Embracing who you are through a Boudoir photoshoot
Did you know…? Our company motto “Be Bold Be You, everybody else is already taken” is a quote from Oscar Fingal O'Flahertie Wills Wilde, the famous Irish poet and playwright? His novel "The Picture of Dorian Gray", first published in 1890, and was met with criticism and social uproar - The Daily Chronicle of London called the tale “unclean,” “poisonous,” and “heavy with the mephitic odours of moral and spiritual putrefaction”. Within ten years of it being published Wilde had been imprisoned after being found guilty of gross indecency, following details of an affair with the, male, British aristocrat, Lord Alfred Douglas.
More details of Wilde’s story can be found in a previous blog but what makes my heart SING, in 2021, is that the UK is (finally!) embracing self expression. Whether it’s through Pride Month or a moment to say “this is me” we are all about giving our client’s the confidence to say I am Bold and I am ME.
This month, let’s focus on gaining independence from that little imposter gremlin that tells you you aren’t enough…aren’t skinny enough, straight enough, curvy enough, pretty enough, gay enough, confident enough, or generally worthy enough in countless other ways. That gremlin is to be kicked out of your door, head and life so that you can live your life being bold and being you.
From a personal point of view, as a person who suffers from PTSD, anxiety and self doubt, I am so passionate about encouraging you to live your best life (and the PTSD has taken me nearly two years to admit outloud!). While that will mean something a little different from person to person, it will almost always mean pushing yourself at least a little bit outside of your comfort zone… So how does a Boudoir Experience sound?
Maybe you’ve thought about doing one before but that critical little voice held you back, or maybe it’s something you've never even considered. My role is to ensure that that imposter gremlin I mentioned earlier is shown the door and that YOU are left with your head held high and smile on your face as you leave our studio and for many years, after.
Let’s be honest, Boudoir sessions can be unique, fun and scary… But they don’t have to be scary and the joy of our studio, here in Belper on the edge of the Derbyshire Peak District, they can be uniquely designed to honor who you are. There are a few things that can be done during your session that help make it special to you. Here’s just a couple of suggestions on how to be yourself during a boudoir session.
BRING THINGS UNIQUE TO YOU
For those who have met James or me, you know we are all about allowing you to bring whatever you want if it represents you! There is nothing too crazy or too “boring” about your own ideas for your own #BBBY photoshoot. When you pack to come to your boudoir session bring anything that is special to you and represent who you are… If it’s wellies and a woolly hat then bring them! Are you a bike enthusiast? Yup - we’ve had those in the studio too! Let’s go for this… No matter how simple or elaborate, let us know all about you. Fancy some ideas? Take a peek at our gallery!
GIVE YOUR OPINIONS ABOUT THE SESSION
This is exactly what encourage you to do! The joy of booking the Be Bold Be You Boudoir Experience is that you are our only client of the day - making the entire studio, along from it’s makeover suite through to the kettle and array of fruit teas and homemade cakes, all yours! In the run up to your photoshoot, please don’t be afraid to give your opinions on what you think should be a theme for your photoshoot. You give us the ideas and themes and, as professionals, James & I will work with you to ensure we pose you to look your best. We love hearing suggestions on things you would like to try. It means that you’re warming up to your session but it also means that you’re excited and looking at being adventurous too. You remember that comfort zone we mentioned earlier? It’s time to push those boundaries!
NERVES ARE NATURAL, BUT DON’T BE SHY
Being nervous for your session or during your session is normal… I’m yet to meet a client who isn’t in the run up to their shoot! You’re pushing your comforts to the extreme, especially as you’re not able to visit the studio before your shoot at the mo thanks to the delightful covid-19 pandemic (although fingers crossed this will change from 21 June 2021!). You have to acknowledge and remember that this is something completely outside of your comfort zone so these feelings are going to be there and are completely natural! Be Bold Be You, is about feeling confident, and comfortable, enough to say this is me … Go ahead and voice which outfits that you love. Tell us if a pose is too hard. Mention that you want to try something different or an idea that you have to make your session unique to you.
Oh, and just incase you were wondering about Oscar Wilde… He is certainly cherished by today’s society. In 1995, he was commemorated with a stained-glass window at Poet’s Corner, in Westminster, London. In 2014 he was inaugurated into San Francisco’s “Rainbow Honor Walk of Fame” and, probably the most poignant moment following his death, 2017 saw Wilde pardoned for homosexual acts as they were no longer considered offences under the Policing and Crime Act 2017.
Our motto of “be bold be you; everybody else is already taken” is a quote from Mr Wilde. We weren't actually aware of this until a client pointed it out a couple of years ago (Thank you, Jasmine!) however we couldn't be more proud to have something in "common" with Wilde and stand by all that he represents, for so many across the globe.
I hate the phrase “mailing lists”… It sounds so so robotic and impersonal… How about penfriends? I get that choosing to have a Boudoir Experience isn’t an overnight decision so let’s stay in touch and then when you are ready to book your Be Bold Be You moment, it’ll just be like picking up the phone to a friend.
Kirsty