3 Cords Creations

WARNING: This post contains pictures of people you may not want to see mostly naked. talking to you, Pop.

My ladies and I just love to find fun, new things to do together. We’re all very busy women and relish these rare moments. The scarcity of time encourages us to be inventive and creative with each other. So, one of our “events” is boudoir photos for our fellas. We have each other, mood music, mimosas and a magical photographer. We are ready to embrace our sexy selves in photo.

Despite having a great time planning lingerie and researching poses, the thought of having these photos made is a little scary. I know my husband adores me. I am truly blessed to have a great, always work-in-progress marital relationship. He’s not the problem. This is black and white. This is my imperfect body. Peer pressure and a sprinkle of feeling myself make it happen.

Important to realize: I learned so much this day.

Doing it [sexy photo shoot] with amazing friends is the best way to go because they can build you up and then you can cheer them on as well.

Unnamed Beauty

Boudoir photography can be self care

First lesson of our scantily clad day is: I’m not in this alone. My girls and I are a cheer leading squad.

Second lesson of the day: I’m not the only one who is uncomfortable in my glorious body.

Humans come in an array of sizes, shapes, and colors. Who and what is deemed attractive changes with time, location and the eye of each beholder. Blah, blah, blah. I’m not the prescribed societal ideal. My pale parts are glittered with cellulite. I often consider my friends more physically attractive than me. (It’s ok to appreciate their glory, even if I’m still working on owning mine.)

Since we have the opportunity to share this experience, I learn that my friends see their flaws like I see mine. Things that I hadn’t seen before, they could point out. Tummies that have worked hard bringing people to life. Breasts a little less than after gravity’s had it’s way. Comparison is the Devil’s work. Even comparing your mature self to that buoyant adolescent self isn’t recommended. Just accept and love yourself now, like your family and friends do. I AM SEXY. I bet you’re pretty sexy, too. Having a professional photographer’s experienced eye will help frame the way you look at yourself.

The pictures turned out much flirtier and fun than my first boudoir shoot

Unnamed Beauty #2

I was surprised she [photographer] actually caught sensuality and softness because I was so nervous and guarded.

Unnamed Beauty #3

You don’t have to know what you’re doing

For several of us, this is our first time doing sexy photos. Our homework is finding 4 or 5 examples of intimate shots we’d like to have of ourselves. We scour Pinterest, TikTok and Instagram for screen shots of beautiful lighting, curves, costumes and props. One resource I particularly enjoy (and maybe need to make a road trip to Missouri for) is @boudoirbybille‘s Instagram account. She has this body image positivity thing down! Very informative and encouraging space to find yourself rabbit holing. Preparing like this ahead of time removed a lot of anxiety for me.

If you are comfortable with your ability to pose, a great hack for sexy photos is to video yourself in various positions. Watch your mini movie and screen shot your best looks. If you have any doubts, I recommend: Get yourself a professional! Photographers know their angles, lights, colors and magic editing tricks.

Stephanie Ryan of Infocus photography worked so well with each of us on our poses. Arch that back. Lift your butt a little. Bite your thumb? Whatever the directions may be, trust your person behind the lens.

feel and know your beauty

There’s not a lot of magic left in the world as an adult. Getting your boudoir prints back is a pretty radical moment.

My first reaction is disbelief, followed closely by an “Okurrrr.” (Any Cardi B fans?) I was right… here’s my body in black and white AND full color. Wow. I have never had an experience change the way I looked at myself so drastically with the exception child birth. I guess it really is all about perspective.

You see yourself and it’s not at all like you imagined– it’s better than you could have dreamed and it’s shocking how good you look– is that really ME?!

Unnamed Beauty #4

You don’t need a significant other to give these to. Do it for yourself. See yourself in a new light.

Tell me about your experience. Is this still on your bucket list?