We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Lorie Boughton. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Lorie below.

Lorie, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Alright – so having the idea is one thing, but going from idea to execution is where countless people drop the ball. Can you talk to us about your journey from idea to execution?

I will start by saying I learned everything from my husband, Jeff. He has been a photographer since 1992. In the early 2000s, we started a photography company (Kingwood Pinups). He was the photographer, and I did everything else. I did not know anything about the camera. I don’t think I could have even turned it on at the time! In 2013 our oldest daughter was graduating High School. Senior portraits were not something Jeff specialized in.

So, I decided I would. I was a sponge and learned everything I could possibly learn. I did photoshoots for both of my daughters and all their friends and really anyone who would let me take their pictures. I did this for a few years and then decided I wanted to dabble in boudoir.

I always thought boudoir images were just beautiful. The anonymous images, the images that are sexy but classy, the implied images… it was all gorgeous. And at this time, Jeff had taken a step back from Pinup photography due to health issues. So, I converted our pinup studio into a boudoir studio.

I realized very quickly that boudoir photography was my calling. I loved being able to show everyday women that they still had that fire of sensuality and fierceness in them. The newly found confidence that the women have leaving the studio made me see how much we (women) need something like this.

In 2019 I decided to start photographing strictly boudoir. I was no longer doing high school seniors, families, babies, etc. I wanted to specialize and perfect the boudoir genre. I wanted to become the go-to studio when someone wanted to feel good about themselves, see themselves in a new light and walk away with the most gorgeous images they had ever seen of themselves.

The same year, I found my mentor. She was hugely successful and was willing to help me reach that level. It was not easy. I had never worked harder for something. But I followed her guidance to a T. And eventually, I was helping her teach other boudoir photographers too!

Since 2019, Boudoir By Lorie & Co. studios have been growing and scaling up. We now have a whole-home studio with 11 different sets. We do both light/airy images as well as dark/moody images. We have the pleasure of working with 200 ladies a year in our studio. But most importantly, we have the honor to help ladies of every age see what they may not have been able to see in themselves for a while. We show them that they are beautiful.

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?

At Boudoir By Lorie & Co. we are a full service luxury boudoir studio. You will be pampered from the moment you walk in until the moment you leave. And the best part is you will not have to think about anything! We have everything you need for your session.

It all starts before you come to the studio though. Leading up to your session you will get a ton of communication from us. We will help guide you with what to bring, what not to bring, where you can shop for your own lingerie, how to prepare your skin, what to do with your nails and even what stretches to do before your session!

The day of your session is… well it is FUN! It is like a girls day with our (all female) team. And we love to pamper you. We will have different outfits pulled from our Lux Closet for you. We will have your heels picked out – we even provide red bottom heels! We have other options for you as well, like the angel wings and Hollywood robes.

Then the hair and makeup starts. This is included with your session! So you do not have to worry about finding someone to provide this for you…we will! Our makeup artist provides lashes and uses airbrush makeup for that flawless look. While getting all dolled up, you will get a warm lavender towel and eye treatment too.

Then is the photo shoot. Again, you wont have to think about anything. Since we see about 200 ladies a year, we are the pros at posing for every body type.

Anywhere from 3-7 business days after your session, you will have your order appointment. This is when you will see your fully edited images for the first time. We will go through and pick out your favorite images and your favorite products. Our albums are hand-stitched and imported from Portugal. They are the most beautiful albums you will ever see! Most ladies decide to go with a collection – an album and digital images. But we also offer digital only collections, wall art and some fun, unique items as well.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

Our mission at Boudoir By Lorie is to “Create inspired moments that help our clients feel like the best versions of themselves.”

What else should we know about how you took your side hustle and scaled it up into what it is today?

This was a side-hustle when I first started back in 2013. I had a full time position with a great company and had been there 21 years. So, taking the leap to move my photography business to full-time was extremely scary. I sought advice from the smartest people in my life (my parents and husband) but ultimately had to make the decision on my own. I knew I was capable but I was terrified.

Within a month of leaving my full-time job, I had found my mentor. I have a strong work ethic and autonomy so I knew I could make it happen. But it really is a lot of hard work and discipline to stay focused and keep growing.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.boudoirbylorie.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/bombshellsbylorie
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/groups/VIPBombshells
• Other: www.tiktok.com/@boudoirbylorie