Meet Rosalyn Coleman of Lulu Beauty & Boudoir in Alpharetta

Today we’d like to introduce you to Rosalyn Coleman.

So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
My story actually begins in the medical field. I’m a licensed and practicing eye doctor, but I’ve always been a creative at heart. It was like an itch I couldn’t scratch. To be honest, there’s not really too much creativity that goes into doing an eye exam – “Which is better….one or two?”

However, a few years ago, I began to get a little restless and started finding ways to get back to some of my first true loves. Painting, drawing, or anything else having to do with art. Then one day I bought a camera on a whim and I’ve been attached to that thing ever since. Initially, I was doing a lot of event photography and still do. But then I asked some of my friends to model for me and fell in love with the idea of using my camera, my art, to empower women.

As women, we have a tendency to put ourselves last. To pick apart our bodies, our looks, all of our flaws. But with my camera, I’m able to bring out all of the beauty that gets hidden behind or lost in criticism. So Lulu Beauty & Boudoir was born. An endeavor started to capture powerful, vulnerable images of women as their most beautiful selves. It’s been an amazing journey so far and I can’t wait to make moments and captures like these the standard in the future.

Great, 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?
Absolutely not. As I mentioned before, I spent ten years in a field where I felt like I didn’t fit. It took a long time for me to finally find a way to get back to something that felt like me. And just because I’ve found something purposeful and fulfilling doesn’t meant that it’s been a cake walk. Photography is something that seems to have lost some of its value to the general public over the years. Every person with a smartphone is armed with a camera and can filter their way to a decent picture. So being able to convey the message that the beauty I capture is special, the work I’m doing is significant, and that the women I encounter are worthy of images like the ones I help to create can be daunting. But success comes at the cost of comfort, especially when what you’re trying to achieve is important. So I’m not bothered by the setbacks or having to communicate why I do what I do.

Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Lulu Beauty & Boudoir – what should we know?
My business, Lulu Beauty & Boudoir, specializes in capturing images that empower women. If you were to Google ‘boudoir photography’ you might get a range from cute all the way to erotic. However, my aesthetic is focused on bringing out all of the qualities that women are so used to guarding everyday. We’re constantly walking a line of sexy and modest, demure and powerful, afraid to be ourselves so as not to make others uncomfortable. But I’m glad that at Lulu Beauty & Boudoir we get to allow women to let all of this go and just be themselves. When I first started my business, I thought most of my clients would be women looking to surprise their significant other. But the majority of women I’ve capture have specifically stated that these images are for them. They express their frustration at having pictures of their kids, family, and even the dogs – but absolutely none of themselves.

So I’m proud that I get to give these women something that they can walk by in their homes and say without a doubt that they embody the person on that canvas, album, or print. And, yes, there are many other photographers in Atlanta. Tons, in fact. But what sets me apart is that the end result is not just to get some pictures to display and show others. Each shoot is almost like a therapy session. Getting to see yourself the way the world sees you, powerful and confident, is life-changing. Besides all of that, the shoots are just plain fun.

Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
Humility, without a doubt. Having a mindset that is focused on constant learning and improvement. And also knowing that I can’t be everything to everyone. I will not be the right photographer for some, but I definitely am the best choice for others.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.lulubeautyboudoir.com
• Email: lulubeautyboudoir@gmail.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/lulubeautyboudoir
• Facebook: facebook.com/lulubeautyboudoir

Image Credit:
All images credit to Rosalyn Coleman of Lulu Beauty & Boudoir

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