The Boudoir Valentine’s Day Boudoir Marathon

Valentine's Day Pin-Up

We’re getting closer and closer to Valentine’s Day, and as one of our first orders of business The Boudoir will be offering a one-time only steal of a deal!

Our very first Boudoir Marathon will also be held on Sunday, January 29th, just in time for Valentine’s Day. $150 gets you 40 minutes of session time in a swanky hotel, 1 fully edited image, and 2 mini accordion albums. 1 to keep, 1 to give away to your significant other. Only 6 sessions are available so book them while you can.

Normally, this type of session would cost $250 but we are offering it to you for $100 off! What a great gift to give to your significant other that says you still want them for your Valentine. You can also purchase Boudoir gift certificates for your loved one. Sometimes women want to do something like this but aren’t quite sure if their husband or boyfriend will find it as sexy as they do! Give her the go ahead with a Gift Certificate to The Boudoir. You’ll be glad you did!

Boudoir is NOT Porn!

A strong woman is terrifying to some people. A woman who knows herself, who understands herself, and appreciates what she has to offer, scares a lot of people. We live in a society where everyone is pigeon-holed into a slot where society feels they “fit.” If you don’t fit the proper societal mold, you’re labeled a “misfit,” an outsider, socially awkward, strange, the list goes on. I don’t like labels, I never have. I never will. I’m a strong woman. I have beliefs that are outside the “Norm.” But I am not strange, I am not a misfit. I am here to change the way that people look at things, change their ideas.

I don’t like societal molds. I don’t like placing people, things, or ideas in the spot where they “fit.” Sometimes, you’ll find you place something in a spot it doesn’t normally “fit” and it thrives. It grows, it flourishes, and it shares it’s strength with others. Think about all the places you’ve seen something or someone in a position you never would have imagined them in, but they’re doing it, they love it, and they are thriving. It happens all the time!

Boudoir Photography is an art form. It is about showing a woman what she’s got, and telling her to “Show ’em what you’re workin’ with.” This is a celebration of a woman’s beautiful body, but also what’s on the inside of that beautiful body. The heart and soul that makes that woman unique and beautiful. A truly great photo isn’t just capturing a moment, it’s also about capturing what is really there, what is on the inside. Making that photograph come to life, having people look closer not just take a glance and walk away. Pornography is very explicit, there are no questions as to what the objective of porn is. Pornography is an activity where the model is usually paid, and paid well to showcase their goods. Pornography is something meant to be shared enmasse, and to titillate many people. Boudoir photography is really only done for one other person than that of the female having portraits done. Boudoir photography is only meant for the eyes of her partner. It’s also not laying everything out on display for the viewer to see. It’s purposefully mastered and posed to give a little sneak peek but to remain slightly ‘anonymous’ for lack of a better word.

Labeling boudoir photography porn, is not giving it enough credit and is an insult to those who create it and those who have it done. We are living in an era where sex is everywhere, it’s in commercials and some of those commercials are not very tastefully done (think Jessica Simpson, Dukes of Hazzard music video or Paris Hilton, Carl’s Jr. Commercial.) These examples, really objectify women. There’s nothing wrong with shaking your booty, nothing at all…but there’s a line that should never be crossed and every Photographer worth his/her salt knows this. But sex sells, and unfortunately many are ready and willing to cross that line for the right amount of money. Boudoir CAN be porn, but it comes down to the Photographer’s vision and what they want their reputation to be.

For us, at The Boudoir, we want a clean reputation. We are seeking a reputation that will send the message to women and their partners that this is a safe way for them to share their sexuality.  We make sure we understand exactly what our clients are looking for, and we make sure we have boundaries in place even before that first CF card slides in. Before we create, we protect our clients, and ourselves. When we’re all done and the lights turn off, we go home and that’s where the true magic begins. We choose our very best images, the once that really stand out and say wow! and when these women see these photos they are speechless. Many of them had no idea they could look this beautiful, even before editing! This is a healing time for many of the women who choose boudoir. It’s a time for them to make amends with their bodies and to realize what they really look like to everyone else around them. Those minor insecurities that we all have look tiny in comparison. Doing these shoots give women strength and a new-found understanding of themselves, it’s empowering! With pornography, it is the opposite, most often. Pornography can diminish a woman’s self worth and value.

Ultimately it all boils down to the fact that we are here to provide a classy and beautiful service to classy & beautiful (inside & out) women. We’re not pornographers. We’re artists. What we create is beauty, and what is left behind is more than just images on paper. Our women walk away with TWO packages when they’re done with us. One that they give away, and one that they keep inside themselves. Empowerment, beauty, confidence, a boost to self esteem, and strength all wrapped up tight with a pretty, shiny satin bow. No one can ever take that away from them because Boudoir is NOT porn.

 

 

 

The History of Boudoir Photography

Since the beginning of time, many have been interested in the art of capturing the female form. The soft curves, swells, skin, and general beauty of a female in relaxed repose captures the attention of not only men, but also other women. The female form is a curiosity, and a beauty to withhold in and of itself.

