When was the last time you did something just for you—not for work, not for social media, not for anyone else’s expectations?

That’s exactly what Bristol wanted when she booked her Seattle self love portrait session. No big milestone, no agenda—just a desire to step in front of the camera, be seen, and celebrate who she is right now.

And honestly? That’s reason enough.

Boudoir sessions often get all the credit when we talk about “self love photography,” but there’s a whole world beyond the lingerie and studio. A portrait session can look like anything you want it to: moody and artistic, colorful and playful, bold and editorial, or soft and introspective. It’s not about fitting into a category but about expressing yourself exactly as you are.

Discover 7 reasons you’ll absolutely love doing a self-love portrait session (and why you might be surprised by how freeing it feels).

What a Self-Love Portrait Session Really Is (and Isn’t)

A self-love session isn’t about vanity—it’s about visibility. It’s a few hours carved out to focus on you.

You don’t need an occasion or a reason. You just need the curiosity to see yourself in a new light. These sessions are personal, empowering, and creative. They’re less about perfection and more about presence.

1. A Confidence-Boosting Photoshoot That Feels Like You

Seeing yourself through someone else’s lens is transformative. During Bristol’s scenic Seattle photoshoot, we played with movement, light, and expression instead of stiff poses. I guided her gently, focusing on energy and emotion. Every time she saw the back of the camera, her smile got wider.

You don’t have to show up feeling confident—that’s what the session is for. You’ll leave with that energy.

And no, you don’t need to “lose ten pounds first” or “figure out what to wear.” I’ll help with posing, styling, and direction so it feels natural. Confidence doesn’t come from being ready—it comes from showing up.

2. Tell Your Story Through Self-Love Photography

Photos are more than faces; they’re stories. They capture the chapters that words can’t always reach. Maybe you’re in a season of growth, healing, or rediscovery. A self-love photography session is a way to honor that moment.

Bristol told me she was in the middle of a personal reset—not a full reinvention, just an intentional return to herself. The portraits we made became visual proof of her renewed, quiet confidence.

And, you don’t need a dramatic transformation to deserve documentation. Sometimes the most powerful story is the one where you simply choose to be seen.

3. Celebrate Milestones—Big, Small, and Everything in Between

We tend to book photos for external milestones: graduations, engagements, babies. What the world sees as typical chapters. But what about the internal ones? Is your story a little more “unconventional.”

Maybe you just turned 30 and feel grounded. Or, perhaps you left a job that wasn’t serving you. Maybe you’re finally giving yourself permission to rest.

Whatever it is, it’s worth celebrating. A self love portrait session reminds you that growth may not always get applause, but it deserves acknowledgment.

4. Express Yourself Through Creative Portrait Photography

If you’ve ever wanted to feel like you’re starring in your own little movie, this is your moment.

Whether we shoot in your neighborhood, a local park, or somewhere adventurous surrounded by nature, your session becomes a space to play. We’ll experiment with poses, colors, and moods until something clicks.

Don’t be afraid to bring your ideas to the table!—flowy dresses, bold lipstick, cozy sweaters, a special item. Each look speaks to your personality and tells part of your story. You don’t have to be a model to create art; you just have to be open to the process. I’ll help with the rest.

5. Your Self-Love Portraits Are Incredibly Versatile

Here’s the bonus: these portraits can live everywhere.

A self-love session isn’t just for your significant other or a gallery wall (though those are beautiful options). They’re perfect for branding, websites, social media, holiday cards, or simply as daily reminders in an album or on your phone background. Frame your favorite on your desk as a reminder of who you’ve become and the journey still ahead. You can be your own motivation to keep going.

Self portraits are timeless because they’re rooted in you. Unlike trends or filters, authentic portraits never go out of style.

6. The Experience Is the Best Part

Even if you don’t have a specific goal, the experience itself is reason enough.

A portrait session is a few hours where you get to pause life’s noise and focus entirely on yourself. You’ll laugh, move, maybe tear up, and leave feeling lighter than when you arrived.

It’s not about performing—it’s about being. And that, more than anything, is worth documenting.

7. You’ll Leave with More Than Just Beautiful Photos

Of course, you’ll end up with a gallery full of gorgeous portraits—but you’ll also walk away with something deeper: ownership over how you see yourself.

Too often, we only get photographed when someone else decides it’s time—family portraits, weddings, headshots. But this time, you decide. You set the tone, the mood, the meaning. You aren’t dependent on anyone or an ocassion.

And once you experience that, it’s hard to unsee how powerful it is.

Ready to Book Your Self-Love Portrait Session?

At the end of your shoot with me, I hope you say, “It felt like permission to just exist—no expectations, no performance, just me.”

That’s the kind of freedom a self love portrait session offers. Whether you’re celebrating, reflecting, or simply being, it’s a creative act of confidence and care.

So if you’ve been waiting for a “good reason” to book—this is it. You are the reason.

Find more photo inspiration on Instagram @iasiskennedyphotography