Digging Deeper: Why Do Women Take Nude Pictures Of Themselves?
If you’ve ever wondered what drives women to take nude pictures of themselves, the short answer is because we can.
As for the long answer, let’s start with the fact that few moments of self intimacy compare to taking a nude of oneself. From setting up the shot to finding that perfect angle of your body to admiring the photo after, taking a nude can feel amazing or even freeing.
It feels good to photograph ourselves how we choose. And that’s despite the general panic and raised eyebrows over what we decide to do with our own nudes.
Our nudes aren’t always for them.
Contrary to popular belief, pleasing other people is not the one and only reason I or any other woman choose to pick up our phones and take a nude photo of ourselves.
Sometimes you just feel sexy and want to capture it for your eyes only, and this is the beauty of taking a nude. Instead of victimizing women for taking nudes as if we don’t have anything more to offer than our bodies, acknowledge the many ways that taking nude pictures is empowering, not debilitating.
Intimate photos help women explore themselves.
I don’t know about you, but taking a nude isn’t as easy as “snapping” a photo and moving on. These photos give women time to explore their own terrains, figure out what feels and looks good to them, and they’re a chance to dig deeper. And when moments of intentional intimacy with yourself are still new or few in between, taking these photos is a thrilling experience that quickly turns joyful.
Unfortunately, society rarely affords women the opportunity to present their bare selves without facing sexualization or harassment. Still, with nude photos on our side, women have the power to decide how we’d like to exhibit our bodies and to whom.
Photographing yourself is an act of self-acceptance.
As women, we often go through life perceiving ourselves through others’ gazes and according to their expectations of us. But taking a risque photograph gives women the power to see themselves through their own gaze.
Nudes give way to a genuine curiosity that women can harness to explore and find acceptance in their bodies and themselves in a safe space, free of judgment. So, when we have the chance to take a pleasing photo of ourselves for our own pleasure, we can admire ourselves from a distance that allows for more self-compassion and self-love. And we could all use some more of that.
The bottom line
Women take nude photos for many reasons that are unique and empowering in their own right. And yes, while there are risks that come with taking nude photos of ourselves, immediately victimizing women and discouraging us from photographing ourselves only disempowers us and fails to fix the root of the problem.
So, maybe we take nudes to fight against the patriarchy or celebrate our bodies, but whatever the case is, it’s our choice. And that’s what matters most.
If you’re a woman who’s been hunting for an accepting and safe online nudist community, we invite you to learn more about us at Perzik. We’re a nude lifestyle platform centered on community, safety, and consent, and you can find more about the Perzik app here!
Written by Reese Williams.
Reese is a full-time freelance copywriter and a part-time plant mom, cook, and thrift shop regular. When she’s not caring for her plant babies or cooking up a new dish she found on TikTok, you’ll usually find her online at fiverr.
