What is Boudoir?
🔥 Let’s talk about why more Women are stepping out of their clothes and into the uncharted territory of self-discovery. 🔥
Jess & Em here!
We are the Co-Creators of French Press Boudoir; An all-female photography duo based in St. Louis, MO who is committed to kickstarting the healing of the Collective through Art and Story Telling.
…say that 3x fast 👀
We wanna share a little something about this boudoir photography stuff and what makes it so special to Us here at French Press. Some may think it’s about the nekked empowerment, a fun wedding gift idea or a solid way to make your ex cry. All of these things are true ;) However, there is something to be said about the power of vulnerability and honest, caring conversations.
In order to carry this lesson to the masses, we decided to try something upcoming, but still being explored in so many facets… Women’s Mental Health. French Press Boudoir was birthed of the philosophy that all Women and their Mental Health matter. Our lives, relationships, growth and the overall Health of our families depends ultimately on the ability to receive proper mental health care. This includes resources such as education and support.
Boudoir Photography is simply the tool we use to facilitate that connection, by opening up the conversation about how important Women’s Wellness truly is. Sure, you could do a session one time, get a whole confidence boost and leave. That is just as good, but we thought… why not make it more powerful? Why not reach out to those of us, whose wellness truly dictates our lives? This conversation became everything.
Both Em & I have had to fight tooth and nail through depression, anxiety, financial instability despite the never ending work schedules, burnout, divorce, deaths, the hits kept coming. We experienced these life changing chapters where we were doing our best just to survive… just like the hundreds of friends that have allowed us into their lives over the last few years.
French Press is filled to the brim with…Single Moms that need a few minutes of quiet time just to grieve and gather their bearings. Besties whose mental health has become debilitating, sometimes fatal. We have Women that are trying to conceive while still mourning their precious babies. Several Friends that were/are in unhealthy relationships or hard home environments. Our Sisters that are experiencing chronic illnesses & frequent hospital visits and Parents that depended on SNAP to feed their child until their next pay check.
BUT, These are also the same people who… are celebrating leaving an abusive partnership where growth wasn’t possible. The same women are talking to themselves a little kinder in the mirror each and every day. Some of our friends are moving half-way across the world by themselves to accept an incredible job they worked so hard for. These are the same women that are going back to school for their GED and juggling night classes while their kids sleep.
These are the same women who are also finding resources, beautiful hobbies, healthy friendships that smother them in love. Especially on the day where they want to give up.
This is what our Community is. These are all of our stories and experiences beautifully melting together into one space of support.
French Press has never really been about Boudoir. It just couldn’t be. We needed a way to make sense of this thing we call life.
We needed an outlet to reach people just like us, who are also trying their best. Who definitely don’t have it all together, but bust their ass every single day trying to figure it out.
↑ Our gal Ash during her very first boudoir session!!↑
French Press is human and allows you to be human. There is no judgement.
Within our space you will only find respect, honesty, safety and a whole lot of laughs. Creating an environment that is nourishing and exciting to be in means so much to us. And because we know that every single one of you has had to conquer some type of fear to be here, we want it to be something worth carrying with you for the rest of your life. It is never easy to talk about our struggles. Yet, we know from experience that it is so much harder to suffer in silence.
If you have booked with us before, you know that we are two goons with a ton of love to give. Compliments are a'plenty, Laughter is obnoxious and the raw, honest support is there. No matter what it is.
Yes, we are Boudoir Photographers. Yes, we love what we do. You will absolutely leave with the hottest of the hottest photos you have ever seen of yourself. The portraits just come second to the conversations we get to have and the courage we witness.
In every community event, photo shoot and interaction with our friends, we hope to support You. Because maybe you are a little curious about your personal needs. Maybe your mental health isn’t exactly where you want it to be, but you don’t even know where to start or maybe you just want to be around a group of people who get it. We want to open the conversation up for You and give you a space that, when you are ready, feels safe enough to ask for help.
We want you to find the support, education, resources and the laughs you so deserve. Now, whether that’s in Community, a Babysitter, a Therapist, or a Friend, is entirely up to You :)
Em & I at our Valentine Series | Photo by the Illustrious Dani Mondloch
YES!! Our lives still have ups and downs.
Despite the work, Em & I don’t have all the answers and we definitely aren’t licensed medical health professionals.
Legally, we are two gals who have experienced a lot of life… and a lot of therapy 💖 We’ve found a passion in opening up the hard conversations when someone needs it. The wellbeing of ourselves, our families and our friends depend on it. We still experience hard chapters, big feelings and moments where we just need rest even with all of these tools and resources!
You will, too.
Finding the strength to ask for help doesn't mean Life & Mental Health won't happen.
But it does mean you will be better prepared than last time and have a wicked sense of humor because of it ;) No matter your situation, You are able to make it through. You are crossing that finish line if you hold on a little longer. And whenever you need reminding among the challenges, we will happily sprinkle moments of joy (helloooo, coffee and plants!!!) and hilarious, unhinged friendship to get you by until you do. The good and the bad make us. That's the healing process.
Some things to take away from this…
Be honest with yourself when you are struggling & ask for help.
2. Think about the changes that may need to be made in order to be healthier and safer.
3. Listen to your intuition when you aren’t feeling good or something isn’t right.
& 4. Begin having these open conversations with the people in your life that may need it most.
We all deserve care & we are not meant to do this alone. Better Women’s Health & Wellness includes all of us. Long Live French Press, Boudoir Photography & the very Women that inspire us every day to show up, show out and keep it pushin'.
Thanks for reading & being in this space with us.
From our heart to yours -
Your Biggest Fans,
Jess & Em
Another Dani M Original!
If you just need someone to talk to |
Visit The Crisis Text Line or text HOME to 741741 from anywhere in the United States, anytime.
If you are in need of emergency mental health support |
Please call The Suicide & Crisis Prevention Hotline at 988 or Emergency 911
A screenshot of us laughing our asses off while we plan for 2023 :)
