As a photographer who solely focuses on women, I’ve noticed that people are becoming more accepting of female sexual empowerment and expression. More and more women are owning their sexuality and speaking out. Sometimes in a way that is considered risqué – but at least we are having conversations about it.

You don’t necessarily need to be sexually active in order to be sexually empowered. While everyone finds empowerment in different ways, the most important thing is that you decide what you do with your own body. You are in control. Sexual empowerment isn’t just about feeling empowered in the bedroom. Sexual empowerment is being able to accept who you are, completely. Allow yourself to love whoever makes you happy. Have sexual experiences that empower you, by satisfying you. Becoming aware of what is healthy for you in a sexual relationship, and being able to say “no” to anything that makes you feel disempowered. Be vocal when it comes to your needs and desires because they are nothing to be ashamed of. Own your sexuality.

I’ve heard many myths about female sexual desire: women don’t value sex, women are less sexual than men, women only want sex when their bodies crave a baby.. The list goes on. All around us, these ideas are being tossed around that women are less sexual than men. Which is untrue. Wouldn’t you agree? That’s the thing about myths. That’s all they are…MYTHS. It’s time to disprove them.

Women are just as sexual as men. We just haven’t had a socially acceptable way of expressing our sexuality without criticism. Who likes to feel criticized? Not me and probably not you either. Everyone has different beliefs on sexual empowerment. What some people find sexually empowering, others may find objectifying. Just because something is stigmatized by society, does not mean there is anything wrong with it.

For instance, going nude during your photoshoot with me. Some women feel completely empowered by going nude. It allows them the opportunity to see themselves at their most vulnerable, and still see themselves as powerful, sexy human beings. Even though society tells us that our naked bodies are a cause for discomfort.

When we make people uncomfortable with our bodies, I believe that can be a good thing. Obviously, not if you’re forcing your sexuality upon someone, but I see nothing wrong with showing a little bit more skin than you normally do and forcing people to talk about cultural norms. If someone tells you to cover up, ask them why.

Why does a peek of my cleavage make someone else so uncomfortable? Why do my short shorts make you feel uneasy? It all comes down to what society has been taught over the last 100 years. We can’t change the way people view our bodies overnight. This is something that will take time. Just as much time as it took to create these unrealistic expectations of women and how we embrace our bodies.
Others stray away from going nude and that’s completely okay. You do not have to be nude during your photoshoot. In fact, you could wear ten layers of clothes and I’d still show you just how sexy you are! Being nude isn’t the only way to embrace your body just as it is, but I highly encourage it. Because let’s face it, our bodies change every day. It’s a beautiful experience to document your body as it is right now. Boudoir is not about proving to anyone that you are sexy. It’s about embracing yourself as a sexually empowered woman. It’s about being a woman who doesn’t care whether or not anyone finds her sexy, because she does.