A Single Mom’s Gift to Herself: Wyeth’s Boudoir Story

We love when a mom books a boudoir photoshoot as a special treat just for herself. Olivia and I are moms to young kids as well, so we’re intimately familiar with how children can change your life. In my experience, I absolutely loved becoming a mom! I jumped at the chance to become a stay-at-home mom after my oldest was born, and I stayed home full-time for four years before joining Belle Marie Boudoir. I’m so glad I had that time to be “Mom,” but I also remember feeling like I had forgotten who I was without that title.

Between spending years talking almost exclusively with toddlers, having no time for hobbies, and experiencing all the physical changes that come with having kids, I needed time to get reacquainted with myself. When I joined Olivia at Belle Marie Boudoir, she asked me to do my own boudoir photoshoot so I could understand the process and experience. It turned out that a boudoir session was the perfect way to shed all those other titles and responsibilities and remind myself that I was enough just as I am, postpartum body and all.

I find this is a common experience among the moms who come to our studio. Life with kids becomes all-consuming, and they need a small break to do something just for themselves. Moms are often giving everything they have to their kids and don’t always have the time or resources to care for themselves. So when a mom takes the leap to plan a boudoir session, we make sure it’s an experience that serves as a reminder of who she is at her core and helps her feel renewed confidence.

Wyeth came to us with a similar story:

“I was feeling bittersweet about being 45 years old and I just wanted to have the photos to remind myself that I am beautiful at any age. I also had been working hard in the gym and I wanted to have the photos as a reward if you will. The other reason was I wanted to do the session was because as a single mom of two teenagers, I wanted to do something just for me. Something that made me me feel special and beautiful! “

When we chatted during the consult, I remember that even getting the session scheduled was a bit of a challenge because of how busy she was managing her teens’ schedules (once school sports and activities start, it’s nonstop chauffeuring). But with a big milestone birthday coming up, she knew it was time to do something for herself.

Ready to Go!

Leading up to the photoshoot, Wyeth did her research and prepared for the big day:

“I really wasn’t nervous at all for the shoot. I had read lots of the reviews on Olivia’s work and I just trusted her and her staff throughout the entire process.”

Our prep guides are a great way to get ready, but our reviews are also a helpful resource if you’re trying to decide which boudoir studio is the best fit. There are a lot of photographer’s offering boudoir session within the Minneapolis-St. Paul area, and each one provides it’s own unique experience. So how do you choose the right one? With over 230 Google reviews, you can learn a lot about the process and how clients felt before, during, and after their Belle Marie Boudoir experience.

The day started strong with hair and makeup by our professional MUA. They discussed the vision before starting and made sure they were on the same page. Wyeth appreciated our MUA, MacKenzie’s attention to detail, “I got a really good feeling she knew what she was doing! My hair and makeup were absolutely beautiful!”

During that hour of prep, we chatted and joked together. It helps clients feel at ease, and we love having that time to get to know their personalities. Getting to know Wyeth and her story helped us form a real connection, allowing us to move past small talk and feel like we were chatting with a friend. Wyeth recalled, “We literally sat on her couch talking about life, our kids, our careers and vacations.”

When it came time to choose outfits, Wyeth was blown away by the options. She said she had never really worn lingerie before and didn’t own any. “She had so many outfits to choose from and it made me want to go buy lingerie for myself! I had never really worn lingerie before but it made me feel so sexy.”

“Omg, is that really me?!?

The best way to sum up Wyeth’s experience during the photoshoot is in her own words:

“Olivia is literally the best hype girl because she just kept saying how amazing I looked! She’s the real deal! I got excited when she would show me some of the photos on her camera because even without any editing, the images looked so good! I think I even said at one point “Omg is that really me?!?” When we were done with the shoot, we sat down to view the images. It was so hard to choose between the images because I loved them all!”

On the Fence About Your Boudoir Photoshoot?

We are always so honored when clients choose us for something as vulnerable as a boudoir photoshoot with the Belle Marie team. It can feel nerve-racking, it takes time to schedule and prepare, and it’s an investment. We feel that responsibility even more when it’s a busy mom finally taking time for herself. I know personally how rare that can be, so the time we do take for ourselves should be meaningful.

With all of those road blocks, we often see women putting off committing to a boudoir even though they've wanted to do one for years. If that's you, consider Wyeth’s advice:

“I’d say just go for it! You won’t be disappointed! Look at it as a chance to capture yourself in this moment of your life. We will never be younger than we are today so just embrace who you are and where you are today with these special photos that bring out your sexy side!”

So, for the busy mom out there: a boudoir photoshoot could be exactly what you need to step away from the responsibilities of parenthood and reconnect with yourself and your body. We’ll make sure you have an incredible experience and leave our Minnesota studio with a big smile and a renewed sense of confidence.

“I left feeling beautiful, confident and like I had just made a new friend. The entire day so much fun and as I drove away, I already wanted to do it again!”