Christian Boudoir Photography... a sin?

[Danus]

EM, If we really want to get down to it, anything we do that does not glorify God is a sin. You did ask if this type of photography is a sin. I think it weighs heavier towards yes, than not. Again, I had to look it up ....I should have known better, but I honestly drew a blank on the title. That's how out of touch I am sometimes. ;)

I can't recall the Justices name, but when asked to define pornography his response was; "I can't define it, but I know it when I see it." What I saw of it, and to be fair I've not seen your work, but the examples where designed to be sexually titillating and to glorify the sensuousness of women in this way. That's undeniable.

Is it fair for a husband to look upon his wife like that? Sure I think so. But I'd have a problem with someone else sharing in that most intimate experiences.

Anyone can minimize and justify what they do. people do it all the time, but if one feels their God given talents amount to sexual expression, or the promotion of it, I'd have to say such an individual has missed the true impact of God on their life.

Hypocrisy is not limited to just Christian. Christians are just an easy target for that type of labeling.

I'm a christian man. I like beautiful women. But there is a wide difference between what I, the world, or someone else calls beauty and what I know in my heart is right or Godly appropriate for a fallen world. That make sense?

I'm sure you are a good photographer, but you are questioning your own self on this issue, and I commend you for that. I think you should.

Search your own heart, but don't discount your bothers and sisters on this.

 

[farouk]

Let me put it this way.

Personally I think that some wedding attire worn by bridal parties at ceremonies (never mind undergarments!) is rather minimal; photographers have to be in the vicinity of such sights very regularly.

It's one thing to encourage people to be sensible in their choice of attire. It would be quite another for church leaders actually to try to 'police' the details of those bridal garments. (It wouldn't make much sense for the church leadership to try to stipulate: necklines have to be so many inches, and heels so many inches and so forth. Just imagine if a preacher's wife were supposedly given an absolute veto on bridal dress designs, and in the unlikely event of a bride even being willing to follow such a veto, then on the day itself Aunt Someone shows in a dress which ... well, never mind.)

Some things have to be left to the individual, and photographers are kind of caught in the middle.

So I guess I'm saying, I do so wish that people would be sensible in what they wear at weddings. Yet any case it's very hard to 'enforce' being sensible, if this is even the right term.

 

[farouk]

pics we see in Sears catalog of underwear and bras. If the Holy Spirit is convicting you to stop then stop and if not then it's just part of your profession as it is between you and God, not you and what others think.

for his glory: I guess it could be asked, are buyers supposed not to see what they are buying? unless you employ someone to draw them, then I guess someone needs to do the photography.

(If someone can't handle the photography for their own reasons, then no need to be the photographer.)

 

[ExtraMedium]

Some things have to be left to the individual, and photographers are kind of caught in the middle.

That's kind of where I am. When I was approached by the more mature Christian about doing these kind of photos, I think they applied the blanket Christian policy that seeing someone naked was sin on my behalf and on theirs, without understanding the context of the situation.

Some people have told me this is an effort to defend my sins, while others are saying it's not necessary because seeing someone naked from the opposite sex is not a sin.

What it comes down to is your relationship to Jesus and when praying to him, what He tells you. There are occupations which involve nudity, but if the motivation is not lustful, then I think it is glorifying Him

 

[farouk]

EM:

I guess context is important.

Some of what others have said remind me of what some ppl sometimes say about bikinis; something like, bikinis are a no-no.

Fact is, some women find it hard to find suitable swimwear. Some outfits that are bikinis actually cover more than some stringy one pieces.

I'm not arguing for bikinis or anything like that. But I think that context is a factor.

 

[modernnihilst]

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 ?

although not Christian myself I am reminded of a quote from my father(a devout Roman Catholic) "If you have to ask if you should be doing something, its probably not a good idea for you to do it."

 

[farouk]

although not Christian myself I am reminded of a quote from my father(a devout Roman Catholic) "If you have to ask if you should be doing something, its probably not a good idea for you to do it."

m:

This is true as well. Keeping a clear conscience is an important point in Scripture (e.g., Hebrews 9).

I think it's fair to say, also, that most people, in the course of their work, might find themselves in situations from time to time which they may not have chosen and would not be their ideal.

 

[modernnihilst]

m:

This is true as well. Keeping a clear conscience is an important point in Scripture (e.g., Hebrews 9).

I think it's fair to say, also, that most people, in the course of their work, might find themselves in situations from time to time which they may not have chosen and would not be their ideal.

well in past jobs I have had to kill and beat people up, 2 things that I would not normally do. however there was no need to ask anyone if this was the correct choice because it was just part of the job. the issue comes when you have doubt and have to ask if or why are you doing these things. that is when trouble could arise.

