Before Her Next Chapter: A Boudoir Session Before Double Mastectomy

Some stories stay with you forever — the kind that remind you why photography has the power to move us, to heal us, and to help us see ourselves with love.

This past October, during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I had the privilege of photographing a woman who came to celebrate herself before a major chapter in her life.

Just prior to undergoing a preventative double mastectomy, this client booked her first-ever boudoir session as a celebration of her strength, her body, and her journey.

She had always wanted to experience a boudoir session, but life, as it often does, kept getting in the way. When her diagnosis came, it changed her perspective. “If not now,” she said, “then when?”

Honoring Herself Before Surgery

This empowering boudoir experience gave her space to see herself with love and reverence before her procedure.

From the moment she arrived, there was not just a quiet bravery in the air, but an enthusiasm and optimism that set the tone for the day. There was a beautiful mix of anticipation and celebration. We talked, we laughed… and little by little, she began to settle into the experience.

She wasn’t doing this to mourn what was about to change. She was doing it to honor every version of herself — every moment that had brought her here.

When I photographed her, I saw a woman claiming her story. Standing in her light. Saying, This is me. I am strong. I am beautiful. 

A Celebration of Strength and Self-Love

Boudoir photography is about more than beauty. It’s about connection, courage, and seeing yourself as art — exactly as you are.

Because that’s what boudoir truly is:
A chance to witness yourself with compassion.
A space to celebrate your body and everything it has carried you through.
A reminder that you are worthy of being seen, in every form, in every moment.

For Every Woman Reading This

Whether you’re stepping into a new season of life, embracing change, or simply wanting to reconnect with yourself — you deserve to be celebrated.

Every woman’s story is different, but each one is worth honoring. 💗

If you’ve ever thought, “someday I’ll do this for me,” maybe this is your sign to make “someday” today.