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Photography is an art form that best capture human emotions. This art is able to generate its very own special excitement that has the capability to transform the visual aesthetic of its subject, making it a challenging endeavor. While almost all objects today can be regarded as subjects for photography, women remain as one of the most interesting subjects for any photographer. In fact, photographing women is what made it possible for females to be released from the concept of domesticity.

Under the pretense of photography, female members of the society were able to close the gaps between their private worlds and public domains. This is especially true in the case of Boudoir photography, which has been gaining popularity in the field of portraiture. Boudoir is a genre of photography that often has women as subjects but can also be done for men, capturing them in sensual or suggestive poses or setting that may contain little or no nudity. It is totally different from erotic photography as it focuses more on the aesthetic qualities of the subjects as well as the artistry of the process rather than the sexually stimulating concept of the portrait.

The word boudoir came from the French word "bouder," meaning to pout. Back in the old days however, boudoir is used to refer to different private rooms commonly utilized by women which includes the sitting room, dressing room and bedroom. Such uses of the term resulted for the concept of photographing women in their bedrooms to emerge, which is why boudoir could also be referred to as "bedroom photography," although it can also be carried out in different private settings. Even though term boudoir was used in the later parts of photography history, this genre has been around since the earliest photographic process and is in fact the precursor of pinup portraiture of the 1940s and 1950s.

Commonly, female subjects of boudoir photography aren't models. They are ordinary women who wish to show a different side of their characters in the camera. The main idea is to unleash their inner sensuality to show another side of themselves without actually taking their clothes off and instead use sexually provoking poses to express their emotions. Unlike erotic photography, subjects of boudoir photos can show some of their bodily flaws, resulting to a more heightened reality of the image produced, which is why they are less manipulated and retouched.

Boudoir photography is becoming a popular trend in self-portraiture. Oftentimes, the photo shoot is commissioned by the subject but its purposes differ from one client to another. For example, a wife might give the finish product as an anniversary gift to her husband who's working in a different country, or perhaps a young man would use the portrait to audition for a magazine's centerfold. Whatever their reasons might be, boudoir is definitely a good means to build one's self esteem in front of the camera despite your bodily flaws.

In Southern California, modern boudoir started six years ago and is rapidly gaining its momentum ever since. If you are living in Orange County and would like to have your own boudoir mini photo shoot, you can easily find an Orange County photographer who specializes in boudoir, but be sure to do your research first before you shed some of your clothing in front of the camera to ensure that the photographer you are about to commission will definitely provide you a self-portrait of a lifetime. Generally, boudoir is a genre of photography that celebrates women individually, capturing them in a different light that could reignite self-esteem and the way she perceives herself.