Boudoir Shoots Can Help Women Reconnect After Breast Cancer
At MUSE, we believe every woman deserves to feel seen. Not just photographed, but truly witnessed — with compassion, reverence, and care.
When you’ve been through breast cancer — or are still navigating that path — your body can feel like a battleground. You may not recognise it anymore. You may not trust it. But in the quiet and safety of a boudoir shoot, something remarkable can happen: you begin to reclaim the narrative. Not in defiance of what’s been lost, but in honour of what remains — your strength, your grace, your beauty, your essence. We know how a boudoir shoot can be healing during or after breast cancer.
***In Support of the Pink Wig March: Donating a Shoot for the Mermaid Centre***
This year, Kate is donating one Muse shoot in support of the Pink Wig March for the Mermaid Centre at the Royal Cornwall Hospital. She will be joining the march on August 8th after hearing how the Centre offers outstanding, compassionate care to women across Cornwall facing breast concerns, from initial screenings to specialist treatment and support. The donated boudoir shoot is for one woman undergoing treatment at the Mermaid Centre in Cornwall (Kate lives in Porthtowan). It doesn’t matter if you’re pre-treatment, mid-way through, or long into recovery. You can nominate yourself or anyone can be nominated by a partner, friend or family member.
Prize Shoot Nominations – Deadline is August 15th 2025
Please send nominations to kate@museboudoir.co.uk with the email subject heading being ‘Mermaid Centre Boudoir Shoot Nomination’. Please give Kate a little bit of insight into the story and reason behind the nomination and the best contact information. We reserve the right to award the prize a little earlier than the closing date if the right entry comes along – so don’t wait too long to nominate!
Kate was inspired to offer this because of her friendship with Gemma. They met when Gemma came for a shoot post-surgery. What started as a celebration of her recovery became something much deeper. She is now part of the MUSE team. A dear friend. A fellow creator. And someone who intimately understands what it means to stand in front of the camera when your body carries a story like this.
Here, Gemma shares a little of her journey of how boudoir helped restore confidence after breast cancer.
“When I was diagnosed with breast cancer, I felt lost. I felt my body had betrayed me and I was hurtling along a path I had no control over. Everyone’s cancer journey is different, but the treatment can often be gruelling, disfiguring and leave more than just physical scars. That was certainly the case for me and all the women I meet describe how the emotional recovery can take much longer than the physical one.
I felt that the cancer had eroded my sense of femininity, I felt vulnerable, like a stranger occupying a new body. I didn’t want my scars to define me and finding Kate was a truly transformative moment in my life. With her gentle and nurturing way, she allowed me to fall in love with this new version of me and rediscover what it means to be a woman. Many years later, I look back on that day and the beautiful images (below) that I still enjoy, as closure on a chapter of my life that, thanks to Kate, I have embraced as part of the person I am today.”
Questions You May Have
Is a boudoir shoot right for me if I’ve had surgery, chemo, or radiotherapy?
Yes — and you’re not expected to look or feel a certain way. Some women choose to celebrate a milestone, others simply want to feel something other than “unwell.” Whether you want to show your scars or not, the shoot is shaped entirely around you.
What if I don’t feel confident or ‘sexy’?
Most women don’t when they arrive — and that’s perfectly okay. This isn’t about posing or performance. It’s about being present in your body again. You’ll be gently guided and supported the whole way, with warmth and patience, not pressure. It’s less about trying to be something and more about reconnecting with who you are.
Should I wait until after surgery or treatment to book a shoot?
Not at all. There’s no right time — only the time that feels right for you. Some women choose to be photographed before surgery, to honour their body as it is now. Others wait until they feel ready — whether that’s during treatment, after recovery, or years down the line. Every journey is different, and whatever stage you’re at, you’ll be met with warmth, care, and respect.
Can someone come with me?
Yes. You’re welcome to bring a trusted friend, partner, or relative if it helps you feel more at ease. The shoot can be as quiet or as shared as you want it to be.
Will my images be private?
Always. Nothing is shared without your full and enthusiastic permission. The shoot is yours, and the images remain private — unless you choose to tell your story.
I’d love to gift this to someone I know. Is that possible?
Absolutely. Please reach out to us via the Contact Page. Whether you’d like to nominate someone for the donated shoot or simply gift a session yourself, we’re here to help you make it meaningful.
Boudoir isn’t about perfection. It’s about power — in all its quiet, complicated, beautiful forms. And sometimes, the most powerful thing you can do is allow yourself to be seen, exactly as you are.
If you or someone you love is walking the breast cancer path and would like to explore a shoot, we invite you to get in touch. The door is open. You’ll be met with care, respect, and a space to simply be.