Why I Do, What I Do

Trying my first posting from an alternate device tonight, we'll see how this goes.  Try to be forgiving, this is a test of my blogging skills via smarter-than-me-phone.

Aside from busily working to build a new studio location, booking sittings, and shooting weddings each week; I am also involved in work to help demystify boudoir photography. I want to help more people understand how they can express their sexy inner being without having feeling like they are posing for a dirty magazine. I have redoubled my efforts after becoming involved with an effort to put a stop to illegal posting of images taken by a fellow photographer who broke his client's trust.

I am, however, toying with the idea of choosing to make a notation that I will no longer take sittings where obvious nudity is involved. I state this as different from “implied nudity” because of the appearance of sensitive areas of anatomy. My portfolio does not suffer simply because I choose not to display genitalia or require an age filter and I feel that this should be part of what my subjects can always expect. I want them to feel no embarrassment about having a stranger – myself or my assistant in this case – see them while they are posing. More importantly, there should be pride and enjoyment when they share their final selections with others.

I believe in using intelligent composition,
not pornographic position.

Remember that quote. I have no problem with it being shared around the internet and used by anyone who ever studies the art of boudoir photography, even in passing. If I am famous for nothing else, make me famous for that one comment.

Artistic nudity has a place in the world. There is something beautiful about a newborn infant with nothing put that innocent pout on their lips. There is an equally stirring notion when a seductive bare shoulder is closely cropped into frame with sultry eyes and lips directed into the lens. It is even possible to have a tasteful image where just a bolt of silk can be wrapped around a mother to show off her growing belly and lovely legs at a maternity sitting.

There is also a place for nudity of the non-artistic genre. A good number of photographers and models make their living in a world of pay-to-view websites and adults only magazines. Before our marriage, I know my own husband had a collection of those magazines and I'm fine with that fact. He is one of the thousands of adults that has owned or viewed that type of material. It is a profitable market, and those employed by those companies are aware of the controversy that will forever be involved with their industry.

The word boudoir is a French term that refers to the chambers around a wealthy ladies' bedroom any time prior to about 1920. The boudoir was an elaborate sitting room where she could entertain her guests or romantic partner(s). This was separate from her dressing room, morning room, and bed chamber. In some less wealthy circles the term began to be used on sitting rooms or parlors – what we now call “the living room” – when the house did not contain massive suites for the adult females.

This history is important because it gives a reason for the very distinct aim of good boudoir photographers; they aim to create an intimate, romantic feeling with each pose. My own goal is to encourage a playful feeling as well as capturing that alluring gaze that seems to say “come hither”.

I use a fifteen to twenty minute consultation prior to the session as a chance to learn about my subject and get a feeling for their personality. It is not just the long lashes and soft gaze of my model but the timid girl behind those big brown eyes that should come through with every pose. For those fantastic moments when the girl in kitten heels can flirt through the lens, my goal is to let her purr come through with every wink.  I even have had male subjects prove that the kindest, nerd can become a hunk when he lets his confidence do the work.

On May 26th, I will be hosting a boudoir photography event at the new studio to help educate local women and men interested but shy about committing to a full session. The idea is to find the beauty in every body type. Women should learn to embrace their unique figure and the beauty that exists in simply being born a part of that gender. Guys can take the chance to not worry about having to put on a hyper masculine facade, they can be cuddly and still be sexy. Most of all, my goal is to make each person see that you don't have to be built like a model to make your mate “happy”. If I can still get a grin from my husband after the huge change in my figure from pre-pregnancy to almost one year postpartum... well, just trust me when I say the most sexy part of the body is the brain... followed by the eyes!