What is the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the word boudoir? Is it that 1990’s photo featuring blurred skin and bright lights? Or is it the overly posed photograph of a woman in a position that is deemed pleasing to a man? Does that image in your head only feature women that fit a specific standard of beauty? You will find absolutely none of that here.
These sessions are about shutting down those voices from your past that told you that your self worth was dependent on fitting a mold. It’s about quieting that whisper (or occasionally a yell) that pops up in your mind about not being “enough.” It is about feeling strong as hell and at home in your own skin.
It is so easy to look at photos of ourselves and see things we would like to change. It might be our noses, or are stomachs are softer than they used to be, or we wish our hair would sit just right. I want to reframe your mindset and help you relearn how to view and love your body. These sessions are a chance to see yourself through someone else’s eyes and take an afternoon for self-love and care.
"Some people get erased a little at a time, some all at once. Some reappear. Every person who appears wrestles with the forces that would have her disappear. They struggles with the forces that would tell their story for them, or write her out of the story. The ability to tell your own story in words or images is already a victory, a revolt."
It's about time to tell your story.
"These pictures have helped me see the strong woman my husband fell in love with and left me with renewed a sense of self-love that I have not felt in a very long time.
Every woman should do this, and if you decide to, it should be with Jackie. She is an incredible human being who is so amazing at what she does. She captured a beauty in me that I know is there, but that I often find hard to see in myself.”
HOW DOES IT ALL WORK?
The first step is to take that leap of faith and decide to do a session. It takes courage to be that vulnerable (both physically and emotionally), but the payoff will be well worth it.
Before we take the photographs, we will set up a session that is the perfect reflection of you. This includes everything from going over the look you want to rock, finding the perfect things to wear, and how you want to feel while you are photographed. If you are unsure, we can take as much time as you need to get to the root of the real you and how we can capture that.
Every question you could possibly have will always be answered; your comfort is my highest priority.
SO WE ARE AT THE SESSION, NOW WHAT?
Once you arrive, it’s time to be pampered with professional hair and makeup. The artists we work with will listen to you in order to execute precisely the look you desire, and not just what boudoir makeup “should look like.” They are experienced with all skin tones and hair textures and will start off your day with a feeling of empowerment.
After you look and feel like a badass, we are ready for you to spend the afternoon dancing around the room to a playlist that helps you feel extraordinary. You are welcome to both my boudoir wardrobe and whatever outfits you like for your own.
What starts out as this kind-of-scary thing you decided to do, ends up being a ton of fun. It’s not like those 1980’s photos of women in strange poses that would never actually happen in real life. It ends up being you basking in your own magnificent glow where there happens to be a camera photographing it. It will feel natural and completely like you.
"Going into my boudoir session with Jackie, I did it with the purpose of a romantic gift for my husband but it would become so much more. It was a beautiful hour of self discovery and appreciation for myself.
If I could tell myself how I would feel after my session, it would be this: you're going to feel empowered. You'll embrace the curves of your body. You'll love the skin you're in. You'll glow with confidence when you walk by a mirror and catch a glimpse of yourself. With the upbeat playlist to get you in the groove and help you loosen up, you'll soon forget that you're being photographed and just begin living your best life. A year and a half later, that confidence I gained hasn't left."
YOUR ORDERING SESSION
We all have great intentions of printing our photos right? “Oh, I will absolutely do it on my own!” But then life gets busy, months pass, and they are still sitting in your online gallery. (No judgment, I am just as guilty of it, I have yet to make my wedding album from 2017). So I want to make it easy for you to have that feeling your boudoir session brought you to exist in your daily lives, not just when photos pop up in your Facebook memories.
HOW IT WORKS
2-3 weeks after your boudoir session, we will meet up in my studio (or via Skype/zoom) and you will be able to continue the experience and see your images. It is a second to re-live what you felt like at that moment and bask in how spectacular you are.
From there, we will go through how you want to see your images. All of the books and products can be so overwhelming, so I will walk you through step by step until we find the set of heirlooms that is the best fit for you and how you want that feeling to live in your daily life. We can bring up images of your walls to show you precisely what artwork will look like on them, and create custom books and albums for you. I take over all of the complicated stuff and leave you with just the fun parts.
You come in, eat some snacks, see some beautiful photos and order artwork that celebrates the work of art that is you.
SESSION FEE
A 2-hour boudoir session at Jacqueline Connor Photography. Professional hair and makeup styling. A pre-session consultation and an in-person, or online ordering session to select your favorites and choose heirlooms and products. Artistic retouching of all images.
