Empowerment

Wikipedia defines empowerment as

Empowerment is the degree of autonomy and self-determination in people and in communities. This enables them to represent their interests in a responsible and self-determined way, acting on their own authority. It is the process of becoming stronger and more confident, especially in controlling one's life and claiming one's rights

Empowerment is a word used quite a lot in boudoir photography, you’ll see taglines and slogans from photographers saying they empower women to be who they are, etc. And while I agree with the sentiment, I don’t wholly agree in practice.

I was having a conversation with a client a week or so after her appointment and image reveal and she said it was beautiful that I empowered her to see herself differently. That touched me, I love the feeling that I could be a part of someone’s healing journey. But afterward, I thought back over the conversation and something didn’t quite sit right with me. Could I really claim to have empowered this lady, and others? And then it hit me, I don’t empower anyone except myself. It’s arrogant to presume otherwise, who is to say what empowerment is to anybody else. So I slightly modified my thoughts around the subject into a narrative that I’m comfortable with. One that sits well with me AND helps me provide better customer service to my client.

I provide a safe and accepting environment where my clients can feel empowered to be and express themselves

That feels more natural, so, I don’t empower anyone. That is down to you, you glorious beautiful soul.