LGBT+ Represenation in Boudoir

Having a boudoir blog is the best, especially when my clients permit me to use their photos. One of my favorite clients is Ms. X. This was her second time shooting with us, and just like her first set, these photos came out I C O N I C.

Just like her first set, we repped the LGBT+ community. I love that Ms. X is unapologetic about who she is and what she's about. Her set moves me because she owns that. Representation Matters. I am so happy that she proudly reps. I am honored that she allows me to capture that.

Here is an interview that we had discussing her second set with us. My favorite answer is the last question.

Boudoir Client Experience:

Q: This was your second time shooting with Wonderland Boudoir. How did you feel going through your second session with us?

A: I absolutely loved it! Korin makes shooting easy and you feel comfortable to be yourself in your own skin!

Q: What did you learn from the last session that helped you with this one?

A: Not having fear in front of the camera, and taking direction when getting in certain shots.

Q: What was your favorite part about getting ready for your second session?

A: Choosing the setting and theme of the shoot.

Q: How was shooting outside for you? Would you suggest that for other women wanting a boudoir session?

A: I believe shooting outside gives a different feel in natural light. I enjoyed it. We definitely got the shot!

Q: How was shooting outside for you? Would you suggest that for other women wanting a boudoir session?

A: I believe shooting outside gives a different feel in natural light. I enjoyed it. We definitely got the shot!

Q: What is something that you learned about yourself after your second session?

A: How much I grew from the first, mentally and physically.

Q: What are some suggestions that you would give other women considering a boudoir session for the first or second time?

A: Own it, don't worry about other people's opinions. It's about you, for you. Own your confidence and remain authentic.

Q: For your third session what would your ultimate goal be?

A: I would take more photos outside, maybe go for some riskier photos.

Q: Please add any final thoughts you might have.

A: I think boudoir is about owning and defining how you feel. There is beauty in knowing yourself and not being afraid to expose yourself on a different level sexually.

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Vitiligo Boudoir: In my Skin, I Win

One of the biggest pleasures in shooting boudoir is meeting and capturing Ms. I. She is the first boudoir client I have photographed with vitiligo.

Ms. I is an incredible woman with a beautiful story. Too often, people think boudoir is just about getting in front of the camera and looking pretty. But as we all know, there is so much more to boudoir than just getting dolled up. It's about the story that leads women to this moment. While Ms. I's story may be triggering to some, it serves as a beautiful inspirational narrative influenced by embracing your full self-worth ONLY validated by you.

Q: I just have to say it, your confidence level is out of this world! Have you always been this confident? If not, how did you learn to be confident?

A: Oh good God no! I had low confidence since I was a teenager because I didn't like how my body was built. I was literally shaped like a lower case letter "i" and had no boobs and butt. Then I was a late bloomer in college and thanks to track and field, I finally got a butt but still no boobs. For the longest, I thought I had a "man" body and was too muscular and not curvy. While I was in college, I developed vitiligo which increased my insecurities because the dermatologist said, "I'm so sorry...and you had such beautiful brown skin." I felt cursed. Unfortunately having low confidence and self-esteem can attract the wrong people in your life which led me to get raped by a wolf in sheep's clothing. I continued to beat myself and hated the image that I saw in the mirror. Then there comes a point that even in your lowest moment, the only direction you can truly look is up. The truth to life is that nobody will love you more than you ever love yourself. So treat yourself right. With that in mind, I accepted my circumstances (thank you Serenity prayer) and started to take pride in my skin condition and view myself as a "work of art."

Q: You were a delight to work with. When planning your boudoir session, what emotions were you feeling?

A: No lie I was super nervous because I NEVER thought in my life I would be right for a boudoir shoot. When I think of boudoir, I think of Victoria's Secret models who have an idealistic body with perfect boobs and hour shape body. I didn't have that type of body, but I was willing to embrace the challenge. Once the nerves went away, I got excited because I'm about to do something that will break an old mental wall that I carried since I was a teenager.

Q: Compared to before the session, how did you feel during and after the shoot?

