Maybe you’ve seen pictures of women scantily clad in underwear or lingerie while doing sultry poses. You probably thought that these were lewd and offensive to look at. But the truth is that those were most likely boudoir photography shots.

Now you’re wondering, “Why do women do it?” The timing couldn’t have been more perfect! In this article, we’ll take a look at the reasons women indulge in boudoir pictorials once in a while. i

Reason #1: It’s classy

There’s nothing more alluring to women than projecting an aura of sophistication wherever she goes. In the 1930s, a style known as glamour photography emerged. Actresses from that time such Constance Bennett, Jean Harlow, Rita Hayworth, Norma Shearer, and Mae West, to name a few, were often subjects of this artistic approach. They were portrayed with elegance and style, without even showing too much skin. In fact, they were clad in fashionable gowns and dresses during shoots! They did not need to flash their flesh in front of the camera. These actresses exuded the charisma needed for glamour photography.

When harking back to this classic method, sometimes, minimal skin is needed in boudoir. All you need is to be portrayed with class and your clothes on.

Reason #2: Boudoir is absolutely sexy

On the other side of the spectrum, other women believe that showing skin is flattering. They take inspiration from works of actress Marilyn Monroe (the sex icon of her time) and photographers like Helmut Newton, Horst P. Horst, and pin-up artist Alberto Vargas.

Boudoir sometimes emphasizes women’s sexuality and sensuality through risqué poses and attire like underwear or lingerie, as mentioned above. It teases, while complimenting the form of a woman with the scarce amount of clothing she has on. This seems to be the more modern approach prevalent today, as seen in most men’s magazines.

Reason #3: It’s all about women

The earliest influence of boudoir was nude photography in the 1920s. Though considered pornography during that time, the focus was on something entirely different. It wasn’t about vulgarizing women’s form, but celebrating it. That’s why most models of nude photography were plump women, because it glorified her natural physical attributes.

This is what the boudoir art form is all about: visually capturing women’s beauty inside and out.

So the next time you see a woman in an ultra-feminine pose with revealing clothing, don’t think dirty thoughts. Instead, appreciate them for who they are.