All Bodies are Boudoir Bodies

Is it me or do holidays start earlier than ever now?! Regardless of how you feel about it, these certain times of the year are extra tough on women for a lot of reasons. There’s not only the pressure to have everything ready (and smiling all the while), there’s also the pressure from people talking about weight or diets more often (I’ve only got one thing to say about that and it’s UGGGH, enough already!!!). Seriously, the list of expectations on us and our bodies during these times seems to go on, and on—it’s kinda like the Energizer bunny, it just keeps going and going, except in this case it’s much worse and so not helpful to anybody!!

That’s why today I’ve got something I really want to say to every woman reading this, and that something is a mantra that we all need to shout out loud, every day, whether from the living room couch or in our own minds, every day:

ALL BODIES ARE BOUDOIR BODIES!!!

“But Michele,” you may be asking, “What does that even mean?? How is my body a boudoir body, surely it’s not.”

Girl, you are breaking my heart so much by saying that. Sit down for a second and let me tell you why this is my mantra, and why it needs to start being yours too!

What our minds tell us vs reality

It’s tough enough to get through life through the year already, and maybe you’re having a way worse time with life compared to the year before. Maybe you’re even saying things unconsciously to yourself, this little whisper in the back of your mind, saying things like: 

“I don’t look like her in those photos, so I can’t look like that.” 

“I don’t have a body like that, so my photos will look awful too.” 

The reality is that there is this idea and concept that’s constantly being presented to us by our society, the media, etc. that everything about a woman needs to be perfect, and if it’s not, it should at the very least be commented on (even though that’s literally the last thing we want). And at some point in our lives, our bodies have been talked about in ways that make us SO uncomfortable. Maybe you got some kind of comment on your weight as a child, maybe you got comments from a lot from men while growing up, or maybe you got it from family you love and trust…at least, up until they said what they said about your body.

Whatever has happened to you, my heart really and truly goes out to you because I’ve been there too. Maybe not in the same way, but it’s something I think we all go through, for sure. We all have a story to tell whether it’s about our bodies or about who we are in the here and now of life. And I think a Boudoir Luxe experience is absolutely the best way to tell your story!

Boudoir as therapy, kinda

Recently a friend of mine came up to me and said, “Michele, what we’re doing is creating a therapeutic photography experience.” And I really do believe that to be true. While I’m not a licensed therapist at all, and I do wholly support getting help if and when you can, the reality is not many women are able to get help. 

So we turn to other ways to create self-love. For me, that act of self-love really and truly is Boudoir photography.

People always say they need to lose weight, they are not a boudoir person, but I think anyone with a body can be photographed and can be shown their beauty/sensuality. Boudoir is not just for models or people that have a certain body type. 

For me, yes, the body is part of what I am photographing during a Boudoir Luxe Experience or any other of the Boudoir experiences I offer. But really, the body is energetic. 

Sensuality is in us all!

Anyone with a body deserves to have that body celebrated and their soul tapped into and totally lit on fire in the most positive and energetic way. When I offer new friends a Boudoir photography experience, what I’m really doing is inviting you and really everybody into this incredible and bold experience, and I’m cheering you on into going beyond typical photography. 

We don’t have to photoshop. We don’t have to make things perfect. All we have to do is simply allow ourselves to be seen and shine our light.

And through that, we can truly reconnect with ourselves on a deeper level.

So from now on, I want you to repeat after me, and shout this from the bottom of your heart, and shout it every day. Say it with me now:

ALL BODIES ARE BOUDOIR BODIES!!

Repeat as many times as you need. Repeat it whenever that little voice starts to talk to you.

And whenever you’re ready to light your fire and let your body’s story be known, you know where to find me.

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Photos shared with permission.

Michele Mateus is a Boudoir, Intimate Portrait & Nude Fine Art Photographer located in Coquitlam, BC. Serving Coquitlam, Vancouver, Greater Vancouver and Fraser Valley, BC. Studio, Outdoor and On-location Boudoir Photography.

Hair & Makeup By Jenny Valla.