Oh the things I have heard from friends and family.
“Ooh, you are taking those kinds of pictures huh?”
“Lucky guy!!!”
“Does your wife know about this?”
So many different comments seem to come from these people. Some people perceive a male photographer shooting Boudoir as dirty, sexist or even degrading. Yet, if a female photographer decides to shoot Boudoir, the tone changes and people are very supportive. It suddenly becomes artistic and empowering. Why the stigma?
In an industry that is dominated by female photographers, one may question why a guy wants to do this. Honestly, for me, it challenges me on multiple fronts. First, it is an opportunity to help women feel great about themselves. It also allows me to expand my creative potential as an artist to better capture the essence of a person.
When I was asked to shoot boudoir for the first time, I will readily admit that it made me excited as an artist as it was a new challenge and new opportunities but also scared to death as a husband. My wife and I have been married for 21 years and have known each other for 27 (yep, high school sweethearts). I cherish our relationship above all others. So when the opportunity arose, we had a pretty good talk. She was a little uncomfortable with the idea of me being around another woman in lingerie or in suggestive poses. However, she said something very important: “I trust you. I know that you would not cheat or do anything to damage our relationship.” You know what, she was 100% right!!!
What people often times misunderstand is that even though I am a guy taking pictures of women, I am an artist and I have a reputation to uphold. I want to be know as the photographer that has made women feel great about their bodies and helped them build self confidence. I want to be known as that photographer who acts like a gentleman at all times and who respects each client. Most of all, I want to be that photographer that past clients can’t stop talking about to their friends about and recommending me to others! I love to hear people say, “My friend said you made her feel awesome during the shoot and her pictures were phenomenal!!! I want that same thing!”
There are also inherent benefits of meting a male photographer shooting Boudoir. One big advantage is that, being a guy, I know what would appeal to most guys. Now hold on to your hats because this is going to sound crazy, but:
Men tend to find a woman in lingerie or a basic shirt more appealing than being naked!
Yep, you heard me right! Men tend to like to more suggestive images that leave more to the imagination. That is what makes Boudoir photography so much fun is that the clothing options are almost unlimited! You could do some daisy dukes and a crop top or unbuttoned jeans and a white tank top, night gowns, bra and panties, sexy dresses and even all the way to bare backs and legs or even just a scarf covering essential areas. There are a plethora of options to choose from and all will be appealing to the guys.
So, among all of the comments that come in about being a guy photographing women, I go back to my comment that I AM and guy but I am also a business owner, and artist and a gentleman. I will continue to help empower women as so many of my female photographers out there do on a daily basis. And I will continue to take pictures of women but because I am a DAMN GOOD PHOTOGRAPHER and my clients deserve the best...NOTHING LESS!!!