Today we’d like to introduce you to Lorena Carr.
Lorena, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My photography journey began back in 2008 or 2009, long before I ever imagined it becoming a career. It started with my love for nature and wildlife, so much so that I bought my very first camera, a simple little point-and-shoot from Walmart, just so I could capture the things that captivated me. Within a year, I upgraded to my first beginner DSLR, a Nikon D3200, and that’s when everything changed. My passion grew quickly. I photographed close friends and family just for fun, and eventually even practiced on myself.
I spent countless hours in used bookstores, flipping through photography manuals, and later started attending small workshops taught by more established local photographers. I invested whatever I could to learn anything to understand the craft. Around 2015, I stepped into the professional world, photographing everything from newborns to large weddings and everything in between. I continued learning, attending workshops and mentoring under other photographers to broaden my skill set across different genres.
In 2017, I found boudoir by accident. It was the one field I thought I’d never touch. I was intimidated by it, maybe even afraid of it. But during a glamour session, what began as a simple dress shoot slowly evolved into lingerie, and something clicked. I had no idea I carried an eye for boudoir until that moment. After that, I fell down a rabbit hole of learning and exploring this genre.
Very quickly, I realized boudoir is not about sexualizing a woman’s body. It’s about celebrating womanhood, seeing yourself stripped down to your most vulnerable, honest state and recognizing the beauty in it. The history your body carries. The flaws, the scars, the wrinkles. The things we’re taught to hide suddenly become art when seen through a different lens. I learned this firsthand by quietly photographing myself during my own selfie sessions. The features I used to pick apart began to look different, softer, stronger, more meaningful. I stopped tearing myself down.
In 2018, I went full time as a boudoir photographer and built a small home studio in Bonneau, South Carolina. Ever since, I’ve had the privilege of helping women see the same beauty I learned to see in myself. I’ve watched clients come out of their shells, find confidence they didn’t know they had, and embrace the parts of themselves they once hid. It’s been an incredible, transformative experience, one I feel honored to be a part of.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It’s been both a smooth road and a rocky one. There have definitely been days where I’ve doubted myself. Imposter syndrome is very real, and for me, it shows up often. During sessions that don’t go the way I envisioned, or when a setup that I’ve worked so hard on doesn’t translate from my imagination to the camera. I’ve always been my own worst critic, replaying moments and thinking, You could’ve done that better. That mindset is probably part of what has shaped me into the photographer I am today. It pushed me to grow, to refine, and to never settle.
Some of the deepest challenges have come from working with women who carry heavy histories. Those healing from domestic violence, and trauma in their lives. Those sessions are emotionally intense, because boudoir can either empower or overwhelm. These women come to me at their most vulnerable. Many are already broken down by past experiences, and they’re trusting me to help them rebuild the pieces. They are sharing their stories, their fears, and their insecurities. In those moments, I’m not just their photographer, I become a listener, a supporter, a friend they need.
Those sessions can be heavy, but they are also the most rewarding. Helping someone snatch back their self worth and see themselves through a new, compassionate view is one of the greatest honors of what I do.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I specialize in the art of boudoir photography, and over the years I’ve become known for my signature dark and moody style. It’s a look that naturally sets me apart, but what truly defines my work goes deeper than lighting or aesthetics. I’m not just photographing a pretty image, I’m capturing emotion, vulnerability, strength, and the story being written in that moment.
I’m incredibly proud of the photographer I’ve grown into and the relationships I’ve built through this work. For me, it has never been about the money. It has always been about the healing. About creating a space where women can see themselves differently, sometimes for the first time in years. About preserving a moment, a memory, or a feeling they can return to whenever they need it.
What sets me apart is that connection. I’m not just a photographer behind a camera, I’m an active part of their journey. I’m invested. I care. And I think my clients feel that in the image we create together.
Do you any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
I have to say that one of the more memorable moments from childhood would be from my teen years. We lived in Florida at the time and I had the opportunity to work and handle thorough bred horses at a local horse farm. This particular farm was a breeding farm for the retired racehorses. During my time there, I got to handle and love on the fowls born on the farm. It’s where I learned to ride and where my knowledge of horses derives from.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.lorenacarrboudoir.com/
