What's the most commonly asked question when I talk about my passion for boudoir photography?
"Why would women book such a photo shoot?"
My response is usually something like this:
"The images/album is a gift for their partner on the wedding day, anniversary or birthday mostly."
However over the years of photographing women I've realised that the reasons are more like excuses, something that will validate the decision in the eyes of society. The pressure to fit in has never been so huge and we need something that justifies the decision when doing something for ourselves. Is it selfish? I argue that; it's looking after ourselves.
Women want to feel beautiful, sexy and confident - in their own skin.
That's far from selfish - it's called "healthy" and how it should be.
Without anyone's but one's own validation.
I have the perfect example; a beautiful girl, Miss D who I met the first time in April 2014.
She was shy and quirky and was getting married in a month time.
Her main reason for booking a boudoir shoot was to give the ultimate wedding gift to her fiancé on their wedding day: a leather album with her beautiful photos in it.
What she's gained was much more and it may surprise you. Keep reading!
This girl not only rocked her session and came out of her shell but also pushed me to be a better photographer. (Thank you for that Miss D! I'm forever grateful for meeting such a beautiful soul.)
She gained an enormous amount of confidence and somehow it was not just about her wedding gift anymore.
[Makeup by Olimpia]
She got married to live happily ever after... For a short time.
Fairy tales aren't real and things don't always work out.
Sometimes broken wings can't be fixed and you just have to give yourself the chance to be happy again.
So she went on to create her new happiness.
When she got in touch with me to book another boudoir session at the end of last year I had no idea about how her life turned around but I was excited for her feeling ready to rock another shoot, this time for herself, no one else. (Go Girl!!)
So when people ask me for what reason would a woman want to stand front of my camera in lingerie; you should know, it's never as simple as just creating pretty photographs. There's so much more than what meets the eye.
Being a little bit selfish sometimes and wanting to do something for yourself, to feel powerful, confident and sexy - not to give a damn about what other people think is the feeling every single women deserves! It's healthy and important to love yourself!
[Hair&Makeup by Sylwia Lukosz]
Miss D is the perfect example of everything I believe in and stand by - a boudoir shoot can help you see not only how beautiful you are on the outside but also helps you bring out the confidence that is in you and should be celebrated.
Before I published this story, I sent the piece to Miss D to read to make sure I'm not sharing too much or put her in any way in an uncomfortable situation. The following was her response:
“You have no idea how nice it is to see yourself looking nice when you don’t feel it, it really is the best confidence boost there is! It’s strange how seeing the photos, even though I had done it before, was still both surprising because you can’t believe you look half as good but empowering because it is you and you look good hahaha :-) ”
Some clients really make me want to shed some happy tears!
Stay Beautiful,
AgiM
