as a boudoir photographer in houston, i'm often asked about the details of taking boudoir photography. it is a growing area of photography and has recently even been featured in Grace Ormand Wedding Magazine as a great add-on for wedding photographers to offer in a bridal package. i've noticed that there are a lot of misconceptions about exactly what boudoir is, and i want to clear up some of the common questions i'm asked.

1. boudoir photography is always risque
boudoir photography has become a glamorous photographic style. it is not your typical hustler or even playboy style of photography. there is nothing pornographic about it. it's a classy way to document your most beautiful moments in life - anniversaries, weddings, and successful long distance relationships. i get inquiries from professional women who have a boyfriend overseas in the army or navy, and women who just had a baby and want to celebrate their new figure. the photographs are beautiful and empowering.

2. only women with model-type bodies can do it
i can't tell you how many times i have received an email from a full figured woman who asks if i'm able to do boudoir photography for her. of course!!! women are naturally nervous about their bodies and it's up to the boudoir photographer to find that perfect angle so that you leave feeling confident and beautiful after seeing the back of my camera. boudoir photographers know how to accentuate your best features, and minimize those that you're uncomfortable about.

3. it's something i could never tell my friends i did
actually, most of the boudoir sessions i photograph aren't just with my client - more often than not, they bring a friend along to help and offer support. it's great to have someone close by who can give advice about which outfit to wear, how to have your makeup done, or to fix that fly away hair. they help to calm your nerves - boudoir photography is so common and classy now that it's normal to bring a friend along for that confidence boost.

4. only women who know how to pose can do it
every step of the way, boudoir photographers will tell you how to move to bring out bring your best features. we'll demonstrate the pose for you and we know which types of outfits look best for particular backdrops and poses.

5. it means i have to pose nude
boudoir photography isn't neccessarily nude. my clients often bring along their man's button down shirt, a sexy little t-shirt, or an extravagent corset. clients who DO pose nude are almost always covered in a sheet. boudoir is all about the tease - giving your man enough to let his mind wander while still being classy.

back in february, lady C met up with me as her boudoir photographer and decided to put together some pin-up style boudoir for her husband's valentine's day gift. her and a friend decided to set up their sessions back to back, which makes the day sooooo much fun. her photos turned out beautifully, and when i recently put out a request for a pin up model for the new boudoir photography website, she was the first to respond with an offer to be my model. to say i was excited would be an understandment. both ladies from that february session have been huge supporters of J.Vallecorsa wedding photography, and i've definitely appreciated their excitement as the business has grown.

this is also the lovely lady who posed for the tie photo in my previous blog post during her boudoir session back in february.

as always, tenya du outdid herself with lady C's hair and makeup for a classic pin up look.











i just love this photo. she reminds me of Jennifer Aniston.

it's really funny how one particular photo tends to follow me throughout my career. the questions about it never cease, and a year later i am still getting emails with the same exact questions about the same exact photo. one such photo is below, which i have used as part of the boudoir faq page design.





the most common question? "is that a photo of you?" Haha - no!!!!! i was sort of busy taking the photo, but i do appreciate the compliment - i would LOVE to have a tan like that! however, the lovely lady who did pose for that pic came back recently to take some boudoir photos that i could use on the website. so - a face to match the tie boudoir photo soon!

the second most common question is how i came up with the idea for it. i get my inspiration from a lot of different places - i have talked before about how i got the inspiration for the charlotte wedding photographer website from the color of my computer mouse. but the inspiration from this photo is from the sketch below. i saved it onto my computer back in college... so 2001? 2002? i've had it forever and have always loved it. i'm quite sure that i owe someone artistic credit here, but i think i randomly pulled it from a stock photo site and i have no idea how to track it down again. my apologies to the artist.
 


i believed i have reproduced this photo for at least 4 clients now, and i love it every time.