Today we’d like to introduce you to Stefanie Kimball.
Stefanie, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Photography was not always my path, but helping people always has been, and so I earned my Master’s in Social Work, through Boston University. After some time working as a social worker, and the birth of my second child, I decided to use my love of photography as a medium to help people. I studied photography at Boston University’s Center for Digital Imaging Arts, earning a certificate in professional photography. My studio opened in the winter of 2005.
I found myself drawn to photographing women, especially during the amazing transformation of pregnancy. My clients always left their sessions feeling beautiful and frequently remarked how they found their session to be so self-esteem boosting. As my business grew, I began seeing more and more women who were not pregnant, but were seeking a way to boost their self-esteem by seeing themselves through my eyes and camera.
As women, we are so hard on ourselves, especially with society’s unachievable standards of beauty. My sessions and the resulting photographs allow my clients, from all walks of life, to take time to appreciate just how beautiful, desirable, strong, and sexy they are. I am frequently told that their studio experience and the photographs I create, allow them to regain a sense of self-love–nothing brings me more satisfaction and pride than know I am making a difference in the lives of women with my photography.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Starting a business is never an easy feat. There are a lot of growing pains and trying to keep a balance between doing what I’m passionate about and still needing to pay the bills can be challenging. So much more goes into running a business besides actually doing the photo shoot.
The photography niche- boudoir/intimate photography I’ve chosen can create challenges as well based on the nature of it and the open-mindedness or lack thereof. There were only 2 other photographers specializing in this when I started 10 years ago. Since then it has become much more popular and gained more appeal especially for grooms’ gifts.
It is also a “want versus a need” service. I find that more women are doing it for themselves, which I love. The culture of self-love and wanting to attain better confidence & self-esteem is growing. The message that it’s ok to give yourself permission to do things for yourself can be met with some resistance. I true to foster that belief through my work.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about The Pouting Room by Stefanie Lynn – what should we know?
I specialize in beautiful portraiture of women. It has been classified as boudoir, intimate, sexy portraiture. I aim to celebrate & capture the beauty of every woman.
We are hard on ourselves as women and often don’t give ourselves permission to love who we are both internally and physically. There are so many societal pressures and we are bombarded with what the world tells us what beauty should be, which in many cases is highly unattainable & not reality based.
Women who come to my studio are encouraged to tap into their vulnerabilities in a safe, judge-free environment where they can feel confident, strong and beautiful. To me it’s more about the experience than the images. The images are the tangible souvenir but it’s the shift of core-confidence that these women experience and walk away with that is the lasting gift.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
I feel very passionate about why I do what I do and I am genuine. My clients know and feel that with me, which is why they entrust me with photographing them in such a vulnerable & intimate way.
Pricing:
- Session fee is $450 which includes hair & makeup, 3 outfit changes and 1.5 hours of shooting
- My prints start at $125 and packages start at $699 and go up from there.
Contact Info:
- Address: 10 Fiske Ave
Upton, MA 01568 - Website: www.thepoutingroom.com
- Phone: 508-603-1163
- Email: info@thepoutingroom.com
- Instagram: thepoutingroom
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/poutingroom
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/ThePoutingRoom
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/the-pouting-room-upton
- Other: https://www.theknot.com/marketplace/the-pouting-room-boudoir-photography-upton-ma-256581
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