about us
Glowing Goddexx is an intersectional-feminist, sex & body positive, woman-owned, inclusive boudoir photography studio, that caters to all genders & sexes of people in The Pacific Northwest, by celebrating the naturally sensual essence of each individual.
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“Goddexx”, the non-gendered evolution of the word “Goddess”, comes from the movement to create safer spaces for gender-expression. Everyone, regardless of what they look like or how society may see them is a Goddexx. Founded and run by the International Portrait Photographer Zuri Pommerenk, Glowing Goddexx’s ethos is that every body is worthy of love and that every person deserves to feel empowered in their skin. We are proud to offer boudoir portraits as a way of honoring and celebrating one’s unique, physical form as it is RIGHT NOW.
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Our clientele includes people from all communities (LGBTQIA+, BDSM/Kink, BIPOC) and professions (corporate to sex workers), who desire to be witnessed in their most vulnerably gorgeous state.
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Clients have enjoyed their all natural to glammed-up portraits as private keepsakes/gifts for themselves and/or partners, to social media and promotional material. We love solo or couple’s, maternity, bridal, group, editorial, whimsical, ethereal or dark and moody boudoir photography. Our clients are encouraged to show up authentically, wearing what they feel grounded and peaceful in- which can be as clothed (or unclothed) as desired.
As you can see on from our website and social media, the vibe of each shoot varies and that is because models/clients and the photographer are co-creating a bespoke boudoir experience together and the outcome is largely driven by the desires of the client. Zuri, our photographer, will make stylistic choices during the shoot in terms of how to use and enhance the environment, light, shadows, wardrobe and props to better convey a mood and then work in post to edit photos according to discussed goals.
Meet your Photographer:
Zuri Pommerenk
I have always identified with being an artist, but was encouraged by well-meaning people to not pursue that path. I dressed in business attire and suppressed the desire to create art and live as my authentic, weird self for years because I was afraid of being “too much”. I was afraid of creating art that was not marketable. I was afraid that I would never be seen as a “legitimate” artist.
One day in 2016, I found myself super depressed, in a corporate job I hated, a relationship with someone who I had never felt seen by (partly because I never fully let him in) and in a life that I had created to be “successful” that I didn’t even want. I felt so stuck. I did everything I was supposed to do, so why wasn’t I happy?
At that point, I made a pact with myself that I would show up vulnerably and authentically as an artist and flawed human in the world in order to live a more meaningful life. I knew I needed to cultivate deeper relationships and start doing more of what made me happy. I quit everything that wasn’t serving me and pressed the reset button on life. I started my portrait photography business soon after and prioritized learning as much as I could about my craft. I prioritized creating art simply for the sake of self-expression.
My very first Boudoir Shoot occurred spontaneously in June 2017 in a hotel room in Mexico City. I was my very own subject. I spent the day in and out of a plush white bathrobe and wore a mismatched, black underwear set- one of the few pairs I could fit in the backpack I was living out of during a gap year of travel through Mexico and Central America. I sipped coffee then champagne, while singing happily to Billie Holliday and thought, “I want to remember this moment forever”. So I busted out my tripod and set up the timer on my camera. I felt so free and sensual during this empowering, transitional experience of itinerary-free, solo travel and knew I might never get to experience something like this again in my life. I remember how romantic that day was - like I was falling in love with this beautiful, flawed reinvested Zuri who had been through an arduous journey to survive and was working her way to a place of thriving.
During that shoot, I honored every version of Zuri who had battled eating disorders, depression, orthorexia and body dysmorphia to the lost and heartbroken woman who had just started really prioritizing and being accountable for her mental health, getting real about healing trauma, figuring out what truly brought her joy and letting (deserving) people have access to deeper parts of her.
I cried when I pulled the raw images up on my computer that evening. The woman I saw in these photos was fierce, yet soft - a perfectly imperfect Goddess who belonged here and proudly took up space. This experience was so impactful, that I continued to do self portrait boudoir as a way to vulnerably share myself with the world and started shooting boudoir with other subjects in hope that they would benefit from this experience like I had.
After years of running my portrait photography business in Los Angeles, I moved to Portland in the Fall of 2022 and decided to focus solely on Boudoir photography as it brings me the most joy out of any other kind of portrait photography. From there, Glowing Goddexx Studio was born. Boudoir Photography is not just a job to me, it is one of my life’s purposes. I am honored when I am selected as a witness to clients showing up as powerful, whole, sensual beings vs just a collection of strategically posed body parts meant to seduce the male gaze. The privilege of being trusted enough to capture my subjects in their most vulnerable and raw states is not lost on me. I aim to provide a safe container for the unwinding of a truly transformative and enjoyable experience and look forward to honoring every Goddexx I encounter.