OUR JOURNEY INTO BOUDOIR PHOTOGRAPHY

In 2002 Leigh and Zena decided they wanted to have their own photography studio...so they built a two storey extension to their home! They did absolutely everything - they dug the foundations, laid the bricks, put on the roof (despite Leigh's fear of heights!) and designed and built the curved walls in the studio (it's easy once you get the hang of it). At first they used the studio for commercial shoots and makeover portraits until in 2004 a makeover client asked if she could do some boudoir-style shots. Leigh and Zena designed their first boudoir studio set and Mighty Aphrodite was born. The studio got so busy that Leigh and Zena decided to completely customise it for boudoir portraits. They designed several studio sets so that clients could have a choice of different styles.

A REPUTATION FOR QUALITY

Mighty Aphrodite's reputation for boudoir portraits of the highest quality for women & couples meant that by 2007 they were fully booked and turning clients away, so they needed to expand the team. Sam came on board in August 2007 as Retoucher Extraordinaire meaning that Leigh & Zena had more time to concentrate on shooting.

In 2008, Leigh qualified as a Licentiate of the British Institute of Professional Photography. He had to undergo an interview and have a panel of twenty pictures judged by eight Fellows of the Institute - very scary, but he passed with distinction.

FAME AT LAST

Leigh & Zena were approached to shoot content for the 2013 Ann Summers Calendar. This lead to them shooting the calendar for 2014 and 2015 too.

In 2013 Mighty Aphrodite we re asked to help create a video to be shown at the launch of the 2014 Pirelli Calendar. The calendar was to feature images by Helmut Newton and the producers of the video felt that our photography encapsulated Newton's style and lighting so wanted to film it in our studio with Leigh directing. See the story and video of our 2014 Pirelli Calendar Shoot. The production company then came back to us to help film for the 2015 calendar too - see our BTS shots. Then in 2016 Leigh was flown to Berlin to help to film photographer Peter Lindbergh photographing oscar winner Alicia Vikander for the 2017 Pirelli Calendar.

RELOCATION, RELOCATION, RELOCATION

In 2020 Leigh & Zena made the life-changing decision to move to the countryside, aiming for a more relaxed pace of life. They soon found the perfect spot in Mid West Wales. A converted barn high on a hill with stunning views, space for a bigger studio and with two gorgeous holiday cottages on-site too. With most clients travelling over 50 miles to come for a shoot or workshop, it made sense to be able to provide accommodation. And the surrounding area is stunning with beaches, forests, mountains and lakes all within easy reach. See more about their Cosy Holiday Cottages in Mid Wales.

PIONEERS OF BOUDOIR

Mighty Aphrodite is the longest running UK studio to specialise in boudoir shoots for individuals and couples. Over the last few years the studio has been busier than ever with clients travelling from places as far-flung as Hong Kong, South Africa, Dubai, Bermuda, Canada, The USA, Russia, Australia and St. Helena (!) to sample the Mighty Aphrodite magic. With the popularity of boudoir photography still growing, Mighty Aphrodite are proud to have been one of the pioneers of this confidence-boosting, life-changing industry. Leigh now runs a Boudoir Photography Tutorial site with videos, hints and tips and also offers in-person Photography Workshops at his studio in Wales. See Leigh, Zena & Sam in action in the Boudoir Video Shoot from their old studio in Reading.