A Fort Worth Boudoir Photographer Gets Honest


The boudoir photography industry sells transformation and an increase in confidence. Hell, even I do that to an extent. But let's be real...


It's not a transformation, it's an opportunity to see yourself from persepctives that aren't always available to you.


That's why I don't really push before and after images on my website. Because I am not trying to sell you on the fact that you need to be fixed and I can be the one to fix you. Fuck that.

 

 

But Wait...I do struggle With Confidence. I do need to fix myself.

That's what I'm Looking for!

I would like to challenge only parts of that. Struggling for confidence...totally get it. So do I. As a matter of fact, having been a boudoir photographer in DFW for almost four years...there are days that I still do. And that's where I am willing to admit something most boudoir photographers won't. A boudoir photoshoot isn't going to magically erase self-doubt. It's not going to erase society screaming at us that we are only valuable if we are youthful, thin, and free from blemishes. I wish it could...but it doesn't.


The part that I want to really challenge you on is that you do need to fix yourself. Because you don't. You simply need to see yourself fully (and not just in that bathroom mirror with limited perspective available and some of the most unflattering light ever), and that is where, in my honest opinion, boudoir photography is absolutely worth it.

 

Woman in red satin robe during boudoir session with Fort Worth boudoir photographer, Lock and Key Photography.
Inclusive boudoir portrait, plus size woman in red lingerie, DFW boudoir photography by Lock & Key.

 

So, what actually makes boudoir worth it?


To answer that, I'd like to talk about my own journey, not behind the camera as a boudoir photographer, but in front of it as a boudoir client. I never really had insecurities about my height directly, in fact, I think I've said multiple times throughout my life that I'm just fun-sized. And who doesn't love fun-sized? Where the insecurity crept in was how that petiteness was proportioned. I once made the genius observation of "if I had longer legs, I'd be taller." No shit sherlock...


So there it is. The insecurity was feeling like I had short legs, not being petite. And it's not shocking that evolved into an insecurity when beauty standards that are truly out of our control...because you know...genetics, is shoved down our throats.


But enter my first boudoir session...


When I first saw my images, did I love every single one of them? No! And in all honesty, whether you have a session with me or another DFW photographer is more your style, you probably won't love every single photo of yourself either. You are talking about years of insecurities and low confidence against a two-hour photoshoot. That is a big ask for one session. But what it did do for me, and what it can do for you, is challenge my pre-conceived notions. Instead of seeing short ugly little legs from a societal lens, I saw how absolutely captivating they could be. From certain angles that I never get to witness, they looked long as hell. From others, they looked toned, strong, ready to carry me through life. My legs never changed. My perspective did. And from that day forward, I never looked at my legs one-dimensionally again. I finally was able to see the full picture.


And it's not just my legs. It's been other areas I've picked apart before as well. Gravity taking its toll on my boobs. Wrinkles and laugh lines creeping in. Bloat and puffiness. Probably all of the same things that every single one of us has been conditioned into tearing apart. We tear ourselves apart, hate our bodies, and reduce everything down to something is wrong with me and I just need to get my shit together. Why? Because we see ourselves how we were taught to instead of the full picture.


And that full picture is what makes boudoir photography worth it.

 

Boudoir photo of woman on fur blanket with floral backdrop, intimate Fort Worth boudoir photography session.

 

So yeah...


I suppose what I am ultimately saying, boudoir truly can be powerful. It disrupts conditioned narratives of yourself. And yes, when you see yourself from different perspectives, it absolutely can boost your confidence. But it is not a transformation. A transformation means something was changed. And that is just not true. You walk out with the same body and face that you walked in with. And that is beautiful. And that is powerful. And it shows you the one constant is in fact, YOU!

 

 

If that kind of honesty is what you've been looking for in a DFW boudoir photography experience, you can learn more about working together here.