Storyville Social Interview

Recently, I had the honor of sitting down with Storyville Social to talk all things boudoir, confidence, and self-love—and let me tell you, this conversation was everything. We dove into what boudoir really means (hint: it’s not just about pretty pictures), the magic that happens in my studio, and why every single person deserves to feel powerful in their own skin.

In the interview, I shared the heart behind Arielle Roth Boudoir, the incredible transformations I witness, and why I keep my studio a safe, inclusive space for all. Whether you’ve been considering a session or just need a reminder of how amazing you are, this one’s for you.

With so many different areas of photography, what drew you to boudoir?

I’m an abuse survivor, and my journey with that started when I was a kid. I’ve been through addiction too, beginning at 16, which was a huge part of my life for a long time. My first experience with sexual abuse happened in my teen years too. For years, I had no clue who I was or what I wanted. I wasn’t allowed to be me. I spent my life just trying to stay safe, adapting to what others wanted, and learning to disconnect from myself and my body because I was just living to survive.

When I left my abusive relationship at 23, I finally had the space to start figuring out who I was, but it wasn’t easy. I was in heavy, active addiction, still seeing my worth tied to my body. And for so long, I thought that was who I was. I didn’t know who I was beyond that or outside of my addiction.

But over the past 10 years, I’ve worked hard to get to know myself again. And the past almost four years of being sober have been a whole new chapter, learning who I am all over again.

When it comes to photography, it’s not about picking a niche – it’s just what I do. I’m an artist. I paint, I draw, I work with clay, I write. Photography is just one of the many ways I express myself – it’s a skillset that I happen to have, that also allows me to help others. Boudoir, though, it’s so much more. It’s a way for me to help women find themselves, to heal, to feel better about who they are. It’s a space I create, one that I wish I had. I want to be there for women the way I needed someone when I was lost in all of that.

Boudoir is more than just taking photos. It’s about the conversations we have in the studio, the relationships we build. It’s the safe space I create, where women can reclaim their power and beauty. I don’t shoot for the male gaze – I shoot for the woman looking at herself, so she can see everything I see in her: her strength, her beauty, her worth. I want every woman to walk out of my studio feeling like they can conquer the world. Because that’s what I wish someone had told me about myself all those years – the things that weren’t about my body, but the person I was.

At the end of the day, it’s not just about the photos. It’s about giving women the space to heal, to rediscover who they are, and to feel seen for who they really are. That’s my purpose.

What was your first shoot like? What are some key parts of how you do a photoshoot now?

I’ve actually been re-editing some old photos recently, and it’s been wild to see how much I’ve grown. Looking back at my earlier work, it’s clear how much I’ve changed – especially in how I pose. The difference is crazy. When I was just starting out as a photographer, I didn’t understand the client experience as deeply as I do now. Back then, I was more focused on the technical side, but now I really focus on the entire experience, both before and after the shoot.

Now, I start connecting with clients a month in advance, sending them tips, an extensive prep guide, and a questionnaire that helps me learn their likes and dislikes. I also create a private Pinterest board just for them, where they can share their inspirations and ideas. I offer try-on consultations so they can feel confident about their outfit choices, and they have direct access to me whenever they need it. I want to make sure they have everything they need to feel comfortable and get exactly what they want out of their shoot. That’s probably the biggest change – the level of attention and care I put into the client experience.

I’ve also been doing reveal appointments for the past two and a half years, and they’ve completely changed how my clients experience their photos. Instead of just sending them a gallery to look at on their phone, they come back to see their full album on a large screen. It’s a whole different experience. Seeing the photos in a safe, supportive environment with me, instead of alone or with a partner, really shifts the way they see themselves. It allows them to see the whole picture, rather than nit-picking every little detail.

I want the photos to be a part of the experience, but not the only part. The whole journey – from the first email to the reveal – is meant to empower my clients, help them feel confident, and show them how beautiful and strong they are. The photos are just one piece of that transformation.

You talk a lot about boudoir and it's ability to improve women's perceptions of themselves - what do you think are the reasons it's able to do this?

As humans, we’re constantly surrounded by these images of “perfect” bodies – especially with social media and porn making them so much more accessible. It’s easy to get caught up in comparing ourselves to the models we see online, to the people our partners might be attracted to or lust over, over us, and even to the characters we watch on TV. A lot of my past abuse, especially in relationships, ties back to porn and infidelity, building on those insecurities we have around beauty and lust. We watch our partners interact with or choose others, and all that comparison just feeds into our insecurities. We nitpick our bodies, focusing on everything we think is “wrong” or that doesn’t measure up.

But boudoir, it changes all that. It gives the women I work with a chance to see their bodies as a whole. Not just the parts they don’t like, but everything together. It’s an opportunity to embrace the full picture – the way their bodies tell their story, with all its imperfections and beauty wrapped up in one.

The reality is, most of us aren’t models, and a lot of us struggle with self-consciousness. We don’t always love how we look, and that affects our confidence. That’s why boudoir is so much more than just photos. It’s an entire experience that pushes you out of your comfort zone. It’s about doing something you never thought you’d do – letting someone else see you, half or fully naked, showing them your most vulnerable self. That alone is a powerful act.

Just stepping into that shoot is you showing yourself that you can take a chance, that you’re stronger than you think. It’s about proving to yourself that you can be brave. And as you go through that experience, your confidence builds. When you finally see your photos, you don’t just see an image – you see yourself in a new light. You see the whole, beautiful, strong woman that you are, and that changes everything. It shifts your perception of yourself, and that’s when the magic happens.

Why is improving the image we have of ourselves and the relationship with our bodies important? How does this affect our lives outside of "a couple of pictures?"

Our bodies do so much for us beyond just how they look. For so much of my life, I hated my “polish calves” – I thought they were too thick. But you know what? Those strong calves have carried me through over 50 solo hikes. They’ve allowed me to explore places and find strength in myself that I never expected. I used to hate my large hands growing up, but now I appreciate them for the fact that they help me hold my camera and capture moments through photography.

We’re allowed to dislike certain parts of ourselves, and it’s okay to want to change them, but there’s something so powerful about shifting the way we see ourselves. It’s about appreciating what our bodies do, not just focusing on how they look. Everything works together – the parts we like and the parts we’re still learning to love. And it’s so important to appreciate where we are right now. Things can change, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t be thankful for the body we have in this moment. If we’re always focused on what needs to change, we’ll miss out on the beauty of the present.

This is what boudoir photos can do – they give us the chance to see ourselves as a whole. It’s not just about capturing an image, it’s about taking a moment to appreciate everything our bodies do for us. It’s about being grateful for where we are, right now. And when we can focus on that gratitude, we start to see our bodies not just for their appearance, but for their strength, their purpose, and how they carry us through life.