Vulnerability in the Studio — Evansville Indiana Boudoir Photographer
I know the type of vulnerability it takes to trust someone to capture boudoir photos of you.
Let's be real: it can be difficult to be vulnerable.
And a boudoir session can be a super vulnerable experience — mentally, emotionally, and physically. You’re coming into a not-super-familiar experience where you’ll be photographed — and to top it all off, you’ll be undressed to some degree. I mean, for lots of people that’s the stuff nightmares are made of so I totally get why you may have some hesitations about booking a session!
I always say the two big hurdles to doing a boudoir session are:
when you make the choice to reach out and book a date, and
when you make the choice to show up to my downtown studio the day of your session
Reaching out and booking is usually the toughest, BUT I’ve heard more than once that the morning of a client’s session they were thinking of all the excuses they could use to not show up, even on the drive over! Almost every client I have feels those nerves, and before every session I’ve had I’ve felt nervous at one point or another too. No shade, I’ve been there too trying to cook up an excuse and feeling one too many butterflies wondering what the hell I got myself into.
One thing that I prioritize above all else is your consent and your choice.
As a trauma-informed boudoir photographer, both of those things matters a whole lot to me, and there are a few points I’m really clear about before you get in front of the camera!
First, you're in the driver's seat when it comes to what poses you're comfy with, if I help adjust your hair or outfits, and what you want to do and don't want to do with your body and time in the studio. I ask for your consent before touching you in any way, though I do as much instructing as possible verbally. I also give you a heads up if I’m about to get closer to you — I know for myself I have a wide bubble of personal space, so if I’m getting close for a detail shot and getting into your bubble I want to let you know before I do it so you’re prepared! It’s the little things like that that make me feel cared for when I’m in front of the camera.
Another thing I do is make sure to have my camera down while you’re changing, adjusting your outfit, and getting into position. Even though I provide designated changing space in a separate room from where we shoot, it’s important to me that you know I’m not snapping while you’re extra vulnerable. And these are just grazing the surface of all the ways I incorporate your choice and your consent into each aspect of your session.
All this to say, thank you for trusting me, and for being vulnerable with me. I'm so grateful for the space – physical and virtual – that we’re creating together.
Did you enjoy this post?
I would love to have you in the studio so you can have an experience like this for yourself! Whether you’re all in and ready to go, need some more info before we get started, or are on the fence and want to talk things through before you commit – I’m here for ya! Click here to get in touch!
