Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Alycia Hill. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Alycia, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?
I’m not sure if I have ever called my business mission driven, but seeing this question has it resinating with me. I am Alycia Hill, the photographer at Alycia Hill Boudoir. I started boudoir in 2017 and fell in love. When I hear women talk negatively about themselves it breaks my heart. What I see in each woman I meet, know or photograph is what I want them to see through their boudoir images. In a society that has always skewed beauty standards for as long as I can remember, I want to change the way women view themselves. With the popularity of cosmetic procedures, editing software, filters and constant comparisons on social media, I believe my art is helping women reevaluate beauty standards. Normalize normal bodies. I do not edit out wrinkles, cellulite, scars, stretch marks, smooth skin or reshape peoples bodies. I pose you in flattering poses and photograph you as you are. As a woman, I am very familiar with negative self talk and comparing myself to others and as I continue to work on my self love, I believe through my art I am helping others in their journey of self love and self acceptance. As a mother of three, two being girls, I will make it my life’s mission and my business’s mission to change the beauty standards of the world. Normalize Normal Bodies. Love thy self!
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
I am Alycia Hill, photographer. I specialize in boudoir photography. I started my photography journey as a business in 2017 and shifted to boudoir in 2019. I do photograph other things than boudoir but boudoir is my number one, my passion and my art! I have always been a lover of a photograph. I have albums upon albums of disposable film from when I was a kid and teenage. I always had a camera on me! I would do my friends makeup and pick out outfits for them and photograph them. It wasn’t until 2013 when I had my daughter that I started to take photography more serious. My husband purchased me my first DSLR camera and I haven’t looked back. Starting with photos of my daughter, then friends and their family, I eventually decided I wanted to really know how to use my camera and fully understand photography. I found a course on Groupon and attended an entry level course that taught me how to use my DSLR in manual mode. No longer point and shoot and capture the photo. I learned how to use my aperture to create bokeh or blurred background, how to adjust my shutter speed to capture motion or fast little toddlers running from my camera and ISO. These are the 3 big things you must understand when using a DSLR camera and I will forever be grateful that I stumbled upon this course on groupon so many years ago! From this course I started honing in on my art and my skill. I started advertising photoshoots and getting paid and eventually created a website and social media to share my work and continue to reach clients. I have photographed pretty much everything but absolutely found my love, Boudoir, Motherhood, Birth and branding/content for small businesses. As a mom of three, being a SAHM was been my number one job with photography as my side business. Start 2024 is my first year with all three being in school full time I am now working toward my boudoir photography being my main job. I work out of my in-home studio in Columbus, Ohio. I have created a beautiful boho inspired scene to photograph my clients. I work hard behind the scenes to maintain a beautiful space where my clients can feel comfortable and safe. I. believe my style of photography sets me apart because I am not changing the way you look. I am enhancing your features and allowing you to see yourself through my lens and my perspective. Women (including myself) tend to see a photo or look in the mirror and pick ourselves apart. My goal is to photograph you in a way that leaves you saying OMG THATS ME? And once your session is over, you’re walking out of my home and into the world feeling brighter, sexier and empowered. I am here to normalize normal bodies, not change the way you look. I believe with filters and editing software we are continuing to skew beauty standards and self perception. You will began to edit photos or use a filter and alter the way your skin looks or the size of your nose and then when you look in the mirror or a photo that you didn’t edit you will begin to hate what you see. I want every girl and woman to look in the mirror and feeling confident and proud and most importably SELF LOVE.
Is there mission driving your creative journey?
self love, women empowerment, changing beauty standards and self expectance. Becoming a mom is a huge part of a lot of women’s lives and we tend to lose ourselves during motherhood, I love helping a mom feel sexy and beautiful after going though a huge change in their bodies, minds and lives.
Are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?
There are tons of Facebook groups that surround the boudoir and photography communities. I think finding other people who are in the same profession and asking questions to continue to grow and learn is so important. Not only do you get more exposure to other people in your industry it helps you see other peoples work and allows you to continue to figure out who you are as a photographer and artist. Youtube has tons of videos to help people with posing and editing to using a new camera. Use your resources!!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://alyciahillphotography.mypixieset.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/AlyciaHillBoudoir
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AlyciaHillBoudoir/
- Twitter: https://www.tiktok.com/@alyciahillboudoir
Image Credits
Alycia Hill Boudoir