In the world of modern portraiture, few photographers manage to strike the perfect balance between vulnerability and strength quite like Stephanie Bordas. As the creative force behind Brooklyn Boudoir, she’s reimagining boudoir and fine art nude photography not as mere visual art, but as deeply transformative experiences.
Her work is a celebration of confidence, authenticity, and feminine power, capturing her subjects in their most unapologetically honest forms. In this intimate PhotoWhoa feature, Stephanie shares her journey from film production to photography, the emotional depth behind every shoot, and why empowering women is at the heart of her artistic vision.
Whether you’re a photographer seeking inspiration or someone curious about the power of vulnerability in front of the lens, this conversation will leave you thinking differently about what it means to be truly seen.
Q1. What inspired you first to pick up a camera?
I had always loved photography as an art form. I received a (film!) point and shoot camera as a high school graduation gift which became one of my prized possessions. It was a hobby at the time and still I brought that camera with me everywhere.
The first time I got a roll of black and white film back from the lab, I was hooked. I still have a few of those prints framed on my wall – they remind me of where I started.
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Q2. How did you discover your passion for boudoir photography specifically?
A. I had always wanted to be a photographer, I just didn’t know how to make it a career without photographing babies or weddings, neither of which appealed to me. I resigned myself to having photography in my life as a hobby, and most of my work had a boudoir feeling to it, even though I didn’t have that word in my vocabulary yet.
Then one day a friend told me about a boudoir shoot she had, and I was intrigued. THIS was a genre I could get behind – it is the perfect combination of portraiture, sensuality and celebration of women – my perfect career! So I found a mentor, bought a few books and started studying up on it, slowly growing my skills and my business from the ground up.
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Q3. What’s the biggest trend in photography right now that excites you?
A. I’m not one for trends to be honest – I’m more of a “the classics never go out of style” kind of person. That said, I love that film photography is having a resurgence. I have several film cameras – a classic polaroid, a Contax 35mm, and a Mamiya 645 medium format camera among others, and each one gives totally different results.
It’s a really fun way to push yourself creatively, stay sharp in your craft, and offer your clients something irreplaceable and unique. It’s also a way of being more intentional about your photography, since you are limited by the amount of exposures on a roll. Shooting film is essentially the antithesis of AI and I love that!
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Q4. AI-generated art is pushing creative boundaries, do you see AI as a threat or an asset in Boudoir photography?
A. I don’t see AI and either a threat or an asset to photography to be honest. A portrait is about so much more than a visual image of someone – it’s about who they are in that moment of life, as well as their relationship with their photographer. A great photograph is greater than the sum of its parts.
AI might be good at creating a representative image but just can’t capture that kind of emotion or human connection. Furthermore, so much of the boudoir photography experience is just that – the experience of putting yourself out there and showing up for yourself.
It doesn’t matter how “good” an AI image is – without the experience behind it, the client will never have the same love for the photograph. Can AI help with editing? Sure. But if you are offering a more bespoke experience for your clients, you’re not going to be relying on AI.
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Q.5 If you had to describe yourself in three words, what would they be and why?
A. Empathetic, Unflappable and Contrarian.
I’m very empathetic – easy going with a high emotional intelligence. I’m nurturing and I connect easily with others, care deeply about what I do and usually lead with my heart over my head 😉
Unflappable – I don’t get embarrassed easily and I usually don’t let things shake my confidence (at least outwardly) 😉 While I may be imaginative and soulful, I’m also strong, dependable, and able to navigate difficult situations – either a client who needs extra care or the ups and downs of entrepreneurship.
I’m also somewhat of a contrarian, for better or worse. I’ve never had a 9 to 5 job and value art, creativity, and independence. I’m not afraid to go against the grain, in fact, I prefer it that way!
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Q6. As someone who captures others, how do you feel about being in front of the camera yourself?
A. I love it – I’m always ready for my close up! At the start of my photography journey I participated in a 365 day self-portrait challenge – taking a self-portrait every day for a year – which was really informative both for my photography and as a young woman in her 20s.
It’s been tougher feeling comfortable in front of the camera as I age but I think it’s so important, regardless of how you think you look. I believe it’s important to practice what you preach, so I’m always happy to jump in front of the camera even if I don’t love every photo that results.
And usually, I do love the results, especially 5 years down the line! Plus, I love that my future self and my children will have these photos of me at so many different stages.
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Q7. You have a background in advertising and branding, how has that influenced your work as a photographer?
