Today we’d like to introduce you to Kimberly Meadows
Hi Kimberly, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
It al began in 2009. I was a single mother of two young children, barely scraping by, unsure of how to make ends meet. I had a love for photography, but at the time, it felt like a distant dream. Between taking care of my kids, working long hours at a job that drained me, and juggling the demands of life, it was hard to imagine a future where I could turn my passion into a career.
But I couldn’t shake the thought. I kept coming back to my camera, capturing moments in my spare time, whether it was my kids playing in the backyard or the world around me. The more I photographed, the more I realized that this was what I was meant to do. I wanted to show women their beauty, their strength—something I had struggled to see in myself for years.
One night, after my kids were asleep, I stayed up late scrolling through online photography forums. I was reading about boudoir photography—images that empowered women and made them feel beautiful in their own skin. It clicked. This was my path. I didn’t have a fancy camera or a professional studio, but I had passion, determination, and the willingness to learn.
The first few months were terrifying. I didn’t have a lot of money to invest in gear or advertising, so I started small. I took photos of friends, family, and anyone willing to let me practice. I built a website with whatever I could afford, and I worked tirelessly to get the word out. Word of mouth started to spread, and slowly, women began to trust me to capture their beauty. I remember one client telling me, “You made me see myself in a way I never have before.” That was the moment I knew I was on the right path.
It wasn’t easy. I worked late nights editing photos, early mornings chasing leads, and every spare moment in between, I made it a point to grow my business. I went to workshops, learned new techniques, and pushed myself to keep improving. I was doing it all—raising my kids, building my photography business, and facing the doubts that always crept in. But I refused to give up.
In 2015, I opened my first studio in Cincinnati. It was a small space, but it was mine. I was able to offer women a safe, comfortable environment where they could feel empowered and confident in their own skin. The feedback was incredible, and more clients came pouring in. They felt heard. They felt seen. I began to realize that my story was not just my own—it was theirs too.
By 2019, I had more clients than I knew what to do with. It felt like a huge leap, but I had learned so much by then. The business had grown beyond my wildest expectations. More than just a photography studio, it was a place where women could reclaim their confidence, celebrate their bodies, and see their worth.
2024 I was able to open a second location in New Orleans, a city I’d always dreamed of working in. Today I have a photographer team as well as a marketing assistant and employees to handle calls and bookings. I’m not just a photographer. I’m a business owner, an advocate for women, and a mother who can proudly say that I built something from nothing. My two kids have seen me struggle, but they’ve also seen me persevere. They’ve watched me build something meaningful out of passion, and hopefully, they’ve learned that with determination and hard work, anything is possible.
Looking back, I know it wasn’t easy. There were so many times I doubted myself, but I never gave up. I kept going. And now, as I stand in my two thriving studios, I see how far I’ve come. It wasn’t just about creating beautiful photos—it was about creating a safe space for women to see their beauty, to find their strength, and to reclaim their confidence. It’s been a journey, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
Alright, 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?
Building a boudoir business wasn’t something I could do half-heartedly. It was all-consuming, overwhelming at times, and frankly, exhausting. Every day felt like I was juggling a dozen things, and I had to make some tough sacrifices along the way.
At first, I didn’t have the luxury of focusing on just one thing. There were so many demands—working long hours to get the business off the ground, dealing with clients, managing the day-to-day operations on top of raising two children. My personal life was constantly in the background, and I often felt like I was spread too thin. It felt like I was always doing too much but never quite doing enough.
Financially, it was another mountain to climb. Starting a photography business requires gear, software, advertising—things I just didn’t have the budget for at first. I had to make do with whatever I could afford, often sacrificing things for myself so I could reinvest in the business. There were months when it felt like I was barely scraping by, but I knew I had to keep pushing forward. I couldn’t give up on my dream, even when things were tight.
And then there was the pressure to prove myself. Boudoir photography is an intimate and vulnerable genre, and it took time to convince women to trust me with such personal moments. I constantly doubted my abilities—was I good enough? Was my work professional enough? There were moments when I thought about quitting, about going back to a “safe” job that would guarantee stability, even if it meant giving up on my dream. But I couldn’t. I couldn’t go back to a life where I wasn’t chasing what I truly wanted.
There were also the logistical struggles—finding a place to shoot, securing equipment, dealing with unexpected expenses that popped up, and managing the legalities of owning a business. I was doing it all—sometimes on very little sleep, sometimes while handling life’s curveballs. It was a lot, and there were days when I felt like I was failing in every role I played.
