Why boudoir?
It was the middle of summer and I’d just come in from working in my garden. There was dirt under my fingernails and leaves in my hair. My 10-month-old baby was crawling around on the floor. I was so tired, and though I was happy with what I’d accomplished that day, it felt like a long time since I’d been able to just breathe and make myself look presentable – or at least my version of it. After a quick shower, I sat down, cuddled my little one to sleep, and opened Instagram. At the top of my feed, I saw a friend of mine, another mom, who had just done a boudoir session and posted some of her favorite photos. Her curves and stretch marks decorated her body like flowing silk and gems on a designer gown. I was shocked. Not only had I neither seen nor heard of boudoir photography before, but I was instantly taken aback at seeing this woman without her mom-bun and baggy shirt: confident, beautiful, real, and elegant. Fast forward 6 years and I began work at Cherie Amour, where I get to witness women learning to love themselves just as they are every day. I’ve listened to stories from women who escaped abuse, ready to take back the power that was stolen from them. Women who spent their lives hating their bodies and had a friend push them to just give it a try. Women who feel like they should do one for their upcoming wedding but are SO nervous to go for it. Women who confided, “He’ll never see it coming – I’m usually so conservative!” Women who don’t want anyone to know, but have secretly wanted to do a session for years and finally decided, “Why not!?” Women who are in their 80s and have learned over the years the joy in welcoming each stage of life and loving themselves through it. Boudoir is for each of them as truly and fully as it is for the others. It’s more than taking sexy photos – it’s a reclaiming of sensuality, stepping into every part of yourself with acceptance and love. A celebration of diversity and authenticity. And it can be difficult to overcome fear and leap into something so intimate and, in ways, intimidating. But the growth comes with discomfort, and the feeling of empowerment and freedom is magical to experience. Poet and author Becca Lee wrote a beautiful poem on self-acceptance: The moon is a powerful reminder That we can be beautiful No matter how much of ourselves we choose to bare. That we can be cherished even when we change – When we regress and when we grow. That each of our phases are worthy, But we are at our most remarkable (unforgettable) When we are full and wholly ourselves. Through the lens of our wonderful photographers, we get to offer you the chance to be full and wholly yourself, and hope you join us. No matter where you are in your journey, you are worthy of love, of joy, and of honor.
WOMEN WHO INSPIRE US: KAYLA ROBERTSON
Recently, we asked a previous client to share their boudoir photo shoot experience with us. Check out our blog to read the full interview about empowerment, confidence, and some tips going into your own shoot! What are a few words that describe your boudoir photoshoot experience? Empowering, sexy & comfortable. What were your favorite aspects of your photoshoot? What didn’t you like? Overall, I enjoyed all of it! I never felt like I was doing something “dirty”. Before arriving, I was nervous. However, the best part was how my photographer made me feel, which felt so good and I was overall more relaxed to do the photoshoot. Would you recommend a boudoir photoshoot to a friend? Why? DO IT. DO IT. DO IT. It is a once in a lifetime kind of chance and if you don’t have any special reason, do it for yourself. I felt like a badass and a queen. And why not? Why not empower yourself to feel beautiful whether you are fully clothed or in just some lace? What are some tips you would give someone going into their own boudoir photoshoot? Stretch out your muscles, and get your body moving, so you don’t feel stiff or start cramping in some of the “advanced” positions. I wish I had done that! How would you describe your experience overall? How would you “grade” your experience? The pricing can seem intimidating, but when you have your reveal appointment and talk about budgeting don’t worry about asking questions. The person that I spoke to was so kind and incredibly helpful.
WOMEN WHO INSPIRE US: CLAIRE K.
