She's Not Gone. She's Just Been Waiting.

How moms rebuild confidence… not by becoming someone new, but by coming back to the woman who's been there all along.

WEEK 19 · CONFIDENCE & MINDSET

By Jennifer Dirksen · Sheer Photography, Youngstown OH · Est. read time: 5 min

A woman in black lingerie lies on dark satin sheets in soft, moody lighting, her head tilted back and arms outstretched.

Let me tell you what I actually see when a woman walks into my studio for the first time.

She's usually a little nervous and unsure. She's been talking herself into this, most likely because she had a moment of “enough is enough”… but there's a part of her that's waiting for someone to confirm that she made a mistake coming here.

And underneath all of that, there's this other energy. Quiet. Patient. Like something in her has been waiting a very long time to be let out.

That's her confidence. It didn't leave. It just stopped getting airtime.

This isn't about becoming a new version of yourself. It's about coming back to the one who's been waiting… and she has been incredibly patient!

Confidence isn't something you lost. It's something you buried.

We talk about confidence like it's a thing you either have or don't. Like some women were born with it and the rest of us are just out here hoping it shows up eventually.

That's not how it works!

Confidence erodes quietly, in small daily choices. Every time you put yourself last. Every time you talked yourself out of the thing you actually wanted. Every time you shrunk to make someone else comfortable, or waited for permission to take up space, or told yourself maybe later until later became never.

None of those moments felt dramatic. But they added up. And now you're standing here wondering where she went… the version of you that felt sure of herself, that moved through rooms differently, that didn't need a reason to feel good.

She didn't go anywhere. You just moved away from her, one small choice at a time.

You don't think your way back. You act your way back.

Here's where most women get stuck: they wait until they feel confident to start acting like it. They want the feeling to arrive first… then they'll wear the thing, say the thing, do the thing!

But it works the other way around, babe!

Confidence is built through action. Specifically through small moments where you choose yourself and then follow through. Where you say you're going to do something and you actually do it. Where you treat yourself like someone worth showing up for, even when nobody else is watching.

It's not loud. It's not a dramatic overnight shift. It's quiet and steady and real. And honestly? That kind of confidence hits completely different than the performative kind. Because it's yours. You built it. And nobody can take it from you.

You don't wait to feel confident and then act. You act (even when it's small, even when it's uncomfortable) and the feeling follows.

What it actually looks like to start

Not a 75 day challenge. Not a total life overhaul. Just five small, non-negotiable shifts that start building the evidence your nervous system needs to believe you again:

  • Do one thing daily that is purely, unapologetically for you… and make it non-negotiable

  • Follow through on something you told yourself you'd do, no matter how small

  • Notice the way you talk to yourself and start talking to her like someone you actually like

  • Get back into your body (movement, presence, touch) on your own terms

  • Let yourself be seen a little more each day, in whatever way feels just slightly outside your comfort zone

None of these are revolutionary. But done consistently, they are quietly radical. Because they all say the same thing: I matter enough to show up for. And once you start believing that, everything else starts to shift around it.

Why boudoir fits here

A session at Sheer isn't a reward you earn once you've figured yourself out. It's a tool for figuring yourself out. It's a few hours where you give yourself full permission to exist outside of every role you play and you get to see yourself (maybe for the first time in years) as a whole woman instead of a collection of flaws.

Women cry at their gallery reveals not because the photos are flattering. They cry because they recognize her. The version of themselves they've been putting off, waiting on, being too busy for.

She was in there the whole time.

She's ready when you are.

Your confidence isn't gone. It's been waiting on you to choose it.

Fill out the form below and I’ll get back to you ASAP!

How to Feel Desired Again (after putting yourself last)

Not by someone else. By yourself first and why that changes everything.

Week 18 - SENSUALITY & SELF-IDENTITY

By Jennifer Dirksen · Sheer Photography, Youngstown OH · Est. read time: 5 min

Woman in a black lace bralette and ripped jeans sits by a window with sheer curtains.

When was the last time you felt truly wanted?

Not needed. Not depended on. Not the person who holds everything together because if you don't, it falls apart. Not the one everyone comes to with their problems, their hunger, their laundry.

