A lot of people see boudoir shoots as being a nearly pornographic photo session. They think that it makes woman seen as a sex symbol. Boudoir photography is another of many art forms. But if you truly had an open mind and looked past the photo and more into the woman’s reason for doing the session you would probably think different. In these sessions my goal is to make the woman feel beautiful. Women who do these sessions can choose to wear some clothing and still be gorgeous with their clothes on. The wardrobes they choose to wear at a shoot are completely up to them. I send them an email with suggestions for things to wear and jeans and a button up shirt are on the list. So it’s not as if I tell them that they can't wear any type of clothing and it has to be lingerie. I have been on both sides of the camera.
Here is my testimonial of when I had mine done:
For anyone who thinks the boudoir pictures I did are distasteful let me explain why I did them. Every woman has insecurities; I don't feel like I'm 100% comfortable with myself but after doing these pictures I felt more confident. Even if there was a stretch mark or there was a little more fat somewhere than I would like. Our bodies are beautiful girls! Most of us have had kids and we still look good despite what we think of ourselves. Single or with someone, doesn't matter. If you're with someone they obviously love your body so don't think you don't measure up because you are you and that is what he loves! So if you don't think the pictures are appropriate, I'm sorry. But I will not apologize for doing them and in the end feeling better about myself. I have no regrets!
And here are the opinions of a few other photographers and their work:
Boudoir photography can be a bit controversial, but anything worth time and energy likely is adverse to someone’s taste. Actually, boudoir photography is just another art form. It is about saying everything, without really showing anything. It’s about finding beauty and stripping away layers. It’s about using lighting, color and design to reinvent the image of the model so she can see herself (or himself) in a way that cannot be viewed by the untrained eye. Recreating this image is exciting, invigorating and the satisfying. This is why I support Boudoir photography and this is why I will keep doing it. https://www.facebook.com/metroimageworks Amanda McCarthy of Sia Legacy Portraits The human body, in all shapes and sizes, is a beautiful thing. All throughout history, people have sculpted, painted, and photographed it in thousands of ways. It is truly art! As a photographer, I see the beauty and art in every single person that I encounter and it is a privilege to be able to capture that beauty and make it (and you) timeless! That is just AMAZING to me! Boudoir photography empowers you in many ways by saying, "You are beautiful...You deserve to be timeless...You are art!" https://www.facebook.com/SiaLegacyPortraits http://sialegacy.zenfolio.com/ Lela Johnson of Lela Johnson Photography I started doing boudoir because I wanted to show some friends of mine that they could and would feel beautiful if we did that type of sessions together. We did and they loved them!!!! I love being able to make everyone feel beautiful in the images I capture with them! I don't find them tasteless because it's art; it's just another form of photography! There is nothing more attractive than a positive and confident person! http://www.lelajohnsonphotography.com/ https://www.facebook.com/lelajohnsonphotography
21 Comments
1/11/2018 02:14:18 pm
Well said! I think boudoir shoots are fun and people with negative comments should just keep those thoughts to themselves.
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Kirsten
1/11/2018 05:58:58 pm
I 100% agree with you!
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Cat
1/11/2018 03:37:05 pm
I think people should just mind their own business and let women express themselves however they want >_< I have had boudoir pictures done and it is empowering with the right photographer and right mindeset
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Kirsten
1/11/2018 07:17:54 pm
Exactly! If the woman is the one wanting them done then that should be end of story. I've had them done also and they are very empowering!
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1/11/2018 05:01:08 pm
I think vulnerability is a term that plays off of perspective. People attach their own viewpoint on what it means to be vulnerable. When it comes to this specific form of photography vulnerability means strength in my opinion. A chance for us as women to celebrate our bodies and determine how we see ourselves instead of how the world sees us through an over-sexualized lenses. A lot of people forget that boudoir is not for the eyes of the world, its for the person who decided they wanted to take the pictures in the first place.
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Kirsten
2/9/2018 11:14:59 pm
You pretty much nailed it with this comment. Thank you for your thoughts!
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1/11/2018 05:39:06 pm
What someone else said about minding your own business is the key here. We as women do not owe a single person an explanation for our choices, especially one as harmless as self-expression and body confidence. Keep fighting the good fight!
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Kirsten
2/9/2018 11:16:59 pm
So true on we do not owe a single person an explanation for our choices! And even at that we do not owe a single person anything period! Thanks for your comment! It helps to remind me I'm doing the right thing.
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I've always wanted to do a boudoir shoot but I've always been too chicken. My husband is in the military and boudoir shoots are very popular, especially pre-deployment. I share a lot of your views on the topic but hearing it in your voice has reframed how I think about myself in a shoot... does that even make sense?! LOL http://www.thatcrazymilspouse.com
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Kirsten
2/9/2018 11:19:40 pm
I've done a few boudoir shoot while their husbands were deployed and they sent them over. Which I can only imagine would be an AWESOME gift/surprise! It does make sense! There are some comments on here that are exactly what I have wanted to say but just couldn't find the words. So I know exactly what you mean. You should definitely do a shoot if not for yourself for your husband! Good luck!
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Kirsten
2/9/2018 11:22:17 pm
The world views nude pictures as sexual immediate. They don't and won't take an explanation. I'm so tired of it being that way. Our bodies are works of art, especially after we have given birth. Our bodies were made to do something amazing! We should be able to show it off and not be seen as a sexual object. I'm really glad you felt good about them!
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I think you said this beautifully. I remember the first time I heard of boudoir and thought “why would someone do that?” I was one of those people... but as I seen some photos, I seen why. And to see how they felt about themselves afterwards, why wouldn’t you want to be the person who helped them feel that way? I feel you have to be a really good photographer to do these types of shots though.
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Kirsten
2/9/2018 11:25:08 pm
Thank you for compliment. I tried to say it in the best and true way possible. I understand where seeing it for the first time someone would be taken aback. But when someone who truly knows the meaning explains it, it really makes you go "oh, yeah". I love doing boudoir shoots. I love giving women confidence!
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beautiful said. As someone who has done a boudoir photo shoot for my husband, I loved every piece of it. Yes there were some pictures I hope never see the internet as I did them just for my husband, but that's what's great, I did these for my husband. People need to stay in their own lane and mind their own business. We women should be allowed to feel beautiful and sexy in whatever we do.
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Kirsten
2/9/2018 11:29:59 pm
I agree with everything you said. I'm so glad that you have experienced boudoir! I know all about the pictures that the internet never needs to see, but the session was intended for your husband. Yes, the social media and all the other news outlets make it seem like women can't do a boudoir shoot or they are just trying to be a sexual object. If they only knew, or rather reported the truth!
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Kirsten
2/9/2018 11:31:17 pm
I'm glad to hear that your daughter had a shoot done. I'm even more glad to hear that you seem to sound like you were okay with it and didn't judge her for it. They can be done very classy and when they are you know the photographer knows what they are doing.
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2/9/2018 12:42:21 pm
Oh good grief! I had no idea that this had become a social issue. Suddenly masculinity and femininity are under attack. What we do with our bodies, how we dress or undress them, who we allow to see them are all our choice. They're personal, not social. I'm on the side of any woman (any person) who takes their power and agency in their own hands and decides for themselves how and what it takes to feel comfortable in their own skin.
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Kirsten
2/9/2018 11:33:21 pm
I love your comment! I love the part about, "They're personal, not social." I have no other words for your comment except they are dead on! Thank you!
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5/16/2018 04:18:26 am
Yep, if that's your thing then do it. Especially if it makes you feel beautiful. It's nobody's business but your own!
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