I’m often asked this question. Sometimes out of curiosity, sometimes with scepticism, sometimes with a little wink: “Why boudoir of all things?”
It is a valid question. And it deserves an honest answer.
Because it’s not about the skin
When people think of boudoir, the first things that often spring to mind are lingerie, bare shoulders, and perhaps the nude. That’s all part of it, no question. But that’s not the reason why I love this style of photography.
I’m fascinated by something else: the moment when a woman sees herself in a new light. When she looks at the screen for the first time, pauses for a moment, and then says, ‘Is that me?’ At that moment, something happens that has only a passing connection to the skin. It’s about self-image. About looking at oneself with more kindness. About a sense of self-confidence that you take home with you.
I take photos for moments like this.
Because we rarely see ourselves as we really are
We see ourselves every day – in the bathroom mirror, in shop windows, in quick mobile phone snaps. And almost always under the worst possible conditions: glaring light from above, awkward angles, a critical eye that looks only for flaws.
It’s different in the studio. Here there is time, tranquillity and light that flatters rather than exposes. It is there that many women see themselves for the first time as others have long seen them: beautiful, expressive, full of life. Not because I change anything, but because I give them the space to reveal themselves.
Because true beauty needs no filters
We live in a world full of filters, flawless skin and unattainable ideals. I don’t particularly like this world. I’m interested in real bodies, real stories and genuine charisma.
That’s why I retouch my photos with care. I remove anything that’s temporary, but I don’t alter body shapes. A woman should be able to recognise herself in her photos and think: ‘That’s exactly who I am – and that’s beautiful.’
Because it is a craft that demands respect
Boudoir photography is perhaps the most demanding form of portrait photography. Technically, because the lighting, poses and details must all come together for a picture to work. But above all, it is a deeply human endeavour.
A woman who stands in front of my camera places an enormous amount of trust in me. I take that trust very seriously. That is why I have clear rules that are never negotiable: I explain every pose, I do not touch anyone without being explicitly asked to do so, ‘no’ always means ‘no’, and no photograph leaves the studio without written consent. If requested, my wife will be present throughout the entire shoot.
Precisely because I am a man behind the camera, this framework is particularly important to me. It forms the basis for everything else.
Because light is my language
I’ve always been fascinated by light. By the way a single streak of light can sculpt a shoulder. By the way shadows tell a story. By the way skin, fabric and darkness come together to create an image that reveals more than meets the eye.
That is why I work with a medium-format camera, using carefully arranged lighting and taking plenty of time for each photograph. Not out of a love of technology, but because I want every woman to receive photographs that are as special as the moment in which they were taken.
Because every woman has a story
Women come to me for all sorts of reasons. For their birthday, following a break-up, after an illness, as a present for their partner – or simply because they want to treat themselves. Each one brings her own story, her insecurities and her wishes.
Hearing these stories and bringing them to life is, for me, the best part of my job. No two photo shoots are the same, because no two women are the same.
And why might it be for you, too?
If you’ve read this far, you might feel that the subject is still on your mind. In that case, let’s just have a chat. No strings attached – over a coffee in the studio or on the phone. You can ask anything – including why a man would do something like that.
I’d be happy to tell you all about it again in person.
