We were lucky to catch up with Janae Henebury- DeMello recently and have shared our conversation below.

Janae, appreciate you joining us today. Risk taking is something we’re really interested in and we’d love to hear the story of a risk you’ve taken.

I knew from a young age I was different. I didn’t make straight A’s like my siblings, I didn’t think of things as simply as others did and I certainly did not know how to sit still or be quiet.. 
I was loud, creative, and always involved in something. It was not until I had my daughter almost 3 years ago now that I received my ADHD diagnosis and the whole world seemed to click.
This was the exact same time I retired my husband from his toxic work environment to be a stay at home dad. I had been full time with photography for about 2-3 years at this point but it was never JUST me.
My studio was booming but I also just had a baby, had no staff, and started my education business for boudoir photographers all on my own. My husband leaving his job and me taking over all financial responsibility was the biggest and scariest risk we ever took. But I was born with that “how hard could it be?” Gene. The one that does not let you fail.
So I jumped.
Eyes shut tight, noise canceling headphones on to block out the world, I JUMPED into my business full force. Oh- did I mention we were still in the middle of the Covid-19 pandemic?
I hired my first studio manager, booked the most clients I ever have, grew my education business to over $230k in revenue in year 1 and did it all while battling severe PPD and supporting my family financially alone. 
And you know what? I’d do it again in a heartbeat. It was the biggest test of self insurance and trust and finally gave me the sense of belonging I felt I have been missing all these years.

Janae, 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?

My name is Janae, I am a Luxury Boudoir Photographer, Industry Educator & Serial Entrepreneur. I own and am currently the lead photographer at New England number 1 Luxury Boudoir Studio- The Amour Vixen by Janae Elisa. I started The Amour Vixen in 2018 after spending the prior 5 years in the wedding industry which I just retired from in 2023.
We provide women with a life changing empowering experience. Our clients get to come in and have a session that is completely focused around finding their inner spark again. We include hair and makeup, have a luxury client client with over 700+ brand name lingerie items for our vixens to pull from for their session and even edit and show their images to them the same day- Hollywood style on a big flat screen of course!

As a plus size woman myself, I found it hard to figure out where I “fit in” in the social standards pressed onto women. Until I discovered my love for boudoir and passion for showing women that you do not need to fit into a mould in order to feel beautiful.
My clients are every day women. Moms, Wives, Nurses, Teachers, Lawyers, Law Enforcement, HR professionals and more.
They are not superstars with millions are followers and used to glitz and glam.
They just want to fall in love with the reflection in their mirror again.
So that’s where we come in.
www.theamourvixen.com

I also own our sister Creative Education brand Engaged AF by Janae Elisa. Engaged AF started from a huge gap in the boudoir industry when it came to education and content. Many boudoir photographers have private VIP groups for their clients to be able to connect more intimately but do not know how to keep their audience engaged or do not have the time to create their own content. So we started the first ever monthly content subscription for boudoir photographers VIP groups and continue to grow our education archives with tons of tools for photographers and other creative business owners to thrive. Things like our “Level Up” business journal all the way to my “Black Friday AF: Secret Sauce To A Successful Black Friday Sale”. We have over 2,000+ members in our free Facebook group and hundreds of photographers and creatives using our content and mentoring opportunities with me to scale their business. You can check out all our goodies at : www.janaeelisa.com

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

There is definitely a stigma around social media. Where people think followers = success. But we have seen time and time again major brands and influencers with millions of patrons close their doors. My social media approach is very different. I want to create authentic connects with my audience. So most of my followers come from finding us at in person events or even client referrals! Collectively we have grown our following count to over 23k across our social media channels without paid advertising what so ever.
Just genuine authentic connection and consistency!

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

Networking.

Networking is hands down the BEST way to build your business. Many people think that networking is just business to business- but it is not.
Knowing HOW to network is half the battle. Every single time I meet a new person, either personal or professional- that is a networking opportunity. I genuinely want my clients to have successful businesses and an amazing time with us. So when my client comes in for a session and tells me that they own a “little Etsy shop” I ask for business cards, I share their business online, and I am genuine about supporting them. Which then makes them feel the same way about me.
I try to participate in industry events, workshops and conferences. Not necessarily for the education but for the genuine connection I get to build with other amazing artists. Some of my dearest friends are industry leaders who have always supported everything I put out because I do the same- and I do it very genuinely. I am very protective over my circle and I love my industry with my entire being. So I really do want to connect with everyone!

Contact Info:

• Website: WWW.THEAMOURVIXEN.COM / www.JanaeElisa.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/TheAmourVixen
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/engagedaf
• Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/janaeelisa