'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.
Why This Trend Is Growing
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Industries Being Reshaped
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
