“I Felt So Empowered” - Elle’s Experience at Belle Marie Boudoir

It’s been a little while since we’ve shared one of our favorite things: a client feature post! One of my big goals for 2026 is to showcase more of the incredible women we’ve had the honor of photographing at Belle Marie Boudoir, right here in Minnesota. These stories are powerful reminders of why we do what we do, and they’re perfect for anyone who’s been feeling nervous or unsure about booking their own boudoir session.

As much as we love hyping up the magic of boudoir (because it truly is magic), nothing compares to hearing it straight from the women who’ve experienced it firsthand. We work with so many amazing and diverse clients, each with her own reasons for stepping into our studio. Some want to celebrate a milestone, others are reclaiming confidence after a hard season, and many just want to see themselves in a new, empowering light.

Most of our clients walk through the doors feeling a little unsure. They worry about posing, what to wear, or whether they’ll like their photos. But again and again, we hear how this experience made them feel confident, strong, and beautiful.

If you’ve been wondering whether a boudoir photoshoot is right for you, these real client stories will give you a behind-the-scenes look at the entire process, and what it’s like to do something so bold, personal, and completely unforgettable.

This week, our Client Spotlight is shining on… Elle!

Elle came into our Ramsey, Minnesota boudoir studio on a chilly late November day, dressed in cozy pajamas and rocking her signature Beats headphones. One of the first things you’ll learn about Elle? She loves music! While she was getting her hair and makeup done by Mackenzie, we all hit it off right away, chatting about favorite songs, musical artists, life, and work like old friends.

She radiated a sweet and fun energy from the start, and we knew this was going to be an amazing boudoir session. Sometimes it takes a little for everyone to warm up to eachother, but Elle was one of those clients that just fit right in to the vibe of our team.

We learned that she booked the photoshoot as a birthday gift for herself and to reconnect with her body in a positive way after years of medical complications. For Elle, a boudoir photoshoot was also a chance to embrace and find beauty in every scar. She didn't want to hid the scars, but let them be present as a symbol of her strength and all she's overcome!.

Easing Nerves and Finding Confidence

Elle was a little nervous before her boudoir photoshoot, but her excitement quickly took over, especially once she arrived at the studio. She later told us:

“This place is everything I wanted it to be and more! I felt instantly welcomed and empowered…SO empowered every step of the way.”

During the session, she totally relaxed into the experience. We looked thorugh the style closet to pick out the perfect pieces and excitedly planned out each look for the day. By the time it came to the actual photoshoot she was excited and ready to go!

“Olivia told me jokes the whole time and let me play my favorite singer in the studio during my shoot!!!”

Before the session, we’d learned through her questionnaire and our chats that Elle is a huge fan of the singer Xana. She's attended multiple shows and even has her handwriting tattooed! So naturally, we added Xana to our playlist. Playing your favorite music in the studio is such a great way to shake off nerves and feel more grounded during something so personal and vulnerable.

The Power of a Belle Marie Boudoir Experience

Not everyone realizes just how powerful a boudoir session can be. It seems overly indulgent to do a whole photoshoot just for a few pretty photos in lingerie, but that’s not what Belle Marie Boudoir is all about. For our team, boudoir is about seeing yourself in a new, empowering way. And no one puts it better than Elle herself:

"I have always had a violent and complicated relationship with my body but teared up in awe several times when shown how beautiful I really am."

Olivia likes to show clients their photos on the back of the camera during the photoshoot to get their confidence boosted in the moment, but we also show you all your photos before you leave the studio with our same day Image Reveal. These can get emotional when you finally see yourself as the beautiful woman your are!

"I feel so changed. So empowered. Like I was beautiful in a way I’d never seen before. I even teared up seeing my photos because I truly saw myself as who I was from a raw, extremely vulnerable position. I feel fundamentally changed. This was a huge step in self love for me. Thank you all. I will never forget this day!"

This is what we live for at Belle Marie Boudoir, helping women reconnect with themselves through a body-positive boudoir photoshoot designed to celebrate every part of their journey. Our little team is so passionate about what we do because we get to see those women who come in feeling nervous and uneasy and leave feeling like a goddess. Watching that transformation happen in front of your own eyes is truly something special!

Elle’s Advice to Anyone Thinking About Booking

Elle had one clear message for anyone still unsure about booking their own boudoir photoshoot:

“Do it!!!! You’ll come out a different person. I know I did."

We're heard women say a boudoir sounds fun, but they don't think it's for them because of their age, weight, or scars and stretch marks. Thankfully, Elle didn't let those beliefs stop her!

"I recommend this place to everyone! I saw myself and my body in a way I never had before, especially after being told for years that people like me couldn’t do things like this.”

Thinking About Booking a Boudoir Session in Minnesota?

Let Elle’s story be your sign. Whether you’re looking for a confidence boost, a celebration of your body, or a truly transformative experience, our boudoir studio just outside of Minneapolis/St. Paul is here to support you every step of the way.

Your story is powerful, and you deserve to see yourself in a new light, just like Elle did.