Bohemian Visions

Tag: self-esteem

What is Boudoir Photography? A Detailed Guide.

March 28, 2023
Bohemian Visions Photography

What is Boudoir Photography? A Detailed Guide. 2

Boudoir photography involves capturing intimate, romantic, and sometimes sensual images of the subject in a private setting. Unlike conventional photography which highlights external aesthetics, this genre focuses more on the personal and emotional side of a person. 

In this detailed guide, we will explore how boudoir photography empowers individuals and what are the essentials for a successful experience.

What Boudoir Photography Offers

Creating a collection of tasteful, intimate images is the best way to celebrate yourself and your true personality. Here are the benefits of capturing boudoir photos:

Boosting Self-Esteem

Boudoir photo sessions help individuals step out of their comfort zone and empower them by highlighting their true beauty. It helps you embrace a different side of yourself, fosters self-acceptance, and boosts self-esteem. 

Promoting Body Positivity

Boudoir photography celebrates all body types, promoting body positivity. The stunningly captured sensual photos show that beauty is diverse and unique. These create a greater sense of appreciation for one’s own body and break stereotypes.

Creating Personalized Gifts

Boudoir photos make exceptional personalized gifts for partners, anniversaries, or special occasions. These intimate and thoughtful presents leave lasting impressions. Plus, they convey love and affection like no other.

So, if you want to hire Virginia’s best boudoir photographer, Bohemian Visions is the right choice. Contact us today!

The Ultimate Guide to a Successful Boudoir Session

Here’s a comprehensive roadmap to ensure your boudoir session is a resounding success. From preparation to posing, this has got you covered.

Choosing the Right Photographer

Selecting the right photographer is a pivotal decision in your intimate photography journey. Begin with thorough research and a careful selection process. Look for photographers with specialized experience in boudoir photography. This ensures they understand the nuances of capturing sensual and empowering moments. 

Evaluating portfolios is quite helpful in this regard. Explore their previous work to gauge their style and versatility. Each photographer has a unique approach, so find one whose style resonates with your vision and comfort level. Consider their use of lighting, composition, and ability to make subjects feel at ease. By choosing wisely, you set the stage for an empowering boudoir experience. 

Preparation—Consultation, Your Look and Poses

A detailed consultation with your photographer helps you prepare mentally and physically for your boudoir session. This helps eliminate the hesitation and set the right mood.

The first step before getting started with a boudoir shoot is wardrobe selection and styling. Always choose an attire that makes you feel both comfortable and glamorous. Hair and makeup are also integral; consider professional services to enhance your natural beauty and confidence. 

Without the right poses and expressions, you can’t achieve the desired outcomes. So, it’s pivotal to collaborate with your photographer. They will guide you through flattering poses and capture your genuine emotions. This ensures that the final images radiate sensuality and self-assuredness. 

The Photoshoot Experience

Building trust with your photographer is necessary; this is done by maintaining open communication on both sides. A professional who prioritizes professionalism and the client’s comfort always ensures a successful and empowering experience. They’ll create a supportive atmosphere where you can relax and feel confident, resulting in intimate and stunning images.

Always expect a respectful approach and properly convey your desired vision to achieve a boudoir photoshoot that celebrates your unique beauty and personality.

Safety and Privacy

When it comes to boudoir photography, ensuring privacy and safety is extremely vital. Clients should be assured of their safety during the photoshoot. Photographers must provide a secure and private environment, free from any external intrusion or discomfort. This allows clients to relax and fosters confidence throughout the photoshoot.

Moreover, photographers should seek consent for all aspects of the shoot, from poses to wardrobe choices. This commitment reinforces a comfortable and dignified atmosphere.

Handling images securely is a non-negotiable ethical obligation. Professionals always store client images securely. They implement stringent protocols to protect privacy and prevent any unauthorized access or distribution.

Photography Equipment

Top-tier boudoir photography hinges on the choice of equipment. Make sure that the photographer is using full-frame cameras and prime lenses for a sharp focus on subjects while creating a pleasing background blur. Diffused lighting sources like strobes or natural light are commonly used to achieve flattering and sensual effects.

Conclusion

Boudoir photography is a potent tool for empowering oneself. It increases your sense of self-worth and acknowledges and honors your unique personality. Remember that a boudoir photo shoot is a journey towards self-discovery and assurance whether you’re thinking about getting one or attempting to understand the implications. And, with the valuable insights given above, you can have a clear vision of what you are seeking from a boudoir photoshoot. Through proper research, open communication, and devising a stunning look, you can get the results you want— strength, beauty, and self-assuredness. 

