The Business of Boudoir

Eau Claire studio captures the local sensuality on film

Maggie McCracken, photos by Andrea Paulseth |

Photographer Molly Marie Keyser makes the bedroom her business. Seriously – this bedroom is in her studio.
 
Photographer Molly Marie Keyser makes
the bedroom her business. Seriously – this
bedroom is in her studio.

Wedding décor giant The Knot defines boudoir photography as “a sexy new trend that’s especially popular as a wedding day gift from a bride to her groom ... usually taken wearing either just a little, or well, nothing at all.” While Molly Marie Keyser of Molly Marie Photography doesn’t photograph complete nudity, her sexy boudoir photography has certainly turned a few heads in Eau Claire.

With a studio located in the family-friendly Eastside Hill neighborhood of Eau Claire, Keyser’s boudoir studio has left a few questions in residents’ minds: Is it inappropriate? Racy? Overly suggestive? What is boudoir photography?

As The Knot describes, boudoir photography is usually given as a sexy gift from a woman to her significant other. Brides are especially excited about the new trend, as it creates a wonderful opportunity for a sexy and creative wedding gift. Still, other women give boudoir photos as anniversary gifts, Valentine’s presents, birthday gifts, or every-day “I Love You’s.” Still more women do the photoshoot as a gift to themselves, to celebrate their own self-confidence, or in order to have a memento many years down the road of how they looked while they were young. Each woman is interested in boudoir for a slightly different reason, and wants a slightly different look in her photos. 

Molly Keyser says, “I have had quite a few girls come in just to do the shoot for themselves. It’s really more then just a photoshoot. It really is an experience. When the client first books I send out a questionnaire so they are able to tailor their shoot and I am able to learn more about them.”

While boudoir photos can be as conservative or provocative as the client wishes, they are always done in a tasteful manner. This is what makes boudoir, photos to celebrate romantic love and self-love, different from pornography. 


“Some people may look at a boudoir photo and see it as inappropriate or too risqué, but it is just the opposite,” Keyser says. “Boudoir gives the client a chance to express and celebrate their love for their own body, along with sharing that love with someone special.” 

“Some people may look at a boudoir photo and see it as inappropriate or too risqué, but it is just the opposite. Boudoir gives the client a chance to express and celebrate their love for their own body, along with sharing that love with someone special.”
– Molly Marie Kaiser on her boudoir photo service

The Knot describes the look of a boudoir shoot as “rather PG-13 ... as in classic pinup-inspired pics, or what the pros call ‘implied nudes.’ That means (if) you’re not wearing anything, you’re also not showing off anything either (think shot from the back, or lying on your stomach).”

Many women of all ages chose a boudoir shoot in order to celebrate confidence and share their sexuality with their partners. All ages, body types, and stages of life can benefit from a boudoir session, and no one should ever feel self-conscious about the experience. With professional hair and makeup included in the session, clients chose their own clothing and can tailor every shot to meet their personal needs. “100% of the time I hear the client say that she felt immediately at ease after entering my studio and meeting me,” Keyser says. “I absolutely love that.”

Molly Marie Boudoir is a fun and sexy experience, resulting in a beautiful and tailor-made product. Coincidentally, yours truly had the opportunity to do a boudoir shoot as a first-year anniversary gift for her husband. I can say that the experience was fun, unique, and totally professional. My husband loved his gift, and I will be able to look back at my photos as I age and remember the way I looked when I was 23, young, and in love. 

Molly Marie Photography is located at 1602 Hogeboom Ave., Eau Claire. For more info visit MollyMariePhoto.com or call (920) 595-1257.