Today we’d like to introduce you to Lisa Lutz.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Six and a half years ago, I was a brand-new mom navigating the beautiful chaos of motherhood. With a degree in Exercise & Health Promotion from Virginia Tech and years in the fitness world, I’d always been passionate about helping women feel strong and confident. I had dabbled in photography too—families, seniors, engagements, newborns—but boudoir wasn’t even on my radar yet.
After having my daughter, everything shifted. I was a stay-at-home mom in my mid-30s, grateful and fulfilled but also searching for that part of myself that felt empowered, sexy, and seen. As I started exploring boudoir for my own confidence, something clicked. I fell in love with the art form—the way it celebrates women exactly as they are—and knew I wanted to offer that same experience to others.
I started small, shooting sessions in hotel rooms, Airbnbs, and any beautiful little corner I could find. Today, I’m proud to have my own dedicated studio and to have poured into an average of 150 women every year. I’ve had the honor of photographing incredible women who have traveled from the UK, Maryland, Iowa, Kentucky, West Virginia, Tennessee, and beyond—an experience that still humbles and amazes me.
What began as my journey to rediscover my own confidence has grown into a space where women from all over come to reclaim their power, beauty, and sense of self. And truly, the journey just keeps getting better.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Definitely not—but it’s been worth every bump along the way.
When I first started, my expectations were small. My husband was the main provider for our family, and I thought it would be nice to shoot four or five sessions a month just to bring in a little extra for fun things—travel, a night at Dave & Buster’s, maybe a weekend getaway. That was the vision.
But within the first two years, everything exploded in the best way. I went from hoping for a handful of sessions each month to shooting four or five sessions a week. The growth was fast, exciting, and honestly a little overwhelming at times.
Then 2024 hit, and that was a real roadblock. Between the economic slowdown in the U.S. and the fact that I had just built my studio—with all the upfront costs that come with a big leap like that—things got challenging. Bookings slowed, and I had to get really creative. I leaned into what makes my studio unique: new sets, new concepts, and experiences my clients couldn’t get anywhere else. I poured my heart into nurturing my client relationships, and because of that, so many of my incredible clients came back for repeat sessions to try out the new sets. Their loyalty carried me through.
On top of the business challenges, there’s the balance of real life. I’m a mom of two, and my family comes first. Trying to grow a business while making sure my kids are cared for, engaged, and not just sitting in front of screens all day—that’s a challenge in itself. And to add another layer, my husband and I opened a second business, which turned us into passing ships in the night: one of us caring for the kids while the other works, then switching roles.
It hasn’t been smooth, but every hurdle has taught me something—about resilience, creativity, and the strength of building a business from passion. And despite the struggles, we’re making it work, and the journey continues to grow in the most rewarding ways.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
What do I do, what do I specialize in, and what am I known for?
I’m a boudoir photographer who specializes in creating empowering, confidence-building experiences for women. While boudoir itself is my foundation, I’m most known for my creativity and the wide variety of unique seasonal and traditional sets I design throughout the year. From romantic and timeless looks to bold themed concepts, I love building environments that allow each client to step into a version of themselves they haven’t seen in a long time—or maybe ever.
What sets me apart?
My clients will often tell you it’s the experience I create. I’m not just clicking a camera—I’m building a space where women feel seen, celebrated, and supported. As a mom and a woman in my mid-40s, I deeply understand the insecurities, the changes, and the pressures that come with different seasons of life. I relate to my clients because I am my clients. I know what it feels like to juggle everything for everyone else and still want to feel beautiful, powerful, and confident.
I take the time to put myself in their shoes—emotionally, mentally, and creatively. Every step of the process is designed with intention, from communication and customer service to posing and set design. Personalization is huge for me. If a client has a vision, a fear, or even the smallest request, I adapt and pivot to make their experience feel uniquely theirs.
And of course—flexibility is one of my biggest strengths. Whether it’s adjusting shoot times around childcare, styling ideas around comfort levels, or customizing sets to match someone’s fantasy or aesthetic, I love making the session fit them, not the other way around.
What am I most proud of?
I’m incredibly proud of the environment I’ve created—one where women walk in nervous and walk out glowing. I’ve built a business where clients not only trust me, but return again and again because they feel safe, valued, and celebrated. I’m proud that women have traveled from across the U.S. and even the UK just to shoot with me. I’m proud of the creativity I bring into every set. But most of all, I’m proud of the impact—helping women see themselves with new confidence, beauty, and strength.
At the end of the day, my work isn’t just about photos—it’s about transformation. And that is what truly sets my studio apart.
Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
What means the most to me is the impact I’m able to make on the women who walk into my studio. Every session is personal. Every story matters. The messages, the reviews, the hugs at the end, and the referrals they send—those are reminders that this work goes far beyond photos. I get to help women see themselves with new eyes, step into their strength, and reclaim pieces of themselves they thought were gone. Knowing I’ve played even a small part in that transformation is something I never take for granted.
I’m also incredibly proud of the example I’m setting for my kids. They’re growing up watching their mom build a business from the ground up, learning what it looks like to work hard, be creative, stay compassionate, and balance career with family. They see me loving people through their vulnerabilities, embracing what makes each person unique, and creating a space that celebrates confidence and diversity. And at the same time, they see me showing up for them—for choir performances in the middle of the day, for “Breakfast with Mom,” for honor roll ceremonies like my son’s All-A President’s Scholar Breakfast. The flexibility this career has given me is one of the greatest gifts of all.
Laying the foundation for this business has been one of the most challenging and rewarding journeys of my life. Watching it grow, evolve, and become something truly meaningful—not just for me, but for the women I serve and the family I love—has been nothing short of amazing. And I’m so grateful that I get to keep building this life, one client, one experience, and one beautiful moment at a time.
Pricing:
- $$$$ or starts at $1000
Contact Info:
- Website: https://leemarie-photography.com
- Instagram: leemariephoto_boudoir
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/leemariephotoboudoir
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@leemariephotography
