There’s something powerful about standing at rock bottom and deciding to build something beautiful from the rubble. That’s my story—how personal heartbreak transformed into a mission to help women rediscover their worth through boudoir photography. As a Twin Cities Boudoir Photographer, I’ve made it my purpose to create a space where every woman feels empowered, seen, and celebrated—both in the Twin Cities and beyond.

The Divorce That Changed Everything

When I turned 30, my life took an unexpected detour. What should have been a milestone birthday became the beginning of a painful divorce that left me questioning everything—especially my relationship with myself and my body.

At first, I tried to push through, pretending everything was fine. But I felt disconnected, lost, and unsure of who I was outside of my marriage. Maybe you’ve been there too: that moment when you look in the mirror and barely recognize the person staring back at you.

In the midst of this identity crisis, I made what seemed like a radical decision at the time: I booked a boudoir photography session with Sarah Kathleen Photo in Santa Barbara.

My Personal Boudoir Experience: The Turning Point

Walking into that Santa Barbara photography studio, I was a bundle of nerves. What was I thinking? My body wasn’t “perfect.” I wasn’t feeling particularly confident or sexy. I was still healing. But something transformative happened during that session. With each click of the camera, I reclaimed a piece of myself. I wasn’t posing for anyone else—I was rediscovering the woman I’d lost touch with.

When I saw those photos, I didn’t see the flaws I expected to obsess over. I saw strength. I saw resilience. I saw a woman who had survived something difficult and was still standing. The experience was so powerful that three years later. I returned to Sarah Kathleen for another session. By then, I felt like a completely different person—stronger, more confident, more myself. Having both sets of images became a visual testament to my journey of self-reclamation.

Today, massive framed photos from both sessions hang proudly in my bedroom, and I treasure the fine art albums that document these chapters of my story. They remind me daily of how far I’ve come and the woman I’ve become.

That’s when I knew what I needed to do with my life.

Becoming a Twin Cities Boudoir Photographer with a Mission

Having experienced the transformative power of boudoir photography firsthand, I couldn’t ignore the calling. I already had photography skills, but now I had a purpose: to create a space where women could experience the same healing and reclamation I had.

From this Be Lovely and Free was born with a mission—to help women see themselves through kinder eyes and celebrate their bodies exactly as they are.

As a Twin Cities boudoir photographer, I’ve now guided hundreds of women through their own empowerment journeys. Each one arrives with her own story:

• The new mom reconnecting with her body after childbirth
• The cancer survivor celebrating her scars as badges of courage
• The woman turning 50 who refuses to become invisible
• The bride wanting to embrace her sexuality on her own terms
• The divorcée reclaiming herself after heartbreak

Despite their different stories, they all share one thing in common—to challenge the narrative they’ve been told about their bodies and their worth.

What I’ve Learned as a Twin Cities Boudoir Photographer

Through my personal journey and my work with so many incredible women, I’ve learned truths that now guide everything we do at Be Lovely and Free:

1. Your “Flaws” Are Actually Your Superpowers

The parts of ourselves we’re most critical of are often the most beautiful. The stretch marks that tell the story of motherhood. The laugh lines that show a life filled with joy. The scars that prove your resilience.

As your Twin Cities boudoir photographer, I don’t see these as flaws to minimize—I see them as unique elements that make your photos truly yours.

2. There Is No “Right Time” for Self-Celebration

So many women tell me they’re waiting to book their session: waiting until they lose weight, waiting until they tone up, waiting until they feel more confident.

My divorce taught me the hard way: tomorrow isn’t guaranteed. The perfect time to celebrate yourself is now—exactly as you are.

3. Self-Portraits Are Acts of Radical Self-Love

In a world that profits from women’s self-doubt, choosing to see yourself through compassionate eyes is revolutionary. Every boudoir session I photograph in my Twin Cities studio is an act of rebellion against the impossible standards we’ve been sold.

From My Heart to Yours

If you’re reading this and something resonates—whether you’re healing from heartbreak, navigating a major life transition, or simply want to see yourself differently—I want you to know that you’re already worthy of celebration.

My own journey from broken to empowered wasn’t linear, and yours doesn’t have to be either. But I can promise you this: stepping in front of my camera just as you are today might be the catalyst for seeing yourself in a whole new light.

As a Twin Cities boudoir photographer who has walked through fire and emerged stronger, I would be honored to guide you through your own empowerment experience.

Your Journey Begins Here

Every woman deserves to see herself through eyes of love and celebration. If you’re ready to begin your own transformation through boudoir photography in the Twin Cities, I invite you to book a complimentary consultation call where we can discuss your vision for your session.

No pressure, no expectations—just an opportunity to learn more about how this experience might be exactly what you need at this moment in your journey. Because if there’s one thing my divorce and subsequent healing taught me, it’s this: you are more beautiful, resilient, and worthy than you realize. Sometimes you just need someone to help you see it

Mycah Bain is the founder of Be Lovely and Free. Offering empowering boudoir photography experiences throughout the Twin Cities. Her personal journey through divorce and self-reclamation informs her compassionate approach to helping women see themselves through new eyes.