Why Body Empowerment/ Boudoir?
As a body empowerment advocate and documentarian, I often receive a variety of mixed feedback regarding the work that I do. There seems to be a significant misconception when it comes to boudoir photography in general—many people consider boudoir to be perverse or, at the very least, borderline pornographic. While every client and every photographer possess different standards and missions for their sessions, in my perspective, boudoir represents an intimate act rooted in love—both for oneself and, at times, for someone else. Body empowerment, although related, is slightly different in that it focuses strictly on self-love and acceptance. Many clients approach me, expressing a deep desire to participate in a session, only to reveal that they have a lengthy list of things they need to accomplish before they feel ready. The most frequently cited excuse for delaying a booking is, "Well, I need to get back in shape first." This mindset, in my view, undermines the very essence of body empowerment. Body empowerment is designed to emphasize appreciation for your body just as it is. It means embracing and loving yourself even when you believe there are aspects worth improving. It means recognizing how truly remarkable you are, regardless of your appearance—and it serves as a powerful message to society, giving a strong middle finger to the unrealistic standards imposed on a word meant to encompass so many different and valuable things.
Body empowerment sessions are not simply designed to be a photo shoot; rather, they are thoughtfully crafted to be an immersive experience and a meaningful ode to oneself.
My desire to offer these unique experiences truly stemmed from my own participation in a memorable boudoir session. The experience itself was so remarkable that it was more than I could easily express with mere words. The photographer did an amazing job of making a very self-conscious young woman feel at ease, and she even managed to make me forget how insecure I actually was at that moment. Instead, for the first time in a long while, I felt beautiful and sexy—truly, I felt free! I will cherish that experience forever. I booked my session with this particular photographer because her mission statement resonated with me deeply: “Helping women embrace their TRUE beauty.” I expected this to mean that I wouldn’t have to change a thing about myself—because I was already beautiful just the way I was. However, the insecurity came creeping back around once I received the final results of the shoot. At first glance, the photos were nothing short of phenomenal. They were pure magic! Yet, after staring at them for a week or so, I painfully realized that the girl in the photo wasn’t truly me. It was a heavily altered version of myself. The editor—who I was informed was not the photographer—had airbrushed every freckle off my body and made every curve I had seem to disappear entirely. This realization was more damaging to my psyche than the original thought I had of not being good enough. The business that claimed to accept me just the way I was had proven unable to accept me for who I was and instead transformed me into how they thought I should be. I was heartbroken. But through that painful experience, I ultimately found inspiration. I discovered a way to heal from my own negative beliefs, and I wanted to share that enlightening journey with the world. I realized this was my chance to offer the empowering experience I had hoped for to other women like me, and in doing so, I’ve found a supportive community and opened a door to acceptance of TRUE beauty, in a world that often feels dominated by distorted societal standards.
A body empowerment session with me requires no specific body type or predefined standard of beauty. Your unique differences are what make you truly exquisite and exceptional. Whether you are fat, skinny, short, tall, white, black, young, or old—each aspect of you adds to the rich tapestry of your individuality. In this very moment, you are already a perfectly imperfect work of art, deserving of appreciation and celebration just as you are.