Dans le boudoir

Tiffany Ridenour has been a licensed family photographer since 2009, after graduating from Chico State with an art degree. In addition to taking portraits for weddings, newborns and graduates, however, her business Zealous Imagery offers boudoir photo shoots. Boudoir, French for “woman’s bedroom,” is a form of intimate photography that Ridenour says can boost a woman’s self-esteem. For more information, call 518-5655 or log onto http://zealousimagery.com.

What is boudoir photography all about?

It’s so far away from porn. You can do couple’s boudoir, which is just a visual approach to being intimate without sex. It triggers other senses, too—it’s a good way to feel sexy. But it’s also a good way to just look sassy. You can do pin-up photography, pin-up portraits. Like I said, it’s not even closely related to porn, but I get mixed up with that a lot. Being a family photographer, I have to be very careful to keep my boudoir separate, because it can be mistaken.

What is your personal involvement in boudoir?

I’m married myself, I have a daughter, and if you know anything about having kids, it screws your body up entirely. My husband thought that I was sexy, but I just didn’t feel good about myself. It was definitely an ego boost for me to do this. He actually got the pictures, and it made me feel good to see that I can look good on camera.

How did you begin boudoir photography?

I was looking around for Valentine’s ideas, and I came across boudoir. Boudoir is very intimate. I came across a couple of boudoir photographers, and then I started using a couple of clients as guinea pigs, and it just kind of trailed off from there. It was about two years ago. I’ve probably had over 40 clients come in for just boudoir, and that’s usually around Valentine’s.

What would you tell those who may be interested?

If you’re considering it at all, definitely come in and visit me for a consult because there are a lot of preconceived notions about it. A lot of people think, ‘Oh, it’s boudoir, bedroom, porn, it’s all the same thing.’ I have a personal portfolio of images that people could see. They could look through, they could see the variety; it could be jeans, it could be lingerie, it could be nude. It can be whatever you want. Don’t hesitate; it’s worth it, and it’s a great self-esteem booster.