudoir session with me a few years later. In the outdoor session (pink outfit) she was a size 16 pant and L/XL shirt size. (Link to the pink outfit.) In the neon photos, she is a size 18.
Kelly did a full boudoir session with me (yay!) and decided after her photoshoot that she wanted to show off her pictures publicly (double-yay!). She is an 18/20 pant size and 2XL top. She got all her outfits from Fashion Nova. Kelly says, “My advice, just do it. I was nervous as all heck the morning of, but once I started getting my hair and make up done I started to relax. Then after the first glance at the back of the camera I felt like a total star and by the end I was the most confident beautiful person in the world and no one could tell me any different!”
Tiffany has done 2 full sessions with me, as well as… several… mini sessions! I’ve lost count! She is a size 18 jeans, 2XL in leggings and sweats, XL - 2L in shirts. (Link to the pink outfit.) (Link to bottoms of leather/chains outfit.) Tiffany says, “I KNOW that its scary, but it's so worth it and honestly life changing. I saw myself in a whole different light and now I have two amazing metal prints hanging in my bathroom and a whole album to go through to remind me every day that I AM BEAUTIFUL AND SEXY!”
Lauren has done a full session with me (and I did her engagement, wedding, maternity, newborn, family… you get the idea! LOL) She says, “Im a 16/18, got all my outfits at Victoria's secret (surprisingly) in size XL/XXL which is the biggest sizes they offer. I tried several Amazon outfits that didn't work/didn't like the fit.”
Sam has done a full session and a mini session with me. At the time of her photoshoots she was a “24 pant and squeezing into a 2x t shirt.” She said, “I got my outfits for shein and wore a 3 or 4x.”
Leneasa is a friend of mine and is my assistant for most of my mini sessions. In exchange for pay during one mini session day before her wedding, we did a mini boudoir shoot for her instead! (Robe link and she wore swimming suit bottoms.) She wears 18/20 pants size and wore an 2XL robe in these photos!
Marley has done 1 full sessions and 2 smaller or mini sessions with me, and from her first to her second shoot she was SO much more confident and excited to do her thing! She says, “Don’t worry about what you see as your flaws! Lehia does an amazing job posing you just right & the lighting is always perfect that most of the pictures she takes don’t need a lot of editing. And if there are things you want edited she can do it all! Go in with an open mind and don’t be afraid to show off your body. I promise you will love the results! Also stretch, no matter what size you are because Lehia will kick your butt a little to get the best shot!” (She’s not wrong, ya’ll - LOL!!) Her sizing for reference, from the first two photoshoots below: bottoms 2xl, 24 and tops 2xl-3xl . (Link of red top from first shoot.)
And jumping to her second shoot that we did for her wedding DURING her bachelorette party! How fun!!
And from her most recent photoshoot! We don’t have many photos I can share, but her sizing during this time is: bottoms 1xl, 22 and tops Xl-2xl. (Link to her green outfit.)
I hope you can see yourself in these beautiful women! And know that you do NOT have to wait until you “reach your goals” or have a certain body type to do a boudoir session. The opposite is true. Celebrate yourself, as you are NOW. Who knows what the future holds. You won’t regret doing it now, but you might regret waiting. If you’re interested in information about a boudoir session with me, just reach out!