so, it's clear that i stopped blogging for a while. a lot has changed and based on my website analytics there are thousands of new people that come to my site these days; to say that i am honored that so many come to this space is the understatement of the century!
so what's been going on with me and REBEL these last few years? well, i found a beautiful, massive studio space in midtown atlanta that is incredible and so accommodating. i've been fortunate enough to be using this space for the last couple years now AND i officially opened up a branch of REBEL BOUDOIR in kansas city, missouri!!! while my studio here is being constructed, i am shooting in an industrial style rental studio in the west bottoms, kansas city. i am hoping that i can share some studio updates with you here which would be a great way to journal the progress and all the amazing transformations that happen.
the last few years, hundreds of women have come to me from all over the country to have their sessions and some of them coming for their second, third, and fourth time even!!! (wow!) when i tell you that i am so blessed- i feel it deep in my heart, truly.
in my personal life, i moved to kansas city and my fiancé, casey (WHAT?!) and i bought a house together in a suburb called independence. in november of 2024, i met up with him in northern ireland for a couple days just after he finished a tour with a band and he proposed! I AM STILL IN SHOCK! we are slowly planning a very intimate wedding back in northern ireland for next may and i am very much in the i-can't-believe-this-is-real-life-and-not-a-fairytale mindset. lol
in case you were interested, here are some photos of that day!
what else? OH! after like a million years and blood, sweat, tears, engine failures, in-flight emergencies, AND switching airplanes last minute - i finally got my pilot's license! my airplane is just fine now after lots of repairs and i'm back to flying him, but it was an interesting journey none the less. next up is another rating which will allow me to fly in the clouds. :)
other than working a ton on building up a new branch in kansas city from the ground up and maintaining the growth of the atlanta market that i dedicated almost a decade to i am just hustling to make this small business thrive coast-to-coast.
i've completely revamped and created a one of a kind editing style that is all mine, custom made which allows me to have a unique, recognizable high quality photography style but also allows for more inclusivity and representation with a wide range of skin tones which is so important to me and the women that see me.
all of my trademarks have officially been certified and published with the USTPO which was a BIG win and a couple years in the making (they really make you fight for it! lol)
and i've had the honor of not only being published in quite a few boudoir publications but i've been recognized as a "best of georgia" small business several years running now!
honestly, i never thought that i would be able to continue to have boudoir as my sole form of income for so long- especially after covid 19, but persistence really is key. and i've never believed in something so much and what rebel stands for and what it gives women.
i think moving forward, i'd like to use this space to open up a bit more about me, the inner workings of rebel, and maybe even some more things that i bring this side of photography. being in such a niche field can be a challenge just as being a one-woman run business owner. who knows- maybe i will be able to share some sessions here!
i hope those who stick around to read find some insight into the person behind the brand and camera. i'm happy you're here and i'm damn happy to be able to share this with you!
xoxo
-jilian