A strong believer that women should be proud of their bodies, a Perth mum-of-four started a boudoir photography business to spread body positivity.
Robyn Allan remembers seeing negative comments on social media about women who are comfortable in their own bodies over lockdown.
The comments, from both men and women, really wound her up.
She set out on a mission to change people’s mindsets and set up Robyn’s Boudoir Photography two years ago.
“I wanted to make a stand. Women don’t stop being sexy or wanting to look good because they become mothers,” she says.
“Life doesn’t cease if you become a wife or get divorced.
“I thought I was going to struggle to find ladies that wanted to do this, and I couldn’t have been more wrong.”
Business start in bedroom
The photographer started running her business from her bedroom on Oakbank Road.
As her services grew more popular, her room became so full of equipment she slept in her daughter’s room for months.
Over Christmas last year, a small business grant allowed her to build a separate studio in her garden.
“Thank goodness I did, because I can’t imagine the amount of people that I’m seeing now in my bedroom,” she laughs.
“We get clients from London, Newcastle, the Highlands and Isle of Wight. People travel from all over from all over the country because they want to have these pictures taken.”
Her garden studio features a boudoir bedroom setup, a bath prop and a basic studio.
Next on her wish list is a shower setup and a Harley-Davidson prop.
As well as boudoir photography, she offers family and wedding shoots, and a free dog shoot at home if the dog is nearing the end of its life.
A family affair
Originally a dental nurse, Robyn travelled across the world learning photography and customer service.
While the experiences meant she had the skills to start her current business, furlough made her realise she needed a change.
“I had worked constantly since all of my children had been born, the first 12 years ago,” she says.
“Working is in my nature, however, furlough made me realise I don’t need to work all the hours under the sun for somebody else.
“I wanted to be more at home with my children and to be my own boss.”
Robyn’s four children, aged between 12 and eight, appreciate having her around and often help out with clients.
On the weekends they’ll offer customers cups of tea or bagels, and clients often bring treats for the kids and the family’s three dogs.
Robyn’s Boudoir Photography ‘doing exceptionally well’
Working from home means the photographer is noticing energy prices rising. Her bills have gone from £200 to £1,000 per month.
Robyn says: “I recently renovated a unit outside one year after renovating my first one, and the prices of the material and joiner work is almost double.
“People are also spending their money wiser and I’m definitely a luxury, so the cost has been a massive concern.
“But my business is doing exceptionally well, though I’m mindful that a lot of other local businesses are not. It feels like a bittersweet situation.”
With around 20 customers a week, the photographer has hired an admin assistant and make-up artist to keep up with demand.
As clients travel from far and wide, Robyn brings tourists in to Perth while spreading the message of body positivity.
She says: “I thought it was going to be a much harder task than it has been.
“It simply does not matter what you look like. It has no bearings on anything in life and the quicker people realise that and start to love themselves better, the happier people will be.
“I’m very grateful I’ve reached this far and doing well, the world is my oyster at the moment.”
Conversation