Essence of Women

Boudoir Portraits and Stories

There are numerous reasons why a woman would schedule a boudoir portrait session. Some clients book a photo session to celebrate the fact that they’ve conquered a medical condition; others do so to mark a milestone (e.g., a wedding or divorce, an important birthday, or perhaps a college graduation). Still others rise to the challenge of making themselves vulnerable to the camera to challenge stereotypes and celebrate the skin they are in; they’ve come in to accept and honor their age, shape, or size. Finally, some women seek to have boudoir portraits made with others—perhaps sisters or best friends—to document their interpersonal relationships with the women closest to them. In this book, photographer Olivia Womack teaches you how to gather knowledge about the reasons that led clients to your door and offers tips for helping women to step out of their comfort zones to create striking images that a tailored to the individual and celebrate her unique beauty.