Undressed: A bare faced boudoir session | Tacoma Boudoir Photography | Seattle Boudoir Photographer

I have tried to write this several times in many different ways. The message is SO important to me that I want it to be PERFECT! However, I am throwing my hands in the air and saying FUCK PERFECTION—because bottom line, that is the real essence of my message.

Let me start from the beginning…

Back in March of 2018, I met Rhiannon when she came in for a boudoir session. It was a beautiful shoot and she KILLED the session. While she was in hair and makeup, I had a chance to get to know her and completely fell in love with her spirit! Since that day, she continues to wow me on social media with her positive take on the power of femininity. She even leads a crazy inspiring weekend woman's retreat once a year. I could gush about her all day. 

Fast forward to August 2019, I had a mind blowing experience in Seattle while observing and shooting with my dear friend and mentor, Jen Rozenbaum. When it was over, I was dying to work on these newly realized techniques in my own little Puyallup studio. I raced home and reached out to see if there was anyone willing to be my test subject for the day. Low and behold, when Rhiannon’s name popped up in my DM’s, my wheels started spinning!!!

A particular memory rushed into my mind. 

Rhiannon’s boudoir album was fresh off the press and in my hot little hands! In this particular instance, she decided to come to my house to pick up her album. She approached my door with the most beautiful smile on her face. She was wearing a simple pair of ripped jeans and a white t-shirt (or maybe a tank top, my memory is a bit fuzzy). Her hair was placed in the most perfectly imperfect top knot, and from what I could tell, she wasn't wearing a stitch of makeup. Her effortlessness simply magnified everything about her. I could have sworn that she was ACTUALLY glowing. 

This glow inspired me! I wanted to capture the glow. I wanted to harness this message that we are beautiful in all of our forms…even in our most bare and simple form. So I crossed my fingers really tightly, and asked her if she would be willing to do the session in her natural state. Completely bare faced, air-dried hair, and simple wardrobe. I had a feeling that she would be on board, mainly because of the woman she is and what she stands for. But let me tell you, that didn't stop me from beaming from ear to ear when she said yes!

I knew that doing a bare faced boudoir session would be special. I want all women to know that YOU GLOW! We are all beautiful outside AND inside. As women, we sometimes find it hard to see our own beauty. We find it hard to believe it’s there. Seeing yourself how others see you—it is my deepest wish for all women. I want you to see yourself the way your children do when you kiss their skinned knee. It can be found in the way your husband can’t say no to your bright eyes and simple smile. It’s in the way you make your best friend feel when you give her a hug after she just had the worst day in history. I want you to see yourself through the eyes of the target cashier, after you told her that she has one of the best laughs you have ever heard. These special moments don't require a special outfit, a perfect manicure, or even toned biceps. This is who you are and what the world sees. I want to show you how others see you.

Now, don’t get me wrong, I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the process of watching my clients being pampered by one of my talented hair and makeup artists! Part of the fun of a boudoir session is that it is a day full of playing dress-up! But I also want you to know that it is NOT necessary to be glam in order for you to find your inner glowing warrior princess. 

You are the same woman with or without your power lip color, or eyelashes (that may or may not be your own). Every single hair does NOT have to be in place. You don't have to be wearing elaborate and expensive lingerie to be sexy. You don't have to wait to lose 10 pounds before you are beautiful. You are beautiful NOW. These things will not change who you are. These things will not change your beauty. You are just as fierce when you wake up first thing in the morning as you are all dolled up for a night out on the town. 

You are beautiful—always. 

xoxo.

Erinn

Erinn Hargis is a boudoir photographer in the greater south sound. Erinn Hargis Boudoir Photography has a studio located in downtown Puyallup, WA. She services boudoir clients from Tacoma to Seattle, and other surrounding areas.