A. So much of current advertising looks the same right now. Creative decisions can’t be made by committee, otherwise they usually get watered down to the lowest common denominator of what they might have been.
It’s freeing having my own business where the creative decisions are 100% my own and I can create art of myself (and deal with the consequences of that, good or bad) rather than mimic someone else’s ideas.
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Q8. Has there ever been a moment when you wished you had your camera but didn’t?
A. All the time! However, with a career in photography, I’m mindful to give myself a break and let myself be “off duty” sometimes, so I don’t carry a proper camera everywhere I go. I try to be in the moment rather than always be behind the camera.
Q9. What’s one thing people would be surprised to learn about you?
A. Photography is not my first career – I was a film producer for nearly 15 years and have worked on all sorts of films, documentaries and commercials. I didn’t make the switch to a career in photography until I was in my late 30s!
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Q10. What are some common misconceptions about boudoir photography that you’ve encountered, and how do you address them?
A. I think many people define boudoir photography in a very narrow way – i.e. something raunchy meant to titillate a partner and best done when you are at your most fit. Not so! Boudoir is for everybody. It doesn’t matter if you don’t have a partner or an occasion to do it – just being here is the occasion!
It doesn’t matter if you are 10lbs heavier than you wish you were or if you are over 40… it’s valuable to have a boudoir shoot in every stage of life, really! And there are a wide variety of styles from demure to NSFW, elaborately glamorous to minimal so with a bit of research you can find a photographer whose style fits yours.
As for gifting it to a partner – yes, it makes a great gift, and your partner is sure to love it. BUT you will also love the photos of yourself for yourself.
People also tend to assume you must wear fancy lingerie for your boudoir shoot. But no – the idea is that you feel like the best version of yourself, so if that means wearing jeans and a tee shirt, that is fair game!
And finally, no one believes me about this, but being in front of the camera in your skivvies is a lot less scary than you think it will be!
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Q11. Do you want to explore any new projects or directions in your photography?
A. I love boudoir and fine art nude photography and want to keep evolving in those. Also I love dance, so I would love to start incorporating more dance and movement into my boudoir photography. I imagine black and white images with a lot of motion blur.
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Q12. Brooklyn Boudoir isn’t just about photography, it’s about empowerment. How do you create a safe and empowering space for your clients?
A. There are so many things I do from the very first communication to help clients feel safe and empowered, it could be an article in and of itself. Most importantly is to give your clients time and space to be themselves. Ask a lot of questions and really listen.
It’s about them, not you. People will tell you who they are and what they need when you pay attention, and I am sure to honor that. I never scoff at someone’s ideas so they feel heard, even if their ideas aren’t in complete alignment with mine.
I never rush a photoshoot or a conversation, I ask thoughtful questions sometimes more than once and I am sure to let my clients know they can tell me anytime. We’re a judgement free zone!
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Q13. What inspired the name “Brooklyn Boudoir”?
I’m a Brooklyn girl at heart – I grew up in south brooklyn and currently live and work in Bushwick Brooklyn. I liked the alteration of it, and you can’t beat that name for SEO.
Q14. For aspiring photographers interested in boudoir, what is one piece of advice you have for them?
Your client’s comfort is the most important thing. Earn their trust, meet them where they are and be sure you are doing everything you can to support them. Stepping into a photoshoot is an intimidating thing for most people – if you take care of their feelings first your photoshoot will go so much better, and they will remember their experience so much more fondly. They will also love their photos more and become clients for life. A win for everyone!
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Q15. What’s next for you and Brooklyn Boudoir?
Every year I’ve been taking clients aboard for boudoir shoots in conjunction with a lingerie shop I love. The past 2 years we were in Paris, and for 2026 we plan to go to the South of France.
I’ve also started building an education platform for photographers and other creative entrepreneurs called Stephanie Bordas Education. I love mentoring other photographers and I wanted to be able to share my knowledge to a broader audience.
The first course is The Art of Hotel Photoshoots, which is a great way for photographers to start their foray into boudoir photography. I also have a guide about co-marketing and several other courses in the works. You can find them all at www.stephaniebordas.com.
Conclusion
Stephanie Bordas reminds us that photography is far more than capturing a pose, it’s about honoring stories, embracing imperfections, and celebrating personal power. Her approach to boudoir and fine art nudes is both empowering and transformative, proving that vulnerability can be a creative superpower.
For anyone looking to explore photography that goes beyond aesthetics and taps into emotion, Stephanie’s work offers a bold, inspiring path forward. As she continues to redefine what it means to truly see and be seen, her lens becomes a mirror of liberation.
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