We recently connected with Anna Meushaw and have shared our conversation below.

Anna, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you share a customer success story with us?

Most women who come to me have some sort of negative self-concept. One woman in specific had just gone through a bad, unsuspecting divorce and was feeling really low with herself. She came in thinking she would like MAYBE a few photos. After she got to the studio my hair & makeup artist and I immediately started hyping her up, it was so important to me that she left there that day with a whole new perspective of herself. Sure enough, when she came back for her reveal session, she was in shock. She was crying happy tears and kept saying, “THAT’S ME?!?” I was so thrilled that she finally was able to see herself through someone else’s eyes. We are far too hard on ourselves, and she was able to leave saying that she was beautiful.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

When I first started my photography journey, I did not expect to end up doing it full time. I was in school for Biochemistry, and photography was something I knew how to do, so I considered it my “side hustle.” After I had my second child, I knew I couldn’t go back to school with all I had on my plate, so I considered going full time in photography. I wasn’t actually sure how this would work, or how I would make this a full-time job, but I did know that if I wanted to be full-time with one genre of photography, it would be Boudoir.

I was burned out from shooting lots of families and weddings, but Boudoir – specifically seeing the reactions of my clients -made me excited about photography again, and that is how I decided I would shoot ONLY Boudoir photography. At this point in my life I know I won’t go back to school again, because I have a much greater passion for Boudoir Photography than I ever did studying Biochemistry.

With me, Boudoir is not just a quick photoshoot. I find that women take AT LEAST 45 minutes to feel comfortable, and that is not enough time for a one-hour photoshoot. A shoot with me is a full day of self-pampering. We will start with mimosas, hair & makeup, pick out outfits from my client wardrobe and then move on to the photoshoot. After we’re done posing for the day, I’ll send the client out to lunch somewhere nearby while I edit and retouch all of the images. I don’t make clients look like a different person – I believe our bodies deserve love how they are – but I will retouch things like blemishes, bruises, etc. When the client come back from lunch we will see all of the photos the same day. After that, we will design and curate what art and products that the client will want to make from their images.

My absolute favorite part of my job is getting to know my clients and their vulnerabilities, and then seeing how their view of themselves have changed after seeing their Boudoir Photos. I know Boudoir can change lives, and even just shooting, has changed my own. Hearing so many women’s stories has opened my eyes up to see how alike we are – we all have insecurities and worries – and in reality, these insecurities that we worry so much about are nonexistent through someone else’s eyes. Boudoir has taught me and countless other women to be gentler and kinder to themselves – that they are enough.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

After shooting Boudoir for a couple of years, I felt like the photoshoots were very redundant. I didn’t think I was doing anything different, or groundbreaking. I loved my photos, and my work was very good, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was “going through the motions.” It wasn’t until I had my own Boudoir Photoshoot done that I realized that although I saw the same poses day in and day out, the client has likely never seen themselves in that light. I was that client. I was in awe of all the photos, and I realized how much I was truly changing other women’s lives. My life was changed after seeing my photos. After that, I am ALWAYS so excited to show clients their photos to see their reaction. It is truly the best part of my job.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

The thing that helped me grow my community and following the most is something so easy, but something I feel that is overlooked. I am myself, I act like myself, and I don’t withhold any part of myself back from my clients. I am funny, vulnerable, goofy, awkward, and more, and I don’t change myself for any of my clients. It has helped them all relate to me, and feel comfortable around me. It’s hard to book clients who don’t feel a connection to you – especially if you’re a Boudoir Photographer asking someone to get half-naked in front of you.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.annameushawboudoir.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/annameushawboudoir
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Anna-Meushaw-Boudoir-101030918827020/

Image Credits
N/A – taken by me