Boudoir photos are usually seen as a gift for your significant other. What if I told you that you should get boudoir photos for you? Celebrate yourself!
What is boudoir photography? Most people think it's meant to be sexualized, but that definitely doesn't have to be the case. I've had some strange looks when I talk about it and, as a photographer I've enjoyed breaking down the stigma that boudoir has been given. A lot of the stigma is that is has been seen as pornography. That just isn't true. Nudity does not equal pornography. We don't look at a Greek statue and think "OMG PORN". What we do see the strength, beauty, and power of the statue! Boudoir has been seen as tearing women down, but it's actually about empowering women! Society has not been kind to anyone in this digital world. We see it everywhere that we need to look certain ways be accepted or worthy.
Everyone thinks we can Photoshop away what they don't like about themselves. It makes our jobs as photographers extremely difficult at times. While we can do a lot with digital editing it's not what a lot of us want to do. I, personally, want the images I create with you to reflect who you actually are. The portraits I create are real people who are perfect the way they are. If we edit out every "issue" for our clients, they'll continue to wish they look like someone they are not and cannot be in reality. A lot of my own boudoir clients didn't realize how beautiful they actually are until their session. I've never let a boudoir client walk away from a session without seeing at least one photo straight from the camera. The photo is always unedited and usually put on a screen. All of them had no clue they looked THAT beautiful! I do this because I never want anyone to walk away from a session unsure or self-conscious. I want everyone to walk away feeling like a Greek goddess!
So I ask again: What is boudoir photography? Whatever you want it to be! Boudoir photography can be anything from all dolled up in lingerie to an oversized t-shirt with a messy bun. The goal of a boudoir session is for you to feel amazing in your own skin and have the photos to prove how beautiful you are! There are no limits to what you can do. I've photographed boudoir in the middle of the woods before. Of course, that's not for everyone. It's your session don't be afraid to tell your photographer. If you communicate with your photographer what you're wanting/expecting, they'll do the rest!
Don't let nerves hold you back! Every single woman has insecurities and goes into their session nervous. It's our job as photographers to put you at ease, silence your insecurities, and boost your confidence. Also, maybe provide a glass of liquid courage and put on a bomb playlist. I want to focus on the parts of you that you like and highlight the heck out of them! I can't erase all of your insecurities, but I hope to bring new meaning to them. We all need to come to an understanding with the parts of ourselves that bring negative feelings. Even the bad parts of us serve a purpose.
The struggle to appreciate your body can be a challenge. How many times do we celebrate our bodies? We forget how much our bodies go through. It's easy to forget the amazing things they're capable of. You are amazing! Every body is a work of art. Works of art are meant to be cherished. Even if you don't have a significant other, a boudoir session is the perfect way to celebrate you!
Kelsey Stearns, a devout dog and plant mom, loves her fiance, Jarod, and baking goodies. She has been working with Nichole Diehm Photography since 2019. A great photographer on her own, she runs her own business, 2View Photo and Design.
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