Boudoir Photography: A Divisive New Trend ?

BLOGGER's NOTE:  As this is my 121st Posting for the year (more than the past 2 years combined), I decided I should end this informative year with a more or less light-hearted posting.

Before saying ''I do,'' more brides-to-be are stripping down for a sexy photoshoot as a pre-wedding gift to their grooms-to-be. Is this just a regrettable fad or an empowering form of body art?

No longer is it enough for engaged couples to commission awkward, contrived posed engagement photos and force them on family and friends. A new trend in wedding photos has arrived. At the boudoir photography session, brides-to-be are stripping down either partially or completely and paying to have soft-porn photos taken of themselves as a gift for their ''intended''.

Some critics cringe at the prospect of future generations looking back at these supposedly treasured photos of their parents, but boudoir photography specialists say it's an empowering form of body art. So what is Boudoir Photography exactly? Actually, the word boudoir dates back to the Victorian era when it referred to a lady's private rooms, which she used for dressing or bathing. By extension, boudoir photography describes shots that capture a woman simulating such private activities. The photos show women in lingerie, or without lingerie, posing coyly or provocatively. Brides, who represent the bulk of boudoir clients, ''often bring veils, garters and wedding night lingerie, but their future spouses' favourite sports jersey are also popular,'' says Michelle Ruiz at The Daily News.

''And it's not just straight, childless brides who commission boudoir photos,'' comments Brooklyn photographer Amber Marlow in her blog, Marlow. ''I have done boudoir shoots for lesbians, and for ladies who are glowing and bursting at the seams with a soon-to-be-born baby. Ms Marlow also takes offense at comparisons between boudoir and porn, adding that the steamy pics are ''a celebration of beauty, sexiness and sexuality, and they're a whole lot of fun.''  Boston wedding photographer, Amy Haberland says, ''Boudoir is about art, it's not about getting undressed, but rather you are getting ready to show your best self.''

Although many boudoir clients give these photos to their partners, ''you don't do a boudoir shoot for someone, you do it for you,'' adds Marlow. ''The person posing has taken a bold action that's made them look and feel amazing.''  Doug Barry at Jezebel, has a point by stating, ''Tell that to the people who may unwittingly find the photos in the future. A whole generation of middle-aged adults will be tasked one day with sorting through their recently deceased parent's secret box of stuff which could include a flipbook of mom in various stages of undress and even a pleasant drunkenness!''

The Way I See It....Doug will have to lighten up. I think by that time in the future, our children will be alright with seeing a beautiful mom as they never saw her before; that is, before they were born. Sure, a boudoir session can take some of its cues -- even a lot of its cues -- from a hardcore porn shoot, but the purpose is definitely not the same. It's the joy and love of being a human being. Have a Happy New Year dear followers and be assured that there will be more interesting and revealing blog postings to come.