For as long as I can remember, I’ve always been drawn to people’s stories—their struggles, their triumphs, the emotions they carry with them. As a photographer, I’ve always felt deeply compelled to create a space where people could feel beautiful, seen, and validated. But for the longest time, I couldn’t quite put my finger on why this need to lift others up felt so core to my being. Why I cared so deeply about people’s experiences, and why their emotions affected me on such a profound level.
Recently, I received a diagnosis that put everything into perspective for me. I was diagnosed with autism. At first, I wasn’t sure what to make of it—there was relief, of course, but also a flood of emotions as I started to piece together how this diagnosis explained so much about how I’ve navigated the world and why I do what I do.
This discovery has been a game changer, not only for how I understand myself, but for how I understand my work. It’s given me clarity on why I’ve always felt this magnetic pull toward helping people feel good about themselves. Why I have an almost instinctive need to validate others' emotions, to create safe spaces where they can be vulnerable, and why I’ve made it my mission to empower people through photography, especially in the deeply personal realm of boudoir.
Being diagnosed with autism as an adult has been an eye-opening experience. It’s like a lens has been lifted, and everything suddenly makes sense—the way I process the world, the way I feel so deeply, and why I’ve always been incredibly sensitive to the emotions and energy of others.
Growing up, I often felt things in an intense way. Whether it was joy, sadness, or someone else’s pain, it all felt magnified. I wasn’t just an observer in someone’s story; I lived it alongside them. If a friend was struggling, their pain became mine. If someone shared a moment of joy, I was all in with them, feeling it as if it were my own. I used to think this made me different, maybe even a bit "too much." But now, I see that this intense empathy has always been my superpower.
With autism, many of us process emotions and experiences in ways that might seem unconventional to others. But for me, it’s what gives me the ability to truly connect with my clients on a deep, meaningful level. It’s why I’m able to sit with them, listen to their stories, and genuinely feel their journey. This is the core of why I do what I do in boudoir photography—because I feel for these women, and I want them to feel seen, understood, and celebrated in a way that perhaps they’ve never felt before.
For years, I couldn’t figure out why it was so important to me that people felt heard and validated. But now, through the lens of my diagnosis, I understand that I’ve always been someone who needed validation myself. I’ve spent much of my life trying to navigate a world that didn’t always make sense to me, often feeling misunderstood or out of place. This diagnosis has given me the language to understand those experiences. And it’s made me realize that my drive to create a space where people feel understood comes from my own desire for the same.
When I’m working with clients, especially during boudoir sessions, I’m not just aiming to capture beautiful images. I’m aiming to create a space where they feel seen. A space where their emotions, their stories, and their experiences are validated—because I know how important that feeling is. So many of us walk around feeling like we’re too much, or not enough, or that our struggles don’t matter. I want to change that narrative, and I want my photography to be a tool for that change.
In boudoir sessions, especially, I’ve had the privilege of working with women who carry heavy stories—whether it’s about body image struggles, trauma, or simply not feeling like they’re worthy of being celebrated. When they come to me, they’re often nervous, unsure of themselves, and sometimes even questioning why they booked the session at all. But I feel those doubts with them, and I understand that need for reassurance. And as soon as they step in front of my camera, I make it my mission to let them know they are enough. That they are beautiful, exactly as they are.
Boudoir photography, for me, is not just about taking beautiful photos. It’s about helping people reclaim parts of themselves they’ve lost along the way. It’s about creating a space where someone can be vulnerable and walk away feeling empowered. My diagnosis helped me realize why I feel so passionately about this.
Autism often makes me incredibly detail-oriented and hyper-focused on creating an environment where people feel at ease. I spend a lot of time getting to know my clients before they even step in front of the camera. We discuss their insecurities, fears, and hopes for the session. I send out emails, guides, and have conversations where I walk them through every part of the process because I understand how important it is to feel prepared and safe. I’ve always felt the need to go above and beyond in making sure my clients feel comfortable, and now I see that my autism gives me the unique ability to create that safe, structured environment where they can fully let go and trust the process.
When clients share deeply personal stories with me—stories of trauma, insecurities, or even just the everyday challenges of life—I don’t just hear them, I feel them. I feel their pain, their hope, and their desire to be seen in a different light. And I know that every part of their experience with me matters. It’s not just about the end result, but about the journey to get there. I take every step seriously because I want to honor their stories in the most respectful way possible.
My autism has taught me that everyone’s experience is valid, and everyone deserves to feel like they matter. The women who come to me for boudoir sessions aren’t just clients—they’re people with stories, with emotions, and with a need to be seen for who they truly are. My diagnosis has deepened my understanding of why I’ve always been so passionate about this work. It’s not just a job to me; it’s my purpose.
I believe that photography, especially boudoir photography, has the power to transform the way people see themselves. It’s not just about posing or lighting—it’s about capturing the essence of who someone is in that moment. And for many, that means helping them see themselves in a way they’ve never seen before. That’s what drives me every day: the hope that I can give someone a piece of their self-worth back. That I can help them realize they are enough, exactly as they are.
This journey of self-discovery—both mine and my clients'—has been incredibly healing. My autism diagnosis has been a key to understanding why I feel so deeply, and why I’m so passionate about helping others feel validated. It’s made me more intentional in my work, more connected to my clients, and more committed to creating spaces where people can feel empowered.
In the end, my "why" is simple: I believe everyone deserves to feel seen, heard, and celebrated. And if I can help someone reclaim their confidence, their sense of worth, or even just see themselves in a new light through my lens, then I’ve fulfilled my purpose. That’s why I do what I do—and that’s why I’ll keep doing it with all my heart.
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