The third element of a good novel, short story, or photograph is character. For me, this is typically the most important element of any good story or photo.

Character, at its most basic, is simply who shows up in the story or photo. “Oh, look, here’s a photo of grandma when she was in elementary school.”

For boudoir photography, that is generally you, but this is not merely boudoir. This is beyond boudoir, and it’s okay if you want to shoot with your significant other or your best friend.

But when I say I’m interested in character, it’s not just who is in the photo. Instead, I am interested in the quality or qualities that define who you are, the unique mix of feelings and traits that separate you from your next door neighbour.

More than that, I am interested in revealing those qualities that are the best and most excellent: joy, strength, sensuality, sexuality, beauty, emotion, passion.

A lot of photographers are afraid to capture emotion. They want bland, expressionless looks. As discussed earlier, this comes out of the fashion industry where expression is a distraction from the clothes, the make-up, the product.

But the photos I take are not only about the clothes, about the make-up. These may play a part, but ultimately, I want to photograph the whole package. I want to photograph you. It’s okay to smile and laugh and dance and sing. It’s okay to be you.