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

Mary, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today One of the things we most admire about small businesses is their ability to diverge from the corporate/industry standard. Is there something that you or your brand do that differs from the industry standard? We’d love to hear about it as well as any stories you might have that illustrate how or why this difference matters.

As a full time boudoir photographer, I’ve had to learn how to stand tall and take pride in my decision to cut all other forms of photography off for me (family, weddings, etc.). Going full force into boudoir was a risk I was taking- especially since some do not agree with what I am doing or feel it is too risque. But I am so happy to educate others that people are not doing this simply to feel “more sexy” or to be desired by others- my clients are doing this to feel good in their own bodies! To love and honor their body in this moment of live and all that it has done for them. I like to consider myself the “PG” version of boudoir because my posing and styling isn’t about sex appeal, it’s about a candid, stripped down version of you. I want it feel like I am a fly on the wall in your own home. And when going to networking events or whenever people would ask me what I do for a living, I would tell them first I was a photographer, and leave it at that- hoping they wouldn’t ask further incase they would judge me for being a boudoir photographer. Now I love more than anything leading with boudoir first so I can educate people that boudoir photography can be about feeling sexy, and it can also be about really just feeling good in your own skin.

Mary, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

In 2017, I left the 3 jobs I was working to become a full time stay at home mom. And as someone who has always loved my work (fellow Capricorn here), I knew I could handle and strived for a part time job along side the job of being home with my kids. My partner was a photographer so had all the gear and basic knowledge I needed and suggested getting into family photography on the side. So I spent every golden hour I could taking family photos in Colorado. I knew I liked the idea of photography- but families were burning me out and I was getting tired of the lack of creativity quickly. While I was months into it, someone reached out about a boudoir session and I was honest that I had never done one before- but if they trusted me, I would be willing to try! That client trusted me fully, came into my apartment in our bedroom to shoot and left feeling so great about herself after words!

It htne clicked so fast for me that I knew this was what I was meant to do. To work with one person, who wanted to be there, who was itching to explore the idea of self love, and trusted me to be apart of their journey to do so- it made me feel like I had a purpose along with being able to create great art!

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

When I started boudoir, I know I had to try everything. I had to try all the studio options, the lighting, the posing, the “trends” because I had no schooling or background in boudoir or photography in general- so I wanted to try it all.

I was doing great, and booking clients concsitantly, but it felt like it was all on their terms. The client was the leader and I just sat and did what was told. And I was burning out!

I knew I was on the verge of quitting but I still loved boudoir so much. So I had to figure out how to pivot this.

I started marketing and taking photos that I wanted to do- how I wanted to style them, how I wanted to edit, how I wanted to pose. And suddenly my books were filled.

I really had to lean into my creative look on it all and have people trust ME, and they did! They were willing to pay more, they were willing to listen to my direction and opinions, and I have never felt so confident or my work or business since I started taking the lead!

How did you build your audience on social media?

With boudoir photography, it is about 90% the relationship and trust I have with my client, and 10% about the actual photos. If my client doesn’t trust or know me- they are never going to feel comfortable stripping down in front of me, getting vulnerable and posing for photos half naked. I purposfley do not have a personal instagram from my business instagram- it is all in one. I try and show as much of my personal life, show up on my stories, respond to clients, and show my face so that my client walking into their session already feels like they know me- They already have a little bit of nerves down because they’ve been watching me on social media. They know my life, my interests, or sometimes even bring up a stupid reality TV show we both happen to be binging. The more comfortable they are- the better photos we are going to get- so I think it is important to show up!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.marycastillophotography.com
• Instagram: @marycastillophotography

Image Credits

All me :)

Mary Castillo Photography