Boudoir & Yours Truly | West Hartford Premier Boudoir
bou·doir
/ˈbooˌdwär/
noun
a woman's bedroom or private room?
Boudoir! Our FAVORITE word! But where did this trend start? What does the phrase boudoir even mean? Ready to learn more about this form of photography AND how yours truly came to be?!
Let's do this!
Boudoir, my friends, comes from the French verb bouder, which roughly translates to "pout" or "sulk." Maybe that's where selfie "pouts" came from! Boudoir goes WAY back. How far back? Think as early as the 1800s! Just yesterday, right? Check this out. Boudoir back then wasn't known as a photography style at all, rather a word to describe a woman's changing room! Absolutely NOT the same thing we know as today!
The boudoir we all know and love is a style of photography. Sexy, beautiful, confident photos of women looking their finest in lingerie… or birthday suits! Boudoir is now an art industry empowering women (and men!) worldwide! So, how did this trend start?
Pinpointing an actual "beginning" is a challenge, but we can find first glimpses of the boudoir style found as early as the 1800s! You see, boudoir photography wasn't something common folk talked about openly. It had a sexual tone...which was inappropriate. Why? Think old-fashion morals, social norms, and religious "expectations." Remember, the 1800-1900s was very different. What's the big to-do about a woman showing off her beauty? Oh, here's a crash course on women's etiquette back then!
Prepare thyself!
The norm for women of that time was a little more "conservative." Long dresses, no cleavage, and only an appropriate amount of makeup. People, this was an age where women wore long johns to the beach! So to think of women purposefully dressing in lingerie, let alone in the nude, was absolute blasphemy! So, NO, it was not acceptable for women to be photographed in anything but respectable, modest clothing.
Wouldn't they be shocked to see a glimpse of the future!
What's the big deal? There are paintings of women in the nude throughout history, are there not?
You ARE correct! There were indeed paintings of women in the nude from classic artists like Micheal Angelo or Da Vinci. The problem? NOT the same thing! Photography as art had gray areas during its infancy. Photos of women in "revealing" garments were often seen as inappropriate. Any sensualized photos of women you might find that were socially acceptable weren't really a "thing" until the 1950s and were typically only found in early men's magazines. The tone of these magazines were not necessarily empowering for the ladies…
YET!
It wasn't until recent years that boudoir became socially accepted as an art form without being in men’s magazines. We have become more accepting and open to change as a collective over the years, thus allowing photography to expand and evolve. Hurray!
The current mindset of the ladies that walk through our studio doors is, "I'm doing this for myself!" In earlier years? Yeah, not yet! Many ladies weren't even permitted to work! Husbands were not typically lining up to have their wives photographed in lingerie…especially by a male photographer! I'm not sure Ricky Ricardo would be too happy if Lucy slipped into something a bit more revealing for another camera!
We've come a long way, my friends. I'd say we have opened up to a much more open mindset! Sorry, Ricky! Lucy is ready for a new era! And she's not wearing long johns to the beach this time!
Boudoir changed art. Boudoir changed the image of a woman. Boudoir changed how we view confidence and respect.
It's 2021, people! We are a long way from those old-fashioned ideals of art and how we should present our ladies! Like Lucy, no more long johns! Boudoir has become so popular it is now even seen as the ultimate GIFT for your special honey, or better yet, YOURSELF! Just took a few hundred years. But oof do we look good…
Amber Jones.
/ˈambər/
noun
A badass established businesswoman specialized in Boudoir Photography.
A woman changing the world of photography and modern idealisms of confidence and self-image for women (and our gents!) one photo at a time
Why photography?
Amber Jones started her love for photography with an early inspiration- her first purple toy camera she received as a gift as a little girl! This became her starting point for her future business and career! Best part? That purple camera also created purple-hued photos.
Obsession obtained!
Amber discovered her love for photography in high school and was absolutely hooked! She explored the many different avenues and specialties of photography. Weddings, newborns, family portraits? She's on it! Until the day she discovered the land of boudoir... It was love at first sight, and she started running for it!
Time to build an empire.
Amber Jones Photography was established on January 11, 2011, after moving to Connecticut with her family. She started in a small studio in West Hartford. However, her stay was quickly interrupted! Due to a robbery, she had to find a new location (and fast!). To her luck, she found an even bigger, better studio two miles down the street from her old studio! The unfortunate turned into a blessing in disguise.
One of the many blessings to come!
Photography allows her to reach people on such a profound and personal level. Increasing the confidence in women is one of her most important goals in her profession. She believes one photo can change a mindset from negative to empowering. Her favorite thing to do during a photo shoot is to show her clients photos right out of the camera. It brings awareness to the present moment. Here, right now, and always- you are beautiful.
Amber: "Check this out!"
Kelly: "OMG!! Is that me?!"
Amber: "Sure is! I just took this shot!"
Kelly: "WOW!!! I look AMAZING!"
Amber: "YAS, Ma'am!!"
With a flip of a camera, lives are changed forever.
Showing women, they are beautiful and growing that confidence is the success story. Amber has now been in the business and on this mission for over a decade. She is a published, award-winning photographer and boudoir specialist who is already impacting the world with her talent and inspiration. She has created a sanctuary for boudoir photography in her studio in West Hartford and is ready to make a difference.
Boudoir is still perceived as a new branch of photography. This is actually a major positive. New means new opportunities and room for new leaders. Amber is thrilled to be considered a new leader in boudoir photography and is ready to help spread awareness of the value boudoir has to offer for women (and men!) worldwide! She will reveal what true beauty looks like.
One photo at a time.
P.s.
By the way? This next one is a man! ↓
Amber Jones Photography is ready to take boudoir to the next level. Are you ready to become a part of this legacy? Contact us at www.amberjones.com and book your very own boudoir photo session TODAY! We are artists. You are the ultimate sculpture- beautiful and perfect just as you are. Unveil your beauty and discover your true self, one photo at a time.
Xoxo,
Amber
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