Photography is an art. It is a perfect way to immortalize a moment that can be relished in the future. Even though a simple photo does the same, there is a huge difference between pictures taken casually and those taken with great precision and abiding by the essential techniques.
In this article, we will discover the meaning of boudoir photography, a technique that has been practiced since the 1920s. Without further ado, let’s dive in and learn about this fine art.
Table of contents
Meaning Of Boudoir Photography
The Boudoir photography technique is not a new kid on the block. It has been practised since the 1920s. In this technique, images of sensual women are clicked in luxurious hotel suits and under different lighting conditions.
The models generally provide different erotic poses or are captured in candid moments. In these shoots, models are generally women but sometimes involve couples or men. During boudoir shoots, the wardrobe or clothing of choice involves exposing clothes or lingerie.
Commercially, these images are often of brides surprising or exciting their to-be husbands on or before their wedding day. Also, these photos can result from capturing someone’s weight loss or makeover.
This photography technique can be termed as a subtle amalgamation of fine art nude photography with a touch of glamour. Currently, boudoir photography is getting much attention from the masses and is no longer considered taboo.
How To Shoot Boudoir Photography?
While shooting boudoir pictures, you should take care of every minute detail. You should emphasize the subject along with the dress and makeup they are wearing. Also, equal stress should be provided to ambient lighting, furniture, the eye position of the model, and how to make shadows act to your advantage.
When shooting, you should select the perfect aperture so that the focus persists on the model and not the furniture in the room. The model and the bed or bed sheet should be the priority. The resulting image should reflect the utter beauty and raunchiness of the subject, and the person viewing the image can feel the tension and excitement as if he is in the same room.
You can even zoom in at specific points to show off her body’s smooth curvatures and glowing skin textures. Including sexy booty poses, vintage. masternity, etc. While doing so, ensure the viewer can determine the subject by looking at the image.
As a photographer, you should guide and instruct your subject to pose in ways that are both presentable and arousing.
Check out: Top Wedding Boudoir Photography Ideas
How To Get Ready For A Boudoir Photoshoot?
Wondering what to wear for a boudoir photoshoot? Boudoir photos exuberate eroticism. So, you should pay heed to every aspect of your client’s body, right from their skin & boudoir wardrobe selection to the amount of sleep and diet they undergo before the shoot. So some of the basic aspects to look out for are:
Skin: You should prohibit your client from overusing self-tanner, as it would be a nightmare for you to even out the different skin tones later on. Rather, you should advise using a good quality moisturizer to bring out the natural glow in their skin and make it glossy. It will even complement their muscle definition and showcase the beautiful contours of your body.
Hair and makeup: You must ask for professional help while getting your clients’ hair and makeup done. Also, getting a manicure and pedicure is a thumbs up. While participating in boudoir shoots, you should always try to exaggerate your clients’ features, especially their lips and eyes. So, wearing false eyelashes can be a great option, as they look stunning while your subjects look down or off the side.
Wardrobe: The wardrobe selection alone provides boudoir photography with distinct appeal and taste. So, you must suggest the correct wardrobe to your clients. Even if they have some other clothing option in mind, you should present your honest opinion on the same.
You should select an outfit your client is most comfortable with from the different wardrobe options. Otherwise, if they wear some uncomfortable, sexy lingerie, the reaction will show up in their body language or face, thus in the photos.
Some of the most appropriate wardrobe items to choose from are fall-off-the-shoulder tops, a man’s button-down shirt/tie, cropped soft sweaters, simple black and white bras/panties, which can be paired with other items, and lacy underthings.
If you desire to look retro or chic, you would never go wrong with vintage stockings or soft over-the-knee socks, sexy heels, and subtle jewelry. Also, on the day of the shoot, instruct your clients to wear loose-fitting clothing so that markings aren’t visible when you finally strip down for the shoot.
Check out: Best Camera For Boudoir Photography
Diet & sleep: A week before the shoot, your client should check their carbohydrate and sugar consumption. This regime will cleanse their system and prevent them from looking puffy or bloated. On the night before the shoot, they should get as much sleep as possible and eat light food on the day of the shoot.
All in all, you must ensure that your subject doesn’t panic and let their inner sexiness do the magic. Play funky music and treat them with a glass of wine to take the edge off. Be in sync with your client and turn the shoot into a fun experience.
Boudoir Photoshoot Techniques
Picture Credit: Chris Lin
When it comes to techniques while shooting this type of image, you can never rely on a single photography standard. As a photographer, you should experiment with your equipment, the subject’s wardrobe, and the ambient lighting.