Wanted. Desired. Like someone (like you) saw yourself and thought: damn!

Yeah. It's been a minute, hasn't it?

I'm not asking to make you feel bad. I'm asking because most women can't actually remember, and I think that matters more than we let ourselves admit.

"Being needed is constant. Being desired is something different entirely and you deserve to feel both."

Needed and desired are not the same thing

Here's the thing nobody says clearly enough: being needed is exhausting. It's relentless. It asks everything of you and gives very little back.

Being desired is the opposite energy. It's generative. It lights something up in you instead of draining it. It says: you are more than what you do for people. You are someone worth wanting just for existing in your own skin.

Most of us have been operating almost entirely in "needed" mode for so long that we've forgotten the other one exists. We've traded desire for dependability and called it being a good woman. A good mom. A good partner.

And then we wonder why we feel invisible.

You didn't stop being desirable. You stopped seeing yourself.

This is the part I really need you to hear: you didn't become less attractive when life got heavy. You didn't lose your magnetism when you had kids, or hit a certain age, or stopped fitting into a size you used to wear.

You just stopped looking at yourself. Really looking… not the critical inventory scan you do in the mirror before you leave the house. Not the comparison spiral on social media. Actually seeing yourself the way someone who loved you would.

Your focus shifted entirely outward. Kids. Partner. Home. Work. Everyone else's needs got catalogued and managed and met. And you, slowly moved yourself to the bottom of the list until you weren’t even on it anymore.

"You didn't stop being worth wanting. You just stopped acting like it and eventually, you started believing it."

The part no one tells you: desire starts with you

Here's where I'm going to say something that might feel uncomfortable: waiting for someone else to make you feel desired before you feel it yourself is working backwards.

You don't feel desired first, then reconnect with yourself. You reconnect with yourself first and then you feel desired. By yourself. By others. By life.

That shift in order changes everything.

When you stop waiting for external validation to feel good in your own body, something opens up. You stop shrinking. You stop the constant self-monitoring. You start moving through the world differently… with a presence that people feel before they can explain why. That's not a mystical concept. That's just what it looks like when a woman is actually inhabiting herself instead of performing a version of herself she thinks is acceptable.

And that energy? That is the most magnetic thing in any room.

Five ways to start reclaiming it

These aren't spa day suggestions. These are small, real, daily choices that say: I exist. I matter. I'm not waiting anymore.

  • Spend time looking at yourself without fixing anything… just looking, without the running critique

  • Do one thing daily that makes you feel attractive, even if no one ever sees it

  • Move your body slowly and intentionally… not to burn something, just to feel yourself in it

  • Stop waiting for someone else's validation before you decide you feel good

  • Ask yourself honestly: "Do I feel good in my own presence right now?" and get curious about the answer

What a boudoir session actually does

I want to be direct about this, because I think it gets misunderstood.

Women don't book sessions at Sheer because they already feel desired and want photos to prove it. They book because something inside them is done waiting to feel that way. They're tired of being last. Tired of being invisible. Tired of moving through life as a function instead of a woman.

What happens in a session is simple and also kind of profound: for a few hours, you get to be seen. Completely. Intentionally. Without apology or performance. And through the lens (through the whole experience) you start to see yourself the way you've been waiting for someone else to.

Not because the photos make you look different than you are. Because they show you exactly as you are and you realize she was always worth wanting.

You just had to look.

Feeling desired doesn't start with someone else. It starts with how you see yourself.

Fill out the form below and I’ll get back to you ASAP!

Everyday Mom by Day... Seductress by Night

Week 17 - SENSUALITY & SELF-IDENTITY

By Jennifer Dirksen · Sheer Photography, Youngstown OH · Est. read time: 5 min

Woman in a black dress lounges on a chair by a window, surrounded by candles, with warm, moody lighting and a soft atmosphere.

Why balancing motherhood and sensuality isn't a contradiction… it's the most honest thing you can do for yourself.

Somewhere between the snack requests, the school drop-offs, and the full-time job of keeping tiny humans alive and reasonably emotionally intact... she got quiet.

Not gone. Not dead. Just tucked away in a drawer somewhere, under the grocery lists and the permission slips and the mental load that never actually turns off.

