Faith Ray Boudoir | Virtual Assistant for Photographers
Let me introduce you to,
Faith
FAITH RAY BOUDOIR
Why did you become a photographer?
First off I absolutely love photography, it’s my creative outlet, its my stress reliever, and my hobby! As someone who has zero video footage of myself and my identical twin growing up and maybe 5 baby photos, I wanted to make sure I capture everything. Capture memories for my family and clients. It’s a passion I would do for free but grateful I was able to make it a business where I can benefit from it creatively and financially.
Tell us your story? How you started until now?
I was always fascinated with cameras as young as 4 years old. I remember the first time I saw a shoulder camcorder I thought it was the coolest machine robot ever. I was the girl in middle school taking photos using a film camera back in the 90's. As a working adult in my 20's photography was my hobby, and my camera went everywhere with me. Fast forward 10 years later and I am a new mom who put in her notice of an insurance job I had for 15 years because a pandemic has sent everyone to work at home and daycare centers have closed. We uprooted our family from Austin to Northern Illinois and when it came down to thinking about going back to work I knew this was my moment. Do I go back to another cubicle job in the insurance industry and continue rotting or do I finally believe enough in myself and start my photography dream? I hired a business coach in 2021, we moved back to Texas and the rest is history!
Who is your ideal client?
A woman period. She can do this for someone she loves or herself. All shapes and sizes deserve this.
What is your WHY... what keeps you going in business? And why are you passionate about it?
My family. Running my own business has allowed me to be available to my family at any time. My clients as well, I am addicted to meeting new women every week and getting to hear their stories. The hair makeup and lingerie talk, its the most fun every week!
Where do you see your business in the next few years?
I see myself in a bigger studio close to home. I see an assistant and more freedom at home.
Tell me about how you manage your work/life balance as a small business owner?
My husband is my coordinator, he is the reason for my success. I do my best to be available to my kids very morning and afternoon but he drives them to school and picks them up everyday so I have more time to clean the studio or do consult calls.
Shooting or editing? Which one is your fav?
Both, this is such a hard question!
What do you listen to while you edit?
Movies/TV
If you could give one piece of advice to your younger photographer-self, what would it be?
Don’t buy expensive camera equipment - buy used and take that advanced class (I didn’t because I thought I wasn’t ready)
If you could give feedback to the photography community as a whole... what is one positive thing you'd say? And one constructive criticism?
I'm loving all your beautiful work and new trends, I'm older so i love learning from GEN Z!
Stop with the negative opinions. Art is subjective right? Lets keep photography an artistry, not so technical.
If you had no obstacles (fear, money, mindset etc) - what would you do next?
My dream is to find a studio with huge windows.
What is your favorite way to unwind/relax? (Yes, scrolling on tiktok is an acceptable answer haha)
Scrolling through tiktok while lying in bed rottingggggg. I'm an extrovert so it feels good when I allow my body introvert things.
If you could only eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Pho
You're stranded on a desert island... what one item are you taking with you??
Blanket, it doubles as toilet paper!
Where can we find you?