A: Once I tried on the beautiful one-piece lingerie, I was shocked because I never thought that I had the body for lingerie. I looked at myself in the mirror, embraced the image, and felt empowered because I knew that this shoot will be special. The boudoir shoot was the first time that I felt truly sexy in a genuine way. I'm an awkward nerd, but the boudoir session brought out an inner sex kitten that I didn't know existed. For the first time ever, I felt a "model's" high after the shoot. It was like holy sh*t I did it! I broke a mental wall that held me back from really loving myself. Thanks to that shoot, I'm more motivated than ever to buy more lingerie and participate in more boudoir shoots.

Q: We shoot a lot of women, all with incredible stories and backgrounds. However, you are the first person who we had the privilege of capturing who has Vitiligo. I love how you have owned this. I know learning about this for some people can be really hard. How did you own this and what do you hope to teach people about Vitiligo?

A: It took me a very long time to own my vitiligo instead of letting vitiligo own me. As a matter of fact, I remember watching an episode of America's Next Top Model, and Shaun Ross (model with albinism) exuded so much confidence and comfort in his skin, and he brought up his campaign that he was running. He said the one phrase that's still embedded in my head forever. "In my skin, I win!" Once Shaun said that a light bulb came on in my head, and I started to view my spots as if they were art pieces in my body canvas.

My biggest hope is that images of myself and others with vitiligo will help people in society to not look at us or others with physical imperfections as freaks or with pity. We're humans just like everybody else and beautiful too with our perfect imperfections.

Q: There seems to be a change in tide with the concept of beauty in our world, especially in the world of vitiligo. One of the most famous names right now is Winnie Harlow. How does the expansion of beauty norms make you feel?

A: I'm so inspired and ecstatic. Winnie Harlow opened the doors for many of us with vitiligo, and it's a breath of fresh air to see other people with vitiligo in photoshoots or acting. I'm happy to see that the definition of the "standard of beauty" is changing and helping others who are insecure to embrace themselves.

Q: What is one misconception about vitiligo that you would like to clear up?

A: Unfortunately there is a good amount of ignorant people who believe that vitiligo is a "curse" from the bible (in reference to having leprosy). We're not cursed, and there's a difference between having leprosy and vitiligo. We're human beings and not bad "cursed" people.

Q: You are also an actress. What inspired you to get into acting and who are some of the greats whose careers you admire?

A: I loved the attention I got from friends and family as a kid when I told stories and doing impressions of others. My mom exposed me to a lot of theater plays and movies; therefore I knew that acting was my creative outlet for expressing myself. As for actors, I absolutely love Viola Davis and Meryl Streep. Meryl Streep is the prime example that you don't have to be super gorgeous to make it but let your talent do the talking for you. Viola Davis is everything to me. You know you're a phenomenal actress if doing the ugly cry with snot running out of your nose will help you win an Oscar (Movie Fences) or Emmy (How to Get Away With Murder).

Q: If there is one thing you want the world to learn about you, what would you want to convey?

A: In the words of Janelle Monae, "Even if it makes others uncomfortable, I will love who I am."

I really hope Ms. I story resonates with at least one person. Feel free to share her inspirational journey with your friends and family members. I cannot wait to have the chance to capture this beautiful soul again.

If you're interested in your own boudoir session please complete the form below. I look forward to hearing from you!

5 Important Life Lessons from Call Me Daddy Interview with Mia Khalifa

This was the first Call Her Daddy podcast I have ever watched. I had heard about Call Her Daddy a lot last year due to the two original hosts having a very public falling out. Honestly, I couldn't tell you any details about the ordeal... just that podcast in the Hip-Hop arena I listen to (Joe Budden) was even talking about them.

I decided to listen to this podcast because Alex was interviewing Mia Khalifa. Admittedly, I didn't know too much about Ms. Khalifa before listening to her on Call Her Daddy but the LITTLE of her story I did know was very intriguing. If I'm going to be TOTALLY honest, I didn't listen to any previous podcast Mia was on because she was often being interviewed by men. I just wasn't interested in the male perspective of who she was. However, seeing her sit down with another woman, Alex in this case, intrigued me to listen to her. Boy was I blown away.

