Today we’d like to introduce you to Olesha Haskett.
Olesha, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I started my company out of a necessity to understand the woman I was at 30. I had to reinvent myself after a divorce from my college sweetheart. I decided to actually use my degree in fine arts and just focus on boudoir photography. In 2018 I chose to focus on boudoir of Black women. I realized that many of my fellow boudoir photographers were focused on inclusivity and diversity on body positivity, but not on diversity in race. I saw a problem and decided to do something about it for my fellow sisters.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
I continue to have naysayers because I cater exclusively to Black women. Naysayers who say Black women will not pay for this type of photography and that I should photograph all women. Facebook locking me out for days at a time because of community standards. I was blocked on Facebook because of an image of a Black queer couple embracing on a bed fully clothed.
I am slowly doing my part to open up the mind of Black women. I want Black women to embrace and find power in their sexuality. I started to do this by planning international trips. The first one was going to be in Tulum, Mexico in April. I had to cancel the sold-out trip and I am currently working on trying to get refunds from vendors. That was hard because I was so excited and I even had sponsors for the trip. I have another planned for July of this year. I am hoping I will not have to cancel this trip as well.
Please tell us about OhExperience Boudoir Photography.
My company empowers Black women to define their version of self-care, sexy, and divine femininity. I am a traveling boudoir photography who curates boudoir experiences in my studio and abroad. I am known for photographing Black women in a way that allows them to feel empowered, beautiful and damn sexy! I am most proud of the feedback I receive on my images from women who finally see themselves in my clients.
I am also proud that I am hosting an all-inclusive trip to Jamaica in July. I did have a sold-out trip to Tulum for April, but because of the pandemic, it was canceled. I am also proud of the platform I built for other Black boudoir photographers, Boudoir For Black Women. I showcase Black boudoir photographers from all over the world. What sets me apart is I cater exclusively to Black women.
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
If I had to start over, I would have started this journey sooner. That is honestly it because I saw a need and ignored it. I would have asked for help and followed through with receiving it.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.ohexperience.com
- Email: olesha@ohexperience.com
- Instagram: ohexperience
- Twitter: oh_experience
Image Credit:
Kea Dupree Photography (for my headshot)
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