Self-Image & Boudoir Photography {Montreal Boudoir Photographer}
March 23, 2010 Boudoir, Glamour, Love yourself, Media, Trash the Dress
I wanted to share an article with you from the Atlantic Journal. (Got to love the internet!)
It is all about self-image. A direct quote:
Only 3 percent of American women consider themselves beautiful, according to a 2004 Harvard University study, “The Real Truth About Beauty: A Global Report.” More recent surveys, commissioned by Dove, and focusing on girls 8 to 17, found youngsters are also hard on themselves. A 2007 Dove/Seventeen Magazine survey found about 4 in 10 girls and young women said when they look in the mirror, they only see their flaws.
US statistics, but I’m sure they are not far off from the Canadian numbers.
A woman is interviewed in the article whose self-image has changed because of boudoir photography. The Atlantic boudoir photographer who took her images said that she want “to help ladies find their own kind of beautiful however they can feel beautiful.” And that is really what boudoir photography is all about.
We tend to be overly critical when we look in a mirror, try on clothes, eat…
As women, and men too I’m sure, we’re blasted from a very young age of the rich, famous, thin & sometimes plastic. Images in magazines are touched, sometimes so much that people don’t look real anymore. Then there is Michael Jackson and his ill-fated quest for physical perfection.
What do you think when you look in the mirror?
I only have two wall mirrors in my apartment. Usually, I just look at them in glancing, to fix my makeup, floss my teeth (note to self: floss more often!), the usual stuff. Sometimes I look at I go, uggggg….it is a hat day. I rarely look at the mirror and go, looking good you hot thing! I do try to not criticize myself when I look in the mirror. But it can be hard. I don’t look like Julia Roberts (actress relatively close to my age). I met a woman once who didn’t even own a mirror. I think that is a bit extreme.
I am consciously trying to change my relationship with mirrors. Think “positive reinforcement”, instead of negative. Look for the good.
And to bring this back to boudoir photography:
One client I had told me that her images helped her see herself through her fiance’s eyes. We need to wipe away our preconceptions and embrace who we are. Look for the best. Let the camera be your positive mirror.
I was very excited to take A’s photos last week at her gorgeous home in the West Island. When she contacted me, she told me that she has a great body (after four kids!) and wanted to remember it in photos. What a great attitude! And what a great role model for her own kids. I hope I can share one of her images with you soon! 
And my last post was image-less, so I can’t leave this one with a photo. This is a photo of V, who is a local musician and artist. It was an artsy photo session and we had so much fun. The general theme was around her beautiful bath. I hope this makes you smile.
13 Comments
it is something we definitely struggle with.
love the tub shot, brilliant!
Love the shot — it’s a very creative take on it. I also love your take on body image. I wonder if you were closer if I would try a boudoir session…hmmm good questions.
So true about how we view ourselves! It’s a sad sad thing that women are constantly down on themselves and I do see boudoir photography as such an empowering opportunity for all women! Oh and I LOVE this photo too!
How fun! The clarity and color is great too!
How pretty! What a good point, too. Not enough women understand their beauty!
I love boudiors but I wouldn’t be able to be on the other side of the camera – maybe someday. I struggle in that area. Great post!!
Great post! So very true and yet so sad….
Very creative photo Sarah.
Such a fun image!
very interesting stuff to think about. thanks for sharing!
Interesting read – love the image
Love the image. Lots of personality!
What a great shot, and such a true article!
I have come to your site before. Great glamour photos. Wanted to tell you, you have a pretty port