Let me just get this out of the way. Alex is an excellent interviewer. The dynamic between her and Mia could be felt instantly. It was like listening to two best friends who hadn't seen each other in years catching up over a girls' night in. The interview was fun, honest, raw, and inspirational.

As a new listener, I like that Alex calls the listeners “Daddy Gang” (not followers or fans… she’s likable and not pretentious). I also respected how she set up the interview. She really wanted to get to know Mia on a personal level. The night before the interview they met up to discuss what Mia would be comfortable talking about. To me, this is an important way to establish trust, especially with a young woman who has been through so much in such a short period of (still) her young adult life.

I really appreciated how authentically raw Mia decided to be. It’s important for us to express our truths. It’s interviews like these that will help at least one young girl out as she navigates this world and her self-identity.

This interview made Mia 4 dimensional. She is a young woman that people should, and can, look up to.

Here are the 5 most important lessons I found in the Call Me Daddy interview with Mia Khalifa:

1.) Don't look for validation through men (or anyone for that matter)

If you have been following me on the blog for a while, then you know that I think it’s very important for women to know that they can never seek validation through men.

Other people cannot validate who you are as a person. Only you can do that. This is something that needs to be instilled in every girl. These girls turn into women. Every single day we need to instill these types of values into our daughter, nieces, granddaughter, grandnieces, godchildren. They must not make the mistake of looking for their value through people who don’t even know their own.

She touches on toxic manipulated relationships and the fact that she got into them because she didn’t think highly of herself. She thought these relationships were the best that she deserved and would overextend herself and overdeliver just to keep this person happy.

One of the things that helped her start growing and understanding how detrimental her behavior was, when she realized in her most toxic relationship that she was living and thinking, not for her best interest, but the interest of other people. She was pleasing people not worthy of her, instead of taking care of herself.

When she realized she was wearing a self-given handcuff, she released herself from those shackles. She learned how she was being used and how she was allowing these people to tell her what she was worth, not the other way around.

Alex brings it home when she says, "the way that you feel about yourself directly impacts the partner that you chose." The girl took them to church with that one.

2.) Body Image - Connect with your Authentic Inner Beauty First

A woman should do whatever she wants to do with her body. However, I do suggest that people not undergo cosmetic surgery if they’re doing it to please other people. If you are doing it for you and it’s only for you, go for it. But if you’re doing it so people can find you attractive, then take some time to reconsider.

What happens is, if you’re not happy with yourself before the surgery? You’ll get temporary happiness, then go back to finding “something else wrong” with you. Generally, there is nothing physically wrong. It's just the perception of what you think society finds attractive.

In Mia’s case, she thought it was her breast that was making her feel low and self-conscience about herself. It wasn’t.

Even after the 60lbs weight loss and the breast implants and breast lift… she still saw that chubby girl. Because she didn’t deal with the core of her issue she couldn’t connect with her authentic inner beauty because all she could do is still see and feel that chubby girl that game to America in 2001.

Because she couldn’t see that, she was clinging on to men that didn’t deserve her because she didn’t think she deserved the attention.

3.) Therapy Needs to be Normalized

Going to Therapy has really allowed her to better love and understand herself. She, literally, sings the word therapy. “We need to normalize asking people if they are in therapy” she states to Alex.

I am so happy this country is starting to accept the amazing benefits of therapy. Mia started going to therapy around the age of 23 and she claims that it changed her life. She suggests that you should try many different therapists.

She compares it to dating, finding a trainer, or finding the right dermatologist. You’re not going to connect with the first one.

She states that therapy has helped her deal with the overall theme of shame for her. How shame has impacted her life. She believes this may be the number one issue for several people.

4.) Friendships are Important

Mia speaks so beautifully about her friendship with a woman named Rachel Ray (not the chef of the woman that Jay-Z (allegedly) cheated with). This is an important relationship to her because it’s the first time she felt unconditional love. She felt protected by having this person in her life. Rachel helped Mia rebuild her trust in others. Their friendship helped Mia understand that she was the type of relationship she needed to experience because it’s connections like these that help us understand who deserves to be in your life and who doesn’t.

