Today we’d like to introduce you to Tkeyah Hamilton-Niamike.
Hi Tkeyah, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My journey into photography—and specifically boudoir—started from a deeply personal place. As a mom and a woman who spent years navigating body image struggles, I know what it feels like to look in the mirror and not fully recognize or celebrate the woman staring back. Photography began as a creative outlet, but it quickly became a calling when I realized I could help other women reclaim their confidence the same way I was learning to reclaim mine.
A huge turning point for me was when my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer. Watching her face such a life-altering diagnosis with strength and grace reminded me how precious our bodies truly are—no matter what they’ve been through. She was actually my first boudoir client. I photographed her before she started treatment, and that session became one of the most beautiful and emotional experiences of my life. It showed me just how sacred this work really is. That was when I knew boudoir wasn’t just about lingerie or poses—it was about legacy, healing, and self-celebration.
And now, as a mom of three, this work has taken on an even deeper meaning. I want my children—especially my daughters—to grow up seeing a version of womanhood that includes softness and strength, vulnerability and boldness. I want them to see what it looks like when a woman chooses to love herself fully, not just for how she looks, but for who she is.
Today, I run a private boudoir studio in Houston called Kaleidoskope Portraits by Keya, and I’ve built a community of women—mostly moms like me—who are learning to love themselves again, body and soul. I’ve also created a Facebook group that’s grown into this magical, supportive space where women lift each other up, share their real-life stories, and get inspired to step into their own power.
It hasn’t always been easy—but every piece of my journey has led me to this mission: helping women see themselves the way God sees them—worthy, radiant, and deeply loved.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Definitely not a smooth road—but I’ve learned that the most meaningful journeys rarely are. When I first started my business, I was juggling so much: motherhood, self-doubt, Covid-19, and trying to prove to myself that I was even allowed to take up space as a creative entrepreneur.
There were seasons where the bookings were slow, where I questioned if I was doing the right thing, or if people would really invest in something as vulnerable as boudoir. I also faced the internal struggle of showing up confidently while still healing my own relationship with my body. It’s one thing to empower other women—but doing that while still working through your own insecurities? That takes real inner work.
On the practical side, learning the ins and outs of marketing, boundaries, and building a sustainable business from scratch was a challenge. I didn’t have a roadmap—just a passion and a vision. But every bump in the road has shaped how I serve my clients today. I’ve learned how to honor both my own growth and theirs, and how to hold space for transformation—on both sides of the camera.
The struggles were real, but so were the breakthroughs. And I wouldn’t trade the journey for anything.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I specialize in creating safe, judgment-free spaces where women can show up exactly as they are and still feel radiant, powerful, and worthy. My work goes beyond just taking photos—it’s about helping women see themselves again, often for the first time in years. I’m known for being a hype woman, a safe space, and a spiritual sister-friend behind the camera. The experience I create is part celebration, part therapy, part rebirth.
What sets me apart is that I don’t just photograph bodies—I hold space for stories. Every stretch mark, scar, smile line, and curve carries something sacred. I also choose not to share client images publicly, which allows women to be vulnerable and fully present without worrying about who will see their photos. That privacy, that trust, that level of intention—it makes all the difference.
What I’m most proud of is the transformation I see in my clients. The woman who walked in unsure, nervous, maybe even disconnected from her body—she walks out glowing, standing taller, owning her beauty. And that ripple effect? It touches her relationships, her confidence, and how she shows up in the world. That’s what keeps me going.
I truly believe boudoir can be a form of healing, worship, and reclamation—and I’m honored to walk alongside women on that journey every single day.
What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
The most important lesson I’ve learned is that healing and confidence don’t come from perfection—they come from permission. Permission to show up as you are. Permission to take up space. Permission to evolve, to be messy, to be seen, and to be celebrated even in the in-between.
In both my personal and business journey, I had to stop waiting to “arrive” at some perfect version of myself before stepping forward. The magic really started happening when I embraced the idea that I was worthy right now—not 10 pounds from now, not after I hit a certain milestone, but in the exact moment I chose to believe it.
A scripture that has grounded me in that truth is Psalm 139:14 — “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” That verse is a constant reminder that I was never meant to shrink or hide. I was created intentionally, beautifully, and with purpose—and so was every woman I photograph.
That’s the energy I bring into every boudoir session. Because when a woman gives herself permission to be fully seen and loved—just as she is—that’s where the real transformation begins.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Kaleidoskopeportraits.com
- Instagram: https://Instagram.com/kaleidoskope_bykeya
- Other: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1ABEgNBPMj/?mibextid=wwXIfr
Image Credits
Kaleidoskope Portraits By Keya
