The Boudoir Blog
Jess – The Quiet Muse Who Became a Lifelong Friend
The first time Jess walked into my studio back in 2022, she was so quiet I almost thought I scared her off. If you know me, you know I have a big personality—loud, animated, and probably too much caffeine coursing through my veins at any given moment. Jess, on the other hand, was soft-spoken, reserved, and carried herself with a quiet grace. But sometimes, it’s the ones who say the least who leave the biggest mark on you.
The first time Jess walked into my studio back in 2022, she was so quiet I almost thought I scared her off. If you know me, you know I have a big personality—loud, animated, and probably too much caffeine coursing through my veins at any given moment. Jess, on the other hand, was soft-spoken, reserved, and carried herself with a quiet grace. But sometimes, it’s the ones who say the least who leave the biggest mark on you.
I’ll never forget the way Jess studied the space when she walked into my studio for the first time. Her movements were deliberate, her words measured, like she was trying to take everything in while staying under the radar. And me? I was over here waving my hands around, cracking jokes, and probably scaring her half to death. I even remember thinking, “Oh no, I’ve already blown it.”
But then something magical happened. She noticed my Harry Potter tattoo, and her whole face lit up. She didn’t say much, just smiled and asked, “Can I take a picture of it for my husband? He’s going to love this.” In that tiny moment, the wall came down just a little, and I knew there was so much more to Jess than her quiet exterior let on.
A couple of weeks later, fate—or maybe just really good timing—brought us together again at the zoo. You know how you always think someone’s saying your name in public, but they never are? I thought the same thing until I turned around and saw her standing there! It helped that I was wearing one of my business t-shirts, but this was literally a part of the zoo my husband and I NEVER made it to because it was the farthest away from the entrance (my husband is a disabled veteran so long walks are tough on him.)
We spent the day chatting about life, future kids, and all the little things that make the world go round. By the time we said goodbye, I realized she wasn’t just a client anymore—she was someone I genuinely liked, someone I wanted to know better.
Jess has been with me through every stage of my business. She’s had a session in every studio I’ve ever owned—each one representing a different chapter in my journey. And every single time, she’s walked in and owned it.
Jess is the kind of woman who doesn’t just show up—she shows out. Whether it’s in a soft, delicate lace piece or something bold and daring, she always brings an energy that’s quietly powerful. She doesn’t need to shout to be heard; her presence speaks volumes.
What makes Jess so special isn’t just how stunning she looks in front of the camera (though, let’s be real, she’s absolutely breathtaking). It’s the way she carries herself—with humility, kindness, and a heart so big it leaves a lasting impression on everyone who meets her.
She’s seen me through my highs and lows, through studio moves and personal milestones. She’s cheered me on, trusted me with her story, and reminded me of why I started this journey in the first place.
I’ve watched her grow, too—not just in front of the camera, but in life. She’s the kind of woman who inspires you to be better simply by being herself.
Jess, if you’re reading this, thank you. Thank you for trusting me back in 2022 when you probably thought, “Who is this loud, tattooed woman, and why does she talk so much?” Thank you for coming back—again and again—and letting me be part of your story. Thank you for the laughs, the conversations, the friendship that’s become one of the most unexpected joys of my life.
You’re more than a muse. You’re a reminder that beauty isn’t just what we capture in photos—it’s what we build in the quiet moments between.
Here’s to the sessions we’ve shared, the memories we’ve made, and all the magic still to come. I am so grateful for you.
Boudoir is so much more than photos—it’s connection, courage, and a celebration of everything that makes you, you. If you’re looking for a photographer who will literally be your bestie until the end of time, it’s me. I’ll love you forever you adorable little cutie pie.
Claim your session for 2024 by clicking the link below ☀️
Seeing Myself Again – My Postpartum Boudoir Journey
As a boudoir photographer, I’ve spent years helping women embrace their bodies, celebrating their beauty and power in ways they never thought possible. I’ve seen countless women step into my studio with nerves and leave with confidence, tears of joy in their eyes as they see themselves in a way they’ve never seen before.
But this time, I wasn’t behind the camera.
As a boudoir photographer, I’ve spent years helping women embrace their bodies, celebrating their beauty and power in ways they never thought possible. I’ve seen countless women step into my studio with nerves and leave with confidence, tears of joy in their eyes as they see themselves in a way they’ve never seen before.
