Meet Lorie Boughton: Boudoir Photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Lorie Boughton and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Lorie, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?
There are several things combined together that I attribute to the success of my company and my brand. The first, and most important is getting the right team in place. With the right people, in the right positions, I have been able to grow my business exponentially over last year. I employee several wonderful ladies! I have a makeup artist, a studio manager, an assistant editor, an office assistant (my mom! :)) as well as an entire marketing team behind the scenes. I am in the process of training an associate photographer too! So, definitely coming to the realization that it takes an entire team to be successful. And knowing that it is okay to reach out, ask for help, and utilize your resources. The next super important factor behind my success is hiring a mentor. They say imitation is the best form of flattery. Which I believe is true. But even better is to hire a mentor who is where you want to be. I found my mentor and she was doing, growing and making everything I wanted for myself. She has helped me grow so much, that even during the year where the entire world was dealing with a pandemic, we have been able to gross 4x the amount as the previous year. I honestly believe without my mentor this would have never been possible. And finally, in order to be successful you have to be willing to be courageous take risks. They may not always work out in your favor. But when they don’t, know you are learning and growing from that. Dust yourself off and keep moving forward. Keep growing and keep taking those risks. When I was considering becoming a full-time boudoir photographer I was scared. I had been in my current “day job” for 21 years. I had a company car, benefits, and the security of working for a fortune 500 company. But it wasn’t my passion. So I talked to my husband about it. He told me 4 words that I still tell myself everyday. And now I am going to tell you… Fortune Favors The Bold I have been a full-time boudoir photographer for 3 years now and would not change a thing. And more importantly I would not be successful without: My team, My mentor and My courage.

What should our readers know about your business?
I am a full time boudoir photographer. I haven’t always been though. I was in outside sales for 21 years. During that time, I started up Kingwood Pinups (photography) and I did High School Senior photography on weekends. Although pinups and seniors were fun, I did not find my passion until I started doing boudoir sessions. After my first one, I was hooked. Here is why I have the passion for that genre… My clients are moms, sisters, wives, employees, grandmothers and even great-grandmothers. As women, we are constantly putting others needs before our own. Through life, while caring for everyone else, we forget who we are. We don’t see ourselves as sexy, pretty or hell, sometimes don’t even like anything at all of what we see in the mirror. We are tired, run-down, over worked and over-stressed. Here is where I step in. I allow you and encourage you to spend a day on yourself. Surround yourself with positive energy, a lot of love, a lot of SELF love and an all-out girls day. You are free to relax, not worry about deadlines and school lunches. You can just come in and get pampered. When you get turned around in the chair and see yourself for the first time with your hair done, airbrushed makeup and lashes, you will see yourself in a new light. I will walk you through every single thing in the photo shoot – from the top of your head to the tips of your toes. You will not have to think about a thing! My most favorite part though, is when you get to see the finished images! When you see yourself in a mirror, it is in one direction (standing) and in 2-dimension, usually not in a pose…just standing. So that is how you invision yourself all the time. When you see your images you will be able to see yourself how I see you. In all the different angles and lighting. You will see yourself how you have never seen yourself before. And you will fall in love with the skin you are in. I keep tissues on hand for a reason. Most of us have never seen ourselves this way. You probably didn’t know you had the Vaaa-Vaaa voom. But I am here to tell you that you are beautiful…and I will show you!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Well since a boudoir shoot will be on the agenda, we would go to Darling Way boutique and let the owner, Beth, help us pick out the best possible outfits for us! We would also have some Chimichuris for dinner. It is right on the water in Kingwood!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
SHOUT OUT TO MY TRIBE! Kaylen Gilmore – Hair and Makeup Artist Mar Webb – Studio Manager Karen Boughton – Assistant (and Mom!) Angela Yodice – Editor Jessica Heuer – Associate Photographer Photography To Profits – Marketing Team Jenn Bruno Smith – Mentor and owner of The High Rollers Club

Website: www.boudoirbylorie.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bombshellsbylorie/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/VIPBombshells

Image Credits
Boudoir By Lorie