Christian Boudoir Photography... a sin?

[Classik]

I believe the term for this kind of teasing used to be 'burlesque'. Not so glamorous by it's real name, is it?

The thing I didn't know is if it involved any actual nudity. A quick yahoo search answered that question...a word search, NOT an image search because I knew that would probably be disastrous and make me regret going there.

:toofunny
Comdeians in the house. Google Safe search is always there.

 

[Jethro Bodine]

:toofunny
Google Safe search is always there.

Yahoo has it's own safe search mode. I keep it on. But I don't believe it keeps us red blooded males from stumbling into sexually explicit, but non-nude, images of wandering females.

 

[Classik]

I believe the term for this kind of teasing used to be 'burlesque'. Not so glamorous by it's real name, is it?

The thing I didn't know is if it involved any actual nudity. A quick yahoo search answered that question...a word search, NOT an image search because I knew that would probably be disastrous and make me regret going there.

Pictures would give you what you need to know. See pictures below: I hope I won't be kicked out of the forum! Wow:

ed Picture 1 ed

ed Picture 2 ed

ed Picture 3 ed

ed Picture 4 ed

 

[Classik]

:biglol

 

[Mike]

:biglol

:rolling

You got me good! I was all set to hit the "delete" button!

Good one, brother!

 

[Classik]

:rolling

You got me good! I was all set to hit the "delete" button!

Good one, brother!

:toofunny
:toofunny
:toofunny
:toofunny
:toofunny
:toofunny
:toofunny

 

[elijah23]

Hey everyone. I'm new here. Was looking for a large Christian forum with believers of all ages and walks of life to humbly ask this question.

As a professional photographer, I primarily photograph weddings and of the 35 or so weddings I do per year, probably 3 or 4 of them the bride asks me to photograph her boudoir session. I always insist upon them having a friend there when we shoot, getting the Okay from the fiance, and it always ends up being a great time. My fiance supports me photographing them since she knows it's part of the business. Recently I was confronted by a more mature Christian (non photographer) saying that this was absolutely wrong, citing James 1 and a few other places saying we should flee from temptation. But for me, photographing these isn't tempting. And temptation itself is not a sin. Whether I'm shooting a bride in lingerie, a family shoot, a car, a sunset... it's all the same to me. In fact, giving photos like this to her husband is only reinforcing their marriage, which should please God.

Wouldn't Jesus want a husband and wife to become more intimate and enjoy the physical side of their relationship together? Or it is just wrong that I'm male, but a female doing this sort of photography would be perfectly fine?

Is this any different than having a male doctor giving a female patient a full exam? Are lifeguards not suppose to be Christian because of the girls in bikinis on the beach? Am I suppose to ask for a different waitress at the restaurant because the one I have is good looking and I may be tempted?

Sin, no sin or ?

A woman should remain fully clothed in the presence of men.

 

[farouk]

I kind of hesitate about the whole matter, to be honest. Caution is a good watch-word.

On the other hand, it's good not to go to extremes with arguments. A point was raised about someone working as a lifeguard. Most Christian families would be very glad if there is a lifeguard on duty when they go to the beach or the swimming pool. But for someone to argue, never be a lifeguard 'in case someone tans without a back strapline' would be to take the argument to extremes, I think.

Fact is, at some weddings it's not entirely clear whether the bridal party dresses are supposed to be the main outfits or the more minimal undergarments. I think this is regrettable, but there is a sense in which any photographer is going to be faced at least occasionally with necklines which leave little to the imagination. (This was often the case in the 19th century at weddings and certain social functions; there is nothing new about it.)

Romans 14, as has been said, has a lot to do with it, as has been said.

But I'm inherently cautious.

 

[ExtraMedium]

Thanks again to everyone who replied to this.
I have an interesting update to this ongoing story. I actually got married this past weekend to my girlfriend of about a year and a half. We had a male photographer (no not me unfortunately) and he went to her hotel room to capture her getting ready. Part of that process is having the bride put the dress on. He asked if he should leave the room while she put the dress on. My wife (fiance at the time) said, "why? isn't it your job to capture this process?". He is a Christian as well and asked out of courtesy, but even my wife saw this as a normal part of the job.

Anyway, I really enjoy hearing all aspects of this. I know there are very few male Christian photographers who might have experience in this particular part of their career, but I have found it very beneficial reading from what others think and re-reading verses in the bible pertaining to this.

And if seeing a woman in lingerie is porn for some people, then I honestly don't know how they ever go outside to the beach, park, pool, mall or anywhere else that non-berka-wearing females are present. Me personally... I'm much more aroused by a woman wearing a dress in high heels than a woman in lingerie. So to each his own, right?

