Why I Photograph Boudoir Portraits

The history of men and women in western culture doesn't exude equality, and in recent years the women's empowerment movement has picked up quite a bit of steam. Between the rise of greater equality between men and women in heterosexual homes from household duties to responsibilities with children and positions of leadership, western society is getting the picture--women are important.

For many women, and I can speak to this from experience having served women of all shapes and sizes, they often feel as though permission is required to feel sexy. To feel comfortable in their own skin. To be empowered by their own body.

I started photographing boudoir portraits because the artistry I was seeing in the genre was inspiring. As a photographer, I am obsessed with shadows, light, composition, and breaking rules.

When the average person thinks about a professional photographer, they imagine a studio filled with props, toys, and a nice big space for family portraits. Perhaps even someone with a camera that meets them at a park. I think that style is a great, it's just not my style. I wanted to feel comfortable breaking those norms, empowered to embrace my imagination and create knock-out, drop-dead gorgeous photographic artwork.

Then I photographed my first boudoir portrait session.

Was I expecting to walk in to the session and create awe-inspiring artwork? Absolutely. We had a great session. My makeup artist stuck around to assist, I thoroughly enjoyed myself as a photographer, and my client, at the end of the session, told me something that I never expected to hear.

"I had such a great time! I feel so empowered, so sexy, so good about myself! This was a great experience. Thank you so much!"

I was shocked. After all, what I care about as a photographer is making great images, not making people feel good. I almost didn't know what to say.

Since that first session, I have heard this same story from repeat clients. They feel sexy, empowered, happy, awesome. One of them even started tearing up partway through the photography session from the wonderful time she was having.

Since that first session, my reason for photographing boudoir portraits has morphed into something more noble, something most boudoir portrait photographers understand innately as part of their call to serve. The artwork is important, make no mistake, but the client experience during the photography session takes precedence over all things.

When my clients look at their images, they feel stronger. They feel empowered to be accepting of their own bodies. They look at their portraits and see not only inspiring artwork, but a photograph that makes them say: "That is me!"

It's a "wow" factor. There is something magical about looking like a movie star. When you see yourself in a photograph and it looks like the version of yourself you always dream about, is has power, and it can give you an energy you may not have otherwise had. Ask yourself a question. Does artwork need to match what you see in the mirror, or bring you closer to your ideal vision of yourself?

Making great artwork is what I do, and that is why my clients hire me. Yet my reason for photographing boudoir portraits, my 'Why', is no longer just about that. The greatest compliment I hear from my clients is how empowered they feel, that somehow being photographed in my studio has given them a new connection to their femininity. What an honor.

That is why I photograph boudoir portraits, to help women in my portrait studio connect to a strength, power, and grace they didn't know existed in themselves. I just create amazing artwork in the process. What an honor indeed.