Vancouver Boudoir Photography Pushes Back on Beauty Standards
Every woman has a different reason for coming to my Vancouver boudoir photography studio and wanting to do an intimate session with me. Sometimes the reasons are similar and sometimes they’re completely different.
My friend Ms. M is an incredible person, super intelligent and a social justice queen! I’m so proud of her for having so much intention behind her shoot, beyond herself.
Here’s what she had to say…
“One of the reasons why I wanted to do an intimate photo session with Michele was for me, in my own way push back and challenge beauty standards. Growing up in Vancouver as a Japanese girl, I often felt confused because I did not fit into the ‘one size fits all’ notion of the traditional Japanese beauty standard, which is fair skin and being thin.”
“I did not fit into the ‘one size fits all’ notion of the traditional Japanese beauty standard, which is fair skin and being thin.”
“At the same time, I did not see Asian people like myself reflected in Canadian mainstream media. Often times when Asians were portrayed in TV, film or in print media, we were portrayed as shy and submissive or the opposite as ‘exotic’ or in roles such as the geeky kid good at math.”
“I did not see Asian people like myself reflected in Canadian mainstream media.”
“When I got older and was able to say ‘screw you’ to socially constructed beauty standards, I began to be more compassionate to myself and began to accept me.”
“Growing up, I did not feel beautiful or pretty because I did not fit into the beauty standards of neither Japan nor Canada. When I got older and was able to say ‘screw you’ to socially constructed beauty standards, I began to be more compassionate to myself and began to accept me. So I wanted to do this session so that people can see Asians being portrayed in a sensual and powerful way. But most importantly, I wanted to see for myself that I can also be sensual and powerful.”
I looove this badass woman! Sensual, powerful, smart and gorgeous!
Keep kicking down those walls. You’re an inspiration for all women and I am so glad to know you and honoured that you choose me to be part of delivering this message with you.
Ladies, there are so many reasons that might lead one to do a boudoir session, and Ms. M has shown us how these sessions can be so powerful for not only ourselves but for making a statement and standing up against stereotypes, standing up for yourself and others, and working towards being the change you wish to see in the world.
Thank you Ms. M for boldly embracing you!
Shared with permission.
Michele Mateus is a Vancouver Boudoir & Portrait Photographer located in Coquitlam, BC. Hair & Makeup By Jenny Valla.
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Michele Mateus is an award winning Vancouver Portrait Photographer specialised in Lifestyle & Intimate Portraiture. Michele works both in her studio and on location serving Coquitlam, Vancouver, Fraser Valley, Langley, Abbotsford, Squamish, Burnaby, Surrey, North Vancouver, West Vancouver, New Westminster and the Great Vancouver area.