$300
COLLECTION ONE
11x14’’ album with 30 images, (3) 16x24’’ metal or canvas prints, full digital file collection
$3400 ($4750 value)
COLLECTION TWO
8x10’’ album with 20 images, (1) 16x24 and (3) 8x12’’ metal or canvas prints
$2200 ($2600 value)
COLLECTION THREE
A 5x7" Album with 10 images, (3) 8x12" metal or canvas prints
$900 (A $1100 value)
A LA CARTE ALBUMS
5x7 album with 10 images - $500
8x10 album with 20 images - $1500
11x14 album with 30 images - $2500
Additional images in album - $75 per image
A LA CARTE WALL ART
8x12" metal or canvas print - $200
16x24" metal or canvas print - $500
20x30" metal or canvas print - $900
40x60" metal or canvas print - $1500
OTHER ADD-ONS
Boudie viewer: A custom vintage-styled view-master with 7 images - $200, Additional spools available for $60
Full Digital Collection - $750 *MUST BE PURCHASED WITH AN EXISTING COLLECTION
DIGITAL COLLECTIONS
It's 2021, so I completely understand the want for digital files. They are complimentary with our top collection, but sometimes you just want the digitals. That's totally fine, we have the collections that are just for you.
All of our digital collections include artistic retouching and a personal rights release. These are purchased separately from our collections
5 files // $700 10 files // $1200 20 files // $2200 All Files // $3200*
*All files do not included all images taken at the session, they include all of the edited images show at your ordering session.
Frequently Asked Questions
CAN I BRING A FRIEND?
Friends and partners are a fantastic support system and can be our biggest cheerleaders. They can make things more fun, but I want you to take a breath and make this ordering session about you. Enjoy your own moment, and show them the gorgeous artwork when it comes in.
I’M NOT LOCAL, HOW DOES THIS WORK FOR ME?
Plenty of people travel in for their session, or bring me out to them. We can view your photos via Skype/Zoom from the comfort of your own home.
I DON’T OWN ANY CRAZY LINGERIE. WILL THAT AFFECT MY SESSION?
Of course not! Boudoir wardrobes are what you make them. It can be your favorite tee and boy shorts, or that bathing suit that makes you feel like a million bucks.
Not sure what you want to wear? Let me know! We can walk through ideas that fit the vibe you are going for. I have a small wardrobe in inclusive sizes that you will have access to and can recommend plenty of places to purchase some new pieces if you want to use your session as an excuse to buy something new for yourself.
IS IT NORMAL FOR ALL OF THIS TO BE NERVE-WRACKING?
Absolutely! Almost every person goes in nervous as all get out, so don’t feel uncomfortable about that. Hair and makeup end up being the perfect time to get those nerves out. We put on a playlist that you love and dance it out during our session. It’s a lot less of that awkward posing we all had as a senior and a lot more of you feeling at home in your own skin.
If it makes you feel any better, I spent a good 20 minutes before my own boudoir session sitting in my car with my best friends yelling at me to go inside via group chat.
I DON’T FEEL GREAT ABOUT MYSELF RIGHT NOW, WHY WOULD I WANT A SESSION?
First of all, you are a damn badass right now. You are making it through day-to-day, take a breath and celebrate that. Second, your size, role as a parent, and phase of life have no effect on your beauty in any negative way.
The valleys in life are the best time to pause and dedicate an afternoon to self-care. This session would help to re-frame your mindset and how you relate to your own body. I can promise you won’t leave feeling the same about yourself as you did going into your session.
If you want to use this session as a celebration of a body goal you have or want to accomplish, let’s do it. But, don’t let some bad days keep you from doing something empowering for yourself right now.
DO YOU WORK WITH ALL SIZES AND GENDERS?
Absolutely yes. I am so deeply sorry this is a question that even has to be asked. It’s an honor to photograph all humans. Nothing will ever be assumed about your relationship with your body, or your gender identity. My goal first and foremost is to empower you, so there will never be any judgment.
From the start of creating this business, it has been absolutely essential to create a space that celebrates everyone -- all bodies, shapes, skintones, gender identities. Having amazing images is not dependent on any of those factors, it's about you.
WHAT IF I WANT TO KEEP MY PHOTOS PRIVATE?
Your comfort is my top priority, especially with the intimate nature of boudoir. If you would like your images to remain private, they will not be seen by anyone but you. There is absolutely no pressure to sign any form of model release, and I take every step possible to ensure your photographs stay as private as you would like them to be.
WHAT COMES WITH RETOUCHING?
Every image you receive will be fully-retouched. Each photo is edited by hand to ensure it looks as perfect as possible. This includes color, contrast, and light skin retouching. You will still look like you, and your skin will still look like skin.
However, this does not include re-shaping your body. We want to help you feel exquisite within your own skin instead of seeing a version of yourself that fits an idealized standard of beauty.
I WANT TO DO THIS AS A GIFT FOR MY PARTNER.
A gift for a partner(s) is one of the more common reasons why we think of a participating in a boudoir session. We can absolutely create works of art for your partner(s), but I implore you to book the session for yourself. It’s easy to break it down into an assortment of “this is what they love best,” and “this is what they find sexy.”