INTERVIEW BY BAILEY C On this week’s #WomenWhoInspireUs, we want to share with you the conversation we had with Claire, one of our ambassadors and influencers. She had the opportunity to be photographed by Angela Torres, and for the first time, experience a boudoir session! What are a few words that describe your boudoir photoshoot experience? Exciting. Unique. Personalized. Fun. Powerful. What were your favorite aspects of your photoshoot? What didn’t you like? My absolute favorite part is that the entire focus of the shoot was how to make You feel most attractive in your own way. I am somebody who’s definitely more on the adventurous side and I’ve wanted to do nude shoots but in an elegant manner, which I feel was entirely accomplished here. It was exciting and freeing to be able to be in lingerie/nude and feel uplifted and seen for your entire self as opposed to just objectified. I felt absolutely beautiful and like a celebrity for a few hours. No negative experiences or feedback at this time. Describe your experience with your photographer. How did she make you feel? Cherie Amour’s photographer, Angela, was uplifting, confident, and calming and made you feel like you’d been doing this forever. Angela is incredibly good at posing and guiding you in a manner that is supportive and really does make you feel as if you’re in control of your body and image. She is fun, outgoing, and just a really cool person to be around. Would you recommend a boudoir photoshoot to a friend? Yes! I would recommend it to nearly anyone. I don’t know if you’re doing men as well – but I would recommend it to them as well if the option was there! I feel the vibe of the company coupled with a really great photographer sets the shoot up to be a wonderful experience for a super diverse range of people. What are some tips you would give someone going into their own boudoir photoshoot? Just let it go! You’re going to feel a bit awkward and uncomfortable at first – for most anyone this is a new experience, but the key to the REALLY good pictures is to laugh, dance, scream and just entirely throw yourself into the experience. It’s also so much more fun when you understand that each person in that room is there for the purpose of making you feel beautiful. How would you describe your experience overall? How would you “grade” your experience? I would give my experience a 10/10 – really nothing negative to say! ***Use code CLAIRE49 in the following link https://cherieamourboudoir.com/influencer/ for your Belle Amour Boudoir Package and receive a 60 min photo session and 1 basic retouched digital image or 5×7 print, plus additional gifts.
Women Who Inspire Us: Jaycee J.
Interview by Bailey C. On this week’s #WomenWhoInspireUs, we are shining the spotlight on one of Chérie Amour’s MVPs, Jaycee! Jaycee has served as our Marketing & Events Supervisor for a long time, but we are sadly saying goodbye to her this week as she moves on to her next life venture 🌷 Thank you for being the MVP, Jaycee! And good luck on your future endeavours, we will miss you! ❤️ What has been your favourite part of working at Chérie Amour? “It’s been working somewhere that empowers women – and in a role that’s so integral to the company’s success as a whole! A role where I’ve had the privilege of developing and using my strengths while having so many opportunities to grow.” What will you miss most about working at Chérie Amour? I will miss the team so much! Being surrounded by beautiful people everyday who make work fun and personable has been a highlight of my job. Who is someone that has inspired you during your time here? My manager, Ashleigh. I’ve always been inspired by her constant drive and dedication to help everyone. She’s truly been a backbone – and she allowed me to achieve my goals by recognizing my capabilities from day one and giving me a place to let them shine! What is the greatest lesson you have learnt from your time here? Mistakes will happen. Delays will happen. Things won’t always work out perfectly the first time around, but it’s important to solve those problems and never give up on accomplishing what you set out to do. It ends up being even more rewarding in the end that way! If you could give any piece of advice to someone taking over in your position what would you say? Organization is key! Details are key! Embracing all the moving parts that make this position possible, therefore the company’s success possible, is key! Spreadsheets, notebooks, calendars – even sticky notes all over your desk as reminders – will be your best friend. What has been the most important lesson you have learnt as a professional and as an individual during your time here? As a professional, that communication is crucial in the workplace and benefits the overall happiness of everyone involved. Valuing each other’s opinions and ideas fosters a better place for improvement. As an individual, I’ve learned that the relationships we build with each other are so important. Having solid relationships cultivates trust and reliability – plus it puts a little extra meaning into coming to work. What are some practices you do that help keep you calm, motivated, confident, etc? I’m receptive to the needs of my body and mind by taking a break when I feel it’s necessary to regain motivation. I like to fill my workspace with notes or gifts that remind me of loved ones who always support me – it gives me the confidence I’m incapable of giving myself sometimes. Every night I allow myself the safety to rejuvenate by writing, reading, drinking tea or going to bed early so that I can start fresh in the morning. Finally, I try to focus on enjoying the little things that make each day special. Jaycee’s Picks Hobbies: Traveling, exploring new places, stargazing, writing, crafting, and spending time with friends Favorite Music: Alternative, Electropop, and R&B TV Bingers: Sex and the City, One Tree Hill, and anything suspenseful/scary Dream job: A bestselling author. But anything involving writing, communicating, and organizing – especially involving animals. As long as I’m challenged and happy every day!
