copied from wikipedia: The term “boudoir” Typically shot in a photographer’s studio or luxury hotel suites, it has become fashionable to create a set of sensual or sexually suggestive images of women (and occasionally men and couples) in “boudoir style”. The most common manifestation of contemporary boudoir photography is to take variations of candid and posed photographs of the subject partly clothed or in lingerie. Nudity is more often implied than explicit.
With Valentine’s day around the corner and the popularity of boudoir photography going thru the roof, a few of my clients in the past little bit have been asking me about boudoir photography. Weather it’s for an album for their fiance’s wedding day gift or pre-maternity beautiful body photos, or even sexy glam photos for themselves. I had to see for myself what this buzz was all about, if it was a fad or sticking around. I am proud to report, it’s not going ANYWHERE, in-fact I encourage ALL women doesn’t matter age, size, body type.. be like Nike and JUST DO IT!!
Posed photography is very different from my photojournalistic shooting style, so I went seeking knowledge of this new craft. When learning, I always tend to gravitate towards the BEST in the business. So I found her. The best boudoir photographer I’ve found is #shamelesslyfeminine Jen Rozenbaum. I got myself to Portland last weekend where the New York based boudoir photographer was hosting an intimate one day workshop. Here she shared her secrets of boudoir posing, wardrobe, working with clients, lighting AND check this, I was also lucky/brave/thrilled to have been given an opportunity to (GULP!!) model for it. #insertpanickhere
Being a wedding photographer, and a shy one at that, decided 2016 is the year to challenge myself more. I always try to live my life to the fullest. Try new things, explore new lands, meet new people, take more classes… but be IN FRONT OF THE CAMERA and be VULNERABLE??? Let someone else have control? This was something TOTALLY different and uncomfortable for me, so I did it.
I wanted to see and experience the feeling of my clients go thru. What are they thinking? feeling? before the session. prepping for the session. Honest truth, when the morning arrived, I panicked! What was I doing? What was I thinking? This is going to it be awkward, uncomfortable, I’m too fat, I’m too old and I’d be self-conscious, all those lovely thoughts we as women think about, and all at the same time. BUT, you know what happened – the exact opposite was the truth. It was empowering, hilarious, creative and the results — SPEECHLESS – I’m in tears. I can’t stop looking at the images and saying – IS THAT REALLY ME? (you may have noticed my rapidly changing facebook profile pic) I’m SO glad I got to experience this gift, because not only do I get to see what a great gift we, as photographers, give our clients, but the absolute trust the clients give us in combining and shaping their vision with ours.
I ain’t no spring chicken but I’m also not getting any younger – so here I am. Being vulnerable. Posting these images, with no regrets in doing so.
Being a music photographer, I think these images capture me perfectly!
As a woman, I had no idea I had been waiting for these images, my whole life. It’s incredibly beautiful to see me – the real me, as others see me.
DO IT FOR YOURSELF, no need to do it for someone else. Give yourself the lovely gift of you. Here’s the secret: hiring a professional hair + makeup artist (yes, it’s worth it and makes a HUGE difference, I work with the best in town), hire a professional photographer who knows lighting and posing. It’s trusting and hiring professionals who know their craft, make all the difference.
DO IT!
Please click on the links below should you happen to live out of state and seek a boudoir photographer. Here are a few of my favorites #ShamelesslyFeminine
DUNCAN, BC Boudoir photographer
SEATTLE, WA Boudoir photographer
TACOMA, WA boudoir photographer
NEW YORK, Boudoir photographer
ST. LOUIS, Boudoir photographer
LOS ANGELES Boudoir photographer
and credit to Angela, Erinn, Mandi, Angie for the photos above + please feel free to comment below 🙂
Absolutely gorgeous!
Absolutely fantastic!!! So glad you had this experience – every photographer should!!!
Thank you for being a brave and beautiful soul!