Christian Boudoir Photography... a sin?

[ExtraMedium]

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 ?

 

[Jethro Bodine]

It's your call. You alone know how it affects you and the people in your life. The point being, if you know it bothers you or others in your life you should not do it.

Your behavior in regard to disputable matters is governed by your conscience not anybody else's (Romans 14).

I personally would not do it.

 

[Tina]

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.

 

[ivorhughjarse]

only you know why you do this extra work and if it's free from sin. One man may do the photography and be completely free of sin another doing exactly the same and yet eaten up by it. It's the standard picture puzzle "art or pornography?" question and that is not from the viewer but from the person who starts the concept and goes along with it.

only you know if it's art or not

inanimate objects can be made pornographic and naked people can be made art..its all to do with concept

 

[Adullam]

Hmmmm,,,the quick answer is no don't do it. But realize that all men seem invulnerable until...they become so. Samson was impervious to Delilah's charms...at first. Pride goes before a fall. What sort of witness is this anyway?

Flee!

 

[reba]

1Th 5:21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.
1Th 5:22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.
1Th 5:23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

If it looks like a duck walks like a duck is it porn?

 

[ExtraMedium]

Thank you all for your sincere replies. Getting a good cross-sections of replies from people at different stages of their walk with Christ really helps, as well as from different parts of the country and age range.

First of all, boudoir photography is not porn. They're tastefully fun & sensual photos of a bride to her husband. If this is porn to you, then you are way, way too conservative. It's no different than what Pinup photos were in the 1950s. So is one suggesting that a woman who is having photos like this taken for her husband or Husband to be is sinning?

Saying that "all men" or assuming that any man is not (fill in the blank) is casting judgement upon all men as a collective group. Now isn't that a sin itself?

To me boudoir isn't art. My scenery shots I've done across the world isn't art. It's documenting what I'm seeing. I also don't do boudoir photos for single girls, or for fun. It's only for a client who is or is getting married.

The issue I have with: 1Th 5:22 Abstain from all appearance of evil. iswhat people perceive as a sin might not be one. I'm as sinful as the next guy when I see a bunch of tatted-up, leather wearing, smoking, long-haired guys hanging around a minimall late at night... I judge them saying they're probably up to no good. Now while it might be true, I'm judging them. That is a sin on my part, but it's our human nature, based on our own experiences to make these assumptions.


Thanks so much again folks. I love hearing from all of you and enjoy responding back.

 

[Jethro Bodine]

"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)

 

[for_his_glory]

What would be the difference if you were taking pics that would remain in the privacy of the Boudoir as long as they were not nudes and that of pics we see in Sears catalog of underwear and bras. If such a thing causes you to be tempted in the area of sexual pleasure than I would say abstain from these type of photo takings so you do not fall into temptation. 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.

 

[Mike]

I was against this when I first saw it, but in all honesty, the "if you think this is pornography, you're way too conservative" comment clinched it. That's a go-nowhere argument where you are starting to sound defensive. If I might say, I think your conscience is being piqued here. If there's any question at all, and if there isn't, why would you pose the question, I would error on the side of purity.

In the beginning, it sounded like you were honestly asking. If you are, you have your advice of different kinds to do what you will with. IMO, a Christian has no place taking such pictures like that of a woman if she is not his wife. I would never agree to such a thing.

 

[Vic C.]

If I was a professional photographer, I would hire a female assistant capable of taking such pictures. I would politely remove myself from that session, explaining my convictions.

Problem solved. I'd still have the job and the bride to be would still have her photos. :yes

 

[Bob Carabbio]

"Sin, no sin or ?"

The principle is Rom 14:

22 Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth.
23 And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.


It doesn't sound to ME as though you're "Doing it in faith" (since you're asking the question here). Be HONEST before God, and follow your peace.

 

[Denique Coelum]

It's an interesting question.

On one hand, there's the valid point you make, ExtraMedium, that a Christian lifeguard or a Christian doctor may encounter the 'unclad female form' in his line of work, and that is simply part of the job. If you can undertake this work and it doesn't provoke lust, you're a better man than I, and I admire your self-control.

On the other hand, there's the testimony to consider. Perhaps I'm placing too much importance on this, but if an unbeliever knows that you're doing boudoir photography, they may doubt the purity of your motive and consider you a hypocrite. This is their own cynical and unenlightened view of the matter, but it stands. It has the potential to bring the testimony into disrepute.

Also, we have the weak brother of Romans 14 v 21 to consider: "It is right not to eat meat, nor drink wine, nor do anything in which thy brother stumbles, or is offended, or is weak." You take boudoir photographs and are unaffected by what you see. Another Christian who isn't as strong as you are might know you undertake this work and think themselves strong enough to do it as well, leading to their stumbling.

