Journal

Boudoir photography has generally been considered photography intimately centered around a woman that aims to create a certain type of imagery that might be highly suggestive or sensual in nature. She is most often in some state of undress, wearing lingerie or perhaps the idea of nudity is also part of the equation. I have always aimed to please my clients by creating the types of images they want to see themselves within. What I find enticing and what excites you are often different. I am not shooting for myself, I am shooting for my clients. I have been blessed to shoot over 1000 women in my career and I can not begin to convey how unique each one has been, however commonality they have all shared is a desire to experience themselves from the outside.

Many women are highly motivated to have a boudoir photoshoot because they are at pivotal moments in their lives that they want to document. Some women are finally feeling comfortable in their skin for a multitude of reasons. For a lot of us, how we feel on the inside does not necessarily align with how we perceive our outward appearances. For this reason, many many women have reached out to me to discuss having their own shoot with The Girlfriend Experience Boudoir. I have always been the only photographer. Dessa has always been our only stylist. Jess has always been our only studio manager. We have been the constants in an ever-evolving boudoir photography landscape. The needs of our clients are always changing, so many of them chose to return to us for their photography needs.

I’ve never been fond of the terminology. It has felt limiting. I have always shot more than boudoir photography. Inside the photography industry, you were encouraged to find your niche. Apparently, women, isn’t enough of a niche. I understand from a marketing standpoint. In my time as a professional photographer, if a woman has asked me to photograph her wearing a beautiful gown, she has been photographed wearing a beautiful gown. If a woman has written a book and needed a photo for the author’s bio, we took her headshots. If a woman has started dating after a 25 year marriage, we have taken portraits that she can use to confidently start exploring the dating scene. If a client has wanted me to photograph her baby and understand that I do not consider myself to be an infant/children’s photographer, I did my best to give her what she wants. There have been a few engagements and a wedding or two. These are just not the types of images I have shared because I was trying to follow the industry standard but I’ve never actually played by the rules so why did I care if it looked like I did? The rule or the game, or maybe it is me who has changed.

We are far more than a boudoir photography studio. I am far more than a boudoir photographer. I always love hearing from anyone interested in what we do. You’re welcome to email me. Everything starts with a conversation. How do you want to see yourself? What type of imagery appeals to you? Is there a difference between how you perceive yourself and how you want to be perceived?