What Is Boudoir Photography, Anyway?

In the beginning, I had only the slimmest of understandings — really nothing more than urban legend, if you will. I’m not talking about my craft or style or experience with the subject matter: By the time I decided to offer boudoir, I had been photographing people for years and had long since narrowed my work to women only. In any case, after some years refining it, my definition of boudoir photography is this: Erotic photography of and for one. Seems simple enough.

But read it again, and this time, pause on the last word and ponder all that it could mean knowing that the “one” is one woman, multifaceted and mysterious as all women are, probably a little apprehensive or shy, and that this singularly-focused intimate work must be done within the privateness of her space, not to be shared with the outside world. This is what makes boudoir photography different from other types of female photography. It’s not about the photographer, an art director, or wider public acceptance. When I fully understood this (or as fully as I could), it forever changed the way I work.

I could tell you this came to me all at once, as an epiphany, resulting in a state of photographic perfection that has remained true to this day. Right…

The truth is, I made adjustments to my process from the very beginning, with every client and every shoot: gear, lighting, clothing, and post-processing techniques. Sure, some good came of all that, but nothing earthshaking. Then, as a result of my evolving definition, I made a fundamental change in the relationship I created with my clients. We moved from you’re-the-client-I’m-the-photographer to a partnership striving to share the same mindset. This was a paradigm shift: I abandoned any concept of a one-size-fits-all approach for client interactions; and clients learned how to push through their issues and take on the persona of an erotic exhibitionist. The results were astonishing.

But those results—and the definition that forever changed the way I work—came about not because of a better use of props and tools, but because I made the effort to meet and understand my clients on a fundamentally different level, and because I had the good fortune to realize that that’s where I’d find their most stunning images.

Boudoir photography: Erotic photography of and for one—other egos not welcome.

PS: Today’s image: Lexi Learning to Climb.

Comments

[jimmyd]

Very revealing and insightful. I've never shot boudoir photography but I always figured I could jump right in and my skills and experience as a glam shooter would translate and automatically adapt. I'm rethinking that notion after reading your blog. Thanks.

[WillT]

That's the thing about boudoir photography: Craft skills only add to the image after you've found the way to bring forth her erotic fantasies.

And thank you so much for the link on Pretty Girl Shooter. I'll have to work hard to stay in that company!

[Rena]

I would have to say that is an awesome way of describing this type of photography. This is the first time I have every read about it, I am camera shy...a little...and it would make me less apprehensive about doing these type of photos...Kudos!!

Rena

[Steve]

This is a great blog. I love the line, "photography of and for one". That really sums it up, and it will help me describe to my clients the mindset I want them to be in. Now the trick is getting them there. LOL Maybe you have a blog about that. I'll look around your site.
Thank you for your insight.
Steve
www.graceinlight.com