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My name is Heather Sansanelli, the artist behind of Royal Lune Photo and the creator of Royal Lune Studio. I specialize in artistic boudoir and portrait photography in North Texas. Pre-Raphaelite paintings, nature, and mythology are what inspire me most.
My brand centers on inclusivity, empowerment, and creating a safe space for all humans. Growing up, I did not always have a healthy view of my body or feel safe - and as a neurodivergent human, I often felt like I didn't fit in with my peers. Boudoir photography became my passion, not only because I love helping others feel beautiful, but because it reminds me to continue to love myself, too. Society, unfortunately, has warped many of our beliefs concerning our bodies and self-worth. My hope is to empower you through art, just as art has empowered me.
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Royal Lune Photo
boudoir photographer in Denton, TX
I have a B.A in Humanities and I am "one of those people" who really loved school and learning. With that being said, I enjoy learning about different world views, discussing philosophy, and exploring the human experience. I thrive participating in deep conversations and I love getting to know my clients. Being a classic introvert (INFJ), my ideal evening is on my screened in porch with a hot cup of tea, a book, and a cat on my lap.
While I may be an introvert, I am also a Gemini. So, I am quite the yapper and I am always down for an adventure. You could say I'd be the first to kayak with the Orcas, explore a dark cave, or take a risk for "the shot". In fact, I have fallen down a waterfall trying to get "the shot". So you know, you could say I'm dedicated to my craft.
Most days I occupy my time playing cozy video games, reading fantasy books, thrifting for vintage treasures, hiking in nature, taking photos (duh), and spending time with my loved ones (mostly my cats).
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fine art boudoir photographer
Empowerment through Art
I was one of those girls that hit puberty very young, which meant I, unfortunately, was hyper-sexualized as early as elementary school (ah, the female experience). I vividly remember people, including adults, were always making comments about my developing breast size and the boys on the school bus constantly harassed me. As you can imagine, this made me very fearful and ashamed of my body at a very early age. Combining those experiences with being neurodivergent (having a general discomfort for being perceived and prolonged "child-like" traits), left me feeling especially aware of the "shell" I called my body.
There were many years I dressed hyper modestly in order to avoid any sort of unwanted attention. Clothes weren't a means of self-expression, they were the method I used to hide. Social situations felt unbearable and being the subject of any attention was panic inducing. I spent most of my early years feeling ashamed about myself and my body. It was not until I began exploring boudoir that my feelings about my own body and self worth began to change.
Art has a powerful effect on how we perceive reality and photography is no exception. When I first experienced my own boudoir photos, it was the first time I did not feel like I needed to hide myself. I remember thinking, "I look like a painting. In fact, artists want to paint bodies like mine." My whole perception of myself began to change and I no longer felt ashamed of my curves. There is power in having space to freely exist in your own body, without judgement or expectation. It has since become my passion to help others embrace their own unique beauty through photography. Art has, and always will be, an act of rebellion. As Ossie Davis said, "Any form of art is a form of power; it has impact, it can affect change - it can not only move us, it makes us move."
*Images taken by @biancablack_
Freyja
Muninn
clive
Muninn, named after one of Odin's ravens, is my most recent rescue. I consider him to be my "oops" child, because I had no intention of adopting a third cat. Before becoming a full-time photographer, I worked in the veterinary industry. Muninn was dumped at a clinic I was working at when he was barely a few weeks old. I couldn't help myself and brought him home. He molded into my dynamic really quick and quickly became Clive's shadow. He is still young and full of mischief. He loves pouncing on his siblings (to Freyja's dismay) and sleeping on his back with all his paws up in the air.
If you made it to the end, I commend you for reading a full on paragraph about my cats. I'm pretty sure my cats about me is longer than my own, but that probably gives you a better idea of who I am.
Meet my three fur children! Yes, I am THAT person that it obsessed with their cats. They are all over my social media and I honestly cannot take enough photos of them. All three are rescues, but came into my life at separate times. Clive is the oldest and is a Norwegian Forest Cat. I rescued him at 12 weeks old when I was in college back in 2013. He is super affectionate and dog like. He loves pillows and is often referred to as "the pillow prince".
Freyja is my middle child. When I first adopted Clive, I had my childhood senior cat living with me. Sadly, he passed away when Clive was around two and I knew I'd need a companion for Clive. I went to the Humane Society of North Texas with the intention to get a male cat who could keep up with Clive (he is over 16 pounds with a ton of energy). Instead, I fell in love with this tortie princess. She is the most innocent and sweet soul you will ever meet. I mean, just look at that face. Not a bad bone in that little body.
Meet my three feline children! If it weren't obvious, I am very much a cat lady. It felt wrong to create an "about me" page without including them because they are a large part of my life.
All three are rescues (adopt don't shop), but came into my life at separate times. Clive is the oldest and is a Norwegian Forest Cat. I rescued him as a kitten when I was in college back in 2013. He is super affectionate with typical "orange cat behavior". He loves pillows and is often referred to as "the pillow prince". He might be a senior citizen, but he definitely does not act like one.