“In this episode of "Capturing Confidence: The Empowerment of Boudoir Photography," host Kimberly Hand sits down with photographer Shannon Griffin to delve into Shannon's inspiring journey towards self-confidence and empowerment. Shannon opens up about her unexpected path to motherhood and how becoming a mom has greatly influenced her perspective on life and her work as a boudoir photographer. Through the struggles and triumphs she has faced, Shannon has learned to embrace her own beauty and strength, allowing her to connect with her female clients on a deeper level. Throughout the conversation, Shannon highlights the importance of women discovering what truly makes them feel sexy and confident. She emphasizes that boudoir photography is not just about pleasing partners, but about empowering women to embrace their unique beauty and build self-esteem. Shannon Griffin is an intimate portrait photographer whose process is S L O W, highly interactive and contemplative. Her photographs evoke a feeling of strength in the rawness of a woman's life. Her clients become their own muse; and Shannon creates experiences where women feel beautiful, important, powerful and most importantly, valued. She gets to know the women that she photographs on a deep level before ever putting them in front of her lens; believing that the truest art begins with feeling and not technicality. Shannon wants other women to feel empowered when they see her work. Instead of comparison, she hopes they will see themselves in the women that she photographs. Tune in to this episode to learn more about Shannon's journey and how boudoir photography can be a powerful tool for self-discovery and self-love.”
I truly believe that my duty as an artist is to not only fully plan out every session based on each, individual family’s personality, but also to build that trust so that they can let their guard down and let me in. These aren’t quick sessions where I tell you where to meet me and to wear whatever you want. This is weeks/months in the making and I’m getting to know every member of your family. I’m planning wardrobe based on each person’s age, likes, aesthetic, etc. We also plan around your home and where you’ll be displaying your art. Everything is cohesive and not a single detail is left out. It’s all a small part of a bigger picture (no pun intended) that is the goal of art you can hand down for generations. I’m not telling “a story”, I’m telling YOUR STORY.
So yes, I let the kids run free at our sessions together. I let them lead. I let them tell the story of their family. They are the ones who see us in our purest forms. To them we are good. To them we are love. To them, we are the magic makers. My goal is that when they are grown, they will look at these and it will hit them that they were the magic after all.
My favorite part of what he wrote was, “Being creative begins with noticing what others have overlooked.”
When I became a mother I felt incredibly overlooked and isolated. My entire pregnancy was spent being fawned over, making sure I was okay, doctors checking on me, etc. After I had my daughter it was no longer about my health, my needs, my wants, or my mental health. Even women who aren’t mothers are often overlooked and the ones who take care of everyone else in their lives.
My promise with each woman I photograph is that I’m going to bring them into the light. There is no more hiding. There is no more telling yourself that your family comes first and you’ll stay in the shadows.