Conversations with Alisha Browne

Today we’d like to introduce you to Alisha Browne

Hi Alisha, 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 am originally from New Hampshire and attend Bentley University for Business & Marketing, a field in which I worked in for over 10 years. After graduating in 2010, I moved down to Wilmington, NC from Boston. By pure coincidence of subletting her condo, I happened to meet a woman who was also from NH; she was a professional photographer who primarily shot weddings and engagements at the time and was just starting in boudoir. We became friends, and my now-husband and I eventually hired her as our wedding photographer. The turning point for me is when she offered to take boudoir portraits of me as a gift to my fiancé prior to the wedding.

I had never had boudoir portraits taken of myself before and I was pleasantly surprised by how I felt after the experience. I was more confident, energized and had an extra spark to me. After that, I was hooked by the genre. I watched this friend move back to NH and grow her business into a large, very successful boudoir studio empowering women; I knew I wanted to be involved in some way. This is when she encouraged me to start my own business with her guidance. I dove in and it was one of the best decisions of my life! I founded Atlantic Boudoir in 2019, a luxury boudoir photography experience designed to cater to all aspects of the self-love and self-acceptance journey. Since then, I’ve photographed over 300 women and couples.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The main struggle for me was building a business from the ground up while also working full-time at UNCW and being pregnant with our son. It meant working nights and weekends. However, when I think back on it, it hardly feels like a struggle because I was enjoying the learning aspect of it so much. I was incredibly fired up over the idea of finally owning my own business and working in a field that both allowed my creative side to flourish AND lift women up to be the best version of themselves.

That being said, the imposter syndrome I had (and still have) from completely changing my profession is real! I was almost starting from scratch – thank goodness for the expertise and guidance of my photographer mentor.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I specialize in intimate portraits (“boudoir”) for women and couples. I offer a comprehensive, personalized and luxury experience out of my studio in downtown Wilmington. I am most proud of how our experience ultimately has lasting positive effects on women’s self-image and confidence.

1. We provide a pre-session, in person consultation at our studio to become more comfortable with the process and provide our clients with the opportunity to try on anything they’d like from our extensive Client Wardrobe.
2. We provide prep emails, resources and even a Body Neutrality course and workbook leading up to their session to provide them with tools to work on their confidence and self-image.
3. Professional hair and makeup is included the morning of the session.
4. We have multiple gorgeous sets to choose from depending on the client’s style, including a black velvet couch, gold canopy bed, vintage bathtub, and more.
5. We offer an upgraded experience where our clients can add on a catered lunch delivered to the studio followed by a 1-hour massage with a professional therapist after their shoot.
6. Regardless of the upgraded session add-on, our clients see their best images the same afternoon in a private reveal and choose the ones they love/design their artwork with me the same day.

I am also super proud of my testimonials! I have several hundred “love notes” from past clients that truly help paint the picture of what a portrait session like this can do for women.

Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
My advice would be to hire a business coach as soon as you can! I wish I had had more guidance in setting up my business entity, etc. at the beginning so I could have been much more efficient and organized. I started as a sole proprietorship but very soon after switched to an LLC.

Also, don’t be afraid to make mistakes. Just get started doing the best you can and continue to improve. Finally, being authentic will always bring the best people to your business.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.atlanticboudoir.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/atlanticboudoir
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/atlanticboudoir
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@atlanticboudoir2342
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@atlanticboudoir