Because "mom" became your whole identity. And nobody told you that was a problem… because from the outside, you were crushing it. Present, capable, selfless. The gold standard.

But inside… something felt missing. Not your kids. Not your love for them. Just... you! The layered, complex, sensual, fully-expressed version of you that existed before the title.

"Motherhood was never meant to erase the woman underneath it. She was always supposed to come with you."

You didn't lose her. You just stopped letting her out.

Here's what I want you to hear clearly: you didn't become less sexy when you became a mom. You didn't suddenly stop being desirable, magnetic, or worth wanting. You just stopped accessing that part of yourself… because at some point, it stopped feeling appropriate. Safe. Necessary.

So you packed her up. Put her in the back. Told yourself "maybe later" so many times that later started to feel like never.

And the disconnect you feel now? That low-level restlessness, that sense that you've been performing a version of yourself rather than actually living inside of one? That's not a failure of motherhood. That's the cost of abandoning yourself to do it.

The myth of the "one-thing" woman

We have this cultural story that a good mom is a certain kind of woman. Soft. Selfless. Consumed by the role. Like being fully present for your kids requires being absent from yourself.

It doesn't. That's a lie that mostly benefits everyone around you.

You were never meant to be just one thing. Not just mom. Not just partner. Not just caretaker. You are a woman who also happens to be those things… and the more you squeeze yourself into a single identity, the more disconnected you feel from all of them.

You can be soft and magnetic. Nurturing and a little dangerous. The person who packs the lunches and the person who walks into a room and makes people look. Those things don't cancel each other out. They actually make each other better.

"The most grounded, joyful moms I know aren't the ones who gave everything up. They're the ones who kept themselves… on purpose."

Sensuality isn't what happens at midnight. It's how you move through your whole day.

I think when most women hear "sensual," they go straight to lingerie and candlelight. And listen… yes please!! But that's not what I'm actually talking about here.

Sensuality is a way of being in your body. It's how you carry yourself through a Tuesday. It's the difference between moving through your day on autopilot… checking boxes, managing chaos… and actually inhabiting your life.

It's in the way you let yourself enjoy something without immediately feeling guilty about it. The way you wear the thing that makes you feel alive, not just functional. The way you pause for five seconds and actually feel the warm coffee in your hands instead of inhaling it in the carpool line.

That energy isn't something you unlock at 10pm when the house is quiet. It's something you allow… or don't allow… all day long.

Five small ways to let her back in

You don't have to overhaul your life. You just have to start making small, deliberate choices that say: I'm still here. I still matter. I'm not just a function.

  • Take 5 minutes alone just to feel your body… no task, no phone, no performance

  • Put on music while doing something mundane and let yourself move differently in it

  • Wear something under your clothes just for you… nobody else needs to know

  • Look at yourself in the mirror without immediately fixing something

  • Ask: "What would feel good right now?"… and actually listen to the answer

What this has to do with boudoir

Everything. Because what I do at Sheer isn't about creating a "sexy mom" aesthetic for your husband's benefit. It's about carving out a few hours where you exist completely outside of every role you play… and getting to see yourself as a full, complex, beautiful woman who is so much more than what she does for other people.

The women who cry during their gallery reveal? It's not because the photos are pretty. It's because they finally see the version of themselves they put away. And she looks better than they remembered.

You don't have to choose between being a devoted mom and feeling like her. You get to be both. You always did.

Ready to stop putting yourself in the back of the drawer? Fill out the form below and I’ll get back to you ASAP!

Why Being “Nice” Is Blocking Your Confidence & Sexiness

Week 16 - Burn the Good Girl

By Jennifer Dirksen · Sheer Photography, Youngstown OH · Est. read time: 4 min

A person touches their lips with fingers, wearing a wedding ring on their finger in dim, moody lighting.

Why your "nice girl" era isn't your sexy era… and what it looks like to finally close that chapter.

Let's just say what everyone's thinking but nobody posts: the version of you that kept the peace, made everyone comfortable, and stayed perfectly likable? She worked hard. She kept a lot of plates spinning. And she was completely, quietly, suffocating the part of you that actually wants to be felt.

