Trauma-informed boudoir photography prioritizes the client’s well-being, both physically and emotionally.

What is Trauma-Informed Boudoir Photography? 

While we all carry smartphones, taking lots of candid snapshots and even some quick, posed images among family and friends, few of us take photos in a deliberate way—sitting for portraits with professionals with intentional thought to posing, styling and lighting. It stands to reason that clients look to experts for guidance and reassurance on these basic elements when choosing a portrait session. But there’s so much more a boudoir professional can bring to the experience–especially for clients who have experienced trauma. 

Boudoir photography can be the most vulnerable form of portraiture. As a result, it is vital that a boudoir session prioritizes the emotional and psychological well-being of every client through the entire experience. While it’s common to be a bit apprehensive before a session, experienced trauma-informed professionals create a safe space for everyone to feel at ease, and even joyful! 

Creating Safe Space

A trauma-informed photo studio is a safe space and judgment-free zone where clients are truly seen and are in control and empowered to say no (and yes!). 

A trauma-informed posing guide has specialized training and experience in working with this population and is mindful of how the studio environment and their actions—tone, word choice, body awareness—can be supportive, and even empowering. Posing cues are presented as invitations, not commands. Hands-on posing is never necessary and consent for touch is a conversation, with the client empowered to say no (or yes). 

Communication is critical to a successful session, and a trauma-informed studio will make sure to discuss the client’s expectations and boundaries before the session begins. It’s equally important to check in throughout the session to ensure those needs are met. 

A trauma-informed studio respects the client’s agency to say no to any pose or wardrobe suggestion, to stop or pause the session at any time. All studio employees are sensitive to trauma and will be aware of discomfort—and make adjustments accordingly.

A trauma-informed studio will also avoid potentially problematic language, including violent words such as shoot, aim, take or capture, or terms that may suggest an imbalance of power between photographer and client. 

A trauma-informed studio will celebrate the client’s unique beauty, with the posing guide serving as a cheerleader, big sister and friend. Clients are encouraged to bring a sister, friend or partner if the client feels more confident with a cheering section in their corner. 

Finally, a trauma-informed studio respects its clients’ privacy. Details of a client’s session will remain confidential and the studio will never share or publish images from the session unless explicitly granted permission by the client to do so. Additionally, a private dressing room with a door is provided for privacy during clothing changes. 

Our Story

While Tim Gerdes has been a photographer for more than 20 years, with extensive experience guiding models in posing, when deciding to open a boudoir studio he understood that to ensure that his clients feel as safe and as comfortable as possible, simply having an experienced photographer to guide the process wasn’t enough. 

When considering the specialized needs of a boudoir studio, Tim realized immediately he already had the perfect resource to partner with, one that was as excited about the concept as he was—his wife, Michelle. 

Michelle Gerdes has almost a decade of experience as a certified trauma-informed Yoga Teacher (ERYT-200) and Reiki Practitioner, uniquely qualifying her to work with clients in boudoir photo shoots to ensure a safe, joyous and empowering experience. Her extensive background in energy awareness, body awareness, and emotional intelligence enables Michelle to create a supportive environment where clients are truly seen and understood. By understanding and addressing the needs of their nervous system and physical and emotional selves, Michelle guides clients through poses that not only highlight their unique beauty but also promote healing and self-confidence. This holistic approach ensures that each session is a deeply positive and transformative experience.

Whether or not you choose to book your session with Studio 34 Boudoir, it is encouraged that you research the studio you select for your session to ensure that it champions these ideals; safety, consent, empathy, empowerment, communication and privacy.