It’s funny how sometimes things come full circle in your life and you don’t even realize it.

During my time in college as a photography student I spent years documenting my grandmother – Grandma Babs. She was a big influence in my life and is such a fun character to be around. She was probably the first person to teach me how to flirt. Is that normal? Probably not, but hey I did learn from the best. One of my all-time favorite moments I’ve captured on camera was when she began telling me and my little sister how to get a man. She taught us how you have to make just the right eyes and how to flip your hair. Most importantly you don’t look at a man for too long when flirting, she said “you look and then you look away” while showing us exactly how it’s done. I included this in my senior portfolio show and titled it “How to Get a Man”.

“How to Get a Man”

Fast forward five years and I’m officially launching a new photography venture. I want to focus my creative energy on capturing the powerful, feminine and sexy side of every woman. I think powerful, feminine and sexy not only represent my grandmother but all of the women in my life. I have grown up surrounded by women in my family who possess these three traits but they are first and foremost Godly. (Don’t think you can be Godly and sexy at the same time? Umm have you read Song of Solomon?! Hello!)

Why the switch?

1.       I felt like a small fish in a big pond. It’s hard to stand out in a city like Houston where there are literally thousands of photographers, many of whom are talented and have BIG money to spend on marketing themselves.

2.       While I have been happy with Sontera Nichol Photography and my clients were happy I noticed myself constantly gravitating toward boudoir photography. I am VERY VERY grateful that people have chosen me to be present for their life changing moments. Like when they saw their husband for the first time in their wedding dress, when they found out they were pregnant and called me immediately to start talking maternity sessions or to celebrate a recent engagement to the love of their life. I am so indebted to all of these people! It’s also worth mentioning that I am not abandoning ever doing any other type of photography again, I will of course be happy to do non-boudoir related photographs when asked. The difference now is I’m not pursuing those clients.

3.       Why be good at several things when I can (possibly) be amazing at one!? I have a huge passion for the entire process of boudoir photography. From talking fashion to picking a location and planning the music and cocktails for the shoot – I love it all! It’s about the entire experience, not just the photos you go home with.

So in honor of Grandma Babs and on her 72nd birthday I am officially announcing Lighthouse Boudoir!

Written by Sontera Mader

Sontera is a graduate from Sam Houston State University with a Bachelor of Fine Art degree in Photography. She photographed her first boudoir session in 2008 and has had a passion for it ever since then!