We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Crystal Shaw. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Crystal below.
Crystal, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?
I stumbled upon boudoir photography while I was mainly a wedding photographer back in 2019. Don’t get me wrong, I loved shooting weddings, but I never felt like it was a perfect fit for me. When a bride asked me to do her bridal boudoir session, I said yes, even though I had no idea what I was doing. After that session, I knew this is what I am meant to do. On top of the fact that it is so fun to create beautiful images of incredible women, it is also so powerful to see the personal transformation each client has during their session with their self-esteem and confidence. Being able to empower women on a daily basis is truly such a special thing that I do not take lightly.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I truly believe I was put on this earth to make art + show people that they are beautiful and hot and enough in the body they are in right now. I grew up in an environment where my body was constantly being criticized, berated, and picked on, being on diets was the norm, and overall, I just felt like garbage every time I looked in the mirror. No person should ever feel like their body isn’t good enough to be photographed. No person should ever feel like their appearance is tied to their worth. No person should feel the way I did growing up. Once I realized all of this for myself, I decided then + there to make my career into helping people feel how beautiful they are. No exceptions. If I can help one person realize that they are perfect/beautiful/stunning/sexy/cool/ENOUGH in the body they are in right now, I will have done my job. That’s what I am here for.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
I would say the three most impactful things that have helped me become a boudoir photographer, and find my purpose are openness, the drive to keep learning + growing, and always creating.
As a boudoir photographer, being open to all people, and all bodies, and all walks of life is so important. I have seen so many incredible humans walk into the studio, regardless of where they come from, I know that they’ll leave the studio feeling more empowered, confident, and beautiful than they did when they walked in. If you are closed off to what beauty could be, I think it could make this job much more difficult.
I believe that learning and growing and changing is incredibly important. From taking workshops, to finding free content online to learn from, it is vital to make sure you’re always up-to-date on everything in the photography space. I also believe it is super important to be trauma informed when dealing with such a vulnerable matter – like boudoir.
Being creative is what started my journey, but I think it also what propels it to keep going. I make sure to take time each month to do style shoots or fun concepts to keep the wheels turning in my brain on what shoots can be!
How can folks who want to work with you connect?
I would love for anyone who wants to work with me to reach out via my website. Whether it’s for bridal boudoir, creative portraiture, or just taking some nudes for fun, I’m your girl! I love creating artful photos and empowering women in Oklahoma City – or I even travel to where you are, whether it’s close, like Tulsa, Oklahoma or Dallas, Texas, or anywhere in the US!
You can find me at www.boudoirbycrystalshaw.com or on Instagram at @boudoirbycrystalshaw
If you’re looking for more of a direct line, my email is hey@crystalshaw.co
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.boudoirbycrystalshaw.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/boudoirbycrystalshaw
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