If you google “The meaning of boudoir photography” you will find a snippet of an article that reads “Boudoir” is a French word meaning a lady’s private dressing room or bedroom. In photography, boudoir refers to a style in which women pose for photographs partially clothed or in lingerie. … These photos are also used as a way to document how great you look and feel about yourself at this given time.” Now, I don’t know about you but that last line hit me and stuck with me.  When I first heard of a boudoir shoot I instantly thought of Victoria Secret models, this is what those women get to do for their career (I maybe a little envious ). They exude confidence and portray themselves as everyone should, no matter your shape or size. I’ve always been a skinny girl, so much so, I’ve been teased my entire life and I’ve had doctors question if I have an eating disorder or not due to the fact I have a high metabolism and a hard time gaining weight but I’ve always tried to remain confident.

I was about 22 or 23 years old when I did my first boudoir shoot, the shoot I did was at home and was not professional. I had my friends take photos of me to try and make me feel comfortable in front of the camera. I felt awkward while posing for the photos and felt like they wouldn’t turn out how I was imagining. Then, I saw them and I instantly got a confidence boost. I felt so amazing to have my body showcased in an art form. I printed each photo and put them into a black book for myself.

A few years later I met Cristen and we decided to do a secret Boudoir shoot that I could give as a gift to my husband on our wedding day. This was going to be the first boudoir shoot for Cristen and my first professional one. When the day came for the shoot, I felt very self-conscious and awkward. I had just found out I was pregnant a few weeks before and my body was already looking bloated and not how I had pictured myself looking. When we began the shoot Cristen instantly made me feel comfortable. She posed my body to show off the best features and she hid the ones I was self-conscious about. I couldn’t wait to get the photos back!

When I did get the photos back, I LOVED them. They were classy, beautiful and very well done they weren’t risqué at all! Seeing myself in those photos took all of my insecurities away. I felt like a beautiful model and had a confidence boost. The night of Jason and my rehearsal dinner, we exchanged our gifts and he was very fascinated by the book and the photos I had chosen to put inside of it.

Fast forward to 2019 and Cristen wanted to do a mini boudoir marathon, without a question I said I would model and she can use my photos for her portfolio. I was nervous for this shoot as I had a baby 7 months before and like any mom I was still trying to get used to my post baby body. Once again Cristen made me feel so comfortable, the poses were modelesque and she made me feel beautiful. I am blown away at how these photos look and Cristen’s eye for how to pose a woman to make her feel the most confident and show off her body in the most majestic ways.

So, when I think of a boudoir shoot, I don’t think of them being risqué or lacking class. I think of them as a way to showcase a woman’s body to help her feel her best when she may be in a time she feels like her worst or she just needs a reminder at how beautiful women truly are. Our bodies are ever changing through the days and years, boudoir shoots are a way to give us a confidence boost during that time and remind of us of what once was.

Photos by: Cristen Nires