Do you, Be you, Love you

Ready for your Boudoir Photo Shoot? Let’s Talk

Only 4% Of Women Feel This Way...And It's Extremely Heartbreaking

September 4, 2020
Bohemian Visions Photography

The decision to do a boudoir photography session is a personal one; motivated by a variety of factors. Despite its growth in popularity, Boudoir photography is a very scary concept for some people. It’s even scarier when women don’t see themselves aligned with societal standards of beauty. As a boudoir photographer, my job is to provide an experience for people that creates a safe space for them to capture their sensuality and connect with a side of themselves that is often neglected. Do I take pictures of naked people if they request them? Yes. Am I personally uncomfortable with nudity in general? No. About four percent of the female population are comfortable with their bodies. They don’t rely on the opinions of society to determine their value and worth by their external appearance. Personally, it’s a liberating feeling not being glued to a mirror picking apart every part of my body. 

Prior to becoming a Professional Photographer, I was in the Army. I was 17 years old and I wasn’t sure what I was getting myself into. I wanted to get out of my hometown, explore and travel the world.  At the time I was very insecure about my own body. I would nitpick at everything I perceived to be a flaw in my body. At the time the standard of beauty was either very slim and tall or curvy with a 36/24/36 hourglass body. I was neither. I was your classic athletic coke bottle/pear shape. Nudity wasn’t a big deal but I struggled with how I perceived myself based on the world’s stereotypes of beauty and the media’s incessant depiction of it. I saw myself as overweight with big thighs and rolls on my belly. 

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Female Soldier

The day I took a shower with 50 other women was the first time I realized my flaws, and that areas of my body I didn’t like were in turn features another woman wanted. I wanted larger breasts while another woman wanted my hips and booty. Over the years my weight fluctuated and the same conversations occurred in the showers. I hate this about my body. I wish I had that body or body part. Eventually, I realized popular standards of beauty were a farce and unrealistic goals for women to achieve, in particular body composition that did not reflect good health or medical advice. What was deemed ugly or unacceptable is now coveted and women are paying money to have their bodies surgically enhanced. Realizing what I don’t like another woman is wishing she had, my insecurities died and I began to love and accept my flaws. 

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Despite gaining and losing weight and my body changing as I matured. Eventually, I learned how to love myself first. Understanding and being aware that what makes me unique overall is my ability to embrace myself and love all of me. Loving myself is my special superpower since I don’t need external validation to feel beautiful. Over time the obsession over the number on the scale became a non-factor. Whether I am a size 7 (my smallest) or a size 22 (my heaviest) I loved my body and my confidence made me feel sexy. Since leaving the Army I have been more focused on optimal mental, physical and emotional health — now is the time for me to live my best life. On my terms and by my rules.

The most heartbreaking thing I see on a regular basis since becoming a photographer is reactions from both men and women regarding their appearance. Whether it’s digital ads to attract potential clients or sharing content from my latest photoshoot I see these comments.  “I’m not pretty enough for Boudoir”, “I’m too fat,” “I’m not the standard of beauty”. These comments on my sponsored posts are all too common. No matter how many campaigns, celebrities, or influencers promote body positivity and self love, there’s an opposite entity that counters it. So many women and young girls are spending thousands of dollars on lip fillers and other plastic surgery procedures to look like their favorite celebrities and social media influencers. Women are not the only victims of poor self-image.  Men struggle with the insecurities of not having six pack abs, a defined chest, or muscular back. Men won’t consider a solo Boudoir session because it puts them face to face with insecurities regarding their bodies that money, status, and power can not hide.

Only 4% Of Women Feel This Way...And It's Extremely Heartbreaking 8

Providing a service that allows people to have a safe space to embrace the sensual side of themselves is the most rewarding aspect of my profession. Getting people to see themselves in a sensual state is a challenge that I love helping my clients overcome. However, it is a steep hill. Being in the business of promoting self love and inner strength through sensuality, I see a lot of insecurities projected unto others through social media. People tearing each other down for nothing more than just jealousy. What’s ironic is the same people behind their phones and sending ugly messages struggle with how they look. Many won’t post a full body photo of themselves online. No matter how many times I tell a person they are beautiful and amazing they don’t see it in themselves. It doesn’t matter how many likes and comments they recieve on a posted picture they can’t see it. Because they can’t see past the object of their insecurities. The never ending cycle to self loathing and hatred mixed with the desire to achieve an unrealistic beauty standard is there. 

Self love and confidence feeds your self esteem. When you love yourself you set concrete boundaries. As you value your new sense of self, you will recognize shallow, transactional relationships that deprive you of being your best. You will see and be able to separate yourself from toxic, narcissistic people who don’t care or have your best interest. Self love begets self respect: it allows you to truly live in the real world and value meaningful relationships. It gives you the strength to walk away from situations and people who don’t value you. 

