Most people would shy away from anything perceived as controversial, but the curve model and corporate exec Katya Karlova is not like most people. Rather than hiding her mental health and body image issues, she’s chosen to confront them head-on with a provocative project: sexy boudoir photography.

As a curvier woman in the modeling industry, she’s all too familiar with the pressure to conform to society’s beauty standards. But instead of succumbing to the stress, she’s using her platform to fight back. Through her sexy boudoir photoshoots, Karlova challenges the toxic body image messages that permeate our culture.

While some people may see her photos as simply another form of exploitation, she sees them as a form of self-love and empowerment. The result is beautiful, inspiring, and helpful for others struggling with similar issues.

Katya made her life’s mission to empower women of all ages to accept themselves for who they are. She believes the key to finding inner peace and true beauty lies in each person’s self-worth and self-awareness. “I grew up thinking that I wasn’t as pretty as other girls. I would look at myself in the mirror and hate what I saw,” says Katya. “Now that boudoir photography helped me improve my mental health and heal my wounds. I want to offer support to all other people.”

Katya Karlova is a multi-talented force to be reckoned with. Born in Moldova and raised in the United States, this model, businesswoman, and mental health advocate has used her expansive life experiences and diverse cultural perspective to positively change both sides of the ocean. Her undeniable charisma and contagious enthusiasm fuel her passion for championing social causes, and she uses this enthusiasm to encourage and support others as they work towards their own goals.

While Katya was getting her bachelor’s degree at UCLA and her master’s degree at the University of London, she researched human trafficking. She wrote her undergraduate and graduate thesis on the subject — specifically focusing on Eastern Europe and Moldova. It was a theme too close to home, and she wanted to shed more light on the problem plaguing Eastern European society.

However, as Katya was fighting for other people, carrying their burdens, she neglected hers. Professionally, Katya is a talent executive and leadership expert, so she helps people define their professional success stories, find new jobs, and become better leaders. However, she had neglected to focus on defining her own success story. She had been struggling with mental health and body image issues for years. After all, she was from Eastern Europe, the land of many supermodels. In their culture, anything above size four is considered too big, and Katya faced constant body criticism.

Often those with body dysmorphia can have feelings of anxiety, depression, OCD, etc.). In Katya’s case, she developed a “Type A Overachiever” personality – she couldn’t have the perfect body. Still, she could have excellent grades and invest in many activities.

“Another unhelpful thing for teenage me was the ’00s low-rise jeans and almost-heroin-chic look that you had to be born with,” says Katya. “It took me many, many years to realize that the biggest root of so many of my mental health issues was my perception of my body image. And when I started doing boudoir photos, everything changed. I learned how to love myself and my body.”

She has faced harsh criticism for her unique approach to mental health, but she stands strong and proud of it. Her methods are unorthodox but effective; with an unwavering determination, she hopes to spread awareness of proactive solutions that can tackle these complex problems head-on.

As Katya explains, boudoir photography is an underrated art form, and she wants to change that. Believing that women of all shapes and sizes deserve to feel beautiful and empowered in their skin, she leads by example – stepping in front of the camera and showing all her perfect imperfections. She captures natural lighting, authentic poses, and genuine emotion while teaching her followers how to love themselves in a way they never thought possible. A unique journey of self-discovery that can boost confidence, positivity, and appreciation for their bodies – no matter their size or shape!

Katya Karlova is an inspiring example who puts her knowledge, skills, and resources to good use daily by making a difference in the world. Finding something that brings her so much joy drives Katya to create beautiful imagery that makes her and her followers feel confident, empowered, and radiant. And the results are nothing short of glorious. It’s a bold and controversial approach, but it’s helping Katya open up about her journey while empowering other women to love their bodies just as they are. Love yourself first — it’s a message we can all get behind.