Diane von Furstenberg: A Feminist Icon and Trailblazer in the Fashion Industry
By Bailey C. Photo by Madame Figaro “The most important relationship in your life is the relationship you have with yourself. Because no matter what happens, you will always be with yourself.” Diane von Furstenberg When we think about women who have paved the way for femininity and womanhood to thrive and excel in the business world, Diane Von Furstenberg is often the first name that comes to mind. From a young age, Diane Von Furstenberg was surrounded by powerful men and became a feminist icon. She reshaped her destiny by becoming one of the most influential women in the fashion industry, inspiring millions around the world over the course of 50 years. Her Life as a Trailblazer Diane von Furstenberg’s life has been a journey of breaking barriers and paving the way as an international fashion icon. From making t-shirts and t-shirt dresses to her world-renowned wrap dress, Diane Von Furstenberg made history through her passion for fashion that never failed to inspire millions around the world. Von Furstenberg was born on the 31st of December, 1946, in Brussels to a Greek-Jewish Holocaust survivor. From boarding school in Switzerland to university in Geneva, her plans for reinventing the fashion scene never wavered. The Wrap Dress After her marriage collapsed in 1972, with the determination for total independence, Von Furstenberg developed her innovative wrap dress that went on to inspire and revolutionize the fashion industry for decades. The dress was an instant success, becoming a symbol of feminine power and liberation worldwide. Not only has Diane Von Furstenberg’s wrap dress become one of the most financially successful collections in fashion history, it has become a symbol of feminist empowerment everywhere. These dresses often illuminate a powerful, quiet sophistication; an image Von Furstenberg has upholded her entire life. Her Message Diane Von Furstenberg’s impact on the fashion industry has been revolutionary, but her vision for women’s empowerment is a true reflection of her success. Von Furstenberg has dedicated her life to the idea that all women are beautiful, unique, individuals – a message that we believe to be essential. Her cultivation of success through one’s authenticity, individuality, and passion has served to inspire women globally for several decades, just as she has for us at Cherie Amour. It is because of women like her that show women everywhere that our dreams are far more achievable than we may think. Favorite Quotes “Character. Intelligence. Strength. Style. That makes beauty.” “When you feel humiliated, you either use it as fuel to change or you get covered by it.” “Don’t dwell on the dark side of things, but look for the light and build around it.” “Truth is cathartic, a way of keeping the trees pruned. The truer you can be the better it is because it simplifies life and love.” “I’ve never met a woman who is not strong, but sometimes they don’t let it out. Then there’s a tragedy, and then all of a sudden that strength comes. My message is let the strength come out before the tragedy.” Recommended Works The Woman I Wanted to Be (2014) Own It: The Secret to Life (2021) Diane: A Signature Life (1998) DVF 40: Journey of a Dress (2014) The Table (1996)
Positive vs. Negative Self Talk
By Bailey C. “How you love yourself is how you teach others to love you.” —Rupi Kaur. We are going to dive into positive vs. negative self-talk to help you on your journey towards self-love. When we repeatedly tell ourselves we aren’t good enough, after time it becomes your altered perception of yourself. This influences how others begin to view you. When you see yourself as someone who is unworthy, unlovable, and unacceptable, this perception becomes your reality. While it is not true, our anxieties can speak louder than our strengths, that’s why it’s important to work on changing your self-talk. What we say to ourselves is far more important than what anyone else could ever say to us. Unfortunately, it is much more common to fixate on what we wish to change about ourselves. But changing your self-talk from negative to positive is a better goal. One of the biggest hindrances of negative self-talk is the eventual inability to grow or change in positive ways. We become so enthralled in the fixations we wish to change rather than the things we like about ourselves, that we stunt our own emotional growth. This reinforces the idea that change, vulnerability, and individuality are things we need to avoid. With this idea that we cannot grow when we give voice to our insecurities, we limit ourselves from possibilities and opportunities. Most importantly, we lose sight of who we are. We fixate on imperfections rather than celebrating them. Our inner voices are reflective of how we feel about ourselves. Self-talk and self-love are an inverse relationship. When one improves, so will the other. Our inner voices are reflective of how we feel about ourselves. Self-talk and self love are an inverse relationship. When you start changing your self-talk, you will improve your self-love. Advice for anyone struggling with negative vs positive self-talk and self-love: Start by saying one nice thing about yourself a day. Spend time with yourself and identify what you do alone that makes you feel joy. You may be surprised by the positive results.
