We recently connected with Belinda Gaines and have shared our conversation below.

Belinda, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

I’ve loved photography since I was a teenager, but for the longest time, I had no idea how to turn it into something real. As a young adult, I photographed my mom’s wedding, my cousin’s wedding, and all kinds of big moments for my family. But the moment that truly changed everything for me was when I became a boudoir model.

I’ll never forget seeing those photos for the first time. I couldn’t believe that was me. After being bullied my whole life for being plus-size, I never thought I could look that good. That moment shifted everything—I fell in love with myself in a way I never had before, and I realized what photography, especially boudoir, could do for others.

Now, I focus on making the “not normal” feel seen, accepted, and absolutely beautiful. I believe everyone deserves to feel good in their own skin, and photography is how I help make that happen.

Belinda, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Photography has been a part of my life since I was a teenager, but for a long time, I didn’t think I could turn it into a career. I always loved capturing moments, and as a young adult, I photographed my mom’s wedding, my cousin’s wedding, and so many other milestones for my family. But the moment that truly changed everything for me was when I became a boudoir model.

Seeing myself in those photos was life-changing. As someone who had been bullied my whole life for being plus-size, I couldn’t believe that the confident, beautiful person in those images was me. That experience made me realize just how powerful photography can be—not just as an art form, but as a way to help people see themselves in a whole new light. I fell in love with the idea of giving others that same experience, and from there, my passion turned into a business.

Since then, I’ve stepped into the wedding world alongside boudoir photography. Weddings, to me, are about capturing a once-in-a-lifetime moment—one that reflects who my couples truly are. I love working with couples who don’t necessarily fit the “traditional” mold, helping them express their love in a way that feels right for them. No matter your shape, size, race, or gender, your love deserves to be celebrated, and I’m here to document it in a way that feels real, raw, and you.

What sets me apart? I make sure my clients feel taken care of every step of the way. From our first call to the final delivery of your images, I want you to feel like you have a photographer who genuinely cares—not just about the photos, but about you. Whether it’s telling your love story or capturing an intimate moment, I want you to feel safe, seen, and celebrated. The best part of my job isn’t just taking pictures—it’s the connections I make. I start as a photographer, but by the end, I leave as a friend. Watching my clients grow in their love—whether for themselves or their partner—is something I’ll never take for granted.

For potential clients and followers, I want you to know my work is about so much more than just pretty pictures. It’s about you. Your love, your story, your emotions—captured in a way that feels natural and true to who you are. Whether it’s a wedding, an elopement, or an intimate boudoir session, I’m here to make sure you feel beautiful, confident, and completely yourself in every image.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?

Being a creative is so much more than what you can see. A lot of people see the final image and think it’s easy, but there’s so much work that happens behind the scenes. And honestly? It can be hard. I cry—a lot.

For every photoshoot, I spend at least five hours just talking with clients—going over ideas, answering questions, sending invoices and contracts, and making sure everything is set up perfectly. Then, I spend another 1-2 hours (sometimes more) researching ideas, poses, outfits, and makeup looks to make sure the session feels unique and tailored to you. The actual shoot itself? Usually an hour—not including travel time. But then comes the real work.

After every session, I go through hundreds of images, narrowing them down to the best 50-75 shots for clients to choose from. That process alone takes about 5-6 hours of culling and editing. And that’s just the client side of things. On top of that, I’m running a business—building my website, responding to inquiries, writing blog posts, creating flyers, posting on social media, and about a million other little tasks that keep everything going. Most creatives, including myself, also juggle other jobs and families, so it’s a lot.

But you know what? I love it. Every tear, every long night, every exhausting edit session—it’s all worth it when I see a client light up over their photos. When they say, “I love these,” or “I can’t believe that’s me,” it reminds me why I do this.

So, here’s my little PSA: Be kind to creatives! Our work is time-consuming, skill-based, and deeply personal. If a photographer’s prices don’t fit your budget, that’s okay—there’s someone out there for everyone. But also, don’t be afraid to reach out! You never know what kind of magic you’ll create or the amazing people you’ll meet along the way.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

Absolutely! My mission is to create a space where everyone feels seen, valued, and celebrated—exactly as they are. Whether it’s through weddings, elopements, or boudoir photography, my goal is to capture love and confidence in a way that feels authentic and empowering.

As someone who grew up feeling like I didn’t fit the mold, I know how powerful it is to see yourself in a new light. That’s why I’m so passionate about working with people who might not see themselves represented in traditional photography—whether because of their body type, identity, or love story. I want my clients to look at their photos and feel something—joy, confidence, nostalgia, pride.

At the end of the day, my mission is simple: to create art that makes people feel good about themselves and their love. To remind them that they are worthy, beautiful, and deserving of photos that reflect who they truly are.

Contact Info:

• Website: Www.BelindaGainesPhotography.org
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/belindagainesphotography?igsh=MWxxbWI2YWN2OGdoZA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/15thfruZFH/?mibextid=LQQJ4d