An Inspired Chat with Miranda Strange of Phoenix Valley

We recently had the chance to connect with Miranda Strange and have shared our conversation below.

Miranda, really appreciate you sharing your stories and insights with us. The world would have so much more understanding and empathy if we all were a bit more open about our stories and how they have helped shaped our journey and worldview. Let’s jump in with a fun one: What do you think others are secretly struggling with—but never say?
Honestly? Confidence. I think so many people struggle with it, even the ones who look like they have it all together. Sometimes it’s faked really well—especially in the age of social media—or pushed down so deep that even they don’t realize how much it’s impacting their choices.

I’ve personally been there too. I spent years doubting myself, holding back, comparing, and stopping myself from going after what I really wanted because I didn’t feel good enough or like I deserved it. It wasn’t until I started really doing the work like doing things that scared me, taking risks in my business, and even getting in front of the camera myself—that I realized how life-changing confidence actually is.

It doesn’t just affect how you feel about your body or how you show up in photos, it affects every aspect of your life! Your relationships, how you speak up for yourself, the goals you go after, and how fully you experience life.

That’s one of the biggest reasons I do what I do with boudoir. I want women to stop waiting to feel confident before they do the thing, because confidence often comes from actually doing the thing. It’s something every single person deserves to experience, and it’s powerful when they finally do.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi, I’m Miranda, the heart behind Le Boudoir Studio. We’ve been photographing women for over 13 years now, but what I do goes far beyond taking beautiful photos. At its core, my work is about helping women see themselves, like really see themselves…in a way they may not have in years… or ever.

Boudoir can start as “just a photoshoot,” but what I’ve found is that it often becomes a turning point. It’s a chance to reconnect with their self-confidence, step outside of comfort zones, and reclaim how you feel in your own skin, no matter what outside voices tell you about it.

Lately, I’ve been diving even deeper into that transformation, like shifting my focus to not just creating stunning images, but guiding women through a full experience that builds self-worth from the inside out long before and after their shoot.

We are diving deeper into things like thoughtful pre-session prep to the relaxing in-studio vibe and even what happens after the shoot—I want this to be something that genuinely changes how you show up in your life.

We’re creating space for more than photos. We’re creating space for self-celebration, healing, boldness, and simple joy. And I can’t wait to keep expanding this work!

Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What relationship most shaped how you see yourself?
Ok, this might sound cheesy, but the relationship I’ve had with myself. It’s the truth! I was born with a cleft lip and palate, so from the time I was a child, there was this constant push and pull between how I looked on the outside and how I felt on the inside. Deep down, I’ve always had this big energy (I’m a Leo through and through) and I’ve always wanted to be SEEN for who I actually am, not just my appearance, and definitely not the quiet and awkward first impression.

It’s taken years of self-work, therapy, artistic expression and even helping other women see their beauty for me to start making peace with that divide. The relationship I’ve built with myself has been messy and evolving, but it’s shaped every part of my perspective, both personally and professionally. I truly believe self-growth is a lifelong journey, and having people around you who support and allow you to be your most authentic self is vital in actually wanting to do that kind of work.

It’s part of why I’m so passionate about what I do now. I know what it’s like to crave that feeling of being seen and accepted fully and I get to help other women start that process for themselves too.

If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
I’d tell her: It’s okay to be different. Your value isn’t in how you look, and trying to blend in definitely isn’t the answer, especially when you were clearly meant to stand out! Seriously, stop holding yourself back. Let that personality shine because it’s going to take you exactly where you’re meant to go. I promise that you’ll find your people, the ones who see YOU and love you for it. Just keep being true to yourself.

Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. Is the public version of you the real you?
Yes—what you see is what you get. As much as I sometimes wish I came across as this super polished, perfectly-worded, always-put-together version of a business owner… that’s just not me. The way I show up online is the same way I show up in person: a little over-excited, full of tangents, occasionally blanking mid-sentence, and definitely not perfect! I don’t expect perfection of my clients either, and I just try to show up as real as possible to help them feel comfortable and at ease.

But I care deeply. I put my heart into what I do, and I work really hard to create an incredible experience for every client. I might be a little “all over the place” with my energy and thought processes, but I’m also a real human—and that’s exactly what I want to bring into my business. Because at the end of the day, real connection comes from being real.

Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. Have you ever gotten what you wanted, and found it did not satisfy you?
Yes. Right out of college, I landed what I thought was my “dream job.” It was something I had literally put on a vision board years earlier—a full-circle moment. I had built it up so much in my mind, waited years to even apply because I didn’t think I was good enough or qualified enough. And when I finally did it—almost five years later—I got the job.

But within six months, I realized it wasn’t what I hoped it would be. It was such an important wake-up call. I had waited so long out of fear and self-doubt… only to get there and feel let down. That experience taught me not to wait for the “perfect” time to go after something. It doesn’t exist.

Be underqualified and do it anyway. Be scared and do it anyway. Because sometimes the thing you’ve built up the most ends up not being what you want—and you don’t want to spend years of your life holding back for something that may not even be meant for you. Life is short. Don’t waste time waiting.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.leboudoirstudio.com
• Instagram: @leboudoirstudio
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/leboudoirstudipvip
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/le-boudoir-studio-gilbert?osq=le+boudoir+studio&override_cta=Get+pricing
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@boudoirstudio

Image Credits
Le Boudoir Studio