WTF is a boudoir session?

WTF is a boudoir session:

You’ve heard the term, you probably know someone who has done it, maybe you’ve already done it yourself but when it comes down to it: What The Fuck is a boudoir session? I’m sure there is some awesome dictionary definition of boudoir photography but I’m going to take the liberty to tell you what I think it is and what a boudoir session has come to mean to me.

Boudoir may look something like this in your mind: sexy, beautiful, seductive, form fitting lingerie or maybe even a little nudity. It’s that glowing woman looking down the barrel of a camera lens that is simply exuding confidence. You’re not wrong but you’re definitely not right.

Over the last 15 years I’ve learned what boudoir photography means to me. It’s a session where anyone (woman, man, straight couple, gay couple, trans people or anyone ready to celebrate themselves) can reach way down into their authentic self, find out what it is they want to celebrate and in turn, give me the privilege of photographing just that. Here’s what a boudoir session is:

  • A woman who has given her whole life to others finally realizing she is worth being seen

  • A warrior coming from the depths of trauma who is ready to flex those fierce muscles of positivity

  • A woman in a wheelchair who is sick of being labeled and ready to own her sexy side

  • A man who has turned his body from a war zone into a work of art and wants to celebrate

  • A person who lost a tremendous amount of weight but needed to actually SEE the beautiful person under the body regardless of his/her size

  • A divorcee who realized that risks equal richness and a connection to who they truly are

  • A couple who lost themselves in parenthood but rediscovered a brand new energy they didn’t even realized existed until the document it.

  • 3 people who are madly in love with each other

  • A couple with a partner who is transitioning and a place to capture the energy of two people that love each other through thick and thin

  • A client wanting to celebrate 10 years of recovery in her own skin and to honor her dedication to her sobriety

  • Two men who found home in each other and want to use a couple’s boudoir shoot as a symbol of the love they have for each other

  • A single mom who has given her heart, soul and life to her children and turned around one day realizing she was intrigued at the idea of giving back to herself

I think you get the point. I love being a boudoir photographer because the shoot never means one thing- it means so much more than that as you can see. These shoots do not have any specific agenda or dress code but they all have the same purpose: to celebrate the person in front of the camera. My job is to have an in-depth conversation with you prior to your photo shoot to find out what it is we are celebrating. I want to know what you want to see in yourselves when you see these boudoir photographs and I want to know why it’s important for you to see that. What’s your word? What is that ONE word you are ready to own? Beautiful, sexy, feminine, confident, empowered, happy, connected, brave, masculine, badass, true, simple, raw? I’m very interested to know and more importantly, ready to show you JUST THAT!

So there you go, that’s what a f*cking boudoir session is. My question for you is WTF are you waiting for?

Love,

Mary Beth, Capture Queen