This isn't a callout. It's a recognition. Because most women who walk into my studio have spent years being good. Good daughters, good employees, good partners, good moms. And somewhere in the middle of all that goodness… they lost the version of themselves that takes up space without apologizing for it.

"Nice is filtered. Measured. Careful. Sexy is expressed. Unapologetic. Present. You can't fully inhabit one while clinging to the other."

The difference between nice and expressed

Here's what nobody tells you in the self-help aisle: confidence isn't something you build. It's something you stop blocking.

Nice girl energy shows up as shrinking. Qualifying your opinions before you give them. Laughing off the compliment instead of just saying "thank you." Wearing the outfit that's acceptable instead of the one that makes you feel like that b*tch!

But expressed energy is when you stop filtering yourself for the comfort of the room. You say what you mean… kindly, clearly, and without the three sentence apology attached. You let people actually see you instead of the carefully managed version of you.

That's not coldness. That's not selfishness. That's just... realness. And real is magnetic in a way that "nice" never gets to be.

You can be kind and still be fully yourself

I want to be really clear here because this gets misread: burning the good girl doesn't mean becoming a b*tch. It doesn't mean blowing up your relationships or showing up reckless. It means giving yourself the same permission to be seen that you so freely give everyone else.

It means saying "actually, I don't love that" instead of "oh no it's fine, totally fine." It means wearing the thing that makes you feel alive, not just the thing that won't cause a comment. It means asking yourself, before you shrink again… am I being liked right now, or am I being real?

"The women you look at and think…. damn!!! They're not perfect. They're expressed. They're in their bodies. They're not asking for permission. And that energy is completely undeniable."

Five small shifts that change everything

You don't have to overhaul your personality. You just have to start letting more of yourself through. Here's where to begin:

  • Say what you actually mean… kindly, but without the qualifiers that make it smaller

  • Let yourself be seen in low stakes moments first: a photo, a conversation, a room you walk into differently

  • Wear something that feels like you… not just the version of you that's trying to not be too much

  • Move your body in a way that feels good, not performative, for you

  • Ask yourself honestly: "Am I being liked right now... or am I being real?"

What this has to do with boudoir

Everything. Literally everything.

Women don't come to Sheer because they already feel confident. They come because somewhere inside them, they know there's a version of themselves they've been quietly managing and they want, for one day, to just let her out. No filtering. No apologizing. No performing comfort for the people around them.

The magic of a boudoir session isn't the photos. (Though babe, the photos are something.) It's what happens when you spend a few hours being seen… fully, intentionally, without apology… and you realize she was there the whole time. You were just being too nice to let her show up.

That's the version of you that's been waiting. She's the one you've wanted to feel for years.

It's time to stop being so polite about it.

Ready to meet the version of yourself you've been keeping behind glass?

Fill out the form below and I’ll get back to you ASAP!

How to Set Boundaries • Ohio Best Boudoir

Week 15 - Burn the Good Girl

A close-up of a person lying down in black lace lingerie, showing a tattoo and a puddle of whiskey on their abdomen.

Let’s talk about the thing that makes most women instantly uncomfortable:

Boundaries.

Because somewhere along the way…you learned that saying no = being selfish.

But last week, you stopped apologizing. So now you actually start choosing yourself!

🔥 Boundaries Aren’t Mean

They’re not punishments. They’re not rejection. They’re clarity.

They tell people: “This is what works for me. This is what doesn’t.”

And the right people will respect that. And if they don’t, that tells you more about them than yourself.

🔥 Why You Feel Guilty

Because you’re used to being the one who says yes. The reliable one. The accommodating one.

So when you shift, it feels wrong. But it’s not wrong… it’s just new.

🔥 Boundaries Build Confidence

Every time you honor yourself…you trust yourself more.

And confidence is built through those tiny moments. Not big, dramatic changes. Just quiet decisions where you choose you.

✨ Practical Shifts

  • Start small: say no to one thing this week

  • Don’t over-explain your no

  • Use simple language: “That doesn’t work for me”

  • Notice who respects your boundaries (and who doesn’t)

  • Remind yourself: “I’m allowed to protect my energy”

When you start choosing yourself… everything about you shifts. Click the button below to send me a quick email for more info on a boudoir session and take that first step towards doing something for YOURSELF!

