I don’t like “Boudoir” | Chris Connelly Photography – Albany’s Top Boudoir Photographer

Intimate Portraiture – from Boudoir to Nude-oir

Now don’t get me wrong, we shoot what is considered “Boudoir” and we love it; however, I find the term to be a rather inaccurate label for what we do at our studio. To be honest – I have a love / hate relationship with the word. I was recently asked if boudoir for us included “nude-oir.”  After asking immediately if I could borrow that phrase, I responded that it absolutely did for us, but it also includes portraiture which may have nothing to do with nudity, but can be just as, if not more intimate. I would rather define us an Intimate Portraiture Studio.

Intimate portraiture is the art of capturing images that go beyond a snapshot. Images that show a side of you that you only reveal to those in your inner circle of trust; or possibly, a side of you that you are ready to explore just for yourself.  That is what intimate portraiture is all about.

Intimate portraiture as a genre, may include styles known in popular culture such as boudoir or pin-up, but the genre itself is much broader than that. For years I have marketed this studio under “boudoir”, not because it necessarily reflects exactly what we do, but because it is a marketing term many are at least familiar with.  If you search it on google your results will include a fairly narrow, homogeneous set of images of mostly women, mostly in lingerie, mostly in the same poses. That is where my issue lies – the definition is far to narrow and it misses so much of what we capture in the studio such as couples shoots which can range from cuddly lifestyle images to steamy romantic images, fine art nudes, or even artful kink portraiture. Often times, same-sex couples and members of the LGBTQIA+ community are overlooked in “Boudoir”, but we have created a safe space that welcomes and celebrates everyone. That said, most folks don’t know to search “Intimate Portraiture”, but, they do know “Boudoir” – so we are a little bit stuck with it.

An intimate portraiture session is confidence inspiring, thought provoking, fun, empowering and even cathartic – none of which requires a matching bra and panties (but you can absolutely bring them if they make you feel any of the above).