What is boudoir photography?
Boudoir is a fancy French word for bedroom. A great deal of “boudoir photography” is now created in the photographer’s studio or in luxury hotel suites, where it has become very fashionable to create a set of sensual images for women in “boudoir style”. This often takes the shape of partly clothed images or images in lingerie, and has become a popular gift for brides to surprise their future husbands with. Although in the past there were many negative connotations associated with boudoir photography, in recent years the trend has begun to gain momentum, and the entire look of boudoir photography has begun to change. Bridal boudoir photography is becoming particularly popular. Other common themes for boudoir photography are anniversaries, birthdays, Valentine’s Day, weight loss, maternity, any form of body change or alteration (breast augmentation or reduction, etc.), and for soldiers overseas. At Shadow Boudoir Pinup style photography is also gaining momentum. Pinup came into its own with Esquire magazine in the 1930′s and then really became popular in WWII.
What originally interested you in boudoir photography?
I have been a huge fan of Pinup photography for the longest time. The Pinup artists that really captured my interest were Vargas, Petty, Olivia, and also a more current artist, the surrealist Michael Parkes. I love the innocence yet sexiness of those images. Before I was a Boudoir and Wedding Photographer, my photography was more of an artistic outlet for me. I showed my images in galleries and competed in juried art shows in San Diego and throughout the US. Pinup and Boudoir style images was one area that I really liked to work in. I loved giving the women in my images beauty and empowerment; they always had a very strong and powerful presence in the image. This was all before I went digital, all my prints back then were black and white from film, and hand processed in the darkroom. On some images I hand painted in selective color with oil paints. As a wedding photographer today it was an easy progression to modify my style just a bit to offer this art form to our brides, and other women who are looking to do something like this.
What is your favorite part of shooting boudoir?
What I love is watching our clients go from being nervous and sometimes self critical to being confident and strong. Sometimes they come in afraid to even get out of the car to not wanting to leave and planning their next session. The transformation is amazing. I hear so often that the ladies are on a “Boudoir High” for weeks after, and that often the images are just the icing on the cake, the experience itself is the best part!
I also LOVE it when one of our brides does a session and I am there to see the grooms face when she presents him with her album on the wedding day! That is priceless!
Where do your shoots take place?
Shadow Boudoir is a smaller Boutique Boudoir studio located in North County. Our studio is dedicated to Boudoir and Maternity sessions. We are an all female staff that is all about making your boudoir experience… well… the bomb!
What happens if the client does not want their photos on your blog, Facebook page or website?
All of our clients receive a very detailed privacy release along with their contract. This release covers where and how we can use their images, from not at all to you may use them anywhere you would like for your promotion. Most of our clients mark the box that says please ask on a per image basis.
Here’s a look at some differences between pinup and boudoir:
Check out this amazing Valentine’s Day Package. Hurry up and contact Heather today before the spots fill up!
For more information please visit the Shadow Boudoir Website.
*All photos can be viewed in a larger screen by clicking on them.*
