Boudoir Photography: It’s Not What You Think It Is

Maybe you came across boudoir photography because of a photoshoot package you saw on the web. You were in your comfiest yoga pants, a cup of coffee emptied halfway, your eyes stuck to the glowing details of sensual photos—starring you!—made for your partner’s delight. Or maybe, you learned about boudoir photography another way. Like from a girlfriend who reached for your hand and lightly chatted with you about this set of intimate pictures of you that you can present to your boyfriend or husband.

What you might think Boudoir Photography is

You might think boudoir photography is made for your partner. And I’m not about to invalidate that. Because for the record, that is very true. Many clients come to me with the purpose of gifting these erotic, tasteful photos of them to their significant other. But what I’m here to tell you about is that’s not all there is to boudoir. Many clients leave my studio feeling much more empowered, much more liberated, and much more in control of themselves.

Some people look down on the idea of these private, erotic photos. During a boudoir session, women get all dolled up and pose on a bed in their prettiest underthings. Or none at all. So in essence, it IS about a woman’s sexuality. But what people get wrong is that boudoir devalues women because of that. In which case I ask, why would women be shamed for owning their bodies? When a woman looks like an absolute bombshell for a shoot, discovers her best physical assets, and shows it off on camera, why would she be shamed for enjoying the way she looks in photos?

What it really is

Boudoir photography may initially be advertised as a gift for your partner. There isn’t anything wrong with that. But there’s a real need for people to know that these photos aren’t solely made for partners. And if you’re a woman who wants to do a photoshoot for yourself, do it! Because ultimately, boudoir is about women empowered by their femininity.

It is about women who are freed from society’s standards of beauty. You don’t need to be concerned with pounds or blemishes. Not just because the photographer can do magic (in which case, I really can help you find your best angles and poses). But because you are already beautiful with every pound, every blemish, and every smile.

It’s about women who uncover their sexual nature and have so much fun with it. You don’t need to apologize for erotic photos or for gushing about how desirable you look in them. Boudoir photography is about highlighting your sexuality—which is as much an aspect of your femininity as the other things, like your career.

Boudoir photos as gifts for partners may be part of it, but if you’re getting photos just to feel good about yourself, good for you. Because ultimately, it is about you—your beauty, your sexuality, your femininity. It’s about you, as a woman.