Wellness and Therapeutic Benefits of Doing a Boudoir Photoshoot
By Jaycee J “Do you want to meet the love of your life? Look in the mirror.” —Byron Katie …Or even better—look at your boudoir images! You’ve most likely done some research trying to convince yourself why you should book a session of boudoir photography. You may have heard that the gorgeous images you receive make a perfect gift for your significant other. Here’s a little fun fact: a boudoir photoshoot is an even better gift to yourself. It’s no secret that a boudoir photoshoot makes for breathtaking gifts for your significant other. What’s even better than gifting your beauty to someone else is to express your love for yourself. There is only one important reason and person to do a boudoir photo shoot and you need to do it for: YOU. This photoshoot and the images you receive are the perfect love letter to yourself. At some point in life, every woman has looked in the mirror and felt unhappy, discouraged, and out of place. The way we perpetuate negative self-talk on our bodies has created this idea that we are not perfect as we are, not beautiful in the skin we were born in. What if we chose to flip the narrative? What if one day you looked at your reflection and decided that there wasn’t a thing you’d change? This photo shoot is a guarantee that you will fall in love with yourself as you were meant to. 5 Reasons To Do A Boudoir Photo Shoot—Plus, The Benefits To Your Wellbeing 1. The incomparable confidence boost Every woman has talked themselves out of taking a risk, especially when the risk can make her incredibly vulnerable. Our insecurities often speak louder than the truth about ourselves— that truth being that our self-image is unique and beautiful despite the insecurities we tell ourselves are negative qualities. The thing is—no one else notices our flaws as much as we do, even a camera lens! While it’s true that images still aren’t always the best depiction of ourselves, boudoir photography is different. Unlike a selfie a friend snaps with you when you’re not prepared, a boudoir photo shoot will capture you at all the right angles! You will find that the images you receive not only highlight the areas you once thought were negative qualities but will celebrate them as well. This process will make you see yourself as the world does: beautifully unique. Seeing the images after will have you in awe of yourself—what’s more of a confidence booster than that? 2. You get to spoil yourself Not all of us have a budget that we feel comfortable to freely spend on ourselves at any given time. Or maybe we just choose not to because we feel selfish doing so for no specific reason. Expenses are just another reason we talk ourselves out of doing things that make us feel good. How many times have you dropped an extra $25 covering lunch for a friend? Bought extravagant gifts for your loved ones? Imagine if you chose to invest a little of your generosity in yourself. Having a reason to spoil yourself makes all your doubts disappear, and the good news is there are tons of reasons to invest in you. In preparation for your boudoir photo shoot, you can spoil yourself by making a hair or makeup appointment to enhance your look, get that facial your skin has been craving for months, or even buy yourself a new outfit or piece of lingerie for the occasion. “Every once in a while, a girl has to indulge herself.” — Carrie Bradshaw, Sex and the City The results of spoiling yourself are plentiful and rejuvenating. Have yourself a girl’s night out with your new look, a date night with your special someone, or capture some confidence-boosting flicks to remind yourself of your gorgeous self. It’s a win-win; you get to have fun preparing, and you get to look amazing for the camera. 3. It helps you grow Growth is a natural progression of life, but growth is difficult to achieve without sound and healthy mental well-being. One of the most common reservations about doing a boudoir photoshoot that women face is the fear of vulnerability. While it can be one of the more challenging life choices, stepping outside our comfort zones is a surefire way to grow. A willingness to do something that scares you guarantees that your mental state will change and develop! It’s normal to feel uncomfortable or nervous before trying something new (like a boudoir photo shoot). Like it or not though, it’s actually beneficial to put yourself in these situations. Any woman who has taken the leap of doing a boudoir photoshoot can attest that it truly allows you to grow into a more confident version of yourself. 4. You can allow yourself to have fun! The benefit behind this one is pretty self-explanatory. Who doesn’t want to have fun? You can laugh with your photographer, spend time in a high-end suite or studio, and tell your friends about your experience. We mean it when we say this photoshoot will have you feeling like Rihanna. It’s not every day we can put on gorgeous articles of lingerie and clothing, and spend an afternoon in a glamorous hotel, with the camera focused on you and only you to capture your authentic beauty. It’s enough to make you feel like a queen. Not only will having fun during your photo shoot help ease any nerves, but the result will make you happier than you could even imagine. 5. It lasts a lifetime Your boudoir photoshoot only happens once, unless you choose to do more than one, which in that case—go for it! Regardless, you will get to remember this experience and what it meant to you. And even if you eventually forget or the memory isn’t as vivid, your images will last forever and be something you can treasure and look back on. Even before iPhone galleries and Instagram,
A Brief History of Boudoir Photography
