This breathtaking session took place last year, in October 2021. I know, I know. I can’t believe I haven’t posted it yet either!

As the first cold breezes flew through New York, my makeup artist and I arrived at our gorgeous Airbnb to begin the first of many boudoir sessions.

In my client’s words, “I’ve been speaking with Rebecca for years now trying to work with her. Splitting time between Israel and the US, conflicting schedules, and of course, Covid, we were finally able to make it work. This was years in the making!”

When my client, also Rebecca, walked into the Airbnb for her boudoir session, she lit up the room. After all this time, I could not wait to photograph her.

Through the pre-session process, I had the chance to get to know Rebecca more and help guide her through the physical and emotional preparations. I remember her telling me about her journey, sharing her feelings about her body, and giving me all the details of her stunning tattoos. Her coaching call gave us the opportunity to have a collaborative vision for her experience and the art we wanted to create together.

Afterward, she said, “This was the most intimate and personal set I have ever done in my life. Rebecca made everything so personal and important in all the best, happy, and healing ways. She makes you look within and asks the questions you are afraid to answer. I felt so much lighter and empowered after talking with her and spending time with her makeup artist, Rhonda.

Film photography has always been my favorite and most personal because of my late Aunt, so I’m not surprised that seeing the developed rolls, I feel at peace. I loved every second of this experience.

I feel at peace. I hope everyone can find that.”

The session really flowed so beautifully and naturally, and I see how that energy came through in the portraits…

I love traveling to new places and having different backdrops for the sessions. Even through the window, you know I’m not in Israel anymore!

Her eyes and the connection shots just totally blow me away.

When Rebecca saw this picture for the first time, she said, “This is the one photo I would want to represent me for the rest of my life. My jaw is on the floor. I can’t believe it.”

I’m so grateful for the opportunity to have photographed you, Rebecca. Thank you for trusting me with these intimate and vulnerable moments on your journey.

For those of you who are in the U.S. and want to have this unique experience, there are still some openings left for the first week of May 2023 in New York. Feel free to e-mail me at rebecca@rebeccasigala.com to explore the possibilities together. xoxo

Follow my incredible client, Rebecca, on her Instagram page. @embersofbecca

Makeup and Hair by Rhonda Lev

On a calm, beautiful morning in my studio, I drank my morning coffee and awaited Rachel's arrival from Netanya for her very first boudoir experience. When she walked in the door and sat down for her and makeup, I felt like I was hanging out with an old friend. It probably helped that we had a lot of friends and colleagues in common!

During her consultation and now, after her full experience, Rachel so beautifully expressed her reasons for wanting to do a boudoir session at this time in her young adult life.

“I came to my boudoir session hoping to see myself through a new lens. Intellectually, I know I’m beautiful. But I’ve never understood what it meant to feel sexy. That’s part of what brought me to my session-to be able to see myself in that light, even if just through photos.”

— Rachel

Rhonda and I were so excited that she wanted a dramatic look. With boudoir sessions, people generally tend to stay on the natural side with their makeup and hair looks, so it was fun to do something different this time. As her makeup was being applied, there was an inner light that began to glow and her classically beautiful features were shining through even more.

“I gave Rachel a look that had a smokey, sexy feel intertwined with inspiration from the 1930’s classic beauty trends. It just suited her features, personality and wardrobe perfectly.”

— Rhonda Lev

During the moments leading up to the session, Rachel felt beautiful in her own skin.

“I experienced not just seeing myself as sexy, but I actually felt pretty. I felt beautiful. Not because I was made up. Not because I was the subject of a photo shoot. But just because I was coming to a place as myself and for the first time really saw all of my features: my eyes, my cheek bones, my skin, my lips. And that was all before the photography even started! Just looking in the mirror in Rebecca’s living room was transformative in and of itself.”

“In the days leading up to the shoot, I was pretty nervous. I had made my appointment in a moment of bold decisiveness. One which didn’t last all that long!

I didn’t want to backtrack on it, but I didn’t feel as confident as I had when I decided to do the shoot.

After I arrived at Rebecca’s studio and got my makeup done, I felt more comfortable and was ready to have a great time.

Off came the clothes and in came the self conscious voice. What if the angles aren’t flattering, I thought. Or what if actually my body is just...ugh? And the voice wouldn’t stop!”

“At a certain point, I can’t remember if it’s when I noticed the beauty of the light radiating through the curtains, or maybe getting lost in a melody of the background music, I tapped into my inner self and realized the negative voice from earlier wasn’t me.”

I had such an amazing time photographing Rachel and getting "lost" with her as we navigated through her boudoir experience. I always say this, but I can't tell you enough what an honor and privilege it is to be allowed into the intimate worlds of my clients. This session was just another testament to why I do what I do every day.

Hair and Makeup by Rhonda Lev