Liz Hansen of Winnetka, Illinois on Life, Lessons & Legacy

Liz Hansen shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Good morning Liz, we’re so happy to have you here with us and we’d love to explore your story and how you think about life and legacy and so much more. So let’s start with a question we often ask: What do you think is misunderstood about your business? 
One of the biggest misunderstandings about boudoir photography is the belief that boudoir is only meant for women who look like models. And typically that means young, thin, and perfectly toned. Many clients tell me they want to lose weight first or that they are not photogenic. The reality is that boudoir is for every woman, at every age, size, and stage of life. My role as the photographer is to guide each client with posing and lighting so that she sees herself in the most beautiful and powerful way. The real magic of boudoir is not about changing someone’s body, it is about changing the way a woman sees herself. I have photographed mothers, women in their fifties and sixties, women going through changes after surgery, and women who believed they were too awkward for this experience. Every single one left feeling transformed, often surprised by how confident and radiant they appeared in their images. Boudoir is not about creating a fantasy version of someone. It is about revealing the beauty that is already there and giving women permission to celebrate themselves as they are right now.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Liz Hansen and I am the owner and photographer behind Chicago Boudoir Photography. Since opening my studio in 2018, I have had the honor of photographing more than 2,000 women, each with her own unique story and reason for stepping in front of the camera. My work is about creating a luxury boudoir experience that empowers women to see themselves in a whole new light and to celebrate who they are right now. Every photoshoot at my studio is designed to make women feel pampered, confident, and completely at ease. Each session includes professional makeup and hair styling, flattering studio lighting, complete privacy, and the support of a 100% female staff. Clients also enjoy the excitement of a same-day photo reveal, so they can see and celebrate their images right away. What makes my brand unique is that it is about much more than photographs. While my clients come in wanting beautiful images, they leave with something far more valuable: a renewed sense of confidence and self-love that often transforms the way they show up in their everyday lives. Along the way, I have been honored to share this message with a wider audience. I gave a TEDx talk on the power of boudoir, have been featured on National Public Radio, and have been recognized by the Association of International Boudoir Photographers. These opportunities have allowed me to advocate for the idea that sexy is not a size, that confidence has no age limit, and that every woman deserves to be celebrated. Today, I continue to grow my studio and my mission of empowering women through boudoir. For me, this work is not just a career but a calling, and I am grateful every day for the chance to help women see themselves as beautiful, worthy, and powerful exactly as they are.

Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
As a child, I believed I had to be the “good girl” in every situation. I thought my value came from being polite, agreeable, and never making waves. I was taught to follow the rules, keep others comfortable, and not take up too much space. As an adult, I no longer believe that. I now know that my worth is not tied to compliance or perfection, but to authenticity and courage. I have learned that I can be kind and compassionate while also being bold, outspoken, and unapologetically myself. This shift has shaped both my personal life and my photography. In my work, I encourage women to let go of the same “good girl” expectations that might have kept them small. A boudoir session becomes a chance to step outside of those roles, claim space, and see themselves as powerful and deserving of celebration exactly as they are.

If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
If I could say one kind thing to my younger self, it would be this: You are enough exactly as you are, and you do not have to earn love or approval by being perfect. I would remind her that her voice matters, that it is safe to take up space, and that she does not need to shrink herself to fit into anyone else’s expectations. I would tell her that the very things she worries make her “too much” or “not enough” are the things that will one day become her strengths. Most of all, I would want her to know that joy, beauty, and confidence are not rewards for meeting someone else’s standard. They are already hers to claim.

I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
One of the biggest lies my industry tells itself is that being a good artist is all it takes to be successful. Many photographers believe that if they take beautiful images, clients will naturally find them and the business will thrive. The truth is that talent behind the camera is only one part of the equation. Being a boudoir photographer requires a tremendous amount of business and marketing skill. It involves building trust, creating a safe and empowering client experience, and learning how to reach the women who need this work most. From branding and social media to client education and sales, every piece of the business matters just as much as the photography itself. I have seen many talented artists struggle because they never learned the entrepreneurial side of the industry. I have also seen photographers with strong business skills build thriving studios even without the most polished portfolios. The reality is that success comes from balancing both the art and the business so that the work can be both creatively fulfilling and financially sustainable.

Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: What do you understand deeply that most people don’t?
Every person has inherent value and beauty that deserves to be celebrated. Sexy is not a size, an age, or a stage of life. It is a state of confidence and self-acceptance that belongs to every woman, no matter what her body looks like or what season she is in. Too often, women put conditions on their worth. They tell themselves they will book a boudoir session once they lose weight, once they reach a milestone, or once they feel “good enough.” What I know is that there is no future version of themselves that is more deserving of celebration than who they are right now. Boudoir is powerful because it allows women to see this truth for themselves. Through posing, lighting, and encouragement, they discover that the beauty they have been waiting for has been within them all along. Every woman deserves to feel seen, celebrated, and cherished on every step of her journey.

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