But despite the struggles, something kept pushing me forward. I knew that this business, this dream, was my way of creating a better life for myself. I wanted to prove that with hard work and dedication, it was possible to build something from the ground up, even when the odds seemed stacked against me.
What kept me going, even on the hardest days, were the clients. When a woman walked into my studio, unsure of herself, and left feeling empowered and beautiful, it was worth it. It was a reminder that all the late nights, all the hustle, all the doubts—everything was worth it. Not just for me, but for all the women who trusted me to capture their stories.
Building this business was a challenge, but it taught me resilience. It taught me the importance of perseverance and belief in myself. And as my business grew, so did my confidence—not just in my work, but in my ability to handle the many roles I had to play. It wasn’t easy, but nothing worth having ever is. And now, looking back, I wouldn’t change a thing.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
As a boudoir photographer, my approach is rooted in a deep belief that every woman deserves to feel empowered, beautiful, and confident in her own skin. I specialize in natural light photography, using its warmth and softness to create intimate, raw, and genuine portraits that highlight each person’s unique beauty. My expertise in posing, angles, and direction ensures that every client not only looks their best but feels their best, too. I work closely with each woman, offering guidance and coaching to help her move with grace and confidence in front of the camera. I listen carefully to my clients’ needs, taking the time to connect with them on a deeper level, so they feel truly comfortable and at ease throughout the entire experience. This personal, one-on-one approach is what sets me apart from other photographers.
Building my business from the ground up has been a journey of passion, dedication, and resilience. As a single mother, I worked tirelessly to create a space where women could celebrate their beauty, reclaim their confidence, and embrace who they truly are. I am incredibly proud of how far I’ve come—building a successful business on my own, overcoming challenges, and proving that anything is possible with hard work and determination.
Along the way, my work has been recognized by several esteemed publications and featured in interviews with news outlets, which has been an honor and a testament to the impact my photography has had on the women I’ve worked with. It’s not just about taking beautiful photographs; it’s about capturing moments that help women see themselves in a new light, empowering them to embrace their own strength and beauty. This is why I do what I do, and it’s why I am so passionate about continuing to grow and evolve as an artist.
Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
Opening a second boudoir studio in New Orleans in 2024 was a huge risk, one that required both careful consideration and a leap of faith. The decision wasn’t made lightly. Expanding to a new city meant diving into unfamiliar territory, managing new logistics, and investing significantly in both time and resources. I had built a strong foundation with my original studio in Cincinnati, and while that was incredibly rewarding, it was also comfortable. Expanding was stepping out of my comfort zone and trusting that my vision and business model could translate successfully to a new market.
New Orleans was a city that had always inspired me—its energy, its art, and its rich culture were the perfect backdrop for a boudoir studio. But I knew it wouldn’t be easy. There were new challenges to face, from navigating the local market and building a new client base to finding the right space and hiring a team. But I was determined to make it work. After all, growth means embracing challenges, and I was ready to grow.
At the same time, I knew that in order to give New Orleans the attention it deserved, I had to ensure the Cincinnati studio remained just as strong. So, I made the decision to train a new lead photographer in Cincinnati. Finding someone with the right skill set, who could understand the essence of what my business stood for, was crucial. It wasn’t just about taking great photos—it was about embodying the culture of empowerment and care that I had worked so hard to establish. Training this new photographer was a process that involved not just technical expertise but also teaching them how to connect with clients on a deeper level, ensuring that every person who walked into the Cincinnati studio would still feel as comfortable, safe, and celebrated as they did when I was behind the lens.
The balancing act between opening a new location and maintaining the quality of service in the original studio was intense. It meant long hours, tough decisions, and a constant push to evolve as a business owner. But the payoff has been worth it. The New Orleans studio has already begun to thrive, attracting a vibrant community of clients, and I’ve watched the new lead photographer in Cincinnati flourish in their role.
Taking this risk wasn’t easy. It stretched me in ways I never anticipated, and there were moments of doubt. But as I look at the two studios now, I feel a deep sense of pride. Not only have I expanded my business, but I’ve also built a team that shares my vision and passion. These risks have turned into opportunities, and I’m excited to continue growing, not just as a business, but as an artist and a leader in the boudoir photography industry.
Pricing:
- $2050-$2950 total investment
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.dirtygirlboudoir.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dirtygirlboudoir/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61560830365188