How bright should the lighting be, and at what height should it be? What would be the preferred exposure for the shoot? Such questions can only be answered after you have clicked a few dummy snaps. Once you are set and have found the sweet settings, you can start weaving your magic through the eyepiece.
So, some techniques that can be incorporated into Boudoir shoots are choosing from various lighting sources, changing the camera aperture, and playing with exposure settings.
Gorgeous backlighting—Shooting your subject backlit, either from natural or artificial sources, tends to flatten women of all body types. Such image captures provide ample luminosity and joyfulness to the image.
Low contrast lighting—Low contrast and low lighting help you de-emphasize certain parts of a woman’s body by shadowing them based on her positioning. You can adjust the light’s proximity and the reflector’s position to get the desired result.
Short/ broad lighting—By incorporating short/broad lighting, you can make your subjects look narrower or wider than they are. To achieve this, you need to position your subject properly and maintain precise camera angles.
Side lighting—Who doesn’t appreciate the beautiful curves of a woman’s body? Her stunning eyes and mesmerizing lips. Using side lighting, you can strictly focus on the curves of a woman and make her enticing features pop out.
How To Excel At This Photography Technique?
Generally, clients who participate in a boudoir shoot are not models. They perform the photoshoot to present it to their better halves or as a personal memoir. So, you should maintain a high degree of sensitivity and understanding.
You should make your subjects feel comfortable while posing so that awkwardness doesn’t transcribe into the shot images. Send your client a document containing the essential information and tips for makeup, wardrobe selection, and how she would like to be photographed. You should also mention the timeline for participating in the shoot.
As the subject would require touch-ups from time to time and you need to set up your gadgets, a shoot can extend from a few minutes to long hours, taking a toll on your subject’s body. So, you should provide breaks between sessions so your subject is not exhausted or bored with the scheme. You should appreciate her poses and encourage her during the shoot.
This will create an upbeat vibe and make her confident for subsequent shoots. To ensure that you and your client are on the same page, you should let her know the time required to edit the images and send them in a presentable format.
Check out: Modern Boudoir Contract Template
How To Start Boudoir Photography?
If you’re wondering how to get started in boudoir photography, you’re at the right place. To start boudoir photography, you should possess good photography skills and know how to bring out the best poses and their inner beauty from within your subjects. Also, to ensure a steady onslaught of boudoir assignments, you should also know how to market yourself. So some of the essential steps required for starting boudoir photography are:
Unravel the mystery of tasteful posing: As a photographer, you should know which pose is best for your client and how posing and lighting conditions can be integrated to provide the best possible result.
A diverse portfolio: You should ensure that your portfolio comprises women of all sizes. You can provide free shoots or discounts to gather subjects for your portfolio. Thus, a diverse portfolio would help your clients relate to the subjects in the portfolio.
Check out: Text Overlay Quotes For Your Boudoir
Letting the word out: Once you are done creating a portfolio, it’s time to let the world know of your capabilities. But even though you might have the right to publicize these images, given the intimate nature of the images, you should follow some restraint in showcasing these images at the click of a button. You can maintain a different section for your boudoir portfolio or allow subscribed users access only to these images. Also, you should make your website search engine-friendly by incorporating the latest SEO techniques.
Create a robust marketing plan: Adhering to a robust marketing plan is extremely important if you want to be successful in the long run. The plan should encompass the best years to start your boudoir campaign. You should also know how to attract potential customers and create a marketing calendar.
Provide sample products: To potential clients, you can provide an album showcasing how their processed images would look. You can ask for their requirements and choices regarding how and in which format they would like their pictures to be delivered.
Tips & Tricks For Models
Here are some boudoir photography tips for models:
Stay Calm: Models or clients should relax and stay calm during a boudoir shoot to improve their focus on posing.
Casual Atmosphere: Maintain a comfortable, casual environment, especially since the model might be skimpily dressed and unfamiliar with the photographer.
Variety of Poses: Models should provide different poses to help the photographer capture candid and stunning moments.
Pre-Shoot Prep: To avoid last-minute issues, models should eat well, sleep enough, try out makeup, and groom the day before.
Take Breaks: Models should take breaks for touch-ups, cool down from the lights, and stay hydrated to avoid looking tired.
Photographer’s Role: Boudoir photographers should market their work, showcase the best shots, and guide clients during the shoot to make them comfortable.
Techniques: Use various shooting techniques to highlight the client’s best features.
Take your skills to the next level with these amazing boudoir photography resources.
Check out: 15 Best Boudoir Photography Online Courses in 2025
