ForThemOrForYou.com

For them or for you... It is ordinary women that grace the studio of fine art photographer Charise Isis. With her creative background and her gentle manner, Isis has a unique gift that captures the inner sensuality that lives within each of her subjects. Diverse cross sections of women have sought this unique service. The demographic varies in age, lifestyle, profession and culture, be they single, married, divorced or widowed. It spans from young women using this to address self-esteem to menopausal women, using it to access their full beauty in a time of challenging transition. A means to document a woman at the height of her physical beauty or a maturing woman to have tangible evidence of her graceful beauty.Isis’ clients need not aspire to society’s impossible and even warped standards of perfection. In Isis’ view, it is not that which defines beauty, but an inner beauty that undeniably lives within each of her subjects. The process and final product gives a woman the evidence to view herself in a positive light. Boudoir in this context therefore describes one’s private sanctuary. Not a physical sanctuary, but one that exists somewhere within each of us, that which we often keep to ourselves or share within the context of a lovers intimacy. By paying attention to this sacred place, through her lens Isis captures the sensual essence of her subjects, revealing them as Goddesses and Heroines.Isis’ clients have the option of being photographed in their own home or in her versatile studio setting. With their own environment, clients often find confidence through familiarity. Isis’ studio is both lush and adaptable to suit many moods. The client’s choice in setting is influenced in matters of comfort and style (i.e., vintage, pin-up, ethereal, Goddess, ethnic, contemporary; robust or contemplative, delicate or daring).A boudoir session typically begins with a consultation… either by phone or in person. This puts the client at ease, and focuses her on refinements such as make-up and costuming, so as to evoke the feeling they wish to project within the photo shoot. Women enjoy coming to the photo shoot with costuming and props that reinforce their private personae be it lingerie, lace leather feather and of course, a favorite… shoes! The photographer’s collection of garters, baubles, boas and brassieres, adds the icing to the cake. Nerves are calmed with a combination of Isis’ ‘easy going’, ‘non judgmental’ nature, relaxed atmosphere, cups of herbal tea and for those who prefer, champagne and chocolate are a luscious offering during the course of a shoot. To their joy, the clients often express that the session served as an affirming feminine ritual.Isis speaks: “The reasons women come to me to be photographed are as unique as the women themselves. Often it is with the intention to give a portrait or an album as a gift to a lover or partner. What I have found to be the common ground is that women do this ultimately for themselves, a gift of self-esteem, a memoir for future reflection, a true celebration of self. I’ve photographed women of all different shapes, sizes, colors and backgrounds… most of them have had to battle with issues of body identity. What I have witnessed is the resulting liberation that each one of them experiences after a session. There is a positive shift in the perception of self… a level of deeper acceptance and esteem, the pure joy of doing something to free the feminine spirit and capture her mystique. A record of who they are… an indescribably magnificent world within themselves!”Fine Art Photographer Charise Isis resides in Kingston, New York with her 10 year old son. Before working as a photographer, she worked for many years as an exotic dancer where she documented the strength, beauty and creativity of her colleagues. Her first book, “American Stripper” will be published by “Five Ties Publishing inc. in June 2008. Isis’ work has been exhibited both Nationally and Internationally. Among others, her work is in the Collections of the Center for Photography at Woodstock at the Samuel Dorskey Museum in New Paltz, New York and in the Collection of the Museum of fine arts in Houston, Texas.