 

[Jethro Bodine]

And if seeing a woman in lingerie is porn for some people, then I honestly don't know how they ever go outside to the beach, park, pool, mall or anywhere else that non-berka-wearing females are present.

Don't misunderstand. A woman in lingerie is not porn. I think the other men in this thread would agree that porn is qualified by actual nudity.

Any sexually provocative pictures of women that solicits lustful thoughts in the man who sees them should not to be purposely focused on them (pun intended) for a length of time for the purpose of indulging them. That is sinful. Seeing a sexually attractive woman and then turning away is not sin. Fixing your eyes on her for the purpose of indulging it is. Every man knows when he's indulging and when he is not. You have to make your own decision about this. But as you can see, you are far different than most of us posting here.

Me personally... I'm much more aroused by a woman wearing a dress in high heels than a woman in lingerie. So to each his own, right?

Then, IMO, you should probably not be doing what you're doing. Really.

 

[farouk]

Thanks again to everyone who replied to this.
I have an interesting update to this ongoing story. I actually got married this past weekend to my girlfriend of about a year and a half. We had a male photographer (no not me unfortunately) and he went to her hotel room to capture her getting ready. Part of that process is having the bride put the dress on. He asked if he should leave the room while she put the dress on. My wife (fiance at the time) said, "why? isn't it your job to capture this process?". He is a Christian as well and asked out of courtesy, but even my wife saw this as a normal part of the job.

Anyway, I really enjoy hearing all aspects of this. I know there are very few male Christian photographers who might have experience in this particular part of their career, but I have found it very beneficial reading from what others think and re-reading verses in the bible pertaining to this.

And if seeing a woman in lingerie is porn for some people, then I honestly don't know how they ever go outside to the beach, park, pool, mall or anywhere else that non-berka-wearing females are present. Me personally... I'm much more aroused by a woman wearing a dress in high heels than a woman in lingerie. So to each his own, right?

EM:

Some people will be wanting to ban even grandmothers in high heels from going to church, next ...

Seriously, it's good to be cautious and sensible in all this.

I guess one could say it kind of depends a great deal on the context. Turning away respectfully is a good idea in some situations, I'm sure.

 

[ExtraMedium]

Very valid points, I agree

Let me ask a rookie question here then. Lets say one was to look at a photo of a woman in lingerie which would temp him to sin. What kind of sin are we talking about here? If he's married would this mean he would want to cheat on his wife? Does this mean that by being turned on by what he saw this would affect his marriage? If he was single would this mean he might do the M-word? (which I don't think is a sin). Might a single man see this as a misrepresentation of women? Might he become lustful towards women and not take the time to learn more about them?

Yes, if I take photos of a woman wearing lingerie and it turns me on to the point of acting inappropriate with her during the shoot, then absolutely... that's a sin and wrong on many levels. But if that doesn't happen, where is the sin taking place?

 

[farouk]

Very valid points, I agree

Let me ask a rookie question here then. Lets say one was to look at a photo of a woman in lingerie which would temp him to sin. What kind of sin are we talking about here? If he's married would this mean he would want to cheat on his wife? Does this mean that by being turned on by what he saw this would affect his marriage? If he was single would this mean he might do the M-word? (which I don't think is a sin). Might a single man see this as a misrepresentation of women? Might he become lustful towards women and not take the time to learn more about them?

Yes, if I take photos of a woman wearing lingerie and it turns me on to the point of acting inappropriate with her during the shoot, then absolutely... that's a sin and wrong on many levels. But if that doesn't happen, where is the sin taking place?

EM:

Well, the Bible says the sin starts in the heart and so it's good to avoid the temptation.

Fact is: health service workers, photographers, lifeguards and others will inevitably be in the vicinity of low necklines, etc., from time to time. But it's good to be cautious, respectful and sensible.

 

[Barbarian]

It's what we used to call "occasion to sin." Avoid such things. And it's one thing to be able to do that kind of a shoot without being aroused yourself. That still leaves the problem of others being aroused by the images. I just don't do them.

 

[handy]

When I'm at the doctor's and need to disrobe and put on the paper thingy... the point is that he is checking my health. Nothing sexual in that... as a matter of fact, doctor's visits that require disrobing are about the least sexy thing on the planet.

