What is Boudoir?
With the right photographer, boudoir photography can be a healing space to transform the way you view yourself, your loved ones, and the world around you through creating empowering portraits.
The definition of “boudoir” is “a woman’s bedroom or private space.” But honestly, I have a lot of problems with that limited definition. Here’s what I believe:
White nonbinary person wearing full body black harness in front of large tropical leaves looking powerful.
Boudoir is not just for women.
For many folks, we have experienced violence as it relates to our bodies. From misogynoir to anti-fatness to anti-queerness and more, it can be hard to have a body today for many of us. However, boudoir has a limited reputation for being femme-focused and only displaying cis-women (who also happen to be white, straight-sized, etc.).
Boudoir can be for anyone. Boudoir is meant to celebrate yourself and whoever joins your session. From the posing to lighting to the overall vibes, I am excited to celebrate the masc, femme, both, or neither with each person of all genders. It’s so fun to explore how to highlight the aspects of you that are important to you. Plus as a queer, intersex photographer, my goal is that this experience affirms who you are today, however that looks.
You deserve to take up space.
Boudoir does not have to be hiding in a bedroom or private space. I primarily do outdoor boudoir, for example. We are part of nature, so it only makes sense that we take up space to adore the gorgeous mother earth around us while celebrating you. The same way that I look at a pinky orange sunset, jaw dropped, thinking godDAMN that is gorgeous is the same way I feel about the art we create. It’s my goal that you see yourself that way, completely in awe of yourself.
Your autonomy in choosing locations matters; often my locations can be more private and I guide you through this process. There is something so extra powerful about taking up space outside celebrating yourself.
Boudoir is not just about looking or feeling sexy.
You may have guessed it already. I am a big fan of feeling sexy and love to hype you up because you look sexy! But boudoir for me is bigger than just this. Boudoir can be healing, both on an individual level but also on a much larger scale. Every time someone looks at themselves and says WOW, it feels like a big fuck you to anti-fatness, anti-Blackness, racism, ableism, and more. It feels so healing for me to watch you start to see yourself differently, with more compassion, adoration, and grace.
You are art.
I will say it again and again. Boudoir photography can be an incredible experience, but sometimes our brains lie to us in the day-to-day. When I have done boudoir for myself and added that art to my walls, it is a huge part of my healing to see it every day to remind myself Okay I am that bitch. I look good. And so do you.
You are art, truly. And you deserve to take up space, even in your own home.
Black nonbinary femme wearing purple lingerie gentle caresses their face, looking peaceful in between tree leaves.
References:
Beyonce’s Boudoir and the Culture of Dissemblance | Black Feminism | 2018
The Name of Boudoir | Ed Liley | 1994
