How it started
She found Andrea Baue Photography the way so many of us discover things now — scrolling through Instagram, pausing on images that felt different. What kept her coming back wasn’t just the aesthetic quality of the work. It was something harder to name: the way every body looked celebrated, every person looked like themselves.
“I was really drawn to her aesthetic and, even more importantly, the way she works with all body types and embraces each person’s individual style,” she says. “Seeing how inclusive and personal her work felt made me think that I would be most comfortable working with her — and that comfort was a huge factor in deciding to book.”
The why behind it
Her reasons for booking ran deeper than wanting beautiful photos. She had navigated cancer seven years ago and has been living with chronic illness for about a decade — experiences that, as she puts it, made her relationship with her body “complicated at times.” Add in the natural process of aging, and she wanted something intentional. A reclamation.
I wanted to reclaim a sense of comfort, confidence, and sexiness in my own skin,” she explains. “This session felt like a way to honor my body and reconnect with it in a positive, empowering way.”
“I told Andrea that I had never looked that beautiful in my life — and I meant it.”
What actually happened
She walked in expecting nerves. She left transformed. “I fully expected to be very nervous and uncomfortable during the shoot,” she admits. “What I didn’t expect was how natural, fun, and affirming the entire experience would be.”
When she saw her images for the first time, it was emotional. She had originally chosen a smaller package, but found herself unable to narrow her selections — so she upgraded. “It was powerful to see myself captured that way.”
The creative collaboration
She came prepared. With a background in theatre, she approached the shoot as a full character arc — wardrobe, props, and narrative arc included. Andrea didn’t just accommodate that vision; she was enthusiastic about it. “The experience felt truly collaborative and creatively fulfilling,” she says. “She was open and enthusiastic about all of my ideas from start to finish.”
Life after the shoot
The effects didn’t stay inside the photos. Since the session, she feels noticeably more confident and comfortable in her own skin. She shared the images with close friends almost immediately. “Boudoir helped me see my body with more kindness and appreciation — not as something defined by illness or struggle, but as something strong, beautiful, and worthy of celebration.”
She purchased the digital images and has plans to order physical products in the future. “I think other women would love the physical items because they turn this empowering experience into something tangible and lasting.”
Her advice to anyone considering it?
Do it — even if you’re nervous, even if you’re unsure, and especially if you feel disconnected from your body. Trust the process and trust Andrea. Come with your ideas, your story, and an open mind. You will be supported, celebrated, and likely walk away feeling more confident than you ever expected.
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