Boudoir and Feminism

There is nothing written in the laws of feminism that says that you cannot have a boudoir shoot if you’re a feminist because you feel it “objectifies women”. None of these shoots were taken with the intention of exploitation and neither was mine (still in the editing stages). I consider myself a staunch feminist and so does Matt, my partner in crime, business, and the love of my life. Men can and should be feminists, especially if they have daughters. My feminists beliefs are based on three basic principles: equality, opportunity, and choice.

My life philosophy pretty much aligns with that, and that we shouldn’t judge others by the choices they make. So, if one of these choices is to have boudoir pictures done, then do it. I want to feel like we’re empowering women through art. When a woman comes in, who is a little bit less than confident about her body, then sees herself later as someone in a picture who holds confidence, beauty, and a soft femininity (which we feel we sometimes lose while kicking ass at other things), it’s a wonderful gift to give her, from a photographer’s standpoint.

I had a client who called one day, right at the scheduled start of her session, in tears, telling me she was outside in her car, but couldn’t work up the courage to come in. I told her that she’d already paid the deposit, made the drive, and didn’t have to snap one picture if she didn’t want, but I was excited to show her what I had in mind for her shoot. I walked out to meet her at her car and help her carry things in and, after she met us and was able to relax for a bit, we were toasting to a photoshoot. She’s featured in our gallery and was happy with the outcome of her pictures. Like I said, it allows us to see a different side of ourselves.

So, feminist sisters, I invite you to do a boudoir shoot that empowers you to, not just feel beauty, but feel confidence and softness as well. Make sure you pick at least one frameable picture that you can hang or put bedside, and maybe one a little naughty. Exploring sexuality doesn’t go against feminist ideals and, why not bring your significant other for your shoot as well.