I thought it was about time we answered one of the most common questions we get: “What is boudoir?” I get it. To many people, boudoir photography is a foreign topic. Even though it is becoming more mainstream, it is still a pretty unique genre of photography. Especially when compared to things like wedding and maternity photos. I would give you a quick definition, but it’s not as simple as that.
Quick History lesson:
The word boudoir originated in France. It’s a term meant to refer to a woman’s changing room or powder room where they could retreat when they needed space. Kind of like a babe cave. At the time, the idea of sensual photography was deeply frowned upon. Boudoir as a form of photography began to emerge in the 1920s with French photographer Albert Arthur Allen. Unfortunately for Allen, nudity in photography was considered illegal at the time. This thankfully didn’t stop boudoir photography from taking off. By the time the 1970s hit, women were beginning to embrace their bodies and break social norms. Boudoir photography became a way of celebrating this.
What is boudoir photography?
My professional definition is a genre of photography meant to capture the beauty of the feminine form through intimate imagery. This is typically captured through the combination of lingerie and intimate settings such as a bedroom, bathroom, or similar set designs. Photoshoots commonly take place in a professional studio, Airbnb, hotel room, or outdoors. Many of the poses are meant to accentuate the feminine form by highlighting curves and creating interesting angles. The end result is tasteful sensual artwork with you as the subject.
My personal definition is a form of self-expression without limitations or boundaries of societal norms. It allows you to truly embrace every aspect of your body and sensuality, allowing you to love yourself deeply. It’s about accepting who you are, right now no matter your size, shape, age, or relationship status. Boudoir is all about celebrating everything that makes you uniquely you. It's an experience unlike any other. You get to see who you truly are without any boundaries, expectations, or judgment. Boudoir goes beyond a photoshoot. It's a celebration of you. Every struggle, every accomplishment, and every scar. Choosing a boudoir photoshoot is investing in your own worth—it's an opportunity to honor every step of your journey.
What clients have said:
We ask every client before their shoot “What does boudoir mean to you” and these are some of my favorite responses:
“To me, it is diving into who you are: your sensuality, your sexuality, your self-love, etc. It means showing yourself and the world that you know your worth and how beautiful you are!”
“It’s about loving every part of myself, on the inside and out.”
“Boudoir for me is about accepting my body in the state it's in without criticizing it. I want to embrace the way I love and fall in love with it and the things it's had to survive.”
“Boudoir is a chance to see yourself through someone else’s eyes and without judgment. It’s about embracing the whole of your body and being one with your own sensuality.”
“I want a day to feel sexy and happy in my body. I don't like anything about how I look, but I know almost everyone else tells me I'm beautiful. My brain won't accept it. But when I capture it in pictures, if I look back a few months later or so, I can see it too. So these will be a memory of my beauty that I can't appreciate in the moment.”
“I think boudoir is beautiful and I want to feel that kind of beautiful and it’s a way to feel good about yourself and to feel empowered.”
“Boudoir, to me as a young mother, is about reclaiming my sensuality and individuality amidst the demands of motherhood. It's about embracing my body's changes and celebrating my identity beyond just being a parent. It's finding moments of self-care and confidence in my femininity, acknowledging that nurturing myself is just as important as nurturing my child.”
So, who is boudoir photography for?
Boudoir is for you. Yes, the one reading this post. I don’t care about your size, age, color, or sexuality. You are worthy of experiencing the benefits of boudoir. Every woman is capable of creating stunning boudoir images. Boudoir is for the women who have a story to tell. Boudoir is for the mother of three, the newly engaged bride, the recently divorced wife, and the woman overcoming body image trauma. Boudoir is for you, but you don’t have to face it alone.
Boudoir photography can be experienced by yourself, with your boo, or with your best friend! Whoever you choose to share your boudoir experience with, I promise it’ll be one of the most fun things you have ever done!
We want to know what boudoir means to you. Comment below with your own personal definition of boudoir photography. Let’s help lift each other up.
About the photography team
Hello!
We are Katharina and Michael, a husband and wife boudoir photography team based in Arizona. We specialize in creating unique experiences that showcase our client's personalities and individual stories. Our style is centered around dark and moody with pops of color. We believe that every woman deserves the opportunity to discover just how beautiful and valuable they are. Boudoir truly has the power to change how you see yourself. Every woman has a story to tell, and it is our mission to help bring this to light.
You are worth investing in yourself.
Interested in booking a shoot with Polaris Boudoir? Fill out the form below and we'll get in touch!
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