"What is boudoir photography and why do you do it??"

When I tell people that I am a boudoir photographer, I usually get one of three responses. One is "Oh my gosh, that's amazing! I have always wanted to that but +insert insecurity here+". The second is, "What is....boudoir?" Lastly, "Ugh, why would you do that?!" This blog is for the people who fall into one of the last two groups.

Firstly, what the heck is boudoir?? Boudoir is actually French for "to sulk". The French had created a room where women could "go sulk for a few minutes", because women can never just take a moment to recollect themselves apparently. Over the years it has evolved to focus on a kind of photography that is focused on that room, which is now the bedroom. With that evolution, the purpose behind it has changed too. In my experience, each boudoir photographer has their own reasoning on why they started or what drew/draws them to boudoir photography. Personally, my reasoning is pretty simple. I want to help people feel connected to their body, to look upon it with loving eyes, and to embrace their own beauty.

A picture from my own boudoir shoot.

I have intimate, firsthand experience with looking in the mirror and finding every single flaw, and if I'm feeling especially creative that day, create new and meaner flaws to point out. Growing up, I was very self conscious of my body. I'm a pretty introverted person(which is strangely a shock to many people), so when certain parts of me started to mature and grabbed the attention of...well...everyone, I tended to wear really oversized clothing, hunch over, cross my arms, etc. Anything I could think of to shrink away. With that, I often times wasn't viewed in the "ooooh, she's really pretty!" kind of way, and as a teen that can be crushing! I also have a history of health issues that have made me look at my body as less than. "You're so broken, why can't you do the simplest things?" So, yeah, my body and I? We've had fighting words on many occasions, ha.

It actually took me having my son for me to start speaking kindly to myself. One of my health issues made it very difficult for me to get to the point where he was even a possibility. So while I was pregnant with him, I told myself now is the time to speak kindly to my body and encourage it during the pregnancy journey. And that's where I learned that my body isn't broken, it just works differently and it is really out here just trying to do its best. In terms of looks, let's be real, there are days where I find myself in the mirror going "Yaassssss! I'm freaking gorgeous!!!" and others where I go, "Welcome back, you gorgeous troll". And that's ok, lol. Because even when I'm not feeling like I've got it going on, my hubby digs it! Which, again, helps with the self talk.

And that's the whole point for me! Everyone has baggage, whether it be experiences or negative self talk, and sometimes we need someone that we don't know to help us in seeing our gorgeous selves. EVERYONE has a unique kind of beauty and sexiness. Some are confident and vocal, others are more shy and need some help coming away from the wall for a dance.

Boudoir photography is where you find your grace, your beauty, and when I give you a little peek at the images we're getting you get to see yourself in a completely different way. It's vulnerable. It's powerful.

To me, this experience isn't for others, it's for you. They can also reap the rewards (because trust!!! The photos will have them drooling!) but it is for YOU. It is for YOU to find your beauty, for YOU to find your confidence, for YOU to think "Yaaaassss!! I'm freaking gorgeous!" It's not something shameful, degrading, or any other negative thought. Which leads me to the "Ugh" group.

I see you, but I'm hoping that you choose to hear my side and way of thinking. This isn't something dirty or wrong. This is a space for people to connect and see how wonderfully made they are. A lot of people think you have to be naked in boudoir photography, and that's not the case. I have seen people in onesie pajamas for their shoot and they are STUNNING. Why? Because it is about so much more than what you wear. It's about how you feel. And to expand on something I said earlier, you don't have to let anyone else see the photos. They can be just for you as a reminder that "oh yeah, I'm more than my negative thoughts. I am strong. I am fierce. I can do this".

Boudoir photography is a beautiful gift for you, no matter your body type, age, or your "level of attractiveness". It is SO MUCH MORE and so much more powerful. So, what you do you say? Ready to schedule a shoot to see what I mean?

Photo of me from a recent photoshoot I had done. Can we take a moment to love on my hair??