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What exactly is Boudoir Photography?

What is Boudoir Photography

So you’ve probably seen the term Boudoir Photography thrown around a lot and wanted to know all about it or a series of clicks brought to this page because you’re curious about what is or what it means.

It could be because you are a photographer, you’re thinking about becoming one, or better yet, you are the subject/model, and you’d like to venture into this type of photography and want to know all about it.

No worries! In this short article, I will explain what Boudoir Photography is, when and where it originated from, what this genre is trying to accomplish, and how it can empower women or just about anybody.

Boudoir, as a single word is defined as a woman’s private sitting room or salon in furnished accommodation, usually between the dining room and the bedroom, but can also refer to a woman’s private bedroom. — Wikipedia                                                                                               

What is Boudoir Photography? 

Now, Boudoir Photography is a glamor that showcases women in intimate settings and clothing. The images are sensual, romantic, and even erotic at times. Most Boudoir Photography is quite natural and classy in its approach of showing off the model. The model can wear a nightgown, lingerie, a dress, or even embrace their body in a nude setting during the photoshoot. The pictures are often for the model or a romantic partner and different occasions. It could also be for a wedding day, anniversaries, birthdays, Valentine’s Day, or for any other personal reasons.

When and Where Did Boudoir Photography Originate From?

This style of photography started around the 1920s. Back then, nudity in photographs was considered illegal, so the act was quite risqué in itself.

The style was quite taboo, and some even still consider it to be a taboo style to this day. However, it began to be appreciated and accepted as an art form in the 70s and continues to be practiced today. Just not by women, but any gender.

Boudoir is a very intimate style of photography, and it has evolved so much over the years wherewith it comes your right to choose to have a session without the reasoning behind it be known to anyone. 

What is Boudoir Photography

What is Boudoir Photography for?

Generally, Boudoir Photography was used to show off the female figure(curves, body type, skin tone, etc.), boost her confidence, illicit romance with a partner, and inspire confidence in the woman. Today, Boudoir Photography is no longer exclusive to women only. We’ve had more men or couples embrace the movement.

Since Boudoir Photography is extremely intimate, most photographers break down the entire process with their model before gaining their trust for the best shots to come about. The session itself can be liberating for the model if the photographer knows how to inspire confidence and fun in the model. 

Also, the pictures are classy and gorgeous in the outcome, so automatically a rush of glee will flow through the model when they see how beautiful they are in their intimate setting. Everybody deserves to feel beautiful and attractive, so Boudoir gives them the confidence and evidence to feel so!

Boudoir photography may, in some cases, be confused with other photography genres such as glamour photography, fine art nude photography, and erotic photography as there are so many photography genres out there.

To spot the difference, keep in mind that Boudoir Photography is distinct from the latter in that it is usually more suggestive rather than explicit in its approach to nudity and sexuality, features subjects who do not regularly model, and produces images that are not intended to be seen by a wide audience, but rather to remain under the control of the subject.

So it’s always best to have an open mind, express yourself to your photographer, share your vision, and see what you can come up with by working together.


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