July 14, 2020
I’ve been a photographer for over a decade, with about half of that time spent working with women in boudoir sessions – many of which take place in my downtown Sacramento studio. I love doing what I do, and I’ve found a common thread between all of the women I’ve met, and all of the shoots I’ve done:
Deep inside some of us women, is a desire to be beautiful. Deep inside every single person is a desire to like yourself no matter what. And especially when we look into a mirror. Let’s be real, it’s not always an easy journey. Some of us have taken the long road getting there, some of us are still on our way there. Some of us have tried multiple roads, some of us have tried to deny it, felt guilty, or felt that by wanting to feel beautiful, we are being vain.
But really, deep inside all of us is a desire of wanting to be honored and seen for who we are. Rather than denying this, trying to be modern/woke, trying to be a feminist, to be strong or whatever reasons we sometimes give ourselves, I truly feel that sometimes the best way is to accept the fact that we have these desires and we have to honor these feelings.
To me beauty is confidence. Beauty is honoring and accepting yourself. Beauty is sometimes liking yourself and being okay when you don’t at times. Beauty is happiness.
My boudoir photography is meant to honor your beauty, your desire of wanting to be visible. It’s meant to help you embrace yourself or help start you on your self-acceptance journey. It’s not about explicit sexuality, it’s not about being sexy, but it’s about embracing your sexuality tastefully.
It’s about being you, finally being you, letting yourself be seen, and honoring yourself with your own photo session and honoring yourself with time and the gift of embracing your desires.
It’s about showing you your photos so you can go: “That’s me?!” It’s about showing you who you are.
Last week, I photographed Miss A, who wanted to honor herself and her own journey, her long road getting here. Truly it’s just a mental shift, and sometimes it just takes one little nudge in the right direction. She told me her story and her path. And the whole time, we were laughing and having fun. I can’t wait for her to see her photos and see the woman I see in her.
So when will you honor yourself in this way?