Our friends see things in us that we don’t see in ourselves. Alex touches on this when they speak about the blowback Malala Yousafzai received after replying to Mia Khalifa calling her "bestie". Mia started getting imposter syndrome because she couldn’t understand how such an iconic leader like Malala could follower her.

But Alex drives a VERY important point home that really touches Mia, "she saw something in you. She followed you. She followed you for a reason".

5.) Mindset Change is Essential to Changing Your Life

Overall, changing her mindset by understanding her worth helped her leave toxic relationships.

Not only with these men but with herself. She started becoming unafraid to tell her story. She got out of the mindset of “people just won’t understand.” She advises women to take that step. She acknowledged that it’s scary, but she wants women to take that step and begin speaking with people about their stories.

I implore everyone to watch the full interview here. Let me know in the comments what you think.

3 Reasons Every Woman Needs to do a Boudoir Session

3 Reasons Every Woman Needs to do a Boudoir Session - Dallas Boudoir Mini Session

Having one of the top boudoir blogs in the world fills me with great pride. To celebrate that, today I want to provide three simple reasons why everyone woman needs to do a boudoir session.

1.) Celebrate Yourself

This life is so beautiful yet it goes by so quickly. At times we don't slow down enough to really appreciated it, or yourselves. There are many things in life to celebrate birthdays, accomplishments, milestones, major life changes, your healing. Whatever you're the reason, you should do it for yourself.

I love when women come in because they are getting married and want to surprise their partner. However, there is always a deeper meaning. Their partner may have been the supporting rock they needed to break through love, weight loss, or other accomplishments through life.

I have captured many women diagnosed with an assortment of different diseases. I have been blessed to know, to date, that none of my beautiful clients have transitioned from this life. However, they came in knowing that this may fade but they wanted to capture the moments before or after to remind themselves that no matter what happens that they celebrated who they are. That they could go back and have reminders of themselves that they have ALWAYS been that chick! I want the same for all my clients.

The fact of the matter is, in 2 years, 5 years, 10 years, 20 years you’re going to look back and kick yourself for not appreciating how God-damn beautiful you were because you wasted so much time being insecure. Don’t regret appreciating your beauty. Even if you cannot see it at this very moment, you will thank yourself for having the shoot because it will show you how magnificent you always were.

2.) Boudoir Challenges your Mindset

You may think that cover models have it easy. They just come in, get dolled up, shoot for a couple of hours, secure the bag, and then leave. I find it hilarious that after each shoot, every single woman is exhausted, tired, and sore (some of the poses will really stretch you out).

Boudoir makes you get out of your comfort zone. Some of us (including myself) thrive in jeans, sweatshirts, sunglasses, and a messy bun. Boudoir asks you to challenge yourself by slipping into something sexy and unapologetically own your feminity.

Too often society has dictated what is feminine and ladylike. I am happy to see so many women are calling bullshit on these antiquated concepts and really falling into their divine feminine power. The only person who can define feminity is you.

Women are taught to feel ashamed for owning their sexuality. To want to look sexy for no one else but themselves. For not caring what other think. If you are feeling insecure because of these values, then you should do your boudoir session. Get out of your comfort zone. Do it for you.

3.) Spoil Yourself

It's no secret that boudoir is can be expensive. Normally, the more expensive, the better the photographer. However, you deserved to gift yourself.

At Wonderland Boudoir we provided a full-service boudoir session. Included in all our packages are hair, makeup, and location. We also have three fully loaded packages that include albums, photos, and prints.

Our hair and makeup team are the best. They always make sure you LOVE your look before your session. They stay through the full session to make sure you look great. They jump into the frame and make sure your hair still looks good, makeup is touched up so all you need to do is follow my direction for posing. No. You don't need to know how to pose before you come in. I will dedicate myself to you during our session to make sure you are getting the best photos and poses.

Everyone woman needs to do a boudoir session so they can celebrate who they, challenge their mindset, and spoil themselves!

