This year for Valentine’s Day I teamed up with talented photographer Julie Papikova to host a very special, inspirational, and meaningful social media campaign around the concept of self-love and body appreciation through the experience of boudoir photography.
If you don’t know what boudoir is first of all that’s OK. Boudoir is basically intimate/suggestive portraiture of a subject partly clothed or in lingerie. Typically the experience is for women who want to then gift the photos to their significant other for a special occasion such as anniversaries, birthday’s, Valentine’s Day, or weddings.
We decided to reinterpret the experience to be more for oneself. Because we believe that you can’t love someone else until you love yourself first. A boudoir experience is very special. Expect to feel nervous and excited at the same time! It’s an opportunity to live in the moment and let go of your fears or judgments. It’s empowering! To take your sexuality into your own hands and celebrate it! We believe in order to be your best self you must accept who you are and not compare yourself to others.
So basically that is the root of this campaign, and a big idea that Julie and I have bonded over. I remember the very first time we both realized we were into the idea of boudoir photography only later to realize why and its relation to female empowerment and how much we resonated with it.
We were on vacation in the Outer Banks of North Carolina also known as OBX and we were actually on an island called Shelly Island, that believe it or not does NOT exist anymore. It was an island made up of shells as a result of a strong passing hurricane. We had the opportunity to visit and experience this amazing island!
I remember we had to trek through deep waters to get there! We had to hold all our belongings over our heads as we crossed through the shallow part of the ocean to reach it. Fascinated, we explored freely fully aware we were running the risk of high tide stranding us out there!
At one point we were alone away from our family, friends and all other tourists visiting the island. We were being creative and taking photos when we came across huge shells on the beach! We thought it would be fun to pretend to be mermaids and use the shells to cover our boobs! See pic HERE!
Long story short that’s when it all started! The thrill of quickly taking off our bathing suit tops and snapping a few pics completely free (but covering) in nature was exhilarating and rebellious, we thought. We had a taste of boudoir in it’s most organic form and we wanted more.
Since then we have partnered multiple times to create magic, and that is referring to creating amazing memories and content from the experience of boudoir photography. I hope all women can experience the feeling when they truly accept themselves for all that they are no matter what shape, color, or form they come in. And I hope to use boudoir as a means to get there.
If you’re interested in trying out boudoir photography I highly recommend you contact Julie Papikova!
Shop Lingerie
Shop Outfit
Photos by: Julie Papikova
Hair-stylist: Tamara
Make-up Artist: Claire
IG: makeupbyclairev
Airbrush Tan courtesy of NDK SKN
Thank you so much for reading! I would love to hear your thoughts on boudoir and if you’d ever consider trying it!! XOXO Marilyn
Noah says
I just wanted to say this post is so good and you’re such a great model! Love what you do!
Marilyn Hucek says
Thank you so much Noah! Such kind words!
Danny Tatar says
Great Photos little one and Julie your photos are amazing, like the bio on how it all first started, Shelly Island remember that day quit well.
Marilyn Hucek says
Hi Dan! Thanks so much for reading! Always such sweet memories at OBX!