Conversations with Stephanie Bordas

Today we’d like to introduce you to Stephanie Bordas.

Hi Stephanie, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Photography has always been a passion of mine, but I didn’t know how to start as far as making a career out of it, I know I didn’t want to photograph weddings or families, so I resigned myself to photography as a hobby while I persued a different career in film production.
One day a friend told me about a boudoir photoshoot she had – I had never heard of this genre before! Moreover, army friend was not someone you might think would have a boudoir shoot – a natural beauty, almost tomboyish. I was intrigued. Without doing any research, I went to the same photographer for my own boudoir shoot. The experience, while professional, was lacking. I felt the photographer didn’t know me at all – she put every client through the same set ups and poses, and while the resulting photographs were nice enough, they didn’t resonate with me on a personal level. BUT I could completely understand the appeal of such a photoshoot and realized if my friend was seeking this out, many other women would be as well. This was my inspiration for Brooklyn Boudoir – a studio that felt personal and cool, more modern and more New York than I had experienced, where women could feel celebrated.
I found a mentor and started building my business from the ground up, all the while keeping my production job. As Brooklyn Boudoir got busier, I realized it would never be more than a part-time job if I didn’t start treating it like “Plan A.” So I stopped taking production work for 6 months to see how it went. I never looked back, and I couldn’t be happier. Brooklyn Boudoir is exactly where I want to and am meant to me.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Trying to keep 2 full time jobs going at the same time while being a mom of 2 was a horrible idea! It seemed like a dream – both jobs were “freelance” so in theory I could balance both. But as both careers soared, I found myself in some very precarious positions: I’d wake before 5am to feed a baby, get started on production work, excuse myself part way through the day (to take a boudoir client) and then be editing photos after hours. I was spent! Once I found myself with a boudoir client in the hair and makeup chair while on a conference call with a production job and pumping milk for my newborn at the same time. No one was being served well with me working like this – my production, my boudoir client, my family and much less myself. Spreading out my attention so much was a recipe for disaster. Only once did I have to cancel a boudoir shoot because of a production “emergency” but that was one time too many for me. It wasn’t until I stopped taking production jobs and focused fully on Brooklyn Boudoir that life felt full in the good ways.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m Stephanie, the photographer behind Brooklyn Boudoir.

To me, boudoir photography is about WAY more than physical beauty; it’s about confidence & freedom — the ability to step outside your comfort zone, be brave, and connect with your sensuality, which is powerful and important for us women! There’s nothing like feeling confident in your own skin. In a world that feels like’s becoming less and less real every day, you deserve photos that feel intentional, honest, and unmistakably yours.

Boudoir, to me, isn’t about “beauty” in the shallow sense — it’s about meeting yourself where you are and showing you for yourself.. It’s about feeling great. It’s found in those moments that don’t need a script — just presence, good light, and somebody who isn’t asking you to perform. Will I guide you? Absolutely yes! But I’ll never force you into wardrobe or poses that don’t feel authentic to you, or try to turn you into someone you’re not. This is about celebrating who you are.

Most people walk into a boudoir session unsure of what to expect. And most walk out thinking, that was easier than I thought…and way more meaningful than I expected. That’s the part I love the most.

My style of boudoir is black and white heavy and focuses on the female gaze. So while many women like to gift their photos to a loved one, this is first and foremost for YOU.
I believe:

Confidence isn’t a prerequisite for your shoot – it’s the result of showing up for yourself.

When you feel good, you look good.

You don’t need to be perfect to have timeless photos.

Good photography doesn’t shout — it notices.

Your session shouldn’t feel like a performance.

When someone offers to take your photo, the answer is always YES.

This work is truly important.

I’m not about:

costumes or overdone sets

photoshop that erases who you are

filters that distance you from the real thing

Photography trends.

I AM about:

direction you can follow easily & without hesitation

light that feels natural

Classic black and white

images that feel like you and that are worthy of a place on your wall.

Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
Finding a mentor was a game-changer for me. The key is finding someone whose ethos you admire. Some businesses want to make that money – and that’s ok! It’s important, but there are other things you may prioroitize. If your focus is helping people, be sure you find a mentor who aligns with that value, and vice versa. Personally, I want women to feel incredible and never want to dupe them into buying something they aren’t ready for, so I wanted to be sure my mentor shared the same philosophy.

In the 10 years since my mentorship, the thing that has worked best for me is being a giver – I don’t feel competition with other phtoosgaphers. I think there is enough sunshine out there for everyone. I won’t be the right photographer for everyone and that’s ok. I’m always happy to refer clients to other photographers who might be a better fit. I’m truly happy to help other photographers in any way I can.

Pricing:

• don’t give too many options – it confuses your clients, especially in service industries

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.brooklynboudoir.com
• Instagram: @brooklynboudoir
• Facebook: @brooklynboudoir
• Twitter: @bklynboudoir
• Youtube: @BrooklynBoudoirStudio
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/brooklyn-boudoir-brooklyn
• Other: https://www.stephaniebordas.com