We recently connected with Bryana Williams and have shared our conversation below.

Bryana, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Going back to the beginning – how did you come up with the idea in the first place?

I decided to niche this style of photography because I am passionate about self confidence and women empowerment. Being a woman who has experienced insecurity due to weight fluctuation, connecting my worth to my weight, and directly affected by body shaming, I was intentional about creating a safe space for women to tap into their divine feminine power while harnessing their sensual energy in a healthy way.

Being able to witness the essence of a woman owning herself as she is, and tapping into her sensual side is gratifying. We are living in an era where body confidence is on a rise, and this is the time to celebrate living a softer life.

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 a Boudoir Photographer from Southfield MI, which is a little town outside of Detroit, MI. I have been doing photography since I was 12 years old. It started out as a hobby. Before I explain why I have a passion for this genres of photography. I want share a back story which will explain “my why” a little deeper.

When I turned 22 I decided to pursue a modeling career. Modeling opportunities were limited in Detroit, but I still put forth effort in developing my portfolio by collaborating with local photographers. My body type has always been considered curvy/full figured, so given the advising provided at that time, I was “type cast” for the urban market. This market was not for the faint at heart. I delt with a lot of false promises and worked with a lot of unprofessional photographers. Their were times I felt very uncomfortable while doing certain shoots when the wardrobe called for form fitting clothing or swim suits. I was not able to articulate the uncomfortably but it was a feeling that caused me to pause pursuing a career in modeling.

However, that experience inspired me to pursue photography as a business in 2014 . I initially started shooting everything from parties, weddings, to family portraits, and corporate functions. After about 5 years into my business, I realized I was just hustling and not really passionate about the work I was creating. I started to dig deeper and really think about the energy of the shoots that I enjoyed doing the most. It was always shooting women and couples. I also remembered how much I enjoyed modeling and being in front of the camera but I wanted to avoid the negative experiences that came along with it. I knew their were probably other women who were avoiding taking intimate photos because of a lack of comfort or safety in certain spaces. So I was inspired to create a safe space for clients who wanted to take intimate images in a tasteful way. That was when I started to study Boudoir Photography and have been making it a specialized service I provide to clients.

Our sessions are a pampered experience. Sessions include makeup, mimosa’s/wine, and beauty albums/books. This is an empowering experience and a form of art therapy because this is a feeling experience, and not solely for the esthetics. B. More You Boudoir is inclusive and in celebration of ALL who identify as women. We service women of all shapes, sizes, races. My aim is to bring a sense of comfort and ease during client sessions and to capture their softer side.

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

I had to unlearn that it is inappropriate to be sexy. I had to learn that it is completely okay to be sexy, feminine, and sensual. Peoples poor behaviors have nothing to do with anything I did wrong, especially if we are all showing up to do a job.

I also learned that their is beauty in transition. I have had some clients and potential clients say things like, I want to loose x amount of weight before I book a boudoir shoot. My response is always to bring them back to the purpose and mission of our business which is to appreciate our body as it is today and celebrate that.

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

Our mission is to create a safe space for women to be captured beautifully.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.bmoreyouphotography.com
• Instagram: @bmoreyouboudoir
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bmoreyouphotography
• Youtube: https://youtu.be/spErRA5hFOA

Image Credits
B. More You Boudoir Photography