 

[farouk]

well in past jobs I have had to kill and beat people up, 2 things that I would not normally do. however there was no need to ask anyone if this was the correct choice because it was just part of the job. the issue comes when you have doubt and have to ask if or why are you doing these things. that is when trouble could arise.

m:

Well, would seem odd to me (and I'm not referring to any of your actions) for people to say, hypothetically: "You blew up people in Vietnam or whatever — fine, no hard feelings, but, surely at your studio business you didn't take a photo of someone with a low neckline, did you? shock/horor."

I'm conservative and advocate caution. But some of the ideas around seem all out of proportion, to me.

It never ceases to amaze me how some religious people profess shock and horror at some things, but when it refers to other things that are more far reaching there is complete silence.

It reminds me of what the Lord Jesus said about motes and beams in people's eyes.

(And, no, I don't intend to get into the whys and wherefores of the Vietnam thing, or Iraq, etc.)

 

[modernnihilst]

m:

Well, would seem odd to me (and I'm not referring to any of your actions) for people to say, hypothetically: "You blew up people in Vietnam or whatever — fine, no hard feelings, but, surely at your studio business you didn't take a photo of someone with a low neckline, did you? shock/horor."

I'm conservative and advocate caution. But some of the ideas around seem all out of proportion, to me.

It never ceases to amaze me how some religious people profess shock and horror at some things, but when it refers to other things that are more far reaching there is complete silence.

It reminds me of what the Lord Jesus said about motes and beams in people's eyes.

(And, no, I don't intend to get into the whys and wherefores of the Vietnam thing, or Iraq, etc.)

no for me the issue wasnt with the job or its duties. the issue arises when you question what you do in your job as being something that may not be correct. if for example a Proctologist desides that staring at hineys all day may tempt them to sin or is begining to tempt them, would that doctor not be best served to find another speciality. the issue here with the OP is that he is begining to question if what he is doing is right, would that not also be the begining of temptation?

 

[farouk]

no for me the issue wasnt with the job or its duties. the issue arises when you question what you do in your job as being something that may not be correct. if for example a Proctologist desides that staring at hineys all day may tempt them to sin or is begining to tempt them, would that doctor not be best served to find another speciality. the issue here with the OP is that he is begining to question if what he is doing is right, would that not also be the begining of temptation?

m:

Yes, I can see your point there. I guess it affects people personally in all sorts of ways that might vary a lot from one person to another.

I guess also my thought was a broader consideration. The incongruity of people holding certain views simultaneously.

People being against US born Hispanic people receiving food stamps, yet having absolutely no problem with huge corporations, supposedly in the 'conservative' camp, using fraudulent business methods.

People professing to be horrified if a photographer is asked to take a photo of someone in a low neckline or on a beach in a bikini, but thinking that what might be misguided foreign policy, even if it leads to slaughter overseas, doesn't matter at all.

 

[farouk]

...There are occupations which involve nudity, but if the motivation is not lustful, then I think it is glorifying Him

PS: Up to a point, I wouldn't disagree.

I guess it depends whether projecting the nudity is a central part of the activity or not.

For one reason or another, plenty of people have to face low necklines.

 

[Classik]

although not Christian myself I am reminded of a quote from my father(a devout Roman Catholic) "If you have to ask if you should be doing something, its probably not a good idea for you to do it."

Private Jet!

 

[Classik]

And there are people who don't ask. They aren't decent at all.

 

[farouk]

And there are people who don't ask. They aren't decent at all.

Keeping a good conscience before God is very important, as is not stumbling other people's consciences, but also not interfering and busybodying with other people.

 

[Classik]

Reminds me of the verse (paraphrased) which says: They have ears - but they don't hear. And those who have mouths and chose not to speak are as guilty.

 

[farouk]

ExtraMedium:

Hi there; good to see you around on the forums again. Haven't seen you lately.

Another aspect of what you were discussing:

Would you take wedding photographs if it was a beach wedding?

Most Christians would answer: sure, why not?

Well, then, would you expect to refuse to do group photos if one or more of the guests showed in a fashionable bikini top, for the wedding?

A lot of folk would say: well, it's all part of the job.

It's good not to stare at people in any case. (There are all sorts of inevitable contexts, however, when variations on necklines will be more or less apparent.)

 

[ExtraMedium]

ExtraMedium:

Hi there; good to see you around on the forums again. Haven't seen you lately.

Another aspect of what you were discussing:

Would you take wedding photographs if it was a beach wedding?

Most Christians would answer: sure, why not?

