We recently connected with Katelyn Maylie and have shared our conversation below.

Katelyn, appreciate you joining us today. Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?

I run a boudoir studio in Hamilton, New Jersey, with one clear mission: to make boudoir photography for ALL bodies- not just the ones society labels as “beautiful.”

For too long, boudoir has been treated as something only for thin women or brides-to-be, as if it’s off-limits to anyone outside of that mold. The idea of doing it just for yourself? That was seen as self-indulgent. And if you’re plus-size? Forget it-society tells us we don’t belong in spaces like this at all.

Everywhere you look, women are being shamed for their weight or appearance. My studio is the antidote to that- a safe space for ALL women to show up exactly as they are, without judgment or pressure to conform. A place to take up space, be yourself and truly feel beautiful.

This mission is personal for me. Growing up in an incredibly religious environment- riddled with 90s purity culture, I was taught that my body wasn’t really mine. It was “for my future husband.” I was told to shrink myself- literally and figuratively. Be modest. Take up as little space as possible. And, of course, don’t “cause men to stumble.”

I spent years hiding my body and feeling uncomfortable in my own skin just because I was a woman. Not once did I ever look at myself nude before I was in my 20s. I wasted so much time worrying about how others saw me, how they judged me.

So when I tell my clients I understand what it feels like to live under the weight of societal pressure, I mean it. I get it.

That constant pressure- the feeling that you’ll never be enough-can consume so much of our precious lives. That’s why I’ve made it my mission to break the stigma and show women they are already enough, exactly as they are.

You don’t need to lose weight or gain weight to book a boudoir session. You don’t need to have a partner to justify doing it. You can do it just for you. Because you are worthy- right now, in the body you’re in today.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I started offering boudoir full-time in 2020, but I’ve been in love with it since 2018. Before boudoir, I was deep in the wedding world as a photographer and videographer. Funny enough, I actually went to school for television production because I thought my dream was to edit TV commercials. Then I stumbled into weddings, started making wedding films, and thought this was my passion.

But then I was asked to tag along for a brides boudoir session. I had no idea what to expect, and it completely changed my life. I watched her go from shy and self-conscious to radiating confidence and power- all right in front of me. The photographer guided her through every pose and created this uplifting, transformative experience. That was the moment I knew: THIS is what I want to do.

Fast forward to today, and boudoir is my full-time job. I have two studios, an in-house makeup artist, a client closet with over 450 outfits, and I’ve been honored to work with more than 400 incredible women.

Yes, boudoir is a luxury- but in my studio, we’re all about making it accessible. We offer experiences for different budgets and provide flexible payment plans because we believe everyone deserves to feel this kind of magic.

When you book a session with us, it’s not just a photoshoot- it’s a full day dedicated to YOU. You’ll walk into one of our two studios – one with vintage vibes, the other glowing with over 20 neon signs -and we’ll dive right into the fun.

First stop? Our client closet. With over 450 outfits, you don’t need to stress about shopping for lingerie (because let’s be real, that can be overwhelming). We’ve got everything covered.

Next, you’ll sit down with our professional in-house makeup artist for a full glam session that will leave you feeling unstoppable. And then? You step in front of my camera, where I guide you through every single pose, from your fingertips to your toes. You’ll never once have to wonder, What do I do with my hands? Trust me, I know how to pose every body—from XXS to 6XL—and make you look and feel amazing.

But the best part? After your session, we’ll sit down the same day to review your photos. You’ll see yourself in a whole new light. Most clients walk in nervous but leave with a level of confidence they’ve never felt before. You pick your favorites on the spot, and they’re delivered to you the very next day.

This isn’t just about photos; it’s a transformative experience, and I’m so grateful to share it with every single person who trusts me. I still get butterflies every time someone books a session because I know how intimate and vulnerable this can feel- and I’m honored that people believe in me to guide them through it.

I truly have the best job in the world, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

What’s been the best source of new clients for you?

Word of mouth is everything in this industry. I’ve heard absolute horror stories about boudoir sessions gone wrong- photographers who never delivered images, stole money, or created an experience that left clients feeling worse about themselves.

That’s why building a strong, loyal client base is so important. These are the people who will ride or die for you, and earning that kind of trust takes real care. Too many people jump into boudoir thinking they’ll snap a few photos and get rich overnight. What they don’t realize is that when someone books a boudoir session, they’re trusting you with their self-confidence. You’re literally holding it in your hands, and you have the power to either nurture it or completely shatter it. I don’t take that lightly.

When you can take such an intimate, nerve-wracking experience and turn it into something empowering and unforgettable, your clients will shout your name from the rooftops. They’ll tell everyone how amazing you are because of how amazing you made them feel.

Honestly, a huge percentage of my new clients come from referrals. My past clients have such a great experience that they can’t help but tell their friends. And their friends? They want to feel that same magic for themselves. That kind of trust and excitement is everything, and it’s what keeps this work so fulfilling.

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

In the boudoir industry, there’s this standard pricing model that most photographers follow, and when I first started, I bought into it completely. It worked well for me, just like it does for so many boudoir photographers around the world. But over time, as finances shifted for people, I started to notice that it wasn’t working the way it used to.

That’s when I had to take a step back and really reevaluate how I was running my business and structuring my pricing. I think a lot of boudoir photographers get caught up in the way the industry traditionally operates without stopping to ask themselves, Would I pay this if I were booking my own session?

Here’s how the standard model works: there’s usually a session fee that covers your time in the studio, sometimes makeup, and a photo reveal session. But it doesn’t include any actual images. Clients come in thinking they’re paying for the full experience, only to find out during the reveal that if they want to keep their images, they’ll need to spend thousands more.

When I really looked at this model, it just felt wrong. It didn’t sit right with me that people were investing in what they thought was a complete experience, only to feel blindsided by unexpected costs. It felt like a bait-and-switch, and I didn’t want my clients to ever feel that way.

So I restructured everything with one key question in mind: If I were booking this for myself, what would I want? What would make me excited to book a session? With that perspective, I completely revamped my pricing.

Now, all of my sessions include everything upfront: professional makeup, access to my client closet, the session itself, a reveal session, and digitals. There are no hidden fees or surprises. Everything is clear at the time of booking, and I’ve created different levels of luxury to fit a variety of budgets.

This pivot saved my business. If I hadn’t made this change, I truly don’t think I’d still be here today. And honestly, I encourage every boudoir photographer to take a step back and ask themselves: Is my pricing client-friendly? Would I personally feel good about investing in this? It’s such a simple question, but it can make all the difference.

Contact Info:

• Website: Boudiesbykatiemayclicks.com
• Instagram: BoudiesByKatieMayClicks
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/17sFueiRaN/?mibextid=K35XfP
• TikTok: BoudiesByKatieMayClicks

Image Credits
KatieMayClicks Amanda Swiger