Earlier this month I flew out to Vegas to return to WPPI for The Boudoir Album’s Boudoir Summit to learn from photographers that inspire me. It had been SEVEN years since I had been! My first year was in 2015 when I won a pass which ended up being the push I needed to also officially register my business that same day. It also happened to be my birthday! That first year boudoir wasn’t a big topic covered at WPPI but the boudoir community used it a gathering place to do their own thing. Shootouts, meet ups, parties, classes etc… I was in rooms with photographers paving the way for boudoir. I was star struck and how I got up the nerve to say hello to some of them, shoot beside them and be shot by them I will never know. It was a now or never kinda vibe and proud to say I seized the days.
The second year I had a year under my belt of my business, a new perspective and boudoir was gaining traction within WPPI. I was still so far out of my comfort zone but sometimes going fearlessly after what you want is the only option. I contribute my experience those two years in Vegas to be the a huge part of the foundation of where I am today. Those memories and what I learned are priceless.
Wrong timing, covid, drama in the boudoir community were big factors for why it has been seven years since returning. When The Boudoir Album announced the educators for The Boudoir Summit and I saw a dozen of my IG boudoir friends going it was a no brainer for me. The chance to be in a room with so many people who inspire me is what sets my soul on fire.
Full transparency, The Boudoir Summit was ok. I believe it was only their second year so lots of room for improvement from my perspective. Highlight for me was keynote speaker Olesha Haskett with “Is The Boudoir Community Truly Inclusive?” Uncovering and highlighting where we can be and do better in this community. An insightful, thought provoking and important discussion.
I took two shooting classes lead by photographers I highly look up to for their extra sauce when it comes to posing. Unfortunately, this is where The Boudoir Summit went a little flat for me. At no fault to the educations but the set up was just not effective. However, I still took away some key elements and it was such a high to watch these photographers work and be in a room overflowing with talent and creativity. After classes is what I had been waiting for since the moment I secured tickets; desert shoot out.
My biggest highlight from both of the past years was shooting in the desert. The type A planner I am, I had already reached out to my IG friends to set up our own shootout weeks before leaving. This was something I knew had to happen. We rented an SUV, piled in, grabbed snacks and hit the road with a few spots in mind.
Checking off a first stop quickly and making sure we didn’t miss golden hour where we wanted to end up, the dry lake bed. But in between locations we spotted a giant beer can off the highway and well duh, bonus spot.
There is no feeling like getting butt naked with woman you just met 24 hours ago and shooting each other outside. Nothing compares for me. It’s almost like now it’s the only way I want to make girlfriends!
It was cold and windy but the vibes were right with Tyler Childers in the background and that desert sun setting on us. I get a little misty eyed thinking about it. It’s a core memory, a feeling that lights me up like no other and makes me fall ever deeper in love with boudoir photography.
