Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Brie Pereboom. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, Brie thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. How did you learn to do what you do? Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? What skills do you think were most essential? What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?

I became a boudoir photographer by accident, or serendipity, rather. I was always fond of photography. Growing up it was one of my favorite past times; I loved taking photos on disposable cameras and getting the film developed. As I got older, I was constantly asking for new cameras, digital, film, it didn’t matter. I just wanted newer equipment that would give me better results. I’ve always been fond of capturing memories or creating memories around photography.

My first experience with boudoir photography was for my own personal session. I didn’t love the idea of going to a photo studio and having the same pictures as everyone else. So, I staged a room in my house, with gorgeous natural lighting, and the photographer met me that morning, for the session.

I didn’t want all of my hard work and furniture staging to go to waste, so I invited my friend to come over and I took her boudoir photos. I was absolutely hooked after experiencing my own session and it felt really special to be able to provide that experience for someone else. I felt safe to share a vulnerable space with the photographer, they hyped me up, and helped me to see myself in a new light. It was such a gift and I wanted to be able to provide that space for others.

I continued practicing boudoir photography by having my friends model for me. It slowly grew into a service that I was offering to more and more people, but it wasn’t until years later that I made the decision to quit working in cosmetology, and pursue photography full time.

What a gift it would be, if I could go back in time and help young me to get rid of her big ego. Past me thought she knew EVERYTHING. She was very stubborn and thought that asking for help was a weakness. There’s so much to be said about a good mentor and having the bravery to ask for help.

Even though I’ve had a love of photography for my whole life, using cameras, understanding editing software, learning how to pose clients, managing finances, and all of the other aspects that come with any creative endeavor, let alone a creative business, have been very challenging for me. Working with coaches, finding community, taking online classes, reading self-help books, and LOTS of “YouTube University”, have helped me to refine my craft, my business skills, and my personal skills. Not to mention, trying out multiple therapists, until I found someone who has been a great fit and an invaluable asset, on my journey.

It’s really hard to select a skill that is most essential. They all feel essential and that’s the challenge, but at the end of the day the two things that you cannot outsource are your talent and your personality. The final product that you are delivering to your client and the way you engage with them throughout the experience can’t be replaced by AI, or checked off the task list by a virtual assistant. Creating something that you feel proud to deliver to your client and connecting with that client throughout the process is priceless; it’s something that I believe can always be improved upon.

Some obstacles that stood in the way of my ability to learn were definitely myself, at times, but there’s also a challenge with our education system. In my experience, there isn’t a comprehensive education path or degree that someone can just “sign up” for, to be successful in a creative field. Cosmetology school didn’t prepare me for a career in the real world. Just as I don’t feel that if I went to school for photography, I would have been able to immediately start a successful business. It’s a lot of trial and error and meeting the right people. Sometimes the only way to know who the “right people” or the “right opportunities” are is to meet the wrong people or have bad experiences. Learning through experience is an unavoidable obstacle for growth.

There is so much personal development that occurs once a person leaves high school. I thought I wanted to be a cosmetologist, but it turns out I chose that path because I had already seen it as a viable option, thanks to my mom’s career in cosmetology. I loved doing hair and beauty services, at the time, and I don’t regret taking that path. A lot of skills that I developed in that field have crossed over into other areas of life and I met a lot of amazing people throughout my time in the industry. I think there are always going to be obstacles. The best way to move forward is with some hope and trust. I believe that the Universe will have your back and support you with whatever dreams you decide to pursue.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

Boudoir has helped me to unlearn “people pleasing”. I previously saw people pleasing as an external struggle, but I’ve come to understand that I have no control over others or how they’ll react to me or something that I do. However, I can practice and improve on my own skills and my reactions to things, that trigger this behavior.

Boudoir has become an “opposite action” of sorts for me. Meaning, that when I’ve felt down about myself, my body, or even my life circumstances, participating in a photoshoot has been a way to encourage myself to get out of that headspace and into my body.

It’s become similar to a yoga practice for me. Focusing on my body movements, my breath, and the desired outcome of the photos, allows me a creative space to challenge myself, and tune into the present moment. It’s a lot harder to concern myself with the thoughts, judgments, or expectations of others, when I’m doing something that feels empowering to me.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

In 2019, I moved to Los Angeles with no job, no savings, and no backup plan. I had never lived outside of the Salt Lake Valley, let alone outside of Utah. I left my family, friends, and full clientele. I had an interview lined up prior to my arrival in California, but it wasn’t a guaranteed position. I ended up canceling that interview for an interview with another lash studio, who ended up offering me a job. I reluctantly accepted the job, even though it felt like the wrong fit. I thought about the offer some more and ended up quitting, before I had even started working.

One of my best friends had moved to LA, a few months before me. She became my saving grace, for many reasons. She had a salon studio that she let me sub-let. I had no clients, so I offered my services to a few people that I had met online, for free, hoping that they would help spread the word that I was accepting new clients. It literally cost me money to provide these services, because I had to pay to rent the studio and pay $15 just to park in the building.

In an effort to meet new clients, my friend and I decided that we would go walk Melrose in West Hollywood and hand out our business cards. We met at Starbucks and my husband at the time called me, we got in an argument, and I found myself crying in public, before we had handed out one business card. I pulled myself together and looked across the street to see an eyebrow studio. I told my friend that we were going to talk to the studio.

We walked in and I asked the receptionist if they had any recommendations on places to get our nails or lashes done. (The services me and my friend offered.) I told them we had just moved there and we were looking for new service providers. They said that they didn’t offer those services there, but they were happy to give us some referrals. I thanked them and we left them with our business cards.

Not even a minute after leaving the studio, I got a text from the receptionist asking if I would want to offer my lash services there. I felt instant relief and hope! I was ecstatic at the idea and scheduled an interview. I looked up the studio to make sure it seemed like a good fit and they had over 100k followers. I would have NEVER gone in there with such demure confidence if I knew what a big following they had.

I ended up accepting a job with the studio, while remaining self-employed, and getting a higher commission than I would have made at the job I had previously declined. My coworkers became a great support system for me both personally and professionally. It was the ultimate experience in self-trust. I was beyond grateful to have both listened to myself and been trusted by the studio for my talents and expertise.

It’s a helpful reminder that we are more powerful and capable than we give ourselves credit for. The right people and right opportunities will be attracted to us.

No one knows what is right for you, better than you.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.opalhourphoto.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/opalhourphoto
• Youtube: www.youtube.com/@opalhour

Image Credits
Ashley and Madison