I Choose Myself

Own Your Confidence and Space • Ohio Best Boudoir

Week 14 - Burn the Good Girl

Woman in lingerie arching her back on the floor in a sunlit room with sheer curtains and large windows.

Be honest…

How many times have you said “sorry” today?!?!

Sorry for being late.
Sorry for asking a question.
Sorry for needing something.
Sorry for literally just… being a human.

Last week, we talked about the rules you’ve been living by.

This week…We’re breaking one of the biggest ones. I hope you’re ready!

🔥 You Were Taught to Soften Yourself

Apologizing became your way of staying likable.

It makes you easier to handle.
Less intimidating.
More… acceptable.

But every unnecessary “sorry” sends a message: “I don’t fully deserve to be here.”

And that’s just not true.

🔥 You’re Not “Too Much”

You’re not too loud, too emotional or too opinionated.

You’ve just been surrounded by people who were more comfortable when you were quieter.

Read that again.

🔥 Confidence Doesn’t Apologize

Confident women don’t shrink themselves to fit.

They take up space.
They ask for what they want.
They speak without cushioning every sentence.

And no… that doesn’t make them rude. It makes them grounded.

✨ Practical Shifts

  • Replace “sorry” with “thank you” (Thank you for waiting vs. sorry I’m late)

  • Catch yourself mid-apology and pause

  • Practice saying what you want without over-explaining

  • Stand taller, speak slower

  • Remind yourself: “I don’t need to earn my space here”

You don’t need permission to take up space… but you might need practice feeling it. Click the button below to send me a quick email for more info on a boudoir session.

I’m Done Shrinking

Why Taking Up Space at the Table Is Sexy

(And Yes, I’m Talking to YOU.)

black and white maternity photo of a woman in gown

Look… this week is chaos. Kids home. Groceries everywhere. Someone forgot the rolls. Your husband is asking where the good scissors are….again.

And in the middle of all of that, it’s way too easy to shrink yourself…your voice, your needs, your spark…because “everyone else needs something.”

But here’s the truth that will flip your whole Thanksgiving energy:

A woman who takes up space is sexy as hell.

Not the woman who tiptoes around.
Not the one who hides her opinions.
Not the one who only eats half a roll so she doesn’t feel “blah.”

Nope.

The woman who sits at the table, literal or emotional, and claims her spot with confidence?
She’s magnetic. Powerful. Untouchably feminine.
And she’s in you already… she’s just buried under a mountain of casseroles, last minute runs to Target and dishes that seem to multiply like gremlins.

So this year?

Take up space.

Say what you want.
Ask for help.
Take the last slice of pie.
Wear the damn dress.
Sit with your shoulders back, chest open, head high.
Let people feel your energy when you walk in the room.

Because when you do?
Your confidence doesn’t just rise…it returns.
That dark, feminine spark you’ve been missing?
She shows up. Loud and lovely.

And if you want to carry that version of you into 2026?

This part is for you…

🔥 The Sheer Black Friday Sale Is LIVE 🔥

This is my biggest sale of the year and the best time to finally book a session if you’ve been craving that confidence boost, that “I’m still a whole damn woman” moment, that unapologetic, sexy as hell energy.

Right now:
✨ Session fees are 100% on me
✨ Just $49 to hold your date
✨ A full 90-minute boudoir session in 2025/26
✨ PLUS another 90-minute session in 2027
✨ Hair + makeup included
✨ Your private image reveal
✨ Posing guidance (I got you head to toe)
✨ Exclusive product discounts

Two full sessions. One tiny deposit.
Your confidence revival? Priceless.

Grab your Black Friday spot before it disappears

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Book Your #sheerexperience now

P.S.

Take up space this week, babe.
In your home. At your table. In your life.
And when you’re ready to take up space in front of my camera?
I’ll be right here waiting with the good lighting.

black and white maternity photo of a woman in a gown by a window

The Power of a Boudoir Photoshoot: Embracing Your Body and Boosting Your Confidence

For many women, the idea of baring it all in front of a camera can be terrifying. But what if I told you that a boudoir session could be one of the most empowering experiences of your life? As someone who has recently done a boudoir shoot for both myself and my fiancé, I can say with confidence that this type of photography can shatter insecurities, boost confidence, and make you feel more beautiful than ever before. This blog post is for all the women out there who may be hesitant about the idea of a boudoir photoshoot, but are also curious about the incredible impact it can have on your self-image.