By Rachel B. In recent years, boudoir photography has become one of the most popular and fascinating genres across the globe, both in terms of interest as well as historical background. Some photographers argue that the word “Boudoir” alludes to equality and the right to choose, representing a powerful way to celebrate women. Ilya Parkins, Associate Professor of Gender and Women’s Studies at the University of British Columbia states that the confident selfhood narrative in boudoir photography has emerged due to its intimate and even healing experience during the session. However, it has not always been this way. HISTORY OF BOUDOIR PHOTOGRAPHY Since its inception in the 1920s, boudoir photography was considered to be too sensual and intimate in nature, later becoming outlawed in the early-mid 20th century. Twenty years later, boudoir photography rose to prominence with the idea of pin-up girls and their role in propaganda to recruit men to be soldiers in World War II. The history of boudoir photography went from being an illegal practice to empowering women. Eventually, in the decades following, we saw sex symbols such as Marilyn Monroe, who used her fame and female form to empower women. Throughout the 1900s we were introduced to many types of boudoir photography from Sports Illustrated’s Swimsuit Issues to “glamour shots” in the 1980s. Boudoir photography has taken on many forms over the years, but where did it begin? “Boudoir” is a French word that describes a woman’s private bedroom or sitting room. It is derived from other French words bouder (to sulk or pout) and boudeur (sulking) (Miriam 2019). In essence, it was a place for women to be alone at their most vulnerable. Boudoir photography typically portrays women in romantic, intimate depictions and features fashion and beauty. This type of photography is typically set in a bedroom or hotel to give a sense of privacy, hence “boudoir.” Naked, semi-naked, or lingerie-clad subjects are featured. FAMOUR BOUDOIR PHOTOGRAPHERS Albert Arthur Allen, a 1920s photographer, known for his nude portraitures, was one of the first known photographers of this type. He did not consider his photographs to be erotic, though many found them to be obscene. Arthur featured larger women in a lot of his photography and was noted saying “to see womankind entirely nude would place all women on equality, and it would be only their true mental and physical charm that would lift them from the ordinary.” It is with this manifesto that a wave of women’s empowerment started. After Albert Arthur Allen came a man famous for his depictions of Marilyn Monroe, Cecil Beaton. If you couldn’t already tell, this field started out heavily influenced by men and what they wanted to see. Now, this field is dominated by women, as it should be. If this is all about female empowerment, why wouldn’t we have women behind the lens? While women still participate in boudoir photography to gift to their partners, we know that it is an empowering experience. Many women have done boudoir sessions solely for themselves, and we believe that every woman should. BOUDOIR PHOTOGRAPHY NOW Many of our sessions have ended with women telling us that they decided to do this for their partner, but left feeling more confident and empowered than ever before and that they would do it again for themselves rather than for their partner (honestly, we just think gifting it to your partner is an extra incentive)! I absolutely loved my shoot with Gretchen! I felt so incredibly confident and beautiful. My pictures are so artsy and fun and sexy. I can’t wait to frame them in my house! I would absolutely recommend this company to anyone needing a gift or just for yourself. I feel so confident about my body! – Esther WOW! What an amazing experience I had during my Cherie Amour photo session. It was so relaxing being able to work with an experienced, awesome photographer. She was so helpful making me feel comfortable and beautiful. Doing this makes me feel like a new woman. I think this experience is something that would make ALL women feel empowered! – Lacole Here at Chérie Amour, we believe that all women should be empowered, confident, sexy, and sensual. Our team of professional all-female photographers is trained to make sure you could not be more comfortable being you. Just remember: feeling sexy is not about pleasing someone else – it’s about pleasing yourself.
I AM WOMAN
When I was a little girl, Helen Reddy, a singer/songwriter, wrote the song I AM WOMAN. The lyrics resonated with so many women of the time. I am woman hear me roar in numbers too big to ignore. I am woman, I am invincible, I am strong, I am woman. If Boudoir photography does one thing, it allows us to see ourselves through the eyes of these lyrics. Enabling us to sense the strong, invincible woman we know exists somewhere deep in our core. But we do not always see ourselves as strong and invincible, do we? As women, we often carry the weight of the world on our shoulders, generally focusing on others rather than ourselves. I cannot tell you how many clients have wanted to cancel their photoshoot just days before, strictly out of fear. I get it! Doing a boudoir photoshoot in your underwear in front of a photographer you have never met sounds intimidating and to some, downright scary. But what if I told you all the women who nearly canceled but followed through left their photoshoot to tell a different story; a story of confidence, of empowerment, of holding their head higher. I have had women tell me they have literally wept in their cars over feeling beautiful and sexy again. A boudoir photoshoot is so much more than a sexy picture. It is an opportunity to love on yourself. An opportunity for you to say I am a woman, I am invincible, I am strong! If there is one thing Cherie Amour wants for every woman, it would be for her to love herself and see how strong and beautiful she truly is.