So, all in all, I'd say that it isn't a good idea on balance, and that Vic C.'s suggestion is very wise.

 

[woodlandapple]

I love this question, because it is something that has challenged mme in my profession, not necessarily in a photography sence. I lead and partake in a lot of outdoor activity. privacy is at a minimum and sharing of resources (ie tents) is essential. As is solitary time with your partners in whatever yuo do.

Now, like you I am not challenged by sleeping in a tent with a female who is not my girlfriend, nor am I fazed with spending long periods of time alone with them. I honestly think that many christian people do not understand that with good intentional boundaries that you are capable of interacting with the opposite sex in such a seemingly intimate situation without stumbling into temptation.

But that is exactly the point. I mean, you may not be temted by such photos, but how do I know that other than from your word? your actions can suggest otherwise. in other words, when the accusations come flying how can you adequatly defend your actions with anything other than words and good faith?

If I go away camping with a female for a weekend, I know that we would not put ourselves in temptations way, yet how can my brothers and sisters in christ be sure of that? and as a christian we are help accountable to each other, and to the christian community.

This is where integrity comes into it, you may be showing professional integrity but are you showing Christian integrity?

Also, I want to pose the question, who does these photograph sessions edify? the bride and groom? yourself? or God?

This is a pretty dogmatic point, but we are single until we are married, an intimate posing for a future husband a few hours before a wedding, is still an act done by a single woman to a single man and in my opinion only edifies them, not God. For a married couple I dont think letting anyone - even in a professional sence - be a part of intimacy that is designed to only include themelves and God, is edifying God at all. Rather it is edifying their relationship. These points have nothing to do with whether you are tempte or not.

I dont think this is a question with an easy answer, and I dont think it can be easily dismissed, after seriously praying and thinking about this matter in my situation I have made fundamental changes in how I operate professionally, this means that I loose out on work and opportunities, but allows me to publically be secure in my faith and allows me to lean on God more as I trust in His providence.


As a christian you are called to make difficult dicision and tough choices, sacrifices are expected and it is not easy. You are expected to not compromise your faith. So is there any part of you that feels like you are?

God bless and I am praying for you : )

 

[Car Guy]

I was against this when I first saw it, but in all honesty, the "if you think this is pornography, you're way too conservative" comment clinched it. That's a go-nowhere argument where you are starting to sound defensive. If I might say, I think your conscience is being piqued here. If there's any question at all, and if there isn't, why would you pose the question, I would error on the side of purity.

In the beginning, it sounded like you were honestly asking. If you are, you have your advice of different kinds to do what you will with. IMO, a Christian has no place taking such pictures like that of a woman if she is not his wife. I would never agree to such a thing.

I agree with Mike 100%. For some of us believers who really struggle with pornography, pictures of a women in lingerie IS PORN.

To the OP: You have a duty as a believer not to do things to cause another brother to stumble. Eventually, those kinds of lingerie pictures get posted to the internet and end up in forums that cater to pornographic/fetish pictures.

The only person who should see a women in her lingerie is her husband.

 

[Danus]

Boudoir Photography? : I had to look this up and now I have to wash my eyes. ...sometimes I wish I could install a delete key in my head.

the first question I had to ask is, how does this edify or further the kingdom of God?

Term of the day "Christian" Boudoir Photography.

How about Christian ultimate fighting championship? Christian strip club? :toofunny You can add the word "Christian" to just about anything and I guess it will seem kind of OK from a distance.

 

[Jethro Bodine]

To the OP: You have a duty as a believer not to do things to cause another brother to stumble. Eventually, those kinds of lingerie pictures get posted to the internet and end up in forums that cater to pornographic/fetish pictures.

...or end up as banner ads in Christian forums. Last Christmas there was a particularly explicit banner ad in this forum of a woman in a store ad. Frankly, I'm tired of being assaulted by what other people have decided is acceptable for everybody and splash all over our media.

 

[Jethro Bodine]

Boudoir Photography? : I had to look this up and now I have to wash my eyes. ...sometimes I wish I could install a delete key in my head.

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.

 

[Classik]

If I was a professional photographer, I would hire a female assistant capable of taking such pictures. I would politely remove myself from that session, explaining my convictions.

Problem solved. I'd still have the job and the bride to be would still have her photos. :yes

He'd have to 'technically install' that talent into her?

 

[Classik]

Boudoir Photography? : I had to look this up and now I have to wash my eyes. ...sometimes I wish I could install a delete key in my head.

the first question I had to ask is, how does this edify or further the kingdom of God?

Term of the day "Christian" Boudoir Photography.

How about Christian ultimate fighting championship? Christian strip club? :toofunny You can add the word "Christian" to just about anything and I guess it will seem kind of OK from a distance.

:toofunny
Comedians in disguise