For Your Eyes Only: Privacy, Model Releases, and Why You’re Safe With Us.
“Not if you don’t want them to be!” It’s one of the most common questions we get on the phone. Is doing a boudoir shoot safe? Do I have to pay extra for privacy? Is the whole world going to see my intimate pictures?! At Chérie Amour, we’re staffed entirely by women. Women from all walks of life and backgrounds. Not only do we staff this way for our client’s comfort, since many women don’t feel comfortable with men seeing their photos, but also because we women understand the importance of our privacy being respected – and we want to give that privacy to each of our clients. During your image reveal, which takes place about a week and a half after your photoshoot, you will have the opportunity to sign a model release only if you want to, allowing us to share your photos on our social media, blog posts, or ads. We absolutely love sharing our clients’ images – seeing the unique beauty of all the women we are honored to work with is so special to us, and we love that our socials are filled exclusively with real women who chose to work with us! However, you’ll also be able to sign a refusal for images to be shared. There are no hidden costs or fees to refuse sharing – we just want you to be comfortable! By default, all images are for your eyes only – and for whomever you want to show them to. We got you, babe.
An open letter to our clients
Dear Chérie Amour Friends: You inspire us. You amaze us with your stories, your vulnerability, your strength, and your courage. Each day we get to work with you, we’re in awe at the beauty and multiplicity of women. Some of you have experienced incredible heart ache. Some of you have experienced mental health struggles. Some of you have fought daily with body image and disordered eating. Some of you are in the middle of so much right now, but look at you. You’re still here, you’re still fighting. Your survival rate for bad days is 100%. We admire you so much. Some of you have already done a boudoir shoot with us, and we’re so grateful that you trusted us with taking your photos. We hope you know how beautiful you are. Some of you are scheduled but haven’t done the shoot yet. It’s normal to be nervous before your photoshoot! You’ve got this. Some of you haven’t booked and aren’t planning on it, but we’re so glad you’re here, coming along with us for the journey. This Valentine’s day, we want to share the love with YOU. Thank you for being part of the family. Love, Chérie Amour
Boudoir – Who is it for?
Who is boudoir for?? Boudoir is an extremely meaningful and vulnerable style of photography, celebrating the essence of the beauty of women. Sometimes we hear people say “I don’t know who I’d do it for” or “I’m not engaged any more – I don’t need this.” They realize that a really common (and good!) use for boudoir photography is as a gift to a significant other. There really are few gifts as precious as memoirs of your beauty and love. So on the one hand, boudoir is for your partner. What sometimes women don’t realize is that it’s every bit as much of a gift for themselves, and one that they absolutely do not need a partner to enjoy. Walking into a boudoir shoot gives most women anxiety, but walking out, it’s all gone. It’s an amazing experience getting to relax and enjoy channeling your inner bond girl, listen to good music, and laugh with your photographer, who will be your ultimate hype girl. Not only that, but the image reveal can be an incredible experience. We’ve lost count of the number of times women have seen their images and exclaimed, “That’s ME?! I never knew I looked like that!” When women see themselves through the lens of someone outside of themselves, without the cloud of self-judgment, wonderful things happen. As much as boudoir is a good gift for a partner, boudoir is a gift to yourself. You deserve to see yourself as the work of art that you are.
Lover’s guide to gifting boudoir photos
Boudoir photography makes an unforgettable and romantic photo gift. Whether it’s for a holiday, your wedding, or just a special present for your partner, gifting boudoir photos is a shared token of beauty, sensuality, and vulnerability. It’s one of the most precious things you can give. There are so many ways of gifting boudoir photos that it’s worth considering how and where you’d like them displayed. The most popular option is a luxury, lay-flat album. With photos printed directly on the sturdy, firm pages, and custom leather binding, they hold between 20 and 60 images depending on the size. A discreet book is another romantic photo gift. It’s a smaller, hand-mounted book that showcases 10-12 photos and closes with a magnetic cover. These are excellent choices for more limited budgets and a more personal touch. In addition to albums, gifting wall art is a bold and exciting way to share a romantic photo gift that you feel captures the essence of your beauty and sensuality. “But where would I hang it?!” Over your bed or in your closet or master bathroom are our favorite choices, but some boudoir photos are conservative enough to hang in your living space as well – beautiful mementos of your beauty and personality that deserve to be seen and admired. For the ultimate discreet look, a wooden flash drive can be carried with you anywhere. Its classic casing gives a sophisticated cover to the romantic photo gifts it holds. Traditional times would also include Christmas, Valentine’s Day, anniversaries, and of course the wedding. Many brides opt to give their partner an album the night before their wedding, or when they arrive at the honeymoon. Drop hints if you want, or if your romantic photo gifts won’t be in your hands on the day of – a set of lingerie that you used in the photoshoot with a note saying “more to come…” is always a fun way to plant the seeds of excitement in their minds. In the end, no matter how or when you decide to gift boudoir photos, they will be a timeless reminder of the work of art that you are. A romantic photo gift that never goes out of style.
