Today we’d like to introduce you to Julia Cuddy.
Hi Julia, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I’m a boudoir photographer based in downtown Clarkston, Michigan. My work is all about celebrating women exactly as they are, bold, soft, powerful, playful, and everything in between! My photography studio in Clarkston is where confidence meets intimacy, and where women come to feel hyped, seen, and celebrated.
My photography journey started back in 2014 on the wedding side of things, where I fell in love with capturing real emotion. Then in 2020, during a girls’ weekend with a group of past and future brides, someone asked, “Will you take some boudoir photos of us?” I’d never shot boudoir before, but I said yes, why not?!
That one weekend completely changed my path. Watching women cheer each other on, feel powerful in their bodies, and create space for joy lit something up in me. I knew this was the kind of work I was meant to do.
Since then, boudoir has become my full time passion. I’ve built a luxury boudoir experience where women get to feel sexy, strong, and like the main character in their own damn story.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I wouldn’t call it a smooth or rough road. It’s been more like a series of gut checks. Every step has asked me to trust myself a little more, to say yes before I felt “ready,” and to lean into the unknown. And that trust? It’s made all the difference.
There were definitely moments of fear, especially in the beginning… From stepping away from weddings, jumping head first into creating an unfamiliar experience, committing to a boudoir studio full time. But every time I listened to that inner nudge instead of the fear, things unfolded better than I imagined.
I’ve learned that clarity often comes after the leap. You just have to go with it. Follow the spark, bet on yourself, and figure it out as you go.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m a boudoir photographer who specializes in creating bold, emotional, luxury experiences for women…. Whether they’re celebrating themselves, their relationships, or just want to feel damn good in their own skin.
I’m known for mixing moody lighting and playful energy, for being a great hype woman, and for creating a space where women can truly let go. My studio is intimate, private, and designed to feel like your best friend’s cool apartment but with really good lighting and zero judgment.
What I’m most proud of is how many of my clients walk in nervous and walk out lit up. I’ve had women cry happy tears, tell me they’ve never felt so confident, and text me weeks later saying they still think about their session. That feeling? That’s the whole point.
What sets me apart is the energy I bring. It’s not just about sexy photos… it’s about trust, fun, intimacy, and reminding women that they are already everything they need to be. I don’t rely on heavy editing or crazy posing. I rely on connection, vibe, and helping women see themselves in a new light.
What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
The biggest lesson I’ve learned is that trusting myself will take me further than any trend, formula, or rulebook ever could.
There’s no perfect timing. No one right way to do things. Every major decision I’ve made came from a gut feeling. I followed it even when it felt scary… No, ESPECIALLY when it felt scary.
That mindset is part of why boudoir means so much to me. There’s no “right” time to do a session. You don’t need a reason or an excuse. You just have to say yes to yourself! Sometimes that’s the most radical, freeing thing a woman can do.
When you stop waiting for permission and start betting on yourself, everything changes. The road gets clearer. The work gets better. And you start attracting the people who are meant to find you.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.juliacuddy.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/juliacuddyphoto/ and https://www.instagram.com/juliacuddyboudoir/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/juliacuddyphoto