For my clients who make the leap and schedule a session they almost always tell me how much they appreciate feeling like a goddes.  Having this whole new found sense of confidence and self love. It’s the most rewarding feeling to plant a seed that will allow a person to truly see themselves. 

It’s more than just a boudoir session. At day’s end, it’s about truly being free to love yourself the way you are. To remind yourself you are beautiful and sexy flaws and all. Don’t ever forget that. It’s the ability to see yourself as someone who is worthy of the world and demand it. If you want to be a part of the 4% and find that great love inside of you, reach out to set up a consultation today. 

Do you, Be you, Love you    

Bohemian Diva’s 10 Tips to Not Giving a F*!K

February 19, 2020
Bohemian Life

As people, parents, and every other title and role given we are tugged and pulled in fifty million different directions. For a lot of women and caregivers, it’s hard to say no to the ones we love. Then you wake up one day a shell of your former self. You no longer recognize the person in the mirror. You wonder what happened to yourself. 

Take take take it seems that’s all everyone does. Just take because you are a good person, take because you can’t say no. Take because you are reliable and dependable because you are strong and resilient. Then a wave of emotions coming flooding. Those feelings can range from drowning, suffocating, falling in a hole you can’t see to climb out of. 

So one day a significant event or multiple events happen relationships fail, severe health scare happens, a loss of someone important or relevant. These events serve a wake-up call a kick to the groin.  So you wake up and give the proverbial fuck it. You can’t continue this path anymore it is eating you. From the inside out.  

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You realize your energy/chi needs to be replenished. You need to cut a lot of dead and useless weight out of your life and reevaluate your relationships. Time to examine what truly matters in your life. Self-care and mental health become is now a priority. Like your checking account or gas tank, your mental and emotional energy can be overdrawn and drained empty. 

So you want to make some major changes in your life. Don’t quite know where to start.  Here are some tips and tricks to implement that will allow you to do no longer waste your precious time and energy of people and things that do not bring added value to your life. This isn’t the holy grail or definitive rule book. It’s a guide to get you started in taking care of yourself.  Protect your personal space. This isn’t an end-all solution but it’s a start. As you get better you will develop your personal rules and guides.  

1. Identify the Imbalance

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Feeling a little off? Things don’t feel quite right? Your gut and intuition are right. Are you having a hard time getting out of bed? Are you constantly tired despite sleeping hours throughout the night and middle of the day? Recognizing what’s off your body is the beginning. What is off with you mentally? If getting out of bed is a struggle, your mood isn’t vibing with the situation then it’s time to get that addressed. If you are sleeping too much and you are still tired go get help. Go see a mental health specialist. Don’t self diagnose go to a professional. Don’t let someone dismiss, or diminish your feelings. Go get help it will not fix itself. Your body needs balance. Proper diet, sleep, exercise and energy. Achieving balance in an overworked society is difficult but it can be done. If you know something is not right, address it. It will not go away on its own.

2. Who are you What  is your Personal Philosophy 

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You can’t give a fuck if you don’t know who you are. Strip away the titles, roles, positions and ask yourself who are you? What makes you who you are. Being a mother, wife, or insert job title people tend to revolve around their sense of identity. But what happens if your identity is revolved around being a wife and you get divorced or when your children become adults and no longer need you? Often times people confuse purpose with roles. Your core values should be your philosophy. Your personal philosophy is what gives you purpose and meaning in life. Regardless of what people will say those roles and positions should not define who you are. They should be an extension of who you are. If you were once a spouse and the marriage is over it should not uproot your core foundation of who you are. 

2. Set Boundaries & Enforce It

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You finally got the help you need and your counselor/doctor has created a treatment plan. You want to protect your peace and not regress in your treatment. Establish and set some boundaries. Are you or someone you know have a hard time saying no? How many times has someone asked you for a favor and despite politely telling them you don’t have time or resources? Then you are pressured to do the favor? The friend, coworker, or relative can clearly see that favor they are asking comes at an inconvenience yet they will ask anyway. How many times your boss or co-worker hit you with a last-minute project resulting in you canceling your plans to work late? When you set those boundaries and people still want to cross it is now a respect problem. Crossing boundaries is a clear sign that the person does not respect you. It’s not about you not being able to say no. It’s people not respecting you.

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Guess what, that lack of regard for your time and resources is a clear sign you are not respected. That treatment of you is because they know they can get away with it. How folks treat you is based on what you allow. The next time you find yourself in a situation where saying no is difficult ask yourself is this person doing it because they don’t respect you? You will be surprised how this shift in thought will change you approach.

