I think it's safe to say that February is a big boudoir month for photographers. Ladies are usually thinking about a boudoir session with images to give to their partners. Unfortunately, the plan doesn't always work out. I've heard countless stories from photographers commenting about how it was supposed to be a gift for that special someone, and the surprise is met with negativity. Negative comments ruin an otherwise beautiful experience and turn it into something filled with doubt and disappointment.

This Valentine's Day I thought I'd turn the focus on you, our boudoir client. We want you to love your boudoir session. We want you to feel empowered. And we want your boudoir experience to be just about you. Make the gift of boudoir a gift that you give yourself.

Here are some tips to help you refocus. It's a kind of positive affirmations list to lift you up when you may need a boost, or need to be reminded about the importance of being yourself.

Remember:

1. You can't be all things to all people. Accept yourself for the gift that you are. Create healthy boundaries and assert yourself when others try to cross those boundaries.

2. Be complete within yourself. If you're old enough to remember the movie "Jerry Maguire" you may remember the scene where the famous line "You complete me" was delivered. As romantic as that sounds, it's hugely flawed. You need to be a whole, complete person on your own before worrying about what your partner can add to the equation. Figuring out who you are then creates an opportunity for your partner to complement you; not complete you.

3. Love yourself; curves and all. The images we see on television, social media, and all around us inform our opinion of ourselves and create an unrealistic image of what we think we have to look like in order to be attractive. Our boudoir sessions are entirely about you, not the person who is going to receive the images. We want to make you happy. We want you to feel sexy. We want you to feel good about yourself. We want you to fall in love with yourself. You deserve it.

 Whether or not you spend today with someone special, it's still important to spend some time focusing on yourself. Make today, and every day special by appreciating and valuing yourself. You're worth it.