DALLAS BOUDOIR MINI SESSION

Right now at Wonderland Boudoir, we are offering mini sessions for an AH-MAZING price. The trade-off is, we only have spots available on May 01, 2021. The shoots will take place in Dallas, Texas.

HERE IS WHAT YOU GET:

• Dates: May 01, 2021 at 10AM and 2PM

• Price: $738

• Length: 60 minutes

• Looks: Max 2

• Photos: 15 Page 8x12 Photo Alum

If you want to learn more, fill out the form below or click HERE to learn more before getting in contact and booking a session.



What is Sexiness Really About?

What is Sexiness Really About?

Sexiness is all about your personality, being genuine, confident, and being a good person.

One of the most naturally sexy people I know is Ms. A. This outdoor boudoir photoshoot was extremely important for Ms. A and me to create together.

We took a situation that was bad and made it work. The truth is, I booked a makeup artist for this shoot. The makeup artist was supposed to arrive at 5:30AM... and he did, but he left because I overslept. I didn't wake up until 6AM. While Ms. A stayed around, he did not. Personally, I don't blame him.

In the interim of trying to rework this shoot, we found an even better concept that lied within it. This is why I always say when things don't go your way something better is about to come. God's Plan is a real concept, and I felt that this series personified that. Instead of completely nixing the idea because the makeup artist left (and would not return my calls... I laugh now), Ms. A suggested that she do the whole story without any makeup.

Why? She wanted to prove that women could be powerful, desirable, and beautiful without having to wear makeup. Ms. A had just recently given birth and she wanted to show that confident sexiness is created from within. Makeup should be used to enhance who we are, not veil it. Regardless if makeup is used or not, your natural sexiness and feminity will come through if you truly embrace and own your self-worth.

Therein lies the beauty of working with secure and confident women. In each one of these pictures, you can clearly see that Ms. A is extremely comfortable with who she is. Makeup, men, social media... none of that defines who she is or what she does.

I wish I could sprinkle her confidence on everybody that I shoot with. The world would be better off with women who validate their own beauty. There is no need for anyone to cosign who you are when you truly love the woman that you created.

Makeup is awesome... Don't get me wrong... but you shouldn't have to feel, as a woman, that you HAVE to wear makeup to be accepted. Makeup is a tool designed to enhance the beauty that is already there.

Be who you are.

You are built to be incredible.

Anyone who tells you differently

can go fuck themselves.

Major shoutouts to Ms. A. She merc'd this session! She got up at 5 a.m. on December 31st in cold as fuck weather to play around in lingerie before anyone in Downtown Dallas woke up. I always work with the best people either on the 31st of December or January 1st because that's how I want my year to start. Ms. A through the session showed me that 2018 was going to be about breaking the mold and challenging the status quo. Ms. A showed me through her ideas, action, spirit, and her work ethic, that in order to break out one must be different. Everyone needs an Alina in their life. Thank you woman!

Love,

Korin

If you want to create your own magical boudoir photography session please fill out the form below. We would love to have you!

Why Women Do Boudoir Sessions

One of the best things about running a boudoir blog is having an endless archive of inspirational photos that I can share with people all over the world. One of my favorite compliments is when a past client reaches out to me in excitement seeing their photos on Pinterest as inspiration to someone else.

You never know who you are inspiring when you begin to walk in your own truth.

The fact of the matter is that we each are someone's goal in life. I have many women come to see me for many different reasons. Some of them for wedding gifts, others for birthday gifts, many to celebrate weight journeys, but the ones that always stick out are my clients who do this once they have been diagnosed with a life-changing illness.

Ms. A is a personal friend of mine. We have known each other since college. We met through a sorority sister of mine. While I won't share with the world what her exact diagnoses was (thank GOD the doctors said she was in remission!), I will say that she had one of the rarest forms in the world. So rare that she didn't fit the spectrum who would contract this disease.

Let me tell you, Ms. A is a F-I-G-H-T-E-R to her pure core. I remember visiting her in her hospital room not afraid for her future. Because I knew her story wouldn't end up the way that so many who contract this rare disease do. I knew with absolute faith that she would conquer this. Ms. A is not one to go down easy in a fight. I don't know if I have ever seen her lose one. She is an angel protected by the spirit of God and love.

