It’s October, the month when the air smells like bonfires, shadows stretch a little longer and lots of people start talking about ghosts. But not the kind that hide in haunted houses or rattle chains in the dark or the sheet-over-the-head kind, that whisper, “You’re not enough,” “Cover up,” “Wait until you’ve lost ten pounds.”
I’m talking about The Boudoir Ghosts, the invisible ones that follow us into moments when we’re supposed to feel confident, beautiful, and free.
Every woman who walks through my studio door brings her own invisible audience. Some are loud, opinionated and clingy like an ex who once made a comment that still stings. Others are quieter, a parent’s voice reminding her to “be good,” “stay modest,” or “don’t draw too much attention.”
They’re the ghosts of judgment, comparison and self-doubt. And while Halloween is about facing the monsters that go bump in the night, boudoir is about facing the ones that live rent-free in your head.
The Season of Shadows (and Self-Discovery)
There’s a reason I love photographing women in October. It’s a naturally introspective month; everything feels a little cinematic, a little spookier, a little more honest. In the studio, that shedding becomes literal layers of clothing, as well as layers of expectation.
And that’s when The Boudoir Ghosts tends to show up. You’ll know them by the way they whisper:
“You’re not ready yet”, “Wait until you’ve lost the weight”, “What if people see the photos?”
They’ll pretend they’re keeping you safe. But really, they’re keeping you small. Most of the time, they show up before the camera even clicks. In the hesitation to book the shoot. You’ve been haunted by standards that were never yours to begin with. But here’s the twist: the studio is the perfect place to finally face them.
Boudoir as an Exorcism (of Sorts)
Boudoir photography isn’t about posing or perfection; it’s about reclaiming space. It’s about standing in front of the camera, ghosts and all, and saying:
“I’m done apologizing for existing.”
When I photograph you, it’s not about capturing “flattering” angles, it’s about capturing truthful ones. Because the moment you stop performing for the ghosts, the ex, the critic, the comparison queen – that’s when you come alive on camera.
Every click of the shutter is a little exorcism. Every laugh, a spell-breaking moment. Every image, proof that the ghosts don’t get the final say.
The Aftermath: Leaving the Studio Without Them
When women leave their boudoir session, they often look different, not just in the photos, but in the way they move. They’ve seen themselves without the filters, the noise, the internal commentary. After the buzz of the session, there’s a second chapter no one warns you about.
I call it The Boudoir Hangover, the emotional aftershock that comes from truly seeing yourself for the first time. It’s raw, sometimes overwhelming and absolutely normal. Because when you’ve spent years being haunted by self-doubt, finally confronting your reflection can feel like an exorcism and a rebirth rolled into one.
The ghosts might still follow you home, but they’re quieter now and no longer hold power over you.
This is why I love Halloween. It’s not about fear, it’s about facing it. About turning toward what haunts you and realizing it has no power unless you give it some. Something about October makes the whole process of having a boudoir session feel so much deeper.
It’s the season of transformation!
If you’ve been haunted by the thought of booking a boudoir shoot or that little “maybe one day” voice. This is your sign. Bring your ghosts. I’ll bring the light. Together, we’ll create something that will silence them for good: Book your Boudoir Session here!
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