When I'm at the beach or pool, everyone else is in bathing suits and the point is to have fun in the water and get some healthy exercise and sunshine. Perhaps some guys might have trouble with it, but I think most men and women can spend a day at the beach or pool without lusting. If they can't they shouldn't go. Should a lifeguard need to save a bikini clad damsel in distress, sexuality is probably the last thing on anyone's mind as said damsel is drinking in too much water and most likely hurling it out along with any other stomach contents.

A boudoir photo shoot is me, dressing up in sexually provocative lingerie, posing in sexually suggestive poses and the point is my husband is to get a sexual charge out of the end product. The whole entire point of it is sexual.

Most of the comments here are from the point of view of the men... here's a pov from the woman's standpoint in this: No Christian woman should be posing in lingerie in front of any man who isn't her husband for the purposes of sexuality.

Vic's suggestion is a good one, let a woman photographer do the shots...

...another thing would be to just give the hubby a camera. ;)

 

[Jman96]

Great reply handy!

 

[farouk]

When I'm at the doctor's and need to disrobe and put on the paper thingy... the point is that he is checking my health. Nothing sexual in that... as a matter of fact, doctor's visits that require disrobing are about the least sexy thing on the planet.

When I'm at the beach or pool, everyone else is in bathing suits and the point is to have fun in the water and get some healthy exercise and sunshine. Perhaps some guys might have trouble with it, but I think most men and women can spend a day at the beach or pool without lusting. If they can't they shouldn't go. Should a lifeguard need to save a bikini clad damsel in distress, sexuality is probably the last thing on anyone's mind as said damsel is drinking in too much water and most likely hurling it out along with any other stomach contents.

A boudoir photo shoot is me, dressing up in sexually provocative lingerie, posing in sexually suggestive poses and the point is my husband is to get a sexual charge out of the end product. The whole entire point of it is sexual.

Most of the comments here are from the point of view of the men... here's a pov from the woman's standpoint in this: No Christian woman should be posing in lingerie in front of any man who isn't her husband for the purposes of sexuality.

Vic's suggestion is a good one, let a woman photographer do the shots...

...another thing would be to just give the hubby a camera. ;)

handy:

Some interesting and good insights!

What would also say is that at some summer wedding ceremonies (never mind about the undergarments aspect) members of the female contingent of the wedding party are sometimes attired in stringy 'creations' which resemble swimsuits more than dresses, thus publishing a liberal amount of neckline to the open air.

I guess for photographers, such sights are unavoidable.

My thought it, have a great day at your wedding, by all means, but do try to be just a bit sensible about what you wear.

I'm just thinking; the couple invites a venerable, Godly preacher, who with his wife may be grandparent-like features of their local church, and he repeats fine, spiritually precise language solemnly before God ... while averting his gaze from the bridal party.

It's great to dress up and have a memorable wedding day, but sometimes some of the stunts that are pulled off seem just a bit incongruous to me.

 

[highlife]

"Blessed is the one who does not condemn himself by what he approves." (Romans 14:22 NIV1984)

Be careful about relying on one's own "perception of sin". Or even the perception of someone close to you who may say it's okay. Like I say, I personally could not do it. I don't even think it right to have pin up calendar girls for my viewing pleasure. And 'art' is all too often an excuse to indulge the lusts of the flesh. I come from a photographic family. Tasteful pics of nude or half-nude women is for me now, as a Christian, indulging appetites outside of my marriage that I should not.

"34 Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eyes are healthy, your whole body also is full of light. But when they are unhealthy, your body also is full of darkness. 35 See to it, then, that the light within you is not darkness." (Matthew 5:34-35 NIV1984)

So we should rely on others perceptions to compromise our quality of life this is defiantly a disputable matter In fact there are only a hand full of non disputable matters. IF I were the op I would stop this thread while ahead.

 

[Jethro Bodine]

So we should rely on others perceptions to compromise our quality of life...

Not exactly. Paul himself even says that your own conscience is not governed by someone else's. But what we have to do is either stop doing what causes another brother to stumble into what for him would be sin, or keep it a secret that which we have personally decided is okay to do.

The argument here is that one can take pictures of scantily clad, sexually provocative women and enjoy it without lusting because of being jaded by a past history of viewing pornography, and provide a godly service to the future husband of the woman being photographed. IMO, this person is kidding themselves and should either stop doing this, or be very careful to keep this activity a secret...a very well kept secret. And may God have mercy on him. Just my opinion folks.

 

[felix]

Sexual temptations happen everywhere and in any work situation. As long as you exercise wisdom and self-control, I don't see anything wrong with what your doing.

While I understand Christ was a carpenter on this earth, will He take up that work?

You need to know where your line ends in a husband and wife relationship.