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

Jessica, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Let’s talk legacy – what sort of legacy do you hope to build?

The legacy I want to leave isn’t just in the photos I create—though those will live on long after I’m gone (as long as they’re printed!). More than that, I hope the impact of my work extends beyond the images themselves.

I want my clients to carry the feeling they experienced during their session with them—the strength, confidence, and self-love they discovered in front of my lens. I hope that when they look at their photos, years or even decades from now, they remember not just how they looked, but how they felt. And I hope that feeling stays with them, shaping the way they see themselves and their own beauty long after the session is over.

But beyond that, I want the way I make women feel to ripple into their lives—into their daughters, their sons, all of their children. When kids see their parents thinking highly of themselves, speaking kindly to their reflection, and embracing their bodies with love instead of criticism, they learn to do the same. That includes trans kids, who deserve to grow up in a world where they feel seen, celebrated, and worthy of love just as they are. I want my legacy to help break the cycle of generational self-deprecation and replace it with a culture of self-acceptance and empowerment—for everyone.

That, to me, is the kind of legacy worth leaving.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I’m Jessi, the owner and photographer behind Jessica Arden Photography, a boudoir studio dedicated to celebrating women and helping them see themselves in a new, empowered light. I call myself a boudoir photographer and hype woman because my work is about so much more than just taking photos—it’s about helping women rediscover their confidence, embrace their beauty, and feel truly seen.

My journey into photography started as a student, in love with the magic of the darkroom—watching images come to life under the red glow of the safelight. That passion led me to study photography in college, work in various photography-related jobs, and eventually carve out my own path as a boudoir photographer. Looking back, I can see how my love for capturing emotion, storytelling, and finding beauty in the raw and real moments led me here.

I believe boudoir photography is a powerful experience—it’s not just about looking sexy in photos; it’s about reclaiming your self-worth, seeing yourself with fresh eyes, and stepping into your own confidence. I create a space where my clients feel safe, supported, and celebrated. The sessions are intimate, fun, and transformative. I provide professional hair and makeup, guidance on outfits and posing, and a full experience that leaves my clients feeling incredible.

What sets me apart? First, my approach—I genuinely care about my clients and how they feel during and after their session. My studio is a judgment-free zone where all bodies are celebrated. I don’t believe in rigid beauty standards; I believe every woman is beautiful exactly as she is. Second, I bring years of experience, not just in photography, but in understanding how to pose, light, and guide my clients to bring out their best, most authentic selves. And lastly, my energy—I’m your biggest cheerleader. I hype you up, I make you laugh, I help you push past the nerves, and I promise, by the end of the session, you’ll be walking out feeling like a damn goddess.

I’m most proud of the impact my work has on my clients. Hearing from women who say their boudoir session helped them see themselves differently, boosted their confidence, or even played a role in healing after a difficult time—that’s what fuels me. Boudoir photography is about so much more than the photos; it’s about the experience and the transformation that happens within.

For anyone considering a boudoir session, I want them to know: You are worthy of this. You don’t need to lose weight, be a certain age, or feel 100% confident before booking a session. Boudoir is for you, exactly as you are, in this moment. My mission is to create an experience that makes you feel empowered, beautiful, and celebrated.

Any resources you can share with us that might be helpful to other creatives?

I wish I had set up a CRM years and years ago. For the longest time, it stayed on my to-do list, but I kept pushing it off because I felt overwhelmed by the setup process. Finally, I hired someone to help me, and I can’t believe I didn’t do it sooner! Now that I have Studio Ninja in place, it has been an absolute game-changer—streamlining my client communication, contracts, invoicing, and workflows. It’s taken so much stress off my plate and given me more time to focus on what I actually love: working with my clients and creating beautiful images. If I could give one piece of advice to anyone starting out, it would be to set up systems early—they make running a business so much smoother and give you the freedom to focus on growth.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

Once my daughter was born in 2018, I realized pretty quickly that I no longer wanted to spend my weekends photographing weddings and being with other people’s families—not on my precious weekends! I wanted to spend that time with my family.

While I was pregnant, I started doing more and more boudoir sessions, and as a test, I ran a special. I completely fell in love with the experience—seeing the transformation in my clients, watching their confidence grow, and hearing them say, “Wow, I’ve never seen myself like this before.” It felt so much more rewarding than the hustle of weddings.

At first, the idea of inviting clients into my home studio felt like a big leap, but once I embraced it, I was all in. Boudoir gave me the creative fulfillment I craved while also allowing me to build a business that worked for my life—not the other way around. I could spend time with my daughter, have my evenings and weekends back, and still do work that truly mattered. That pivot was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://jessica-arden.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessicaardenphoto/
• Facebook: fuck zuck
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-arden-blakely-trehy-16820936
• Twitter: fuck elon musk

Image Credits

Bio Photo by Kayla Houser Photography

The rest are all by me: Jessica Arden Photography