Well, then, would you expect to refuse to do group photos if one or more of the guests showed in a fashionable bikini top, for the wedding?

A lot of folk would say: well, it's all part of the job.

It's good not to stare at people in any case. (There are all sorts of inevitable contexts, however, when variations on necklines will be more or less apparent.)

Well, I do lots of weddings, some in churches, some at the beach. Some are formal, some aren't. I've photographed gay weddings, and interracial weddings and even a wedding where the woman was underage but had the permission of her parents, thus making it legal. Sometimes what I do is a job, and other times it's fun. What it comes down to is this, it's a job, and unlike salary jobs, you don't always get to pick the jobs you want. You don't always like your job, but God keeps me in good health and business coming in to provide for my family.

I've done weddings where guests show up in a bikini. I'll agree it's absolutely not appropriate to wear to a wedding, but I had a destination wedding in Jamaica last year on the beach and the bride & groom (a little younger) encouraged a relaxed atmosphere since they wanted to jump into the ocean with all their friends right afterwards. So to me, a bikini is swimwear; that's what is worn to the beach. There is nothing sexual about it. Underware are garments one wears under their regular clothes, nothing sexual about that. I've seen women in long dresses who come off as much more sexual which would arouse just about anyone because that's what they were going for. In the next month I have two bikini shoots and a fitness shoot lined up. My wife is helping out with the hair and makeup for at least one of them. We all laugh the entire time.

What it comes down to is what is in your heart and how seeing things affect you. I've unfortunately lost most of my mojo/hormones so to me seeing a girl in a bikini or lingerie is just another outfit to be photographed in. As long as the shoot is professional and the model and myself conduct ourselves as such, there shouldn't be an issue. If any of you consider it a sin to see another woman in a bikini then you better never go to the beach or a public pool. The problem is most Christians like to over-do it when it comes to pretending to live these fake, sinless lives by creating a completely sanitized world to give the appearance of being a good Christian. Only Jesus knows what is in your heart.

 

[farouk]

..
I've done weddings where guests show up in a bikini. I'll agree it's absolutely not appropriate to wear to a wedding, but I had a destination wedding in Jamaica last year on the beach and the bride & groom (a little younger) encouraged a relaxed atmosphere since they wanted to jump into the ocean with all their friends right afterwards. So to me, a bikini is swimwear; that's what is worn to the beach. There is nothing sexual about it. Underware are garments one wears under their regular clothes, nothing sexual about that. I've seen women in long dresses who come off as much more sexual which would arouse just about anyone because that's what they were going for. In the next month I have two bikini shoots and a fitness shoot lined up. My wife is helping out with the hair and makeup for at least one of them. We all laugh the entire time.
..

ExtraMedium:

Sometimes it does just to be matter-of-fact and common sensical about what guests wear at a wedding.

And you're right; if people really claim to object to bikinis so strongly, then they better never go to a beach or a pool!

 

[Classik]

Well, I do lots of weddings, some in churches, some at the beach. Some are formal, some aren't. I've photographed gay weddings, and interracial weddings and even a wedding where the woman was underage but had the permission of her parents, thus making it legal. Sometimes what I do is a job, and other times it's fun. What it comes down to is this, it's a job, and unlike salary jobs, you don't always get to pick the jobs you want. You don't always like your job, but God keeps me in good health and business coming in to provide for my family. I've done weddings where guests show up in a bikini. I'll agree it's absolutely not appropriate to wear to a wedding, but I had a destination wedding in Jamaica last year on the beach and the bride & groom (a little younger) encouraged a relaxed atmosphere since they wanted to jump into the ocean with all their friends right afterwards. So to me, a bikini is swimwear; that's what is worn to the beach. There is nothing sexual about it. Underware are garments one wears under their regular clothes, nothing sexual about that. I've seen women in long dresses who come off as much more sexual which would arouse just about anyone because that's what they were going for. In the next month I have two bikini shoots and a fitness shoot lined up. My wife is helping out with the hair and makeup for at least one of them. We all laugh the entire time. What it comes down to is what is in your heart and how seeing things affect you. I've unfortunately lost most of my mojo/hormones so to me seeing a girl in a bikini or lingerie is just another outfit to be photographed in. As long as the shoot is professional and the model and myself conduct ourselves as such, there shouldn't be an issue. If any of you consider it a sin to see another woman in a bikini then you better never go to the beach or a public pool. The problem is most Christians like to over-do it when it comes to pretending to live these fake, sinless lives by creating a completely sanitized world to give the appearance of being a good Christian. Only Jesus knows what is in your heart.

Well. Crystal