Renew + Refresh | Why You Need Boudoir More Than Ever This Year | New York City Portrait Photographer

As May begins I think a lot of people, myself included, are starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel… 2021 probably ISN’T going to be the magical cure-all to 2020. There is still a seemingly long road ahead before we get back to “normal” BUT with so many New Yorkers now fully vaccinated, myself included, things do seem to be improving. All the same, lingering questions we were asking 13 months ago are still swirling around: when will my child return back to school? Is it really ok to eat inside a restaurant? Can I actually get a moment to myself without my kid/partner/pet nagging at my pant leg?

To all the mothers our there, I SEE YOU! Many of you have juggled home-schooling with work from home, with no breaks or escape from cabin-fever. It was not easy. I don’t know about you, but last year felt like I was just treading water, making no real headway on goals or life, and just trying to get by. And that’s ok. But I’m ready now to try and ACT, get out of my office chair (where you’ll find me sitting 97% of the time), and actually take care of myself again, and I’m guessing those of you reading this are feeling the same way.

So if you needed a little push or a some extra convincing, here are a few reasons that a Boudoir or Portrait shoot is the perfect way to renew and refresh yourself this spring and summer:

• Because there’s nothing like feeling good in your own skin. You may not think you have it in you, but I will bring it out in you. My goal when we are done is for you to be amazed with the woman in front of the mirror - the one who braved her fears, bested her insecurities and allowed herself to see clearly how amazing she is, just as she is.

• You deserve to look at yourself with loving eyes.

• You’ll have images of yourself feeling and looking your best as a reminder for yourself whenever you need an extra boost.

• You’ll gain confidence - really!

• Because saying “Yes, AND…” feels better than saying “No, but…”

• You’ll shake things up and step out of your comfort zone, proving to yourself that Yes, you CAN!

• Because you deserve a BREAK! A photoshoot is an excuse to get pampered and have some me time - this is something sooo important and something I myself and trying to be better about.

So as spring approaches, my wish for all of you is that we can give ourselves a break and take some time for ourselves. We have earned it!

xoxo, Stephanie

How are you going to celebrate yourself this spring? Contact me to see if a photoshoot is the right thing for you!

Motherhood and Womanhood | Brooklyn Boudoir Photographer | NYC photographer for Women

Stella, one week old. Photo Credit: Melissa Banigan Photography

Motherhood. It’s such a loaded topic, with so many complicated feelings surrounding it. With mothers day yesterday, and having just gotten back from Paris with my mother & daughter, it’s topic that’s been on my mind a lot recently.

It’s impossible to know what it means to be a mother until you actually become one. We may all be at different stages and phases at different times, but we can find common ground in these (mostly) universal experiences. Learning to love yourself after you've birthed a human is no easy feat.  Some of us hold on to 40lbs for what seems like a lifetime. Some of us bounce right back and have to deal with all the other moms side-eyeing us even though we still have mom insecurities, too.  Some of us develop crazy hormonal mental problems and can't see anything but our flaws. While being a mother can be amazing it’s so easy to get lost in the chaos of it and forget the person that we were, before we gave birth to the person we’re often holding.

There are days when you look in the mirror at yourself, nights when you look at your husband, and moments when you squeeze your child that you wonder if you have anything left to give. As women we are usually MUCH too hard on ourselves. Try not to lose sight of yourself and the things that make YOU happy. Don’t let yourself disappear. Seek balance, not perfection. Your family is happy and healthy, everyone’s hearts and bellies are full each day, and that’s all that will ever matter. Slow down and enjoy the laughter — the way you did before you had any care in the world.

Sometimes we need to look back and reconnect with who we were, our goals, our likes and dislikes, and merge that with the mother we are today.  It’s OK to be tired and it’s OK to slow down, but it’s also OK to have fun. I know that those late nights out partying have transitioned into binge-watching Netflix with your husband after finally getting homework done with your kid. There is nothing wrong with change and loving each moment the way you did before. Embrace the change and let it wash over you.

One of my favorite pictures of my mom, my little brother and myself. Says it all really.

About half of my Brooklyn Boudoir clients are mothers, and at this point most of my friends and loved ones are mothers, so I can safely say that wherever you are in your journey: motherhood looks good on you. Motherhood works for you. You may not know it right now, but trust that it’s true. The miracle happens when you have see yourself looking incredible for the first time after having a baby. You NEED to know that you've still got it...and that motherhood hasn't stripped you of your womanhood.

Because it hasn't. 

You're still a woman. You’re still you. You're still gorgeous...sexy even.  Trust me, and when you’re ready, let me show you.

xoxo, Stephanie

Three generations in Paris last week. Photo Credit: @_parispics_

Ready to embrace YOUR womanhood? Let’s chat!