Portland Boudoir Photographer - Meet Malina!

I think it’s about that time when I come around and make a yearly post introducing myself! A lot happens in a year, and I’m constantly growing and changing (luckily, for the better, I think.) So here’s me, your boudoir photographer, friend, and self-love enthusiast.

The Intro

I’m Malina! Aside from photography, I think my next biggest form of self expression is through my hair, so you will see it in different stages of natural, blonde, split dye, and all over pink. The first thing I did when I quit my “day job” was to dye my hair bright, cotton candy pink. I’m a Washingtonian, but after countless “Vancouver, Canada?” I just round myself to Portland for the sake of business.

I’ve been an artist ever since I can remember, drawing, painting, collage-making, embroidery, print-making, you name it, I’ve probably tried it at some point. I didn’t really discover photography as a medium until freshman year of high school, and immediately I was drawn to portraiture and creating images of people. Once I found out that you could do photography as a job, I researched wedding photographers and that became my first, tangible, dream career. I had my eyes set and nothing was going to stop me.

I ended up going to Northwest College of Art and Design (the only college I applied for!) pursuing wedding & portrait photography. I have a tendency of being so laser-focused that I won’t consider other avenues, something I’m working on now. One of my friends in the photography program was interested in boudoir, and I would model for her frequently, but always said “boudoir just isn’t for me, I would never do it, I’m a wedding photographer.”

Smash cut to 2020, 3 years post-grad, and I’m going full time into photography and leaning more and more into my new-found love of intimate portraits and boudoir! It’s so funny how things that are meant for you will always find a way. I resisted, I fought it, I convinced myself if I was going to be a photographer it would only be for weddings. Now I take less than 5 weddings per year (if any!) and I’m primarily in my boudoir studio feeling so creative and fulfilled.

Boudoir Photography

So, how did I end up photographing boudoir anyway? Despite my avoidance, my friend had approached me and asked if it was something I would consider doing with her — she wanted to try it, and was already comfortable with me. I didn’t really have a reason not to, so I agreed. That photoshoot was what really sparked the curiosity in me, I’ve always loved solo portraiture; it was an itch that hadn’t been scratched in a while. It was powerful, feminine, soft, and I was hooked. Since then my work has evolved, and so has my purpose and drive behind boudoir.

I’m entering this creative era of softness, of movement, and creating with a key question for my clients: “How do you want to see yourself in these images?” Is it bold? Is it sexy? Untouchable goddess? Whatever it is, I want it to be for YOU. I’m in the business of creating art that embodies your divine feminine energy, whatever that means for you. And the best part is, we get to figure it out together.

I love being a place for women to retreat and find themselves, and have tangible artwork to take home as a visual representation of that experience.

Self Portraiture

2023 has been a big year of me being in front of the camera. Whether it’s modeling for other photographers or self portraits in my studio, I’m seeing myself in photographs more than I probably ever have. And what a priceless thing it’s been for my self-image, my confidence on and off camera, and how I approach having my photo taken.

There is something to be said about the repetition of showing up on camera. Some of these photos you see I was feeling great going in, I was feeling inspired and excited about creating new images with myself. Others you see, I felt insecure, uninspired, like I was going through the motions since I did all the prep work so I might as well do it anyway. But in every photo, you see me showing up for me. And every time I’d surprise myself with, at the very least, one photo that really wowed me.

Seeing myself at different angles and lighting and poses, self portraits have almost turned into a study of my own image. In some ways, seeing the things I feel insecure about over and over again in otherwise beautiful photos, starts to minimize them, or even better normalize them in my brain. For example, I’ve always been insecure about my nose. I hated my profile, and did everything in my power to ever been photographed from the side. As I’ve gotten older and embarked on the journey of feeling body neutral, seeing my nose time and again in profile has gotten easier. No, it’s still not my favorite thing about my face, but it doesn’t ruin an entire photo for me anymore. I can look at it, acknowledge that that’s how my nose looks from the side, and continue on. I don’t think this could’ve happened without seeing myself in photographs — we all know looking at ourselves in the mirror is just not the same. I’m so grateful I have the tools to do this for myself, as well as share that with other women to help them achieve some neutrality too.

Being vulnerable in front of others is pretty intimidating, but I love getting to share a little about me and why I’m doing this wonderful magic thing called boudoir. If you’re ready to be the star of your own photoshoot, and celebrate where you are in your journey, I’d love to work together. You can click the button below to connect with me, I can’t wait to chat with you!