Rising Stars: Meet Holly Shelton

Today we’d like to introduce you to Holly Shelton.  

Hi Holly, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
My love for photography began as a young girl. I was always stealing my dad’s old Canon camera and sneaking off with friends to take pictures of ourselves in a field or creek out in the country where I grew up. We would take hundreds of (extremely awkward) pictures haha! But it was then when I began to learn the basics of photography. Fast forward a decade and I decided to pick up a camera again now that life had settled down after having babies and staying home with them for many years. I knew what it was like to lose yourself to life and motherhood, so I wanted to help other women find themselves again and feel beautiful and empowered. Thus began my journey with boudoir. I started renting studios here and there and even shot out of my home for a short while before opening my very own studio in downtown Miamisburg. There have been many ups and downs as with any business, but it is truly the most amazing, rewarding job I could ever ask for. Watching women walk out of my studio and leaving all of their doubts and insecurities behind is EVERYTHING. 

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I started my business the Fall before Covid hit and it was just starting to take off right before the shutdown. It felt like any momentum I had was just gone. As a small business owner, it was a difficult time to navigate but eventually, we were able to get back into the studio and we haven’t stopped since! It’s been a challenge to balance life and business due to our busy schedules. There’s always an email that needs a response, a phone call to be returned, images to edit, albums to design, all while photographing 150+ clients a year and being a wife and mother to two busy little boys. It never stops! But I wouldn’t have it any other way. 

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m a full-time Boudoir Photographer and am well known for my dark and moody style of photography. I LIVE for emotion in photos and I feel like the shadows I work with help create that. I assist my clients with posing and facial expressions to create that emotive imagery and it really stands out in my portfolio. There are so many different variations of boudoir and intimate portraits, but in my studio, we lean more towards dark, edgy, and sensual. I take a lot of pride in the work that my clients and I create together, along with help from our incredible hair and makeup artist, Monica Phillips. 

Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
The simple things. My kids’ laughter. My husband’s embrace. A beautiful sunset. Gardening. Throw in a well-seasoned cast-iron skillet, too! Haha 

But seriously, when you take the time to slow down and soak up the little things in life, you realize just how blessed you really are. I don’t need the biggest house or extravagant things to realize that anymore. 

Contact Info:

• Website: www.hollydboudoir.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/hollydboudoir
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/hollydboudoir

Image Credits
Holly Shelton

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