For almost 20 years, I’ve been capturing moments of beauty, vulnerability, and confidence through the lens of my camera. Boudoir photography has always been a way to celebrate the unique strength and allure that each woman possesses. But today, I want to share something deeply personal that has shifted my perspective on beauty in a profound way.

At the beginning of this year, I found out I had breast cancer—a journey that has been both challenging and transformative. A few months ago, I made the decision and underwent a double mastectomy. Until now, I’ve kept this part of my story close, not because I was ashamed, but because I needed time to process what it meant for me, my body, and my work.

As a boudoir photographer, I’ve always encouraged others to embrace their bodies as they are and to find confidence in their natural beauty. Yet, I found myself confronting my insecurities in the wake of this surgery. The scars, the changes, the new silhouette of my body—it all felt so foreign, so different from the person I was used to seeing in the mirror and I struggled with it hard.

The first time I looked at myself in the mirror after the bandages had come off I just stood there and cried, then my amazing brilliant daughter walked into the room and took one look, and said “Oh mom your boobs look terrible isn’t there anything that they can do for you.” And instead of crying, I was now laughing because she validated what I was feeling at that very moment and I knew that what I was looking at was temporary.

As I sat with these feelings, I began to realize something important: beauty is not static. It evolves, just as we do. My body has changed, but that doesn’t diminish its beauty or strength. In fact, it amplifies it. This journey has taught me that beauty is about more than physical appearance (which I already knew, and now it’s even clearer)—it’s about resilience, self-acceptance, and the courage to redefine oneself after life’s challenges. Those feelings don’t change overnight and some days are still harder than others but now when I look in the mirror I see the scars but I also see the strength and courage it took me to get where I am right now.

When I step behind the camera, I have a deeper understanding of the journey many of my clients are on. Whether it’s learning to love their bodies after childbirth, or trauma, or embracing their curves, or simply finding confidence in their skin, I see now more than ever that beauty comes in many forms. It’s not about fitting into a mold but celebrating each body’s unique story.

If you’re reading this and facing your own struggles with body image or self-confidence, know that you’re not alone. Our bodies are powerful, capable of so much, and deserving of love and admiration—just as they are. My mission in boudoir photography has always been to help others see that, and now, more than ever, I’m committed to showing the world that beauty truly has no bounds.

Thank you for allowing me to share this chapter of my life with you. It’s been a journey of growth, acceptance, and redefinition. And as I continue to capture the beauty in others, I do so with a renewed sense of purpose—one that celebrates every scar, every curve, every change, and every moment of confidence.

Here’s to embracing change and finding beauty in all its forms. And of course, a little PSA to check the tatas regularly, and if it’s time…be sure to schedule that mammogram you’ve been putting off. Below is a collection of photos some my hubby took right before my surgery, and a few fun ones of my amazing support system and ways that I found to cope.

xo,

Ashley

Hair and Makeup by my amazing friends at https://www.karmeldesignteam.com/