Boudoir for Body Liberation

boudoir as body liberation and spiritual activism

This blog features exerpts from the paper Spiritual Activism Through Empowerment Photography: Challenging Beauty Standards and Transforming Self-Image written by Mik Wendel-McBride

When one considers boudoir, the common images that often surface are ones of sensuality or outright sexuality. Concepts of women offering their bodies in images for others, such as their partners, to enjoy. People are regularly confused when we speak of boudoir as an act of personal rebellion and spirituality but that’s exactly what it can be.

Boudoir, the style of photography, is typically defined by intimate, sometimes romantic, and sometimes erotic themes.

These images are tyipcally more suggestive than explicit but often feature lingerie or various stages of undress including nudity.

A boudoir empowerment session in Kansas City, Missouri featuring a lavender lingerie set

While it might be confusing how this type of photography might be used for liberation, it’s important to remember that boudoir is simply a style of photography. How it is used and executed is up to the photographer.

In a society deeply influenced by patriarchal beauty standards, women are often encouraged to view their bodies through a critical, objectified lens, which can hinder their self-image and autonomy.

Despite increased awareness of body positivity and self-acceptance, many women continue to internalize these societal ideals, struggling to see themselves beyond the constraints of patriarchal expectations. This issue raises an important question: how can women reclaim a self-image rooted in authenticity and empowerment rather than societal approval?

A woman is pictured leaning on a bed during her empowerment boudoir session in the kansas city metro area.
A tattooed woman enjoys her boudoir photography session in kansas city.
A woman is photographed in front of brightly lit windows in downtown kansas city.

Empowerment photography centers on the body in a way that respects each woman’s autonomy and individuality. Through consent-centered sessions, participants embrace embodiment by focusing on their individual needs and desires, engaging in breathwork, and grounding themselves in the moment.

At its core, empowerment photography is not only a visual medium but also a healing and often spiritual practice. It emphasizes inclusivity, embracing people of all body types, skin tones, genders, and identities while resisting narrow beauty ideals.

A woman smiles alongside flowers during her empowerment session in kansas city, missouri.

How is boudoir spiritual activism?

Spiritual activism emphasizes interconnectedness, self-awareness, and the dismantling of oppressive systems by fostering practices that align with core values of equity, justice, and compassion. In the case of empowerment photography, the act of reclaiming one’s body and self-image challenges systemic beauty norms and patriarchal structures, making it both a personal and a collective act of resistance and healing.

Through consent-centered practices and intentional reframing of beauty and identity, empowerment photography becomes a pathway for dismantling internalized standards and opening a space for liberation. This dual focus on personal and collective liberation is what qualifies empowerment photography as an act of spiritual activism, using creativity and vulnerability as tools to inspire change and foster a sense of belonging for all.

A pregnant woman laughs against a white backdrop as she is photographed by Mikaela Wendell-McBride in Kansas City.
A person joyfully swings their cardigan during an empowerment session.

Empowerment photography serves as a profound form of spiritual activism, bridging the personal and the collective by offering women the opportunity to reclaim their narratives, reconnect with their bodies, and transform how they see themselves and the world. Rooted in consent, collaboration, and intentionality, this practice disrupts the pervasive influence of patriarchal beauty standards and creates space for authentic self-expression and liberation.

A piece of art is displayed on a brick wall. This art depicts a woman during her empowerment session.

This style of photography is more than beautiful artwork—it is a living testament to resilience, autonomy, and the power of community.

Through this work, women reclaim their bodies and voices, redefine their relationships with themselves and others, and inspire broader cultural shifts toward authenticity and liberation. In doing so, they not only transform their own lives but also contribute to a world where every person can feel empowered to embody their truth and embrace their most authentic self.

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