In the 1920’s, when nudity in photography was mostly illegal and often times considered pornography, Albert Arthur Allen emerged. A Frenchman, based in San Francisco who despite being arrested for his art on numerous occasions, continued to create. A closer view of Mr. Allen’s work reveals a man who saw beauty in the more lush and “plus-sized” models to today’s standards. His posing and model choices led to a very soft and romantic appeal, which is not hard to imagine why he became very popular with his small clientele base at the time. Mr. Allen has left behind some phenomenal pieces of art history, only proven by the photograph below:

Around the same time, Cecil Beaton, an Englishman came on the scene and is famous for his photographs of Marilyn Monroe.  In fact, one of Marilyn’s personal favorites of all time come form Cecil’s collection of photographs. This detail says a lot, considering the many photographers who covered Marilyn in her day and the sheer number of incredibly beautiful images.  See Marilyn’s favorite photograph of herself below: 

Yet another photographer, whose work I find immensely enjoyable is Sam Shaw. A United States native, born in New York, has coverage of Marilyn that I feel shows her natural beauty and her everyday side. Sure, there is the glitz and glamour but more importantly he captures an innocence that I feel a great boudoir photographer should be able to capture. Not just sex, not just beauty, but also an innocence that reminds you there is a woman there. One of Shaw’s images that I find particularly revealing can be viewed below:

The history of boudoir & glamour photography is a vast one, celebrating the beauty & femininity of women, but also if done well: the innocence and romance. The reason behind this blog post today is to show you that the objective for us is not to just capture the modern day take of boudoir & glamour photography, but also to take note from our photographic ancestors and bring a little something more to the table. To show the artistic side of it all and to provoke thought and interest in what seems to be a forgotten art form.

There are many artists to learn from and from which to seek inspiration. Another of my personal favorites is Steven Meisel. Steven is an American photographer born in 1954, who has made the majority of his living through publications in Vogue, a magazine I use to this day simply for inspiration. I subscribed to this magazine, not for it’s inspiring articles, but also for it’s artistic and avante garde imagery. Steven Meisel has not forgotten what the roots of boudoir photography are all about. He has been known to photograph plus-size women, women who do not exactly fit the proper societal mold in which we place women for their size. Something I applaud, because no matter the weight of the woman, there is beauty to behold and to be captured. One of his photographs of what we consider a plus size model doesn’t even come close to defining a plus size woman in my mind, but is still one of my favorites. It shows power, and sex, but at the same time in a pose that could be seen as objectifying a woman, I see empowerment:


Another of his images, capturing exactly what we discussed earlier. Showing a woman with a 1940-1950’s glamour about her:

 Horst Paul Albert Bohrmann, A.K.A Horst P. Horst, was also a phenomenal photographer and master of lighting, something that is a huge part of our focus here at The Boudoir. We spend a lot of time researching the latest in lighting techniques, purchasing lighting equipment and arranging our lighting and models in the best possible way, to create the most dynamic image that we can. Horst is a huge influence for this. Also a Vogue Alumni, he became famous for his work with Madonna on her “Vogue” single in 1990. Horst went on to inspire many photographers, including myself, in the years since.

The list of incredibly inspiring famous photographers and artists could go on and on: Alberto Vargas: famous pin up artist, Frank Powolney: photographer, Sam Menning: photographer, Olivia De Berardinis: famous female pin up artist, Andre De Dienes: photographer, Bert Stern: photographer, Bob Willoughby: photographer, Charles Dana Gibson: pin up artist & artist of the “Gibson Girl”, the list goes on and on. The lesson to take away, is that Boudoir & Glamour photography shouldn’t just speak to the sexual side of an image. It should speak to the soul, it should show personality, and innocence. Every woman has an innocence to her that is just waiting to be captured. Welcoming you to The Boudoir, is welcoming you to a new way of doing things. We’re putting ourselves out there, we’re setting a precedent for ourselves, and a reputation that we will be working very hard to uphold. We encourage you to find inspiration of your own before your session. Come to us with your ideas, share your inspiration. We’re here to make them a reality.

Welcome to The Boudoir

Hello! And Welcome to The Boudoir, the Eau Claire & Chippewa Valley’s NEW number one choice
for Boudoir & Glamour photography. Our number one goal is to capture you in a classy & dignified
demeanor, while still capturing the attention of that special someone in your life with sexy & tasteful
photographs.

Which brings us to our main reason for this blog post today, what is boudoir photography? For many
of you reading this, we’re sure you already know. But we also have a slightly different idea of what
boudoir is here at The Boudoir. We believe that boudoir photography is whatever you think it is. If you
are more comfortable in a comfortable cotton nightshirt, or men’s button down, then by all means: this
is what boudoir is to us. If you simply want some photographs taken of you in your sexiest little black
(or colored) dress, we are here to provide that service for you. But, if you have a more traditional
take and you would like photos in your lingerie, implied nudes, etc, we will also photograph you in that
respect.

Pin-up photography has become very popular over the last few years, and we would love to do more
themed sessions with you to encompass a vintage approach. With every passing day, the styles turn
a little more romantic and lace and frills become the style. We will work with you to choose the most
romantic location possible to convey the look of luxury, beauty, and femininity.

Our number one goal is you, our client. We want to make you look and feel incredibly beautiful. We want
to unveil a side of you that you didn’t even know was there. Whether you’re a size 4 or 24, we are here
to help you feel more comfortable in your own skin. We promise, when you look at your session proofs
for the first time, you will not believe that it is you staring back from the depths of your photograph.
Our goal is to wow you. Our goal is to have you walking away from your session with a newfound
confidence in yourself, and your body.

Welcome to the Boudoir, we’re hoping you’ll stay a while!

We Would Love to do Your Pin Up Photography

Pin up photography has a look all its own and we would love to do yours. They are very sensual without going over the top. Book “The Boudoir”, your Eau Claire, WI boudoir photographers. You could be a boudoir girl.

Get in touch with us!

The Boudoir is located out of Eau Claire, Wisconsin and just an hour from St. Paul. Our number one priority is to capture photographs that encapsulate you in a classy, dignified, fresh, and contemporary manner. Our number one priority, is you. YOU could be a boudoir girl. Are you up for the challenge?