Why Boudoir Photography?
- juliemariecordeiro
- Jul 6, 2023
- 3 min read
It is hard for me to relay to anyone why I love boudoir as much as I do. I guess my favorite way to put it is that you don't need to walk in with confidence, you simply leave with it. Boudoir has no requirements and discriminates against nobody. It doesn't matter what your background is, how tall or short, curvy or skinny, bold or shy you are. Boudoir is for everyone!
A common misconception is that boudoir shoots are only for women who have significant others, and this couldn't be further from the truth. While boudoir photos make a great gift to a spouse, their eyes seeing those images are only a bonus! The self confidence you leave with is what it is truly all about. You don't need someone to gift your photos to, because you are enough! You are worthy EVERY penny of this investment for YOU!
The Transformation
I LIVE for the transformations! Notice how that word is plural? There are usually several amazing transformations throughout the boudoir experience. For some of my clients, it is their first time ever receiving professional hair and makeup. Those transformations are my favorite, because the look on their face is absolutely priceless after looking in the mirror!
The second transformation is what I call the big "breakthrough" moment. I have watched women walk into my studio with their tail between their legs, hands shaking, and lips quivering. In that moment, I know just how vulnerable and fragile my client is feeling. With intimate conversations shared, music playing, and me there to hype you up, there will come a moment during our session where your body feels at peace. The shaky hands are no longer shaking, the lips are relaxed, and you are standing tall with confidence. It is almost like a sigh of relief from my clients when they realize just how easy and fun this experience is, and that they deserve to feel confident!
And then, comes my favorite transformation of all, the session reveal. The session has ended and the adrenaline starts to boil down. You may feel excited, or you may feel nervous that your photos won't actually look as good as you felt during your session. Before my clients look through their images, I ask them to repeat a positive mantra first. "My body is allowed to take up space. Rolls, cellulite, and stretch marks are normal and are proof that my body is working hard for me. I give myself permission to love a photo, even if I see what I would consider an imperfection". A proper headspace is a necessity before opening your gallery! This is where the magic usually happens. My heart is instantly filled with so much gratitude for my job when I see the look on my clients faces, realizing that they actually did it! It is a moment of clarity when a woman finds peace when looking at her body. I feel so lucky to be a part of these beautiful transformations with women who trust me with their boudoir experience!
A Glimpse Into My Story
It is no secret that as women, we sometimes find ourselves comparing our body to others. We may even follow other boudoir groups and see the beautiful women being vulnerable enough to share their photos, while still thinking to ourselves, "That could NEVER be me!" My twin pregnancy is what truly changed everything for me. After I delivered two babies my skin became squishy and loose, filled with stretch marks, and the total opposite of flat. I remember booking a boudoir session for myself only 6 weeks postpartum in complete desperation of finding SOMETHING beautiful about a body that felt so foreign to me. I went into that session feeling unworthy, broken, and simply afraid. Afraid of what, you might ask? Afraid that I would be the one woman who my photographer couldn't make look beautiful. I knew her work was beautiful and that everyone who worked with her had such positive stories to share, but I felt in my gut that I was going to be the one client who she didn't know what to do with.
About halfway through our session, I remember the sudden realization that I was actually having a good time. I even remember doing a double take passing by the mirror when I saw my hair and makeup professionally done. I went into my session reveal nervous, but optimistic. I will never forget the tears that filled my eyes as I looked at my squishy tummy with tiger stripes and felt pride. From the day I viewed my photos, I knew boudoir was my calling. I knew that if my photographer could restore such positive energy and confidence back into me, that I could absolutely do the same for others! And there, is where my boudoir journey began.
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