3. Just Ask & Be Direct  

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Do you remember the old saying “a closed mouth doesn’t get fed”? Well, it’s still true. Passive and passive-aggressive folks will talk in circles to get to the answers they need. Or won’t bother to ask the direct question.  Many times people are afraid of asking for what they want due to various fears. This is apparent in the workplace. Rejection is a part of life. Avoiding it only makes it that much difficult. Honestly the more you accept rejection the more resilient and equipped you are in handling it. The easier it is to let it go. Don’t be afraid of asking for what you want. The worse thing that can happen is being told no. The best thing that can happen is getting the answer you seek without guessing or assuming. This avoids a lot of misunderstandings and assumptions. Don’t assume just ask, it will avoid a lot of future embarrassment. It gets easier each time and the more you let go of the fear the more confident you become. What do you have to lose just ask and be upfront about it? Don’t talk in circles.  

4. Put Energy Into Only Things That Only Matter

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Everything does not deserve your attention, your time and energy. Contrary time is very limited regardless of who you are. There are only 24 hours in a day.  Not giving a fuck about what people think begins with not giving a fuck about what people do. If it doesn’t affect you directly or indirectly don’t put energy in it. Folks will post things on the internet that will trigger you. Before you get your blood pressure spiking to ask yourself, “how does this affect me directly in the real world?” Everyone knows society is hypersensitive about everything. Someone is going to get triggered over a newborn baby. Minding your business is the best stress reliever ever. The life choices of a random stranger do not deserve your energy. Even the life choices of the people you care for weigh it carefully on whether you should get involved. The media does a very good job of inciting fear and divisive rhetoric. When you find yourself getting overwhelmed with negative news unplug. Just unplug and consume positive information. This takes time and discipline. A little phase I use to say when people try to bring me into their drama. “Not My Monkey, Not My Circus.” Pick and choose your battles. Not all battles are meant to be fought. 

5. Don’t Worry About What They Think

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When people start to become uncomfortable with your growth it’s time to reevaluate your association with them. Like a first-time parent folk will give you all sorts of unsolicited advice. If you spend your time trying to please everyone you will find yourself miserable. Dismissing random strangers that’s easy. When you are dealing with family and friends who are not listening to your needs, dreams, or desires there is a problem. People think they know what’s best for you, but do they? First, don’t share details about your life if you know it will be subject to negative opinions. If you do ultimately you have a final say. A way to determine if the opinion is value-added. Does the person have a vested interest in your success or failures? Do they have skin in the game? If the answer is no they fuck what they think. 

6. Cut Off One-sided relationships 

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One-sided relationships are another form of toxic relationships. Your needs, concerns, and overall wellbeing are ignored. These types of relationships are not limited to just intimate partners. It’s pretty obvious when a relationship is one-sided.  That friend/loved one is only around when they want something but when you need them to come through for you they are nowhere to be found. If they can’t be there for your losses and failures they don’t need to be there for your wins.  

7. Don’t Make Excuses for Your Actions Just Own It. 

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You are human you will make mistakes. Time is continuous and will not reverse itself. So with that being said own the effects of your actions. It happened so move on and say fuck it. Own your actions and don’t make any excuses for it. Remember it happened and you can’t go back to change it. You are going to make mistakes, you are going to fail. You will get knocked down. Get up, learn, and grow. You will make decisions that will not be a popular choice stand by it. If it is a mistake learn from it. Don’t make excuses live it with and grow. You are only human don’t try to be perfect. Own your shit.  

8. Love Yourself 

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As simple this maybe it’s hard to do. No matter what tell yourself you are worthy. Tell yourself no matter what another person may say to you. You deserve better. Too many times we give people power over our value and self-worth. Toxic kand abusive relationships will beat a person down mentally and emotionally. Loving yourself allows you to recognize those toxic traits. It gives you the strength to say you are worthy and deserve so much better. There are about 5 billion people on this earth don’t let one person deny you the right to be loved and respected. Don’t make excuses for their behavior and don’t apologize for their lack of respect towards you. You are deserving of love and respect but it starts with you first. 

Conclusion

Not giving a fuck is about protecting your peace and reinforcing self-care. It takes time to have the courage to stand up for yourself. There are plenty of self-care apps, and books that will assist in finding meaning and self-worth. This is not an overnight process it will take time and discipline. The question is when will you begin to realize your value and worth? Only you will know.

