Siorna Ashby: More than Skin

In this episode, we talk with Siorna Ashby about ethics in boudoir and nude portrait photography. Siorna discusses her collaborative, consent-led approach to photographing the body, exploring how clients actively shape the images they create together through what she describes as “self-authoriship”. She reflects on navigating vulnerability, power dynamics, and body image, explaining how trust is built before and throughout the process. Siorna also shares her approach to retouching and the challenges of building an ethical boudoir business, and considers how historical representations of the nude continue to shape contemporary photographic practice. 

What you'll find inside:

“The photoshoots I have with clients are designed to feel calm, collaborative, and consent-led… clients actively shape the creative direction in these images…that’s what i call self-authorship in boudoir and nude photography” (1.27)

“Consent is not static, and my job is to stay responsive to the person in front of me” (9.45)

“I treat retouching as a conversation… There's no rule book. It’s led by the client and its case by case” (24.57)

“I would encourage you to do your own boudoir shoot… understand what it feels like to be a client is really going to help you understand what vulnerability looks like” (28.35)

What does photography ethics mean to Siorna?

“For me, in this genre, ethics is what protects the person behind the picture. It's not a checklist. It’s about how you handle power, vulnerability and consent, and keeping that conversation ongoing throughout the process (34.03) 

Links:

City Academy

British Museum

Lynda Nead