Hair tips for winter
While some of our clients are lucky enough to live somewhere that’s warm all year long, a good number of us live farther north, where the cold, dry weather and freezing snow are taking over the show for the next several months. We love the look of icicles and snow-covered roofs and the warm glow of house windows in contrast to the chilly and early evenings, but we do not love the hair damage that results from the temperature drop. We compiled a couple of hair tips for winter to keep your tresses healthy and happy, throughout the cold season. Remember that even with all the texture changes and breakage that happens, your hair is beautiful and a fun extension of your style. Stay healthy, keep smiling, and spring will come before we know it.
WHY NOT?! – Mental Load and The Art of Self Indulgence
We’ve all been there. Life gets busy, your mind is racing with everything you have to accomplish. Work assignments are building up, school deadlines are approaching, the dishes need to be washed, your children have an event at school you need to help them with, and any number of things we juggle on a daily basis as women. Responsibilities, self growth, relationships, professional life, home life – they all add to our mental load. Kelly Gonzales of Mind Body Green Relationships writes: The mental load is a term for the invisible labor involved in managing a household and family, which typically falls on women’s shoulders. Also sometimes referred to as “worry work” or “cognitive labor,” the mental load is about not the physical tasks but rather the overseeing of those tasks. It’s being the one in charge of having the never-ending list of to-do items constantly running in your head, remembering what needs to get done and when, delegating all the tasks to respective family members, and making sure they actually get done. Amid the chaos and work, finding time for self care and self indulgence is difficult, but so necessary. As women, the stresses of life can deeply and negatively affect our relationships with others but also with ourselves, leaving us depressed, self critical, and burnt out. Self indulgence can be life saving. When was the last time you did something that brought yourself joy? When was the last time you pampered yourself, the last time you saw yourself and thought “I look beautiful and at peace”? When was the last time you did something just for you? Not only is self indulgence life saving, but it’s an art. Making time to take care of yourself sometimes feels like just another thing to juggle. And while eating a secret chocolate bar checks a self care box off the list, sometimes the bigger, more lasting things are the ones that truly nourish your soul. Self care that has a lasting impact, like booking a chiropractic appointment, scheduling therapy appointments, or doing a boudoir shoot, will improve your quality of life – and you can look back on them fondly and see how you’ve grown. Investing time and money into a boudoir shoot isn’t for a temporary instance of gratification, but rather a chance to see yourself through someone else’s eyes. Someone who doesn’t see you through a haze of mental exhaustion, but rather as the gorgeous and strong person that you are. It may have been years since you’ve seen yourself that way, but the images – and the positive effects – can last a lifetime. Start slowly, but start now. Find ways to carelessly indulge yourself. Make time to have fun in the humdrum. Turn on the music while you’re doing the dishes, dance with the broom, set down your phone and taste all the flavors in your food, and when you’re ready, book the shoot. Why not?! You are worth it.
What is boudoir
A few years ago, before starting at Chérie Amour, I had no idea what boudoir photography was. I knew about maternity photography, lifestyle, bridal, wedding, and newborn photography, but Boudoir? No idea. Shortly before starting here, a friend of mine did a boudoir shoot and I was just amazed at the beauty and vulnerability and power that her photos displayed. I’ve heard a lot of descriptions since then – “pictures in lingerie!” “sexy photos,” “naughty photos,” “Victoria’s Secret style photos” – but none of them really capture the essence of what boudoir photography is. Boudoir, which is named after the French women’s dressing room, is an intimate and powerful style of photography that showcases the beauty and diversity of women. It seeks to show women how stunning and uniquely lovely they are, from the lens of someone whose eyes aren’t biased by their insecurities. It’s more than a photoshoot. A life changing and empowering experience.