One of the things she loves doing the most is helping the unhoused. Every year before her illness she held a HUGE yearly event where a bunch of friends would come together on Christmas day and spend it helping the homeless. Every year, she would cry at the end of it. Knowing that there was so much more to be done to help these souls.

The unhouse community always received us with warm love. They loved that we came and brought them REAL food (often during the holiday season people give them nothing but candy. Therefore they loved when we gave them nutritious food). They loved that we prayed with them. Talked to them. Took Photographs with them... like they were real people… because they are. Even before the event, Alisa would go down to the unhoused areas and speak to some of the main leaders of these encampments to see how we could help them. She wanted people to see our unhoused sisters and brothers as real people who have real issues and to not ignore them. She is an advocate for the unheard and a warrior for us all.

This is why this set is so special to me. While Ms. A is a trained dancer, what makes these photos so beautiful is that you can see her magnificent spirit radiates through each frame. She took these photos perhaps a year after being first diagnosed. She was still going through her treatments and may have just finished them. While she was still weak and lost a ton of weight from everything, she powered through our session together.

When I see her I feel power, tranquility, leadership, warrior, and nurturance.

I see a living Goddess.

So when people come to me assuming women come to me to "just look sexy", I have to let them know that.... that's not what boudoir is about. Yes, looking good is a by-product of it, but women want to revel in their natural feminity because the world will put us through some of our toughest journeys... some that may even, quite literally, have us fighting for our lives.

Thank You Ms. A for granting me the privilege of photographing you. You are amazing.

If you want to learn more about having your own boudoir session please fill out the form below!

Kalham Amor - Mental Health Avocate

Am I the only person still writing Boudoir Blogs in 2021? If you want to see an archive of all my boudoir blog posts you can find it HERE !

Today I want to showcase a classic session that I haven't shared on this blog before. It's the beautiful session that I shot with Kalham Amor for Fuse Magazine a few years back.

Kalham Amor is ONE of my favorite people to connect with. Not only is she a Texas-based Desi model, but she is a mental health a chronic illness advocate. While many people hide behind a facade of unwavering happiness on social media, Kalham has decided to take a more authentic approach and let others know that they are not alone.

In one of my favorite Instagram stories from her, she educates her followers advising them that mental health is just as important as physical health. She states that both are connected, and if you are taking care of one, you are taking care of both. I admire how she lets people know that if they are feeling suicidal then they shouldn't feel ashamed. It's okay not to be okay.

Through Kalham and a few other friends, I have learned there is such a thing as an invisible illness. That illness is a mental health issue. Many people don't speak about these issues because they feel ashamed. They feel like they just need to "overcome" it.

Instead of shaming people, we should learn how to become better allies to them. As a friend or family member, you may feel that your hands are tied, but sometimes the best thing you can do is just stay quiet and listen.

Many times people just need to feel seen and heard. However, if you feel as though the conversation is escalating past a degree you can personally help with, then suggest to your friend or family member to see a professional. This means seeing a professional counselor or psychologist. Also, be willing to help. Tell them that you are willing to interview doctors with them, take them to appointments, or attend family therapy sessions.

If you need additional ideas and suggestions on how you can help be a better advocate to a person with mental illness or depression then check out THIS POST by the Mayo Clinic.

To celebrate Kalham Amor, I want to share some beautiful photos we created. The amazing Jazzy Baptiste did the makeup that enhanced this late summer vibe.

Believe it or not, Kalham is a TINY thing. In her photos, she looks about 5'10, but she may be closer to 5'1 or 5'2. This goes to show that you don't need to be as tall as Wonderwoman to give great photos. It's all in the posing.

However, in the coming months, I will write a more detailed blog post about what you can do to look taller in photos.

Today I wanted to post this long-lost set to remind me how beautiful Texas sunsets are, and how much I miss working with and Kalham and Jazzy.

If you are looking to shoot your boudoir session, please feel free to contact me at 214.290.3370 OR send us a quick email below. We look forward to working with you!