All About Boudoir: The AIBP and its PHILOSOPHIE boudoir Magazine

While toiling away on the Rf Portrait Issue (Summer 2015, due out mid-July), which includes a special section on boudoir photography, I was pleasantly surprised by an email I recently received from photographer Erin Zahradka, founder of the Association of International Boudoir Photographers (AIBP). Zahradka was kindly asking if I would judge their cover contest for the AIBP’s bi-annual magazine, PHILOSOPHIE boudoir. 

Photo © Anna Johnson/Boudoir Ego

Even before reading the amazing roster of past judges I would be succeeding—including the illustrious Elizabeth Messina—I said “YES” without any hesitation or glance toward the deadline information or amount of images I would be judging. I was already impressed with Erin’s note and the magazine cover image she had attached (Volume IV, pictured above), of a very fresh, modern boudoir capture, which actually reminded me of some of Elizabeth Messina’s own work (who herself is a pro at using ambient light and clean, simple setups for intimate boudoir images that are sexy in a timeless and classic way). Shout out to AIBP member Erika Gorman, who designs each issue of PHILOSOPHIE boudoir!

Photo © Sarah Witherington

Formed in 2010, AIBP is a membership-based boudoir organization that offers a Members-Only Facebook forum, a twice-yearly mentoring program, weekly image contests, lingerie fashion guides and much more. In November, the organization will hold its first annual retreat, in Ojai, California, and instructors will include Craig LaMere, Denise Birdsong, Cate Scaglione (who, along with Jesus Bernardo Nieves, is a founding member who helps drive the association’s growth), Jennifer Tallerico, Nino Batista, Michael Sasser and Stacie Frazier.

Photo © Cate Scaglione

Needless to say, I am thrilled to be judging PHILOSOPHIE boudoir‘s 6th Volume Cover contest and can’t wait to sort through all of the entries next week. Erin tells me that the magazine’s readership is over 4,000 digital and 1,200 print, with readers spread out all across the globe.

You have until Monday, June 29, at 10 p.m, to get your entries in, so visit www.AIBPhotog.com today and fill out the entry form found here. You do not have to be a member to enter, but check out the AIBP website and think about joining their fantastic association if you are not already a member. Look for more on the AIBP in Rangefinder‘s Summer Issue. The winner will be announced July 9.

Good luck, everyone, and I can’t wait to see your images!