'The Little Death,' a photo series developed by Lauren Crow, was borne out of an anger towards the porn industry. As the Portland-based photographer explains, "[porn] often gives people the wrong idea of what it really is to see a woman in a state of pleasure."
Wanting to correct many a misconception derived from the industry, Crow set off to photograph real women as they masturbated. To take a topic as hush-hush and under-the-covers as female masturbation, and bring it to light, was a very bold move for Crow, but one that many people appreciated, as the photographs took off in a huge way on Tumblr.
According to Crow, the series is a way to encourage women to get lost in the act of masturbation, and fully surrender themselves to feelings of pleasure that they so often deny.
Female Pleasure Portraits
Lauren Crow Photographs the Female Subject in States of Ecstasy
Trend Themes
1. Female Pleasure Revolution - The portrayal and encouragement of female pleasure in photography and media is a disruptive innovation opportunity for companies looking to promote female empowerment.
2. Erotica Empathy - Creating art that depicts the female orgasm in a way that is educational and empathetic rather than exploitative is a trend that could lead to innovation in the adult entertainment industry.
3. Sex-positive Feminism - The growing popularity of sex-positive feminism and the desire for more realistic depictions of female pleasure in media can lead to disruptive innovation opportunities in industries such as advertising and entertainment.
Industry Implications
1. Photography - There is potential for photographers to embrace the female pleasure movement and create empowering portrait work similar to Crow’s 'The Little Death' series.
2. Social Media - As seen through the success of the series on Tumblr, social media and networking could take advantage of this shift in attitudes and promote female pleasure in a way that is accessible and relatable.
3. Adult Entertainment - The adult entertainment industry can move away from exploitative depictions of female pleasure and towards the realistic and educational, possibly attracting a broader and more diverse audience.