We recently connected with Kassandra Davis and have shared our conversation below.

Kassandra , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today If you could go back in time do you wish you had started your business sooner or later?

I started my photography business 8 years ago. I was a mom to a newborn and a toddler at the time working full time at a dealership. I started by offering shoots on the weekends while still working full time during the week and I do wish I would have gone full time with photography sooner. I let the fear of not being successful stop me from taking the plunge for the first 4 years I was in business. It wasn’t until I moved across the country that I finally got up the nerve to leave my 9-5 and go full blown into Boudoir. Looking back now I realize that I was already successful and that letting that fear control me prevented me from living the life I wanted. I would have had more time with my children and I would have spent my time doing what I love which is helping women feel amazing about themselves instead of spending my weekdays at a job I hated. At the same time I believe everything happens for a reason and I learned so much from the first four years that I cannot say I regret my story.

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

I am a full time boudoir photographer that offers women’s empowerment and self-confidence through the art of photography. We are an all female team and we offer one of a kind artwork that lasts for a lifetime. Our clients can look at these images everyday for the next 10, 20, 30 years as a reminder of the amazing and stunning woman they are.

I started in photography 10 years ago with family, engagement and senior photos. I have always had a passion for any form of art and loved photography all my life. Another passion of mine is helping people. As much as I loved family photography it didn’t satisfy the need I had to make a difference. I learned about Boudoir Photography after having my own boudoir experience when I was getting married. I had always been very self conscious and really had no self confidence what’s so ever. After experiencing first hand the empowerment a woman feels after a boudoir shoot I knew this was what I wanted to do. I wanted to help break the stereotypes that society puts on woman and show the world that all bodies are beautiful. So I dedicated myself to learning everything I could. From hair and makeup to posing for every body type to angles and lighting, I took every class I could. I practiced on anyone who would allow me to, including my poor husband who has attempted more poses than probably anyone I know. From there it really took off on it’s own. Friends that I had practiced with loved their images and started recommending me to everyone they knew and the clients started filing in. I have been very blessed to work with so many incredible women over the years.

What sets us apart from others? That is always a hard question for me as there are so many amazing photographers in this industry. I think the biggest thing for me is that this is more than just a business for me. Yes, we obviously have to make money to support our families and stay in business but we truly care about our clients. Even after they have received their images and our “work” is done I still stay in touch with a lot of our clients. I know their kids names and what is going on in their lives. So many of our clients have become dear friends to me and I wouldn’t change that for anything.

What I am most proud of is the community of women we have built. So many of these women are now friends through our VIP Group. They support each other and build each other up every single day. Every time a new client comes in there is a whole community already behind them, hyping them up and that is the most amazing thing to watch. I am firm believer in women supporting women and somehow we got to be a part of creating that.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

When we moved from Arizona to South Carolina I had to essentially start from scratch. I needed all new everything as we left so much behind when we moved. I was very lucky to have a husband who supported me 100% and we were able to use the money from selling our house to get everything I would need to start over in a new state. It was a gamble as we did not know how the market would be for boudoir and we had two children to think of. If I failed it would have put a huge strain on us financially but he knew I could do it way before I did.

I was also very lucky to meet both of my make up artists who have supported me from day one and helped me build my business to the point it is at now. From first starting to making it through a global pandemic, to keeping me smiling when things get rough they have never once let me quit and for that I will always be grateful.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

My only mission is to help as many women as I can see how stunning they are. We as women spend so much time thinking about how imperfect we are, how we need to change this to look like that or comparing ourselves to others and I want to break that cycle. I want to show that the imperfections are what create beauty. Flaws are what make us who we are! Yes, photography captures how you look but it also captures the personality of the person. Women have such beautiful souls and no two are the same. I get the amazing opportunity to show every single day that no matter a woman’s size, shape, color, or body type, every single one of them is unique and that’s what makes them special. That’s what makes them the gorgeous! As long as I can keep doing that I will always love what I do and consider myself blessed beyond measure.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.kassiemarieboudoir.com
• Instagram: @kassiemarieboudoir
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KassieMarieBoudoir
• Other: Divine Beauty VIP Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/499326204252505/?ref=share

Image Credits
KassieMarie Boudoir Krystal Westbrook (Hair & Makeup) Ligia Cooper (Hair & Makeup)