But this time, I wasn’t behind the camera. This time, I was the one stepping in front of the lens. And let me tell you—it was one of the hardest, most vulnerable I’ve done since giving birth to my daughter. This time, I was the one in the center of the stage and all eyes were on me... I’d be lying if I said I was afraid after my body has changed so much.
Nerves, Fear, and the Mirror
When I decided to do my first boudoir session after having my daughter, I was overwhelmed with emotions I wasn’t prepared for. I was nervous in ways I hadn’t been in years. Would anything even fit? Would I look ridiculous trying to strike the same poses I’d coached my clients through hundreds of times? Would the camera capture the body I loved— or the one that didn’t look like me anymore?
I was terrified of seeing my images. Terrified I’d cry because I wasn’t “good enough” anymore. Because the body I’d come to know and rely on felt like a stranger to me now—soft where it used to be firm, stretched where it used to be smooth. I felt like I had lost something precious, something I wasn’t sure I’d ever get back. You’d think I would have been prepared since my job title is LITERALLY professional hype woman… but I wasn’t. I don’t think anyone can be.
The Moment of Reckoning
Stepping into the studio, I felt a tangle of emotions. There was a part of me that wanted to turn around and leave, to go home and hide in sweatpants where I could avoid mirrors and cameras altogether. But then, I thought about my daughter. About how I want her to grow up seeing herself as beautiful, strong, and worthy. How could I ask that of her if I couldn’t even see those things in myself?
So, I stayed. I let myself be vulnerable, let myself be seen, even when it felt impossibly hard.
The Struggle to See
When the session was over, I thought the hard part was behind me. But seeing the images? That was another story. At first, I struggled. I scrutinized every detail, every curve, every stretch mark. My mind was loud with criticism, cataloging all the ways I thought my body had failed me.
But then, something shifted.
I stopped looking at my body as something to judge and started seeing it for what it had done. This body grew life from scratch—an entire human being who didn’t exist before. This body carried my daughter for months, weathered the physical and emotional storm of childbirth, and has been her safe harbor every day since.
How could I not respect that? How could I not love that?
A New Perspective
As I looked at those images again, I didn’t see flaws anymore. I saw strength. I saw resilience. I saw a body that had transformed in the most extraordinary way to bring my daughter into the world.
I realized that my postpartum body wasn’t a “before” or “after.” It was a continuation of my story—a beautiful, complex chapter that deserves just as much celebration as any other.
What It Taught Me About My Work
That session reminded me why I do what I do. Boudoir isn’t just about beautiful pictures; it’s about helping women see themselves clearly, maybe for the first time. It’s about recognizing the beauty in what we often overlook, the power in what we sometimes take for granted.
Now, when I work with postpartum clients, I understand their struggles on a deeper level. I know what it feels like to stand in front of the mirror and not recognize the body looking back at you. But I also know how transformative it can be to embrace that body, to see it not as something that’s “not enough,” but as something that’s extraordinary in its own right.
To Every Mother
To every mom reading this: Your body is remarkable. It’s done things that are nothing short of miraculous. It deserves respect, love, and celebration—just as it is.
If you’re feeling hesitant, if you’re nervous about stepping in front of the camera, let me tell you this: I see you. I’ve been there. And I promise, it is NEVER as bad as your brain says it will be. In fact, it’s WAY better than you brain can believe yet.
Let’s create something that reminds you of the incredible woman you are, the incredible journey you’re on. Because you deserve it.
Claim your session for 2024 by clicking the link below ☀️
Embracing the Journey – How April Found Confidence and Self-Love Postpartum
There are moments in life that stick with you—not because they’re grand or earth-shattering, but because they’re so unexpected, so hilarious, so perfectly timed that they etch themselves into your memory forever. That’s how it was with April.
There are moments in life that stick with you—not because they’re grand or earth-shattering, but because they’re so unexpected, so hilarious, so perfectly timed that they etch themselves into your memory forever. That’s how it was with April.
I met April in 2020, before my best friend got married, and it was during one of those chaotic, whirlwind pre-wedding gatherings: the bachelor party weekend, that we really connected. We ended up at a Mexican restaurant, surrounded by chatter, queso, and margaritas, when the jukebox suddenly decided to bless us with "Hooked on a Feeling" by Blue Swede 1973 (if you didn’t know, it’s one of the songs from Guardians of the Galaxy… so I was obsessed with it.)