What to wear for a boudoir photoshoot
While we fully believe in wearing pretty lingerie every day of the week, there are definitely pieces that work better for occasions like a boudoir photoshoot. Boudoir became a popularized style of photography in the 1920s, named after the French women’s dressing room. Through the years it’s evolved into much more of a female-run industry based in empowering women. We are here to guide you on what to wear for a boudoir photoshoot session! BODYSUITS A bodysuit is a simple and effective clothing piece to wear for a boudoir photoshoot. It is universally flattering and covers the belly area, which can be an area of insecurity for a lot of us. We love this piece to start out a session since it’s more conservative and can help clients ease into the process of the photoshoot. A couple of our favorites include the Peyton Bodysuit from Nette Rose, the Chloe Soft Cup Bodysuit from Else, and the Scylla Bodysuit from Thistle and Spire. Peyton Bodysuit NETTE ROSE SHOP NOW Chloe Soft Cup Bodysuit ELSE SHOP NOW Elodie Soft Bodysuit BLUEBELLA SHOP NOW CHEMISES For another conservative option on what to wear for a boudoir photo session, we suggest the chemise. It’s a (usually) silk short dress. It’s lightly fitted and ends at a flattering high-mid thigh. They’re wonderfully versatile as well – you can wear them tucked into slacks with a blazer, or on their own with a blazer on a night out. We recommend the Darling Chemise from the Rya collection and the Scarlett Chemise from Sainted Sisters. Scarlett Chemise SAINTED SISTERS SHOP NOW Darling Chemise RYA COLLECTION SHOP NOW BRA, PANTIES, & GARTER Arguably the most classic lingerie looks, worn by femme fatales throughout the 20th century. Simple, elegant, universally flattering, and so sexy, the garter set elevates a normal bra and panty set with a detailed belt that highlights the natural waist and often can connect to thigh-high stockings. Use it just as it is or with high heels for beautiful full-body shots or detail shots! We are in love with this Julie’s Roses set from Dita Von Teese. Its retro look gives a total bond girl essence. For something more modern, try the Karolina set from Bluebella! If you want to skip the garter, we still recommend matching bras and panties. TThis set from Atelier Amour is full of seductive detail, and the Il Mare bralette and panty set from Thistle and Spire is a beautifully embroidered and tastefully edgy set, as well. Julie’s Roses Set DITA VON TEESE SHOP NOW Karolina Set BLUEBELLA SHOP NOW Onde Sensuelle Set ATELIER AMOUR SHOP NOW OVERSIZED SHIRTS Does your significant other have a favorite button-down? Bring it with you! You can toss it over a bra and panties or wear it all alone for some subtly sexy looks that will mean the world to them. This can apply to sports jerseys or motorcycle jackets. You can also feel free to personalize it to what means the most to you. Boudoir is all about highlighting what makes you, you. FINALLY and most importantly, confidence! Boudoir shoots can be nerve-wracking even for the most confident women, and your photographer will understand that and do her best to put you at ease. While you can’t buy it from us, here are a couple of affirmations that you can pair with deep breaths to build your confidence before the session: “Confidence is possible for me” “I deserve to take up space” “I am beautiful and worthy of love” “I am thankful for my body” We hope you enjoy your photoshoot. Let us know if you are looking for a personal fitting, or email lingerie@cherieamourinc.com with your size or measurements and desired aesthetic for personalized recommendations on what to wear for a boudoir photoshoot session.
