It’s the month of love, and while I’m a big fan of shooting couples in love, I have in recent years become a huge proponent of embodiment sessions for the purposes of self love. So many people have a misconception about boudoir sessions, thinking they’re lurid or lascivious in some way. Nothing could be further from the truth. But because of these preconceived notions, I like to call them embodiment sessions as, really, they are the ultimate act of self love. They are perfect for any woman looking to build her self-confidence, and maybe share her most intimate side with someone she’s given her heart to.
What Is a Boudoir / Embodiment Photo Shoot?
A boudoir photo shoot is a session that involves a woman getting super comfortable in her own skin. The word “boudoir” is French. It represents a woman’s private dressing room. The idea behind these photo shoots is that the photographer is capturing the woman relaxing in a state of undress or the act of getting dressed.
While we call this “boudoir,” it isn’t only about dressing or undressing. It is really an intimate session of self love, of embodying your most beloved self — a session where we give you the space to be you in whatever capacity you feel confident and comfortable. You can wear what feels good to you, what speaks to you and liberates your most authentic self. You are encouraged to fully love and celebrate yourself as a whole. The session can be in the comfort of your home, my home based studio, or even outdoors, if that calls to you. The idea is to liberate the beautiful wild woman. I will help you plan our location and outfits after hearing your vision for the shoot.
Frequently, the women in my shoots will wear lingerie or a negligee. I use angles that amplify the beauty of my subject’s curves, her softness, her femininity.
A boudoir studio is a safe space where women can allow themselves to be vulnerable and exposed. Not only is there no judgment coming from the photographer, but the best photographers will help the woman in an embodiment shoot feel empowered, uplifted, and celebrated in all her liberated glory.
And while a woman should feel sexy at all times and especially during one of these photo shoots, the real goal is intimacy. You, the woman, are essentially taking yourself on a date. You are revealing the most hidden parts of yourself —- your vulnerability, your trust, and yes, your skin.
Indeed, while many clients plan and schedule these sessions as a gift for their significant others, they often come back after the experience to tell me what a therapeutic act of self love it was.
So, really, an embodiment shoot can be a gift to yourself, to your significant other, it can be an anniversary gift, you can even book a session during your pregnancy! Those are some of my favorites.
I recommend women book several boudoir shoots over their lifetime to celebrate your growth. Aging is a beautiful gift, and it comes with wisdom and an appreciation of our naturally changing bodies.
When the shoot is done, I do natural editing and deliver a wonderful selection of color and classic black and whites for you to cherish.
You can also opt for an embodiment album. I create photo books for clients from
your favorite list in your private online gallery.
Who Should Do a Boudoir / Embodiment Photo Shoot?
Everyone!
Ever since I first started doing embodiment shoots years ago, I have been an advocate for women getting to know themselves on an even deeper level through this type of photography.
Every woman should do a boudoir shoot.
It’s not just about getting naked, or next to naked, in front of the photographer and the camera. Yes, some of it is about that.
But it’s really about getting next to naked with yourself, on a deeper level than just clothes. It’s about pushing yourself to see yourself as beautiful while I take pictures of you. It’s about seeing yourself as someone genuinely worthy of being photographed in all of your sensuality. It’s a process.
Pose, smile, adjust, feel amazing, relax, close your eyes and take in all that is you.
Be nervous, overcome the nervousness, let loose, smile, have fun, and pose again.
It’s a whole process akin to therapy that is an amazing experience for any woman ready to step outside of her comfort zone.
Then, when you see your photos, you undergo yet another transformation of falling even more deeply in love with yourself.
You’ll see your pictures and feel something you may have never felt before.
“My God. I’m beautiful.” You’ll think to yourself. And you’ll be so glad you took the time to love yourself.
Why Does Self Love Matter?
Why does self love matter, anyway?
Who cares if you love yourself as long as you love your husband, your children, your extended family members, your friends.
You’re such a loving person.
Do you have to love yourself?
Yes. Yes, you do.
Motherhood is the quickest pathway to martyrdom perhaps on earth.
Everyone needs you. Everyone counts on you. Everyone calls out for you.
And of course, of course, it is a joy. It is a privilege. We chose this life.
We chose the marriage and the kids.
But we never chose to disappear.
And we do no one any good when we disappear into the lives of our loved ones.
The silent woman in the background of everyone else’s lives —- cooking, cleaning, planning, budgeting, doing laundry, smiling, waving, taking pictures.
But never being in the picture.
Never being in the picture.
There is so much evidence in the world today that husbands, children, family members, and friends all benefit from your love so much more when you love yourself.
Confidence is everything, and self love is the ultimate act of confidence.
You shine brighter, you smile bigger, you stand straighter, and you speak more clearly.
And everyone notices.
When you love yourself, you are more capable of loving everyone else around you that much more deeply because it comes from a vessel that is running over, not one that is in constant need of replenishment.
So, if you’re feeling depleted, drained, exhausted by life, womanhood, motherhood, it might be time to hit the reset button. It might be time for a supreme act of self love.
Take yourself to a movie, to dinner, to a coffee shop with a good book.
And get yourself into the picture.
Get Into the Picture
If you feel a response within as you read through this piece, I want to hear from you.
Let’s book your boudoir session today.
Until you do, I hope you will get into the picture more.
Are you taking pics of your kids and husband all day long? Your animals? Your meals?
Are you in any of these pictures?
Do you ask your husband to snap shots of you? Of you and the kids?
This is a habit you must get into.
Years from now, maybe decades, you will look at these photos and you will wish you were in them.
So, here is your reminder to get into the picture with your kids, with your husband, by yourself.
All by yourself in all of your vulnerability and beauty.
Because vulnerability, after all, is beauty.
There will never be a perfect time, so don’t wait for it. Your time is now.
Book your session today.