In Their Own Words // Amanda (Ohio Boudoir Photographer)
- Maddie Draffan
- Jan 7
- 3 min read
Ritual Intimates | Ohio Boudoir Studio
Every session at Ritual Intimates carries more than photographs ~ it carries a story ✨
These client features are a space to honor the journey behind the images: the curiosity that led someone here, the emotions they carried into the studio, and the moments of connection that happened along the way
Each story is shared with care, consent, and reverence. Some are named, some are anonymous, all are held with respect
This is one of them
"I was feeling nervous but also excited. I wanted to embrace everything that came with meeting new people and being in a new space. It is sometimes hard for me to relax and be open. As soon as we started talking and as I was having my makeup done the nerves just disappeared. I knew I was where I needed to be in the moment and was really looking forward to having my pictures taken. Working with Maddie felt very natural and I had so much fun."
Moments like this are really common in the studio, and they’re something I hold with a lot of care.
"I have been photographed before and I have always found it fun. I felt that Maddie's style of photography was not like anything I had tried before and it was speaking to me. The dreamy, ethereal, witchy vibes just really resonated with me and I knew that it was the right way to celebrate myself."
That sense of recognition is often what brings people here, a feeling that the work aligns with how they want to be seen.
What do you want to be able to say to your future self?
"You did all the things you wanted to do, even when you were scared."
Was there any point in your session where you caught yourself off guard - in a good way? Maybe a reaction, an emotion, or a side of yourself you hadn’t seen in a while?
“I was very proud of myself for melting into the moment. I have been trying to embrace my femininity more and feel strength in that. I do feel like this helped me see that part of myself again and want to know her."
Imagine your experience as something you could capture outside of photographs. Would it show up as a mood, a color, or music? How would you describe it?
“Glowy, dreamy, magical... goddess-like, golden, brand new... close to my heart.”
Through this experience, were there parts of yourself you felt returned to - pieces you reconnected with, or perhaps rediscovered in a new light?
“I felt myself returning to softness, embracing a lighter feeling in my chest, feeling like myself again."
What would you tell someone who’s curious about this experience but hasn’t taken the leap yet? Imagine they’re standing where you once were - what words would you share with them?
"Let go of your worries and live in the moment for the moment. Be willing to be vulnerable. Do it scared. It's worth it to see yourself as art."
Client stories are the heartbeat of this work.
Each one is shared as an offering, not a performance. A reminder that beauty, vulnerability, and embodiment looks different on everyone, and each is worthy of being witnessed.
Thank you to everyone who trusts this space with their story. It is an honor to hold them.
Ritual Intimates | Ohio Boudoir Photographer
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