Women Who Inspire Us: Miss J
In honor of Alopecia Awareness Month, we had the opportunity to interview one of our incredibly beautiful clients, Miss J, who has had her own journey with alopecia. When she tagged us in her photos on Instagram, we knew her story was unique and deserved to be shared. Miss J had never done a boudoir photoshoot before, and we were so honored to give her her first boudoir experience! Chérie Amour: On a scale of 1-10 where 1 is not confident and 10 was most confident, how did you feel about your body before your shoot? How about after your shoot? What changed? Miss J: Prior to my shoot and on a scale of 1-10 confidence in my body, I walked in feeling about a 6. Leaving, I’d say a 10. My photographer was a hype-woman and made me feel so comfortable, even topless and with legs spread. Something I don’t often think about on my own. After catching a quick sneak peek, seeing myself in the mirror during each outfit change, and realizing that I enjoyed myself more than I’d expected, I immediately felt more confident in that I stepped through my own fear and felt beautiful doing it. CA: What are three words that describe the photoshoot experience for you? J: Inspiring, assured, exhilarating. CA: How likely are you to recommend the boudoir experience to a friend, and why? J: Incredibly likely and I have already done so! The experience was unlike anything I’ve encountered before and I’d recommend it because it was a monumental, eye-opening experience for me to see myself in a different light that I’d not seen myself before. CA: Is there anything you’d change about how the photographer ran your photoshoot? J: No! While I wish I remembered her name, she was so much fun! Down to earth and funny and made me feel like I could be myself. CA: Is there anything else you’d like us to know? J: My shoot with Chérie Amour was my first boudoir experience and nervous, I walked in blindly. Diagnosed with Alopecia Areata and losing my hair entirely at age 4, I’ve spent much of my life struggling with body image and my femininity. Continually alternating between embracing and concealing the fact that I have no hair and constantly trying to control and change the physical appearance of my body as if trying to find my own acceptance while blending in and being “accepted” by everyone else. Seeing yourself in an intimate light through the lens of a camera, versus your own eyes and perception of self, really ignites something within, exposes your own fears and vulnerability, and makes you proud of the parts of you that make you, you.
Women in Photography: Dorothea Lange
One of our most admired female photographers is Dorothea Lange, not only for her famous photos but also for her unique contribution to photography. She was no stranger to difficulty, getting polio at a young age that affected her legs for the rest of her life. As a teen, her parents split, and she ultimately decided to remain with her mother, whose maiden name she took as her own. Dorothea’s education was something her parents prioritized, and while she did well in academics, art was her passion. Particularly, photography. She went on to study photography under famous portrait masters such as Arnold Genthe and Clarence Hudson. Before long she had settled in San Francisco, running a very successful portrait studio. As the Great Depression hit, her focus shifted. She began working as a documentary photographer photographing Native Americans and eventually joined the Resettlement Administration (RA) to help bring awareness to those most affected by the Great Depression–farmers and migrant workers. One of Dorothea Lange’s most famous photos is Migrant Mother, depicting a young mother looking off into the distance as two of her children bury their faces in her shoulders. Her efforts not only gave us some of the most heart-wrenching photos of that era but solidified Dorothea Lange’s contribution to influencing documentary photography and its growth to this day. In 1941, Dorothea was the first woman to receive the Guggenheim Fellowship in photography. She went on to document Japanese Internment, again using her incredible skill to bring light to the suffering of uprooted families and eventually covered the founding of the United Nations in San Francisco. Throughout her career as a photographer, she demonstrated incredible empathy, compassion, and respect, not shying away from difficulty, but coming alongside people in their hardest moments to honor their grief and struggle. Dorothea Lange’s famous photos are raw, beautiful, and insightful. As boudoir photographers, we know the struggles of the present day are very different from what Dorothea Lange experienced and documented, but there is still so much to bring awareness to. Body dysmorphia, bullying, domestic violence, disordered eating, and unrealistic standards place an incredible burden on women every day. Recent studies suggest that around 85% of women have experienced intimate partner violence – trauma that tears down their sense of self-worth in ways that can take the rest of their lives to recover. All of these issues are near and dear to our hearts working in the boudoir industry. We take inspiration from Dorothea Lange’s contribution to photography in the form of her empathy, respect, and love as she captured the very real essence of the people she photographed–not ignoring the hardship or the struggle, but celebrating each person as their unique masterpiece of art. “I many times encountered courage, real courage. Undeniable courage.” Lange wrote. “I’ve heard it said that that was the highest quality of the human-animal. I encountered that many times, in unexpected places. And I have learned to recognize it when I see it.” That courage is something we see in each of our incredible clients. What an honor to be part of the legacy of photography.