Do you, Be you, Love you
Bohemian Life 

Plastic Surgery a Double Edge Sword of Contradictory

October 2, 2019
Bohemian Issues

Cosmetic surgery is not “cosmetic,” and human flesh is not “plastic.” Even the names trivialize what it is. It’s not like ironing wrinkles in fabric, or tuning up a car, or altering outmoded clothes, the current metaphors. Trivialization and infantilization pervade the surgeons’ language when they speak to women: “a nip,” a “tummy tuck.”…Surgery changes one forever, the mind as well as the body. If we don’t start to speak of it as serious, the millennium of the man-made woman will be upon us, and we will have had no choice.
NAOMI WOLF, The Beauty Myth

Looking for quotes for this article, many influential people viewed Plastic Surgery as something insecure people undergo. Maybe that’s not the case. Everybody dislikes something about their bodies. What’s wrong with doing something about it? Yes, the media does focus on individuals who go to the extremes lot achieve this perceived view of perfection, but what about those who simply want to feel comfortable in their bodies? Major or minor changes or so-called body improvements.

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According to the Merriam Webster dictionary, the definition of Plastic Surgery is a branch of surgery concerned with improving the function or appearance of parts of the body through reconstructive or cosmetic medical procedures. Basically, if you physically alter any form of your body regardless of the reason, it’s plastic surgery. Many people choose to address their physical insecurities through plastic surgery procedures. While others don’t do it for various reasons.


For the purpose of information and insight, this discussion is for cosmetic, elective surgery. Reconstructive surgery meaning the person undergoes the procedure due to severe damage from a disease or trauma. This type of surgery is excluded from this discussion because the procedure was medically necessary. This discussion is targeted towards individuals who elected to have a procedure for strictly cosmetic reasons outside of disease and trauma. Quite frankly it’s nobodies business what a person decided to do with their bodies. It’s their choice and dollars.

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Everyone has insecurities some manage to deal with them while others obsess compulsively over them. Disorders derive from them. Young and older people develop eating disorders, dysphoric body disorders, anxiety, depression, and every other mental health disorder known to man. All because they are trying to achieve some level of perfection. It’s not a pleasant situation. Some people seek help to recover fully, others continue to struggle, and sadly, some succumb to the battle, and their lives are cut short tragically.

Heres where the social contradictions lie. Social media, mainstream media, and general society as a whole have created unrealistic standards of beauty. PhotoShop and Face Tune give people the ability to change their appearance ultimately, but it warps the perception of beauty. Once again, that’s none of my business. What becomes problematic is when people in the position of influence, meaning the beauty and entertainment industry impose this unrealistic standard of beauty when marketing to the general population. It’s a double edge sword when mainly women and young girls alter their appearance to look like said celebrity/influencer, they are dragged on social media for going under the knife to achieve this standard of beauty.

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Being a woman, even a man living in the United States is Rough, I mean it’s literally like being stuck between a rock and a hard place when it comes to the standards of beauty. If you’re in the entertainment industry, it’s even worse. The contradictions and hypocrisy the general public has towards plastic surgery are almost hilarious when you actually sit back, listen, and observe. Who wants every inch of their bodies, examined, critiqued, rated on this unrealistic standard?

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Girls as young as 18 are opting for lip fillers, breast augmentation, and other procedures to look like their favorite celebrities for graduation gifts instead of a car or summer trip. In 2018 NATIONAL PLASTIC SURGERY STATISTICS from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons showed a break down of cosmetic procedures. Looking at the number of Breast Augmentations, Lip Fillers, Butt Implants, Liposuction has increased more than 50% since the previous year. So what does that mean? Besides the fact, a lot of people are going under the knife, but many who do are bashing others for their decision while doing the same thing in private.

In public, they stand on their soapbox lecturing a complete stranger on why they should love their body, but in the dark researching how they can get a tummy tuck or breast implants. It’s a double edge sword, you want to look and feel your best, not become obsessed with it. Many influencers and celebrities are honest about their elective procedures by sharing their stories on their platforms. Yet when you scroll through their comments, the nasty judgment is right there. Those who don’t publicly admit it, or claim their bodies are natural are met with the same judgment. It seems if you’re in the public eye, you can’t seem to win. The best approach is to ignore negative comments altogether. This comes from having a strong sense of self-love, a stable support system, and a grip on reality that no matter how big your platform is, people are just flat out rude and disgusting and don’t realize, these ugly comment is a direct reflection on their own insecurities and self-loathing. It’s completely normal to feel insecure about a feature, it’s ok to want to improve those you deem imperfect as long as you the individual are happy with the outcome.

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Whether you chose to under the knife to modify something you don’t like, it’s your choice and your body. As long as you are happy with your decision and can live without regrets who cares what some Internet troll or stranger cares. It’s your life.


Do you, Be you, Love you.
Bohemian Life

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