Boudoir Ideas

I get it… You’ve thought about this for some time. You wanted to do it for yourself, or your significant other, but you’re a little shy, nervous, scared even.

But then you think, “That’s not me… I’m an independent power-player, I run a corporation, I perform on stage, I’m a loud and proud momma who’s got things under CONTROL!”

So why do we suddenly become wallflowers, too nervous to do this? Practically everyone I see on a regular basis has seen me in my underwear- my kids, my best friends, my spouse… What am I worried about?

Could it be that the idea of putting yourself on the pedestal for a change is new to you? And new things can often be scary. Your first child, first kiss, first day in college, first day at that new job, when you first said “I do” …or maybe when you said “I don’t”.

Or maybe it’s not new. Maybe you went out on this limb before and someone made you feel dumb or inadequate for it. Maybe your priorities and confidence were misplaced, who knows. What I do know is that I’ve felt that way myself, but if I hadn’t stepped back out on the limb (for myself) I would have missed some of the most amazing experiences of my life.

And hey, this doesn’t pertain to everyone; I KNOW there are women out there who don’t need this advice! I know there are “BOSS BABES” who are confident and ready to strip it down (figuratively  and literally). 

boudoir photography bbw photography plus size boudoir las vegas boudoir

Then there are women like my girl Krisden. She was originally planning her session for her boyfriend as a gift, but they broke up a couple weeks before her session. Rather than cancel, her besties talked her into still doing it, but just for her. She was feeling low, insecure, and unworthy. 

First off, if you’ve seen our cover image of “Big Booty Judy” as we affectionately called her with her curvy behind positioned over a mirror… You can plainly see she IS WORTHY… HOT MAMA!

Second, she is a prime example of a woman who was scared and didn’t see what the rest of us clearly did. 

But right now I want to discuss some things that will help you get ready for YOUR session. 

First, PAMPER YOURSELF GIRL! 

Get that fresh manicure! Get those bright red nails! Get black! Or go neutral, it’s up to you, whatever your idea of what YOUR sexy is, and what style we’re going for. 

Next, get a facial and hydrate your skin. I personally suggest my girl Debrah! She can refresh your skin, whiten your teeth, AND do body sculpting. Are these things necessary for your session? No. Do you deserve to pamper yourself, and to feel and look your best?! YAS GURL!

Bonus, she’s just across the hall from me! 🙂 

Check her out at: PremierAestheticsLV.com

Next

Avoid alcohol and drink plenty of water to hydrate your skin! (Don’t fret though, the day of your shoot we’ll have a little of both for you if you want!)

Don’t forget to pack a small bag, maybe you have a favorite perfume that always makes you smile, any clothing that you feel sexy in. Bring your partner’s cologne or perfume! These are little things that help create your customized experience. 

So what technically is Boudoir? Well let’s have Wikipedia explain:

Boudoir photography is a photographic style featuring intimate, sensual, romantic, and sometimes erotic images of its subjects in a photographic studio, bedroom or private dressing room environment, primarily intended for the private enjoyment of the subjects and their romantic partners.[1] It is distinct from glamour and art nude photography 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.[2][3]

The term “boudoir” comes from the French Language verb bouder meaning “to sulk” and was primarily attributed to women’s dressing rooms or sitting rooms and private salons. Nude or sexualized female forms have been a theme of photography since as early as 1840.[6] Early erotic photography, such as French postcards from the late 19th and early 20th century, pin-up girls, and Hollywood culture have influenced the visual style of boudoir photography.[7] Notable early boudoir photographers include Albert Arthur Allen, who photographed larger women against ornate backgrounds.[8]

Boudoir During WWII: After the dissolution of the Prohibition Era in 1933 and the beginning of World War II, the US Government began using propaganda to encourage young men to fight for their country. With the knowledge that “sex sells”, the military began using pin-up girls on their recruiting posters with slogans like “She’s worth fighting for” or “Come home to your girl a hero”.[9] This made the pin-up girl one of the most recognizable forms of boudoir and paved the way for modern boudoir by normalizing the female form in advertising.[9]

Known for her “million dollar legs”, actress Betty Grable was the icon of pin-up girls in the 1930s and ’40s. One of her most famous portraits was distributed to over five million troops during WWII. Not only was she known as one of the first women to take out insurance on a body part, she was also known for being one of the highest paid female actors in Hollywood during her time.[9] Other examples of boudoir from that era include images of Clara Bow, Mae West and Jean Harlow.

Boudoir photography was popularized in the millennium with the arrival of digital photography.[10] It became popular with women seeking to create a private collection of professional studio portraits. Boudoir photography dates from the mid-1980s onwards,[11] and is characterized by the empowerment of its female subjects, who now are typically the photographer’s direct clients[12] rather than being hired models.

Appeal

It is common for women to have boudoir photographs of themselves made as a gift to a partner, conventionally on the occasion of their engagement, marriage, or before an enforced separation such as a military deployment.[13] In the United Kingdom it became popular for brides-to-be to commission photoshoots as a wedding gift for the groom.[14] Boudoir photography is also sometimes given as a gift with the intention of re-affirming and encouraging the romance and sensuality between partners in a long-term relationship.[15]

Increasingly, boudoir photography is seen as something that a person might do purely for their own enjoyment, for the pleasure and affirmation of seeing themselves as attractive, daring, sensual, and sexually desirable.[16][17]

Styles

Boudoir photography encompasses a range of styles and moods. Named categories of boudoir photography include so-called “naughty girl”, “fun and giggles”, and “provocative and sensual”, with varying degrees of explicitness and nudity.[18]Visually the genre is characterized by diffuse high-key images[19] that flatter the appearance of skin, short focal distances, and shallow depth of field,[20] which together impart an intimate, “dreamy” mood. Other common styles include a low-key, deliberately grainy black-and-white, reflecting the influence of art nudes, early erotic photography, and film noir.[20] Also common are poses and lighting setups intended to replicate the mood and appearance of classic pin-up photographs and paintings.[21]

Okay, so wasn’t that a fun little history lesson?

But all in all, it’s here to have fun with! So bring your best girlfriends if you want! Make it a day, get mani-pedis, get mimosas… heck, BRING MIMOSAS! 

And hey! Even if you don’t have a significant other, DO IT FOR YOU!

Did you say recent break-up? I’m sorry, I heard revenge pics… ooh la la… 

I know I don’t NEED to remind you of your true beauty, but if you WANT a little encouragement… Oohhh gurl! I got you!

So class, what did we learn today?

Get some rest

Get that mani-pedi

Bring a friend

Pack a bag

Treat Yourself

This is supposed to be fun!

CHEERS!

~Mellisa

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *