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What thoughts, words, and aesthetics come to mind when you think of the term "non-binary"?
Perhaps you're thinking of something androgynous. Or maybe a certain level of masculinity is considered default in your mind. Almost certainly it doesn't inspire images of pink, glitter, or dresses.
I won't pretend to be an expert on the topic, but I can say with a lot of certainty that being non-binary does not inherently mean any of these things. This is because non-binary isn't an aesthetic.
By definition, non-binary means "not relating to, composed of, or involving just two things." To many, it's the rejection of binary labels like "man" and "woman" and instead recognizing gender as a spectrum or abstract concept.
But what does this have to do with boudoir?
When you search for inspiration for "non-binary boudoir", you'll find a lot of images that look incredibly masculine. Truly stunning images, this is a style I commonly see in studio and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that!
The problem exists where you try to put someone into a box. When you create this idea of what non-binary is "supposed" to look like instead of seeing each and every person as just that: a person.
I don't believe in one-size-fits-all, cookie cutter boudoir. Sure, I have my own artistic style that my clients have come to know and love. Of course I have a list of my favorite poses! But at the end of the day, intimate portraiture is about self-expression, and there is no one single way to go about that.
I'll say it again, non-binary isn't an aesthetic and it's not up to me to tell someone how they should express themselves regardless of how they identify. Instead, I'm here to listen to my clients and craft an experience with them that speaks to them.
This is one of the reasons that the Blume Boudoir experience includes a pre-session creative development meeting. It's during this time that I get to know who you are as an individual so we can brainstorm the perfect boudoir experience for you.
I challenge you to think a little more about your preconceived notions of what it means to be non-binary, why you have them, and how you can begin to break them down so you can best support and advocate for those around you.
This is Karee.
I originally asked Karee to come in for this shoot last June in honor of PRIDE 2021. This wasn't the first time I worked with them, our first shoot dates back to 2020 and I'm happy to call them a good friend. Between their outspoken attitude and incredible sense of style, it was a no brainer to call them in for this shoot concept I had in mind.
Unfortunately, I wasn't able to complete the project in time due to the large volume of weddings I had last year (many rescheduled from 2020 on top of my usual yearly workload). These photos were important to me and I didn't want to half-ass them for the sake of content. Nevertheless, I'm very excited to have completed this photoset and to get to share them with you today!
Happy PRIDE 2022
Please reach out to us here for inquiries and information on booking your own Blume Boudoir experience!
Blume Boudoir is an inclusive intimate portrait and boudoir studio based out of Bemidji, Minnesota. Comfort and expression are some of our top priorities and we're excited to have the opportunity to serve our LGBTQIA+ community in a safe and welcoming environment.
