The word boudoir pronounced buˈdwɑ (unless you’re me then it’s just boo-dwar) is an old-fashioned term used to refer to “a woman's bedroom or dressing room”. It originates from the French word boudoir which means “to sulk”. Naturally, boudoir photography typically takes place in a bedroom setting showcasing a woman posing suggestively wearing lingerie garments or similar.

Although previously a male-dominated industry featuring photos of models and imagery centered around the female form as sexually suggestive art, I’ve watched boudoir photography evolve into something I am very passionate about — empowering women.

All bodies are boudoir bodies approach to boudoir photography in Phoenix Scottsdale, Gilbert Arizona — All Bodies Are Boudoir Bodies | Bella Jade Boudoir Photography in Phoenix, Scottsdale, Gilbert, Arizona

You will find that a lot of photographers’ portfolios are primarily of models. And yes, you will find photographers out there who use filters and body morphing apps to sculpt images that prioritize perfection.

I can tell you that is not us.

As a female boudoir photographer, I aim to help women fall back in love with themselves. And, my boudoir photography studio has become known for being a creative private space where women can feel safe and comfortable getting boudoir photos taken.

It’s a place for everyday women aspiring to feel more confident in their own skin. A place where they can step out of their comfort zone, and change how they see themselves! For that, at Bella Jade Boudoir, getting boudoir photos is less about the male gaze or having the perfect body and more about how a woman feels in her own skin.

My initial approach to boudoir and for the last 8+ years has been to have a lot of fun, encourage self-love, enhance your beauty, honor your curves, and capture images that memorialize a moment when you felt celebrated, confident, and sexy!

If your goal is to boost your self-esteem do your research and find a boudoir photographer that is the right fit for you. who encourages self-care, and believes in things like body positivity or body neutrality. And, select someone who makes you feel seen and heard. Even if that happens to not be me, I promise that choosing a photographer who aligns with your values, understands why you’re doing this, and genuinely wants you to feel comfortable about being yourself, can positively impact how you feel about the experience and your final photos!

At Bella Jade Boudoir we do not expect our boudoir clients to lose weight, get an extreme tan, or force you into garments not meant for you. And, while you’ll get to have your hair and makeup done professionally our artists specialize in natural glam hair and makeup looks that enhance your natural beauty and boost your self-esteem. Plus, you’ll never see any over-editing on my end. My approach to editing is to create finished art-worthy photos through expert techniques like color and lighting enhancements, skin softening and removing unexpected blemishes like breakouts, and bruises.

Instead, we focus on celebrating women of all shapes and sizes and showing you just how beautiful you already are. Our thoughts: You do not need to transform into someone else to feel more confident in your own skin. Regardless of your imperfections, or so-called flaws, you too deserve to feel loved, sexy, and empowered. Above all, we know that your photos should feel like you, and morphing you into some unrealistic representation of beauty will never be as powerful as capturing photos where you genuinely look and feel your most confident. Truly, at Bella Jade Boudoir, we believe you are already beautiful and want nothing more than to highlight everything you already are so that you can see that too!

When you do a boudoir shoot at our Scottdale boudoir photography studio, it doesn’t matter how nervous you are, if you’re a little self-conscious, or if you have any insecurities about your current body, I can confidently say that you’ll be supported and celebrated by our all-female team!

We will help you with how to prepare, and what to wear, pamper you with hair and make-up, mimosas, have a few laughs, and coach you through posing from head to toe! Making a boudoir shoot with us one of the most memorable and empowering experiences you’ll ever have. One for the books that boosts your self-esteem and inspires you to love yourself unconditionally!

And so, if you take anything away from this let it be this: You don’t need to become someone else to get great boudoir photos. Plus, if you’re gifting your photos to someone special, my guess is that they too, want to see YOU in these photos and not some stranger they don’t recognize either. So be true to yourself, choose a photographer that gets you, and take this opportunity to practice self-love, re-claim your confidence, and recognize how gorgeous you actually are!