LINDSAY CARLISLE shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Hi LINDSAY, thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: What do you think is misunderstood about your business?
Thanks for having me! I think that people often misunderstand boudoir photography as a frivolous splurge. In reality, it’s a high-touch, luxury experience — more like a mini self-love retreat than just a photoshoot. Everything from professional hair and makeup to guided posing and heirloom artwork is designed to elevate my client’s confidence and give them something tangible that they can treasure for a lifetime. It’s an investment in self-worth with a high ROI. Imagine having a collection of photos of yourself that you can look at every day. This is a form of therapy and I believe it is priceless.
When I describe what I do as a Los Angeles boudoir photographer, I want people to understand that it’s more than just clicking a camera. It’s an art form that combines styling, psychology, human connection and luxury service. Clients aren’t just walking away with digital files — they’re also investing in printed artwork that hangs in their homes, albums that become part of their legacy, and memories of an experience that reshaped how they see themselves.
That’s why my brand is positioned as luxury. It’s not about exclusivity for the sake of it — it’s about creating an atmosphere where my clients feel pampered, celebrated, and deeply valued. My clients consistently tell me the session was worth far more than they imagined, not just because of the portraits, but because of how it changed the way they see themselves.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Lindsay Carlisle, an international boudoir photographer based between Los Angeles and Tulum. For the past decade, I’ve specialized in creating luxury boudoir experiences for clients who are ready to reconnect with themselves on a deeper level. My brand is built on the idea that boudoir is not just about looking beautiful in photos, but about creating an empowering, transformative experience that my clients carry with them long after the shoot.
In my LA boudoir studio, I combine guided posing, professional styling, and an atmosphere of complete care to create something far more meaningful than a traditional photoshoot. My clients often describe the experience as life-changing, because it allows them to see themselves in a light they’ve never seen before. I also focus heavily on heirloom-quality artwork, so the images don’t just live on a screen — they become albums and wall art that honor each client’s story.
What makes my brand unique is the blend of psychology, artistry, and luxury service. My background in counseling and psychology very much inform the way I guide my clients through their sessions, ensuring they feel safe, celebrated, and supported. Beyond Los Angeles, I also offer clients a transformative photography and travel experience in Tulum, where they get to enjoy their own mini self-love getaway. This has been such a wonderful way for my clients to invest in themselves and I absolutely LOVE seeing returning clients venturing to Tulum to work with me again.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What part of you has served its purpose and must now be released?
Oooh, I love this question because it’s something I’ve been reflecting on a lot lately. What needs to be released is the part of me that believed my worth was tied mostly to my productivity and accomplishments. For a long time, (like forever) I carried the belief that my value came from how hard I worked, how much success I found, and how tirelessly I pushed forward toward my goals. Rest felt indulgent and slowing down felt like failure. I was constantly trying to prove myself and literally did not even know how to rest.
Naturally, I burned out. Big time.
Years later, I’m still recovering from the burn out. I’ve been forced to slow down through this recovery process. While this old belief helped me build momentum in my career, it also completely drained me and kept me from experiencing the very joy and creativity that fuels my art and my vision. Letting go of the need to always “do” has opened space to simply “be.” To breathe, to rest to center myself. In taking more time to connect back to myself, I’m also able to better connect and ground into all the rich experiences and relationships in my life, including the client experience that I offer. It’s a win win for everyone.
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: Linds, trust yourself more!
Even in my teenage years, I had this inner knowing that I was meant to be a photographer or an artist of some kind. I was always drawn to art, images and beauty and was a keen observer of life around me. But instead of following that intuition, I pushed it aside. For nearly 15 years, I listened to the opinions of others, whether it was family or society, and I tried to stay on a path that felt more traditional and “safe,” thinking that was what success should look like. The fear of being a starving artist got to me. Looking back, I can see how much time I spent questioning myself, doubting whether that dream was realistic, or if I was “good enough” to really pursue it.
When I finally gave myself permission in my early 30s to follow my gut, everything shifted. In fact it’s hard to believe that was only ten years ago- it feels like a lifetime ago. I’m a completely different person now and quite literally everything has changed.
I built my boudoir photography business from the ground up, working day and night to find momentum. Eventually I became known for creating transformative boudoir photo experiences, both in Tulum and Los Angeles. It was such a full-circle moment, realizing that the creative pull I felt as a teenager wasn’t random — it was the truest part of me trying to lead me forward. If I could go back, I’d tell my younger self that she already had everything she needed and that her path was waiting for her to step into it.
The kindest thing I could say to her is that trusting yourself doesn’t mean you need to have every step figured out. It just means honoring that inner knowing and allowing yourself to take one small step at a time. As they say, the trail will provide, right? I wish I had known earlier that success doesn’t come from ignoring what lights you up, but from leaning into it with courage.
I can’t change the past, but I can say with gratitude that once I released the fear of becoming more of my actual self, that the life and work I always dreamed of finally had space to unfold.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. How do you differentiate between fads and real foundational shifts?
The way I separate fads from real evolution is by asking: does this deepen the art form, or is it just something everyone’s doing right now? Fads spread fast in boudoir — I see so many photographers start to blend together because they all lean on the same trendy approaches or even poses. (I’ve been guilty of this too at times) It can be challenging to carve out your own way in the boudoir industry. With everyone’s work being on Instagram, you can literally see what everyone else is doing, all of the time. Then you start to wonder, hmm…maybe I should try that too. There’s nothing wrong with this- but I think before trying on something trendy we should ask ourselves, does this align with my unique style? Does it feel right or does it feel inauthentic? Some of the boudoir trends feel inauthentic to me (and I’ll say it…cheesy;), so I’ve mostly tried to focus on being a little different, which often translates to more simplicity in my styling.
That being said, right now I’m in the process of building more of a glam, high-fashion wardrobe (not simplistic at all haha) for my Los Angeles boudoir sessions and outdoor shoots in general. It’s the direction I feel my work is evolving toward — bringing in more editorial, fashion-driven styling rather than relying only on lingerie. For me, that feels like a true shift, not a fad, because it comes from a vision I’ve carried with me for many years.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I think about this a lot actually. When I’m gone, I hope the story people tell about me is that I treated others with kindness and compassion. That I showed up with lightness and love, and that being around me made people feel seen and understood.
I hope my clients remember me as someone who helped them see the beauty in themselves that they sometimes struggled to recognize. That I wasn’t just taking photos, but creating an experience that left them feeling more connected to who they really are. More than anything, I want to be remembered as someone who inspired others to see themselves differently — with more self-acceptance, confidence, and love.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://lindsaycarlisleboudoir.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lindsaycarlisleboudoir/#
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/147612228913097
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@lindsaycarlisleboudoirstudio
- Other: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lindsaycarlisleboudoir
Image Credits
Photo Credit: Lindsay Carlisle Photography, LLC