Before I get into the nitty-gritty of what all your own #SheerExperience is and the benefits it can bring, let's debunk one of the biggest myths about boudoir photography: you don't have to look a certain way to do one. That's right, you heard me. No matter what your size, shape, or insecurities may be, you can absolutely rock a boudoir shoot. In fact, part of the magic of these photos is that they capture the beauty in every body type. You don't need to look like a Victoria's Secret model or have a perfect hourglass figure to have stunning, confidence-boosting boudoir photos (although if that is your natural body type, then go for it). The point is to embrace your body as it is, flaws and all, and showcase your unique beauty in a way that makes you feel confident and powerful.

Now, let's talk about some of the ways that a session like this can boost your confidence. For starters, the act of being vulnerable in front of a camera can be incredibly empowering. It takes a lot of courage to strip down and pose in front of photographers, but there is something cathartic about it. You are taking control of your body and choosing to showcase it in a way that makes you feel beautiful. It's a way of saying, "This is me, and I am proud of who I am." That kind of confidence permeates into all aspects of your life, from work to relationships and beyond.

Another benefit of a boudoir session is that it allows you to see yourself in a new light. We all have insecurities about our bodies, but seeing yourself through the lens of a professional photographer can shift your perspective. Instead of focusing on every little flaw, you are able to see the beauty in your body as a whole. It's a reminder that you are worthy of love, attention, and admiration just as you are. And when you have that album in your hands, you can look at them whenever you need a reminder of your own strength and beauty.

A boudoir shoot is so much more than just taking pictures in your underwear. It's an act of self-love and empowerment, a reminder of your own beauty, and a way to deepen intimacy in your relationships. If you have been hesitant to try a boudoir shoot because of insecurities or fear, I encourage you to take the leap. Trust me, you won't regret it. Embrace your body as it is, and let Brian & Jen capture your unique beauty in a way that makes you feel confident, powerful, and oh so beautiful. Fill out the form below to get more information from Sheer.

Don’t be shy…

Oh honey, boudoir sessions are all the rage among us ladies. And let me tell you, it's not just about getting those sexy shots. It's about honoring and loving yourself just the way you are. No matter what shape or size you are, boudoir photography makes you feel like the goddess you truly are. So, don't be shy. Embrace your beauty and go for it! To inspire you, we interviewed one of our #SheerBeauties. Her thoughts are a true gem, so keep on reading.

WHY DID YOU TAKE THE LEAP TO BOOK A BOUDOIR SESSION? I was inspired by an incredibly sexy and beautiful friend who had also had a photo shoot with Sheer Photography.

HOW DID YOU FEEL WALKING INTO THE STUDIO THE DAY OF YOUR SESSION? Wow, I gotta tell you - I was super nervous at first! But, Jen and Brian were absolutely amazing and put me at ease in no time.

HOW DID YOU FEEL AFTER YOUR SHOOT? I was so shocked at how incredibly breathtaking my pictures were.

WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO SOMEONE WHO WAS ON THE FENCE ABOUT BOOKING THEIR OWN SESSION? Just do it! You deserve it. The high will last for sooooo long. It's been months and I still feel incredible about myself.

DID YOU HAVE ANY INSECURITIES OR WORRIES ABOUT DOING A SESSION THAT WE HELPED YOU GET OVER BEFORE/DURING/AFTER YOUR SESSION? I thought I was so fat and unattractive. But Jen and Brian were so supportive and funny that I felt amazing during my session and even more confident after I saw all of my gorgeous photos.

WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO SOMEONE WHO WAS WORRIED ABOUT NOT LIKING ANY OF THEIR IMAGES AFTER THEIR SESSION? I didn't think there would be any pictures that I liked and I loved 99% of them. I had a hard time picking my favorites for the album.

WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO SOMEONE WHO WAS HESITANT TO INVEST MONEY INTO A BOUDOIR EXPERIENCE? I don't regret one penny of my money spent. Not one! I love my pictures and the self-confidence I gained from it is priceless!

XOXO, Miss D

Trust me, after this experience, you'll feel like a million bucks. It's not just about the stunning images, it's about affirming your worth and feeling comfortable in your own skin. So, let's celebrate ourselves because we are all uniquely beautiful and deserving of it! If you are ready to schedule your own session, visit the CONTACT page and we will send you all the juicy info!

My first #SheerExperience

Alright honeys, listen up! This was my first photo shoot EVER! Can you tell? No. The reason behind that is because Jen and Brian made sure I was comfortable while we did the shoot & answered all my questions before I even stepped foot into their boudoir studio in Youngstown, Ohio. Once I warmed up, my #SheerBeauty was showcased!

If you're planning on a boudoir session, I'm here to give you some tips on how to make the experience as smooth and effortless as possible. You want to feel confident and sexy, and I'm going to help you get there girlfriend!!

First things first, communication is key. Talk to Jen & Brian beforehand about what kind of look you're going for, whether it's soft and romantic or sultry and edgy, maybe even a mix of both. This will give them a better idea of how to style, pose you & what areas of the studio to use. It's also important to discuss any insecurities or areas you want to highlight so that they can work with you to create the perfect shots. They email you a questionnaire to help with a lot of these things & ask things you might not even consider.

Another important factor is what to wear. You want to feel comfortable and confident in your outfits, so choose pieces that make you feel sexy, whether it's a lacy bralette or a satin robe. Don't forget to bring accessories like jewelry or heels to add some extra flair. And ladies, if all else fails, they have a whole lingerie closet, which I took full advantage of for every single one of my outfits! It was so helpful & less stressful, I came in with nothing to wear and Jen picked out everything based off what parts of my body I wanted to showcase & my self-perceived flaws that I didn’t want showing as much.

Next up, pamper yourself! Get your hair and makeup done beforehand, or do it yourself if you're a pro. It is so nice that they offer this in studio for all of us, and even better that Jen is the one doing your hair & makeup. It makes it a little less awkward to undress after you’ve been chatting with her for over an hour & feel like you two would be best friends outside of this! Don't forget to take care of your skin too - exfoliate and moisturize to ensure a smooth and glowing complexion.

Lastly, relax and have fun! Boudoir sessions should be a celebration of your beauty and sensuality, so don't be afraid to let loose and express yourself. Let Brian & Jen guide you through poses and movements, but also feel free to bring your own ideas to the table. They are amazing at working in any inspiration or props you have.

So there you have it, girlfriend - follow these tips and you'll be ready for your boudoir close-up in no time. Now scroll on down past my sexy photos and send them a message! Xoxo, Miss Y

I did it for me! You can do it for you

“A friend of mine had invited me to the Sheer VIP group a few years ago. I had no idea what boudoir photography was, and when I found out, my self talk was awful! I figured I'd be a wallflower in the group and join in on building others up, because I was good at that.

When I took the leap to book my first shoot, I was on vacation with my daughter. I looked at the Sheer website and I was reading the blog. I couldn't tell you whose blog it was, but it hit me upside the head. I booked my first shoot right then and there. BEST. DECISION. EVER! I had so much fun the first time, that I couldn't wait to do it again.

For both, I did the shoot for me. Not for a present for anyone else, just a present for me. I still can't believe those pictures are of me. I don't know what sort of voodoo magic happens from the time the picture is taken to when it shows up on the viewfinder or in Jen's computer, but that woman I see, is what I want to believe about myself. I want to be able to look in the mirror and say, "Yes, this is me!" That was how I felt after my first time. I have one of the metals on my dresser so it's the first thing I see in the morning and the last thing I see before bed. That woman is confident, beautiful, sensual, sexy, and present. That woman is me!! That metal and those pictures help to remind me of where I want to be mentally.

