We recently had the chance to connect with David Scruggs & Jill Scruggs and have shared our conversation below.
Hi David & Jill, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to share your story, experiences and insights with our readers. Let’s jump right in with an interesting one: What do you think is misunderstood about your business?
Great question and one that’s rarely asked about our core genre, boudoir photography, because the assumptions about it are so well-established. Photography shoppers who contact us often say they’re looking for “sexy photos” of themselves, generally for a new partner or a milestone like a wedding anniversary or an important birthday. That’s their “why”, as far as they’re aware.
The deeper reality is that our society has done much to shape the individual’s sense of self-worth and potential for success and achievement simply because of outward appearance. If one’s physical appearance aligns with society’s ideal, then life is their oyster. If not, the joy of life is diminished or extinguished. And those members of society are left with an abiding and unrequieted need to feel better about themselves, to feel be more fortunate, to see themselves as beautiful and worthy, even if no one else does. And upon that foundation of societal judgment, they go about their lives as best they can.
Few of our prospective clients begin with any of that as their motivation for wanting a session. But inevitably, it’s surfaced during the consultation that commences every client relationship.
Practically all our clients have a story to tell about inadequacy, about dreams and wishes that seem out of reach, about their longing to feel more in control, more powerful, more self-confident. Tears are sometimes part of the venting.
All this is an important first step in the self-love journey that these clients embark on with us: recognizing how they’ve allowed society to define them.
The next steps are break-out steps. Giving a voice to the person inside who’s been talked over and talked past for so long, we take our client through a day of dramatic photography, capturing the spirit that they’ve never seen in themselves.
When our clients leave, they’re a different person. Their sense of independence is visceral. They laugh freely. They smile genuinely. A piece of themselves that’s been bound for so long is finally liberated and enjoying the sunshine.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
We’re David and Jill Scruggs. We’re a married couple with two fur-babies between us. We’re full-time, professional photographers specializing in fine art and boudoir photography. We reside in Marietta and have a 3,000sf studio and creative space in Kennesaw that’s our second home. While we love traveling to interesting places, we’ve spent the last few years pouring ourselves into our business, which has grown fast and continues to attract clients and followers even in these chaotic times, because we appreciate and value everyone we meet, we focus on bettering lives, and we believe in giving back to our community.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What breaks the bonds between people—and what restores them?
The need to be right can break bonds. Restoring them? Letting go of winning the argument. Allowing another’s approach. Being wrong gracefully. Embracing humility.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
“You are enough.”
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. Whom do you admire for their character, not their power?
Barack and Michelle Obama. Love their integrity and strength of character.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. When do you feel most at peace?
When I witness all the moments in the day where Jill clearly has things under control, is in her element behind the camera, with her creativity in full swing. And that happens regularly. It’s the one thing that’s driven me since we started our own journey together. For myself, that I did this right.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://onesoulboudoir.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/onesoulboudoir
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/onesoulboudoir/
- Twitter: https://x.com/onesoulphoto
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/onesoulboudoir
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@onesoulboudoir
- Other: https://www.facebook.com/groups/onesoulvipgroup
