4 BENEFITS OF BOUDOIR: Why It’s a Good Thing for Women
A Little History Lesson: Boudoir was not always beneficial to women.
Boudoir photography was traditionally marketed as a private gift for a woman to give to the man in her life. It was just something she did for the end product of a “little black book” of pictures. No thought was given to the experience she could have with the activity.
This old-fashioned version of boudoir was meant to be “for his eye only,” and indeed, how the man in the equation would view the images was the only important perspective in the process.
Somehow in all of that, it could easily be lost on the viewer that this beautiful woman, who has made herself vulnerable to be looked at in an incredibly intimate way, was more than a sexual object.
The sensual side of women was not celebrated beyond how she could make a man feel.
Thank goodness we are not confined to that paradigm anymore!
The Strong Confident Femininity Boudoir Experience benefits women first – pleasing a man is not the focus.
Here at SCF, we embrace the fact that the intimate photography experience can be far deeper, more beautiful, more luxurious, and more beneficial to you than that old-fashioned version of boudoir.
Oh, you can still find some of that old way available, but it is not what we offer here.
We know that your intimate portrait session is far more about the experience you have and how it enriches your confidence and view of yourself than any person you might share the images with.
We openly acknowledge the negative experience most, if not all, women have in one way or another with body image, self-confidence and recognizing their value as a whole person. We don’t expect you to pretend this is not an issue – because it is an issue for every woman who has ever stepped into the Strong Confident Femininity studio in one way or another.
None of us escape the ravages of media messages about what women are supposed to look like – and so often those messages are illustrated with unrealistic, heavily altered images that are more digital and surgical art than a real reflection of a woman’s reality. But it is a standard most women, probably including you, have measures ourselves against at one time or another. That comes with consequences to your self-esteem, body image, and confidence.
And what a challenge it is to find ways to combat the feelings of inadequacy!
That’s Where The Benefits of SCF Boudoir Come Into Play!
Boudoir, at it’s best, is an amazing tool for a woman to claim the following benefits:
1. Feel great about her body;
2. Learn to celebrate her whole self – including her sensuality;
3. Build confidence; and
4. Feel Empowered.
Let’s take a look at each of those benefits.
1. BOUDOIR BENEFIT #1: You come out feeling better about your body!
When you walk into the Strong Confident Femininity Studio, you bring with you a body that is like no other body in the world. It is yours! You are in control of it, and we will respect it. And that step of respecting your body is the first step in building a more positive body image.
You probably also bring with you questions about that body – is it pretty enough, fit enough, curvy enough in all the right places to be photographed beautifully? And what if it isn’t?
By doing a boudoir session, you will see some images that prove to you that your body is pretty enough, fit enough, curvy enough in all the right places. You will see that your body is a work of art to be celebrated.
And this benefit is not just a flash in the pan feeling that never comes back – you will have an album of images that prove what you saw on the back of the camera is true.
And album that will last forever, constantly proving how beautiful you are!
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2. BOUDOIR BENEFIT #2: Enhanced Sensuality
Okay, you might be asking: What exactly do you mean by sensuality? Webster defines it as: relating to or consisting of the gratification of the senses or the indulgence of appetite.
And you thought it just meant sex.
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again, your sensuality is a part of how you were created. It is part of your personality.
Thoroughly celebrating you, needs to acknowledge and celebrate that you are a sensual being.
Believe me, honoring and enjoying your sensuality is far more than offering yourself up as a sexual partner to another person. It can be as simple as running a finger across your skin and enjoying that sensation, or as complex as a mindset. It exists whether you are in a relationship or not. And it is a part of your integrated whole!
Therefore, we will not do anything during your session that doesn’t feel good and right to you. No poses are used because they are expected or traditional. No lingerie that isn’t a match for how you want to be perceived. No frills, lace, straps, or props that are not an accurate reflection of who you want to be and what makes you feel good and valued and beautiful.
Everything we do is geared for making you feel good about yourself and the experience you are having.
3. BOUDOIR BENEFIT #3: Boudoir done right builds confidence in women
Here is a summary of the three ways boudoir builds confidence in women:
1. Boudoir Uses Vulnerability to Build Confidence.
“What makes you vulnerable makes you beautiful!”
Brené Brown
2. Boudoir Takes You Outside Your Comfort Zone
The comfort zone is the great enemy of courage and confidence.
Brian Tracy
3. The Images Trigger Confidence for Years to Come!
Self-confidence is like a muscle. It will atrophy and diminish if you don’t keep working at it.
I have a whole separate blog post exploring these ways boudoir builds confidence! You can read it in full here:
3 Ways A Boudoir Session Boosts Confidence
4. BOUDOIR BENEFIT #4: Boudoir empowers women!
The exact definition of empowering women is a bit hard to pin down – a sort of “you’ll know it when you see it or feel it” kind of thing.
This quote from one of my clients weeks after her outdoor boudoir session is definitely one of those you-know-it-when-you-see-it situations:
“The insecurity alarms faded away and I just did my thing! Up there on a mountain cliff, away from the world. Just me and the sunset. I wish I could tell you how strong I felt walking down the mountain. And how strong I still feel, weeks later.”
By honoring you, allowing you to guide me about your comfort level with the boudoir activities – everything from avoiding any triggers you might have to making sure you enjoy the clothing and the posing options– you have the ability to determine your own choices.
And, you can determine how you want to allow boudoir to impact you.
That all is a little nebulous, but what I can tell you are stories after stories of women who leave the boudoir studio that as I’m holding the gate open for their cars, roll down their windows and tell me how amazing and empowered they feel.
I believe them and their self-reporting! Their experiences were empowering!
Now you know - A good Boudoir experience has some big benefits for you!
So, what are you going to do about that?
I would encourage you to reach out and do a consultation. Find out what your options are, ask your questions, and share your vision for how this experience fits into your life! To do that, all you have to do is click the button below and fill out the form. Mention in your message that you read this blog, and I’ll be sure to get you a great cup of coffee when we get together!
ABOUT STRONG CONFIDENT FEMININITY:
Susan Beth of Strong Confident Femininity, is a boudoir photographer with a unique perspective. She photographs you how you want to be seen, instead of how you think your partner wants to see you. Because that’s the way you will feel best about your images and yourself. She celebrates the uniqueness and intimate beauty of your strong confident femininity with flattering, tasteful, and stunning boudoir photographs.