Do yourself a favor and dig deeper than that. Your partner finds YOU beautiful. Dress in a way that feels right for you and let yourself be photographed how you feel your best. You will feel like a queen, and in turn, your partner will love them even more than they thought they could because they see their love in those images.
WHY DO I NEED THIS MANY PICTURES OF JUST ME?
As people, we are often found on the outskirts of photographs. We hide behind children or make ourselves a diminutive as possible in pictures. Our walls are filled up with photos of our loved ones, but images of just ourselves don’t exist.
Do not be afraid or bashful about taking up space; whether it is within your own life or on your wall. Exist in those photographs and celebrate yourself. Seeing those images in your daily life will be a constant reminder of your grace, strength, beauty, and kick-ass sense of self.
YOUR WARDROBE
So you have decided to book a session, now what the heck do you wear? Nailing down your wardrobe can be such a daunting task, so here are a few tips to break that down for you.
Do you rock a killer body suit? What about your favorite tee that hits you just right? Are you more of a bralette person? Do you feel your best in a button up? Or is strappy lingerie and heels more your thing? Bring what makes you want to strut around like a rock star.
Don’t hesitate to think outside the box; boudoir photography is not just limited to traditional lingerie. I implore you to not limit yourself to what people deem “flattering” on you. You do not have to cover yourself to satisfy that voice in the back of your head. Is there something you have always wanted to wear but were too nervous to try it? Now is a perfect time to rock the hell out of it.
You will always have access to our studio wardrobe which features a range of inclusive sizes (XS-5x) and a wide variety of styles; just bring a nude thong to wear underneath. If you need any input or ideas, just let me know. I can point you in the way of some fantastic places to find a killer wardrobe.
FREQUENTLY UNASKED QUESTIONS
Planning a boudoir session can be so overwhelming and out of the comfort zones of most people. You can get lost in questions to ask, or might be too nervous to ask others. While you should never be afraid to ask me any questions you possibly have (that’s what I’m here for), here are a few that you might be thinking of or that I wish you would be.
HOW WILL I FEEL AFTER MY SESSION?
Boudoir has the unique ability to re-frame the way we see ourselves. You are a magnificent and badass human in the skin you are in right now, but it’s so very easy to lose sight of that. Boudoir lets you see yourself through someone else’s eyes, and it removes that layer of “not enough” and enables you to celebrate exactly who you are. That feeling stays with you even after your session is finished, and if you ever have a day where you might be struggling with self-love (as we all do), you can pull out those images and bring yourself back to that feeling of empowerment.
HOW IS THIS DIFFERENT THAN EVERY OTHER BOUDOIR SESSION?
Boudoir photography defined as a photographic style featuring intimate, romantic, and sometimes erotic images of its subjects in a photographic studio, bedroom or private dressing room environment, primarily intended for the private enjoyment of the subject and romantic partners.
I want your session to be so much more than that. It will empower you and be a celebration of exactly who you are in this moment. Whether you’re still on your journey of self-acceptance, or you have already arrived at “eff it, I love myself,” I want to photograph you. You can wear what you want, and we can work on how you want to be photographed. You can rock 5-inch heels and strappy lingerie, or boy shorts and your favorite tee, or you can own it all in nothing but the skin you were born with. It’s all up to you.
There is nothing like seeing a photo of yourself and saying “Holy shit, that’s me.” It doesn’t matter what you are wearing (or not wearing) it’s about you.
WHY DO YOU FEEL SO STRONGLY ABOUT PHOTOGRAPHING BOUDOIR?
I have had a lifelong battle with body-image that ranged from full- fledged eating disorders to just feeling like general crap about the way I looked.
As I have gotten older, I’ve started to define my worth differently. My legs are larger than they have ever been before, but they can also squat my body weight. My arms might be softer than they used to be, but they can catch my 50 pounds of solid muscle dog that comes barreling down the hallway into my arms. Those little things that I used to be uncomfortable with have now become my favorite things about myself. My small eyes are the feature that ties my siblings and me together, my pale skin that has its fair share of dimples makes me unique.
Boudoir used to be only about showing one very narrow definition of sexy. It involved elaborate outfits and women contorted into strange positions that only showcase a woman’s assets, not who she was. That is not at all what I want to do for women.
Boudoir is an act of self-love and a stepping stone on the way to acceptance.
All humans are sexy, and we all have the capability to be at home in our own bodies. We are all beautiful and full of inner strength, regardless of whether or not we fit into the current mainstream definition of beauty. I would love to be even the tiniest step on that journey for you.
IS IT TIME TO BOOK YOUR BOUDOIR SESSION?
Feel like you can see us working together? I would absolutely love to photograph you feeling your very best. Reach out to jacqueline@jacquelineconnor.com to start the booking process.
CONTACT
jacqueline@jacquelineconnor.com www.jacquelineconnor.com (716) 202-9153
SOCIAL MEDIA
instagram // jacquelineconnorboudoir
I cannot wait to hear from you!
Credits:
Jacqueline Connor Photography