The Impact of One Photo
This past weekend, I had a very special moment with a client. We were towards the very end of his male boudoir session, listening to music, having a good time, and getting a "wet look" behind a makeshift shower set up. I had not shown my client any photos from the session up until this point, when I turned the camera over and said, "You look so good!" At first, my client couldn't see the image because he didn't have his glasses on, but he squinted and got a little closer. Shortly after, my client's demeanor completely changed, his face started to scrunch up, and his eyes began to water. He looked me in the eyes and said, "Oh my god... It's beautiful. I didn't think I could look like that. Thank you. I'm sorry I'm crying..." I assured him that it was okay to cry and that he does not need to apologize. I was happy to see the impact that one image could have on this particular client. After a moment of soaking in the emotions, we got back to the photo shoot to finish up the session.
That moment taught me a few things: First, I never know how my client truly views themselves before they walk through my doors. It's inevitable that many of my clients deal with body shame issues, and compare themselves to others, but I never know the real extent of that. In today's day and age with the influence of social media all around us, it's hard not to compare yourself with someone who is "hotter, leaner, muscular, skinnier, etc." than you. That wears on anyone's psyche. Second, I see my clients differently than they see themselves. Photographing a male boudoir session enables me to show my client, through the lens, how an outsider views them. Every man is unique, special, and beautiful. Yes, you heard me - beautiful. It does not matter what your background is, if you're straight or not, I believe every man has beauty to them in one way or another. Lastly, sometimes a photo can look average to me but can have a profound impact on the person who's being photographed. Since photography is my full-time gig, I'm used to analyzing photos to see if the lighting, composition, and posing are correct, among several other things. I sometimes forget about the emotion behind the photo, or the fact that I'm capturing someone in a completely different light than what they are used to seeing. When my client started to shed some tears after seeing only one image of himself, it helped me solidify the idea that a male boudoir session is much much more than just taking pictures. It's about empowering men and helping them see their true beauty.
Although many men are nervous, or anxious about doing a male boudoir session, I can assure you that the process is easy, comfortable, and empowering. If you are considering a male boudoir session, please don't hesitate to reach out. You never know how much a photo can change your perspective of yourself.
