Why I Shoot Boudoir | NY Boudoir Photographer
As a photographer, I always get asked the question, “Why Boudoir?” I’ll tell how this career came to be. Ready? Grab some coffee, tea or screw it… have some wine as I share my story with you. Here’s the thing, I’ve been a sonographer for over a decade. A couple of years ago, I opened a 3/4 D ultrasound studio in order to help women bond more intimately with their baby in a private setting. After scanning women for many years, one thing always stood out to me —they would apologize for their body. I, of course, didn’t see what they were seeing — I saw them unique, beautiful, and powerful. It was then that I knew that I had to do something much bigger… I decided to incorporate maternity photography into my business to remind them how beautiful and sexy they still were. Being pregnant is probably one of the most extraordinary experiences but also one of the most vulnerable times as we sometimes just don’t feel like our normal selves.
As I started doing more sessions, it didn’t take long for me to realize sensuality played an important role. Women wanted to be seen... not for anyone else, but for themselves. —to be reminded of who they have always been. That is when the idea came to me, I could do this for every woman through all stages of life! I became very interested in the boudoir genre. I searched for a mentor that style matches mine and I found Stephanie at Brooklyn Boudoir.
Photo credit: My mentor —Stephanie Bordas @Brooklynboudoir. Stephanie is genuine, an excellent mentor and an amazingly skilled photographer!
As my mentor, Stephanie, mentioned in one of her blogs," if I'm going to talk the talk, I also had to walk the walk." I decided that if I was going to do this for other women I also had to experience it for myself. Once my mentorship was over it was time for my own boudoir shoot. I remember feeling nervous and anxious, as some of my clients do. I have the same insecurities as many women have and I almost talked myself out of it. I thought…. this is ridiculous, this is not for me, I have stretch marks and cellulite, I have c-section scars. What will my conservative family think of all this?? But, as I stepped into my session; all of those insecurities and negative self-talk vanished. I OWNED my boudoir session! I felt empowered and so damn proud of myself. I finally felt free of judgments and insecurities. I rediscovered who I always was… It was at that moment I knew that this is exactly what I want every woman I photograph to experience. To truly love and accept herself just as she is without feeling shame or guilt.
This is not about being naked, seducing men or doing it for anyone. This is about you! 20 years later you will look back at your images and be reminded of the beautiful, unique and powerful woman you have always been. And this is why I shoot boudoir. To remind YOU that you are more than just your skin. You don’t need to lose 10, 15 or 20+ pounds, you are enough exactly as you are right NOW!
Walking the walk… Photo credit: Brooklyn Boudoir