Friends of JV: Rachel Wood and Boudoir Photography
Picture a hotel on the Greek island of Santorini and the chance meeting between a young photographer and a group of women who ask her to capture a special moment in their lives. Thus began Rachel Wood’s journey into boudoir photography. The women were confident, joyful, and comfortable with who they were. They galvanized Rachel to further explore boudoir photography. In doing so, she has learned not only about beautiful lingerie, but also how to send her clients’s spirits soaring.
Rachel’s unexpected experience in Santorini tapped into her love of portraiture and storytelling. These two passions make a wonderful base for boudoir photography, especially when combined with Rachel’s eye for finding beauty that lies, not in perfection, but in the differences that make each of us unique. Her wish for her boutique photography is that a person will walk away from a session “armed with the knowledge that they don’t need to change, and that they are confident and ravishing in their bodies.”
Rachel bases her business, Ray’s Photography, in Portland, Oregon and offers boudoir photography among her services. It is important to her to make her boudoir clients feel comfortable right from the start. She provides as much information as possible, listens to their stories, answers questions, encourages openness. Video calls are ideal, and are especially welcome during the COVID19 situation. In the process, Rachel helps her clients begin to imagine themselves in a new light, looking stunning, totally themselves, in exquisite lingerie.
The boudoir packages vary, but, for the Platinum version, Rachel takes clients to Jane’s Vanity’s private boutique. She includes a $500 gift certificate for an item of lingerie to wear for the shoot and to take home. In addition, Rachel lends from her vast collection from JV. Particular treasures are the glamorous silk robes from For Restless Sleepers. Donning a luxurious robe is a nice way to begin the process of revealing one’s body. Rachel’s favorite accessory is a floral crown from Spellbound Flowers. These customized crowns will complement any face and body shape. And they add a touch of joyous romance to the photos.
Rachel still likes to travel (although she is not traveling much right now). Someday she hopes to hike in New Zealand and visit France for wine and cheese. And what might be her travel outfit of choice? Silk pajamas from Olivia Von Halle. They are light, modest, and can be adapted to spice up any outfit. “This is one of the many ways Jane’s Vanity has changed my world--to keep me looking well-kept during the stressful days of travel. The exquisite silk of Olivia Von Halle’s pajama tops make for an easy upgrade for any ensemble.”
On the road or at home, Rachel is a fast friend of Jane’s Vanity. She loves not only the beauty of the garments, but also the variety of sizes. Her latest favorite is the Morganne Babydoll by Taryn Winters. Its silk chiffon is “flawlessly feminine and versatile.” Although Rachel knows that she may return a JV purchase for exchange or refund, she was nervous about buying online. But, “much to my delight, it fits me in just the way I want it to, and it has so many possibilities of how to wear it. I feel fabulous in it.”
Rachel is proud to bring the female gaze to photography in a way that empowers other females. She believes that the experience of a luxury boudoir photo session is an act of self-acceptance, transformative in the best way.. Her goal is to show women that they are beautiful in the bodies that they have. “I am not there to make someone look good, I am there to capture how beautiful they are.”
