Every woman who has walked in front of my camera has had a different reason for being there.
A surprise anniversary gift for a husband who travels a lot. A celebration of a body that finally looks the way it feels. An insecurity that no longer feels limiting. Or simply beautiful photos, for herself, because she wanted them.
There is no single story here. No one type of woman, no one reason, no one version of what this should look like. Boudoir is whatever it means to you… sensual, playful, artistic, bold, tender. I follow your intuition.
Yet, every woman has had a moment, clicking through her gallery for the first time and seeing herself as she actually looks, not as she sees herself in her mind.
Because she finally saw what was already there.
Whenever you’re ready, I’m here.
Boudoir and empowerment portraits in Leigh-on-Sea, Southend and across Essex — for every woman, at every stage.
In my studio, at your place, on location or a hired space.
“I need to lose weight first.” “I’m not photogenic.” “I’m not that kind of woman.”
Sound familiar?
Nearly two decades behind a camera and I’ve heard every version of this. I’ve also photographed every version of the woman who said it.
She came anyway. And she was glad she did.
.
We’ll start with a conversation. No pressure, no agenda, just a chance to get to know each other and talk through your vision.
Do you want beautiful photos and nothing more? Perfect. But if there’s a deeper reason behind your booking, I’d love to hear it. The more I understand about you and what this means to you, the more your images will reflect it.
We’ll talk through location, style, what makes you feel most like yourself and what you’d like to wear. We’ll also look at products and pricing together.
Once you’re booked, my questionnaire helps us define the direction of your shoot: the mood, the feel, the story. A visual moodboard is a great way to bring your vision to life and give us both something to work from.
I work with an incredible makeup artist who’ll connect with you directly before your shoot. Her approach is to enhance rather than transform so you still feel completely like yourself, just with that extra touch of magic. And if you’d prefer to come as you are, that’s absolutely fine too.
You don’t need to know how to pose. That’s part of my job. I’ll guide you through every movement, demonstrate poses myself and make sure you feel comfortable at every step. The best moments always happen when you stop thinking about it and just trust the process.
This is a collaboration. There’s no rush and no fixed script. We go at your pace and see where it takes us.
Usually within a week of your shoot, you’ll receive a link to your private online gallery. It’s yours to explore in the comfort of your own home.
From there you choose what you love. Collections, albums, folio boxes, fine art prints — we’ll find what feels right for how you want to hold onto these images. If you’d like some help choosing, an online viewing can be arranged.
Once you’ve made your choices, I’ll edit your images in colour and black and white and deliver them as a download within one to two weeks.
Albums, folio boxes and fine art prints are available for collection or posted once ready.
Work with me
The boudoir salon was inspired by the salon tradition of the 17th & 18th centuries. Gathering spaces for women to exchange ideas, explore art and philosophy. They were hubs of creativity and empowerment and allowed women to shape culture and ideas in ways society often denied them. In a world dominated by men, the salon was where women ruled, much like within the boudoir industry.
What’s included
Your session fee covers your introductory consultation, a detailed preparation guide and questionnaire, professional hair and makeup styling and your bespoke shoot.
Professional hair and makeup is included as standard because being camera-ready and feeling like yourself, just elevated, makes all the difference. Prefer to be as you are? That’s absolutely fine too.
For full collection details and product options →
~ Tanya Markul
Have a question?
I’m based in Leigh-on-Sea and offer my services across the Southend area, on occasion I travel to London and around Essex (a small travel surcharge applies).
Sessions can take place in my studio in Leigh on Sea, at your home, on location or in a hired space (a hotel room, an Airbnb or wherever feels right for the style of your shoot). We’ll discuss the best option during your consultation.
The shoot itself is around 90 minutes although there is no rush. If hair and makeup is included, allow just over an hour beforehand. That’s a great time to chat, settle in and get into the right headspace before we start.
Not at all. Boudoir is whatever it means to you — sensual, playful, artistic, bold, tender or simply beautiful. There’s no standard to conform to and no version of this that’s more valid than another. The session is guided by what makes you feel most like yourself.
Lingerie is an option, not a requirement. Some women feel most confident in lace, while others feel empowered in a flowing gown, kimono, their favourite t-shirt, linen shirt or nothing at all.
What you wear is entirely your choice and we’ll talk through it together beforehand.
Absolutely not. You don’t need to arrive feeling bold or ready — that’s what the experience is for. I had some amazingly transformative sessions with women who weren’t naturally bold or loud. You don’t need to “be anything”.
Yes. Every shape, size, age and stage of life. Boudoir isn’t about reaching a certain weight or waiting for the right moment. It’s about celebrating who you are right now. The best time is always now. And something I heard long time ago and it still blows my mind today: today is the youngest you ever be.
You’re welcome to bring someone for moral support before the shoot — for hair, makeup and the getting ready part. The shoot itself works best as a one to one experience, giving you the space to relax and be fully present.
Yes. A short film set in music is available as an add-on to your boudoir session. These are intimate, story-led clips from our time together, set to music. Price on request.
We’ll talk through this in detail during your consultation and you’ll receive my boudoir guide with outfit ideas and inspiration. The most important thing is that you feel good in what you’re wearing: confident, comfortable and like yourself. I also have a lace gown available to borrow if you’d like to use it.
Once you’re booked you’ll receive my boudoir guide with beauty preparation tips, outfit ideas and shoot inspiration. A detailed questionnaire helps us map out the style and direction of your session. Your hair and makeup artist will also be in touch beforehand to make sure everything is aligned. By the time your shoot day arrives, everything is taken care of.
Not at all. That’s my job. I guide you through movement, demonstrate poses myself if needed and adjust angles. Most women have never done anything like this before, we will find our rhythm and find what works for you.
Yes. Every image is edited individually and with care. My approach is natural, I remove temporary blemishes, bruises and scratches, while the things that make you uniquely you — birthmarks, beauty spots, tattoos, piercings, stretch marks — are kept. These are part of you. If there are specific areas you feel uncertain about, my questionnaire gives you the space to express that and we can discuss it before your shoot.
Your private gallery will be ready within one week of your shoot. Once you’ve made your choices, your edited images will be delivered as a download within one to two weeks of your order. Printed products are available for collection or posted once received from the lab (this depend on the product).
Digital collections, fine art prints, albums and folio boxes. Every collection includes one fine art print of your choice. Additional prints and products are available as add-ons. Full details are in my pricing guide. You can download it here.
Get in touch through my contact page here and we’ll start with a conversation. Once you’re ready to go ahead, I’ll send a booking email with a contract to sign, a questionnaire to complete and your invoice for the session fee. This will include your hair and makeup artist fee and any hired space costs are also confirmed and paid at this stage.
Session fees and any third party costs such as hair and makeup and hired spaces are non-refundable due to the time and resources reserved for your booking. I understand that life happens and if you need to reschedule please get in touch as soon as possible and we’ll find a solution. Any rescheduling involving third party vendors such as venues or makeup artists is subject to their own policies.
Your privacy is everything in this context. All sessions are handled with complete confidentiality. Your images are securely stored and will never be shared publicly without your explicit consent. After your gallery you’ll receive a consent form giving you full control over whether any images can be shared — on social media, my website, guides or any other materials.
Where permission is granted, I never tag clients on social media. If sharing feels like a step too far, I’d gently ask you to consider allowing non-face images to be used. It helps other women considering this experience to see the work and make their decision with confidence. But there is absolutely no pressure, your comfort always comes first.
Bridal boudoir is a separate offering with its own packages and a very special delivery for your wedding day. Find out more here.
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I’m based in Leigh on Sea, Essex SS9 1NA
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