Boudoir with B
Late last year, I received a call from a relative of a client I photographed. She introduced herself and after getting the introductions out of the way asked me if I wanted to do a boudoir session with her. I was taken aback. She immediately let me know that she had done her research, that she had checked me out, had looked at my work extensively and that even if she had not seen other boudoir shoot from me, she believed I was the right person to do this for her, especially after seeing the “Portraits of My Father” project. She saw softness, gentleness, and an understanding of women that was important to her. I was very flattered, yet nervous to do this shoot (my first), but promptly agreed and was ready for this amazing challenge.
She was coming from out of town, so we chose an Airbnb where she was comfortable, where the light was beautiful. We created amazing photos together in this very cozy and well-decorated 1-bedroom with exposed brick walls. This black and white editorial boudoir photoshoot unfolded like a beautiful soap bubble: perfect, fragile, and suspended in time. The space felt warm and inviting, the raw textures of well-worn leathers and white washed bricks offered the perfect canvas to celebrate intimacy, vulnerability, womanhood, and seeing yourself in a new light. The natural light streaming through the side window cast gentle shadows infusing my images with a sense of warmth despite the monochrome aesthetic. It also accentuated all the right shapes and created a serene atmosphere where we could truly connect as artist and model. In that moment, stripped of color, the world outside faded away, and it was just me, my client, and the art of photography taking shape through each click. I always explain to clients the magic black-and-white photography is that the absence of color allows the eyes to focus on the human element rather than on the colors inside the frame; and in the case of boudoir, it allows the eye to focus on the curves of the body, the play of fabric against skin, and on the expressions of empowerment and sensuality communicated through pose and composition.
I had always considered myself a photographer who connected better with men, someone who understood how to photograph men better. That day, gears clicked, and I tapped into something different. I was given such trust that it freed me. The conditions were met, and I found creativity flowing easily and the connection between my eye, my camera, and my client to be very powerful. With the classic tones of black and white, every detail—from her black lingerie to the pure white sheets of the bed, or the worn leather of the couch—was accentuated, drawing out a sense of empowerment and grace. This photoshoot became more than just a collection of images; it was an intimate journey of embracing who I am as an artist, who she is as a human, and celebrating beauty in all its forms.
This was truly a life-altering photoshoot for me… I hope you enjoy these images as much as I enjoyed taking them.