Then this past Mother's Day happened. Life was doing its thing and I wanted to have something to look forward to. So, I went ahead and booked a second shoot. It was so much fun! There's even a few pictures I can tell that I had to remember to be serious because I was laughing so hard. Who does that, half or fully naked?!?! The app alone is such a good reminder of who I am and who I want to be and so handy! I've never liked pictures of myself much at all, and I haven't had an issue with that at Sheer. I do like them. Some I love, but I have yet to have one with Sheer that I just looked at and said eww or no or anything negative.

Between the VIP group, the sessions, and the photos afterwards, in whatever medium you get them in, the whole experience is worth it. Why? Because you are worth it, every second, every penny.”

XoXo - Casey

Don't forget the CHAMPAGNE!!!

Before my photo shoot, I was so nervous about all the little things and very worried about how I’d look on camera. I’ve always had a lot of body image issues and feel my body is “boring” and lacking curves in the right areas.

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Jen starts to boost your confidence right away while she works her magic on your makeup, lashes, and hair. She makes it fun while she does it too, which helps ease the nerves.

Then its time to get undressed for the shoot & both Jen and Brian are so excited it really feels so easy! (Heck, I ended up totally nude by the end 🤣).

When Brian first turned the camera around to show an image I couldn’t believe it was me! After that, it was game on!

At the reveal with Jen, you’ll have a hard time choosing which images are your favorite and that says a lot about their work.

If you are looking to book a boudoir session with Jen and Brian, do it!! I followed their work for years until I finally got the courage, which I’m so happy I did. You will come out feeling super confident and sexy...what woman doesn’t want that?! Also, don’t forget the champagne if you want to have some bonus fun at your shoot!!

Finding my CONFIDENCE!

I had been wanting to do a boudoir session for a while, but always had the thoughts of “you can’t do sexy, you can’t be sexy, you don’t look like the beautiful women you’ve seen do these photo shoots”.

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I was always thinking about all my flaws: I break out all the time, my booty could be bigger, and my boobs could be smaller. In my mind, my body is not where I wanted it to be for doing a sexy photo shoot.

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I decided to scheduled my first boudoir session, I went with my best friend so we could do it together. She had previously done a boudoir before, so she was my support system for mine. We ended up going to someone she had found on social media. I thought well at least if my photos don’t turn out great I wouldn’t be spending a lot of money.

Well in turn I lost more than a little money, I lost so much confidence in myself, and was scared to even show my now fiancé the finished photos because even though he says I’m sexy, I felt anything but that, deep down I thought if he saw those photos he wouldn’t think I was as sexy as he said I was before.

After I stopped dragging myself through the dirt, and feeling down on myself I reached out to Jen & Brian. I had known about Sheer Photography for 4 years, and absolutely loved their work! I told them my story, and they were there to listen, and provide me with so much information, and encouragement not to let this one bad shoot define how I felt about myself.

I know many people will be like ”well why didn’t you go there in the first place?” And like previously stated I felt that I couldn’t do/be sexy, so I went in the wrong direction that lead me to believe that so much more. When I decided that it was my time to try again I knew coming to Sheer was going to change things for me, I just didn’t know how much!

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From the time I walked up the stairs, I felt so welcomed, and comfortable around Jen and Brian. They made me feel beautiful, sexy, and so so soooo confident in my skin again. Working with them was just easy, carefree, and so much fun! When I left I was so happy with how the day went and all the sneak peeks that came with it, but was still just a tad bit nervous about going back for my reveal and having to see, and pick all of my photos.

Fast forward to my reveal, I kid you not when I say I wanted to cry watching the slideshow of my photos that they had put together. It had been so long since I saw myself as someone beautiful, and I never really thought of myself as sexy, but HOT DAMN did they prove to me that I can feel and be both! Jen and Brian truly made me feel even more confident in myself than I had ever been.

I wanted to do this for myself, but I never thought that I actually NEEDED to do this for myself.

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I am so beyond thankful for them, and what they’ve done for me. They made me love all things about myself, especially my booty! All I can say is if you’re thinking about doing a boudoir shoot, do it for you! Having a #SheerExperience has made a world of difference in how I look and feel about myself. If you’re like me and had a bad first boudoir shoot and are thinking about doing another one, do it! It’s not you that can’t do/be sexy, because you can and you are, and Jen and Brian are the people you can trust the most to prove that to you!

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