From Film to Boudoir: Kelli Connor’s Journey as a Boudoir Photographer

LISTEN TO THE FULL EPISODE 🎶

My path to becoming a professional photographer started with "borrowing" my grandmother's Pentax point-and-shoot camera. As a kid, I would sneak it outside to capture flowers and trees, and she would develop the photos and put them in those free plastic albums you used to get from Walmart or CVS. Little did I know that those early adventures with her camera would lead me to where I am today.

Early Beginnings in Art and Photography

Photography wasn't my only artistic pursuit. While earning my bachelor's degree in photography at the University of New Hampshire, I dabbled in various art forms - painting, drawing, sculpting, even bronze and metalworking. I was actually good enough that my painting professor tried to recruit me into the Master of Fine Arts program!

But photography has always been my true passion. I started taking photography classes in middle school and was fortunate to attend a high school with an exceptional photography program. There, I learned to work with 35mm cameras, large format cameras, and even got my hands dirty in the darkroom developing film. These were also the early days of Photoshop, so I got to learn digital editing alongside traditional techniques.

The Unexpected Path to Finding My Niche

Here's something surprising - I initially went to college to become a marine biologist. As someone who loves snorkeling, swimming, and scuba diving, I thought combining marine biology with underwater photography for National Geographic would be my dream career. But when I saw the course load at the University of North Carolina in Wilmington, I quickly realized that my heart wasn't in the biology part - it was in the photography.

After transferring to the University of New Hampshire, I started taking photography clients while still in college. My initial dream was to be a wedding photographer, and after graduating in 2011, I moved back to Wilmington, North Carolina, to build my business.

Key Business Lessons Learned

Running a photography business taught me some valuable lessons:

• College teaches you Photoshop, but not business management

• Each photography genre is essentially its own business

• Trying to master multiple genres spreads you too thin

• Specializing allows you to become a true expert in your field

The Surprising Turn Toward Boudoir Photography

The shift to boudoir photography happened organically. While shooting weddings and family portraits along the North Carolina coast, my female clients - whether they were brides or mothers - started asking me about boudoir sessions. Ironically, I didn't even know what boudoir was at first! Looking back, I realized I had actually been doing boudoir photography in college without knowing it, taking artistic photos for friends who wanted Valentine's Day gifts for their partners.

My first professional boudoir sessions took place in a historic hotel called the City Club in Wilmington. I would book this one specific themed suite, bring in my friend to do hair and makeup, and create these intimate, empowering sessions for my clients. The experience was completely different from any other type of photography I had done - it was one-on-one, in a controlled environment, creating powerful transformations for my clients.

The Power of Specialization

After 13 years and thousands of clients, I now exclusively shoot boudoir photography. The decision to specialize wasn't easy - turning away wedding and family portrait clients was scary at first. But focusing solely on boudoir has allowed me to:

• Perfect my craft in one specific area

• Create a more focused marketing strategy

• Build a stronger reputation in my niche

• Deliver better results for my clients

• Help other photographers grow their boudoir businesses

Key Takeaways for Photographers

1. Find your true passion within photography - don't just follow what seems profitable

2. Don't be afraid to specialize - trying to do everything can hold you back

3. Be open to unexpected opportunities - your niche might find you

4. Invest in both technical skills and business knowledge

5. Create a safe, comfortable environment for your clients to transform

Today, I not only photograph clients but also help other photographers build successful boudoir photography businesses. It's been an amazing journey from stealing my grandmother's camera to running a specialized photography studio, and I wouldn't change a thing about this path I've taken.