This last week I had the honor of being having a Canvas Rebel Feature!! They reached out for an interview a few weeks ago, and I had such a fun time sharing my story with them. I always love reflecting on why I started being a Minneapolis boudoir photographer because I’ve grown so much since day one. I love being able to serve my clients more and more each year. I always make sure I’m attuning to what you like in the studio, and what helps you feel comfortable and empowered. I also love growing my own artistry with creative shoots (like this recent photo booth shoot!)

All to say, I was very grateful for this Canvas Rebel Feature, and wanted to share part of it here with you!

If you want to read the whole article, you can do that here!

FROM THE INTERVIEW:

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.

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!

Again – so grateful for this Canvas Rebel Feature! Thank you for sharing my story!