Now if you know ANYTHING about it, it’s that I love margaritas and I love singing. Put them together and it’s dangerous. I started serenading everyone at our (very large) table. Everyone went quiet, but not for long. Right on cue, April burst out with, “OOGA SHOCKA OOGA OOGA OOGA SHOCKA,” her voice breaking the silence like a thunderclap of awesome. And that was it—I was done. This woman? Cut from the same quirky, ridiculous, joyfully unhinged cloth as me.
At first, our relationship felt like one of those fun, fleeting connections you make during life’s big events—a shared laugh, a memory, a funny story to tell later. But April wasn’t one to just fade into the background. Somehow, through twists and turns, life pulled us closer.
We bonded over our mutual best friend, but what really cemented our connection was the way April just showed up—in conversations, in friendship, in her sessions. She’s the kind of person who’s unapologetically herself, whether she’s belting out ‘70s hits or coming up with the most hilarious burns I’ve ever heard in my life.
Fast forward a few years, and now April and I are both moms to adorable little ones who are growing up side by side. It’s funny how life works—how a chance moment at a Mexican restaurant turns into playdates, heart-to-hearts about motherhood, and endless texts about naps (or the lack thereof).
Motherhood is this wild, messy, beautiful thing that throws you into uncharted territory. One day, you’re pregnant and imagining what it’ll be like to hold your baby; the next, you’re staring at yourself in the mirror, trying to recognize the person looking back.
When April came to me for her boudoir session postpartum, I felt this deep sense of purpose. She wasn’t just trusting me with her photos—she was trusting me with her story, her vulnerability, her whole self. Helping her embrace her body after bringing life into the world was one of the most fulfilling experiences of my career.
I understood her in a way I hadn’t been able to with clients before I became a mom myself. I knew what it felt like to live in a body that suddenly felt unfamiliar, to reconcile love for what your body has done with frustration over how it looks.
Seeing April step into her power—rediscovering her beauty, her sensuality, her self—was like watching someone take a deep, soul-filling breath for the first time in ages.
What I love about April isn’t just her humor or her bravery or her killer “ooga shaka” timing. It’s the way she shows up, not just for herself, but for the people around her. She’s a reminder that motherhood doesn’t mean losing yourself—it means finding new layers, new strengths, and sometimes, new friendships that feel like home.
April, if you’re reading this, thank you for letting me walk alongside you in this journey. Thank you for trusting me to capture your beauty and your spirit, for being vulnerable, and for reminding me that connection is everything.
Here’s to all the moments we’ve shared—whether it’s singing ‘70s anthems, navigating motherhood, or simply being there for one another. And here’s to all the moments still to come. You’re a gem, a light, and a forever friend.
To the moms reading this: Your body is a miracle, your story is powerful, and you are worth celebrating. Let’s create something beautiful together—something that reminds you of the incredible woman you are.
Claim your session for 2024 by clicking the link below ☀️
Miss A’s Boudoir Session | Akron, OH
Can you believe it’s her third session at our boudoir studio?!
Ally is a frequent flyer at Kristen Jones Boudoir and she was the first to volunteer for a session in the new Akron, OH Boudoir Studio location!
Together, we worked through each different set available and she was even willing to climb up on the ledge of the massive industrial windows (hello natural light boudoir studio x1000!)
The green velvet couch is the perfect color to accentuate Ally’s gorgeous two-piece black lingerie set that she brought for her session (peep our future blog about our client closet and how to choose the outfit that works best for you!)
I am STOKED to say that there’s also a stunning burnt orange couch so similar to the couch from my old studio which will bring some fond memories to the surface from previous clients’ sessions!
But the thing I love most about this studio (besides the giant windows, of course)? The huge gorgeous plants! These babies are MASSIVE and add an earthy, vibrant feel to the space that’s already there. It’s such a dream photography studio to be in, I think all of my clients (and past clients!) will love this space more than any other I’ve offered yet!
This is what this stunning woman had to say about her experience:
”Kristen is hands down one of the funniest people I’ve ever met. She makes you feel so sexy and confident. She includes you in her Facebook group and the ladies are so supportive! I’m obsessed and I wouldn’t go anywhere else!”
