Today we’d like to introduce you to Heather Nixon.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Heather. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I was a teenager when my parents noticed I had a passion for photography. They gifted me with a beautiful camera hoping it would open doors to me exploring photography a bit more. Today, I keep it sitting close to my desk as a reminder of how far I’ve come and how thankful I am to my parents for giving me the opportunity to pursue my dreams. After joining the Marine Corps and getting married I felt like I lost who I was. I didn’t have a single hobby to call my own. Photography became a passion whenever I discovered I could use it in the form of therapy. That therapy was seeing the beauty in any situation I was going through. So, I was taking pictures of everything everywhere I went.
I played around with my camera every chance I had. Having two beautiful little boys and a little family gave me more of a reason to explore angles and understand how to use a camera. In 2014 I switched my camera to full manual, forcing myself to understand the inner workings of a camera and knowing how to create images that were sharp, creamy and overall beautiful. By the end of 2014, I was taking on real paying clients that were needing anything from family portraits to newborns and everything in between captured. I loved just being able to capture moments for people, hoping they would be able to look back one day and be thankful for that time in their life.
By 2016 my sister in law asked me if I would step out of my comfort zone and shoot a boudoir session for her. We sat and laughed together, trying to understand how these gorgeous images we found on Pinterest were made. Overall, it was a learning experience for me, and I’m grateful she gave me the opportunity to capture such intimate moments for her. However, I knew I had a lot to learn.
It wouldn’t be until 2018 that I jumped back into the boudoir. All while still shooting families, couples, weddings and newborns, I was still trying to find that genre that I felt like I just fit into. I had a friend reach out and ask if I’d host a set of marathon type sessions for just boudoir. I knew if I was going to create beautiful images, I needed to put in the time to understand posing, lighting, and all of the good angles. So that’s what I did. I spend days studying boudoir and what went into it. I joined a couple of different Facebook communities that focused just in boudoir, hoping I could understand more and learn from these incredible photographers that were not just creating images, but helping to empower other women.
I realized through those groups and the mentors that I had found, that boudoir is an invitation for you to be just exactly who you are are, at this moment. I tell everyone I do not photograph “sexy pictures”, “porn”, or “naked women.” I photograph raw, honest portraits of the shift, the truth of the very moments you realize you can loosen your grip on the lies you tell yourself, the moments you realize you can do anything.
Going through the military taught me to pursue anything I set my mind to. Including rising and empowering other women through the art of boudoir. Because let’s face it, women go through enough mom-shaming, smack-talking and downright degrading comments being thrown at them all the time. Boudoir is the exact opposite.
Has it been a smooth road?
It’s been an interesting journey, to say the least. I never envisioned dropping all other aspects of photography, just to focus on boudoir. But honestly, it has been the biggest blessing having the opportunity to get to know all of the incredible women who have walked through these doors. I meet women all the time who walk in, scared to death, thinking there is no way they’ll be able to strip down in front of a stranger while she raves about things like collar bones and gorgeous angles for the perfect booty shot. However, I have never had a babe leave disappointed or upset. Because in the end, I’d rather you happy with your experience than wonder what another boudoir experience with a different photographer might have been like.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
One of my favorite parts about shooting boudoir has been my VIP Facebook group. Really, most people think it’s just another Facebook group. Until they’ve hung out in there for a minute, they realize there is so much more.
I have ladies mention to me all the time that they’re so happy they’re in there. Not just to see gorgeous boudoir images, but to feel empowered and uplifted throughout the week. I always joke and say the Boudie Babes group is more of a girl gang and we all need to get jackets. Because anyone can sit with us and I promise we’ll cheer you on in anything you ever do.
The other thing I take pride in when it comes to a boudoir experience with me, is just that, the experience. I make sure the day is fully about you. The hair and makeup, your outfits and ensuring they fit you the way they should. I turn on your favorite music during your session and make sure you laugh at least once. My posing has been perfected down to rhythm and my goal is for you to look at yourself and say “wow, that’s me!” I want every woman to be blown away with how amazing they feel when they leave the studio.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
Dallas is a beautiful city to photograph in. Whether it be outdoors or in a studio, there are some stunning locations that photograph beautifully. Ladies here also love taking care of themselves, which fits perfectly with boudoir and the experience it offers!
If someone was just starting out in boudoir in the Dallas area, I’d tell them to understand marketing. There are some incredible boudoir photographers around the area and your competition could be hard!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.heathernixonphotography.com
- Phone: 9498745010
- Email: hellogorgeous@heathernixonphotography.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/heathernixonphotography
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/heathernixonphotography
- Other: www.facebook.com/groups/513921209101977/
Suggest a story: VoyageDallas is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
