So you want to get into boudoir photography? A good choice! For a successful boudoir shoot, you have to think about everything first. There’s a lot of preparation, from the equipment you use to the actual message of the boudoir shoot to how the model should pose. In this article, we help you with a comprehensive list of tips on boudoir photography.
What is boudoir photography?
Boudoir photography is a type of photography that has existed for ages and has become increasingly popular in recent years. The boudoir shoot was often used to give the partner a special gift. Nowadays, women also participate in boudoir shoots to regain the art of seduction for themselves. Many women believe that feeling sensual for themselves is empowering and that a boudoir shoot will help them love their bodies more.
Boudoir photography is mostly about looking open and relaxed. A boudoir shoot usually begins with the person to be photographed, who is fully clothed at the beginning, and then leads step by step to targeted nudes. If you are wondering what the essentials in boudoir photography are, then it is all about the body of the photo model to honor and celebrate female sensuality without being gross.
Boudoir photography: Difference to nude photography
The boudoir theme is closely related to nude photography. It’s not quite the same, however. A boudoir is usually just a covert act, or at most, a partial act. The model is never completely naked. The focus is also not on a close-up of a breast, a bottom, or anything in that direction. A boudoir shoot is more about a noticeable sensuality, expressed through the whole body and facial expressions.
Which camera to use for boudoir photography
Unless you’re planning to start a professional boudoir shoot, you don’t necessarily have to buy a new camera for a boudoir shoot. You have half the battle when you take photos with a camera that you feel comfortable with. You can take beautiful boudoir photographs with any type of camera, whether with a smartphone or an entry-level DSLR camera. It is not the camera that makes the difference, but what you do with the camera.
Your budget will definitely want to have a say in the decision. Of course, a Sony A7R III costs a lot more than a Nikon D3500. While the Sony camera would be a much better camera, you don’t necessarily need an expensive model to get great boudoir photography.
Lens recommendation for boudoir photography
The most important equipment for a boudoir shoot is the lenses you use. Here is our recommendation:
- Macro lens (105 mm)
- Wide-angle lens (24 mm or wider for a crop sensor camera)
- Traditional lens (50mm)
A traditional 50mm lens is designed for portraits, while the macro lens reveals intimate details like a woman’s lips or eyes. Although a wide-angle lens is not common for portraits, this lens gives your boudoir photography incredible depth.
Using props in boudoir photography
Chairs, beds, or mirrors are often used as props in a boudoir shoot. These props make the model appear more present than in everyday life. And with a wide-angle lens, you give boudoir photography a depth that other photographers are almost sure not to be able to show.
Food and accessories for boudoir photo shoot
We have put together a checklist for you with all the necessary accessories so that you can make sure that your model is well looked after and that you do not have to interrupt the boudoir shoot for anything:
- Your camera
- A second camera as a reserve
- Multiple charged batteries
- Multiple memory cards
- Lenses
- Make-up set
- Water and snacks
- Prosecco 😊
- Shooting list
- Step stool for taking pictures from a height
With a boudoir shoot, your accessories and catering should be unique. After all, your customer has to start feeling comfortable in an initially unpleasant situation. Especially if it will be the model’s first boudoir shoot. Just in case, we recommend that you have a make-up set on hand so that your customer has the opportunity to enhance their body feeling in every situation:
- Hairspray
- Eyelash glue and brown/black eyelashes
- Translucent powder
- A range of make-up for different skin tones
- Double-sided textile adhesive tape
- Moisturizing wipes
Also, remind your customer to bring her own make-up with her. Disposable slippers are also useful. This way you avoid dirty feet with your customer. You should also devote another thought to the well-being of your customer. What if she has fasted before the boudoir shoot and starts to feel queasy or even passed out? And it is precisely for such situations that the snacks provided are helpful.
If your customer is completely tense and nervous and needs a small portion of courage in the form of alcohol, you can have a bottle of champagne ready. The right music relaxes everyone!
The best poses for boudoir photography
Before you try to find the right poses for a boudoir shoot with the model, you should have practiced at least every pose with your camera beforehand. You should know in advance what the respective pose does with the specific areas of her body and then delegate to the model how the pose is done. Very important here – touching only if it is allowed in advance!
Best boudoir photography pose #1: Angled legs
Taking a picture with your legs bent is very popular in boudoir photography. This pose exudes a casual seduction. Big advantage – the bent legs hide a possible belly roll. Instruct the model also to put one or both arms behind her head. In this way, the position of your breasts will even out and appear more lively. Do not take the complete lead in the pose. It is best to show your customer in advance how this pose should look using sample photos.
Best boudoir photography pose #2: Legs in the air
While your client has her legs in the air, you can take great different boudoir photographs. Your customer can move her legs in the air and you can take photos from all angles and heights. You will need your step stool for these types of recordings.
Best boudoir photography pose #3: Shy pose
If the model is feeling a little uncomfortable, you should take advantage of this situation and instruct her to giggle. This is how you capture her innocent and nervous charisma, which can be just as good a boudoir photo as if she posed openly and seductively.
Your model doesn’t have to look directly into the camera for a shy pose. You can offer her a sheet, shirt, or pillow for the nude photos as a prop. This makes it feel a little more secure and comfortable, and you can still take a good shot. Because a shy face fits just as well into boudoir photography and leaves a pleasant feeling.
Best boudoir photography pose #4: Play with a bra
Women take off a bra every day. And as a pose, this activity makes every model look relaxed. With a mirror as a prop, you can give the photo a seductive touch, and the viewer of the picture will definitely feel as if he is in the middle of the shot.
PS: There is also the so-called bridal boudoir shoot, which mainly focuses on a bride in sexy clothes.
Best boudoir photography pose #5: Poses with hands
Most boudoir photographers have the customer’s hands in the way. But only because they haven’t studied it enough. Hands can convey playfulness or sensuality. Try to bend your client’s hands, elbows, and wrists differently during the boudoir shoot. These poses convey naturalness and are the closest to a natural movement in your photos.
Posing your hands is about intent. The hands should be placed consciously. Have the customer put her hands lightly on her chest or have her hands playfully stroke her hair behind her ear. Try to capture realistic flirting strategies in your photos.
Boudoir photography camera settings
Most boudoir photographers choose the aperture priority mode for their shots. With this model, you can control the aperture and thus the depth of field of your recording. Your camera selects a suitable shutter speed to achieve the best possible exposure.
Your advantage here? You only have to worry about one set, the aperture. Provided the lighting does not change during the boudoir shoot.
Boudoir photography white balance and exposure
We recommend that you use the automatic white balance whenever you can. It may not be optimal at the beginning, but you can easily correct that with post-processing. However, you should not use the automatic white balance if your model wears white, blue, or green clothes and is posing in front of white, blue, or green clothes. These colors would otherwise be visible on your customer’s face.
Your camera will also know exactly what to do for exposure metering. It is best to use multi-field metering. You should only use spot metering if your model is backlit.
Always choose autofocus for portraits. Without exception!
The most important tip for boudoir photography: Your customer should feel good
The model’s charisma should be playful and pleasant during the boudoir shoot. You definitely don’t want photos of a cramped boudoir model, it could look a little creepy. So make sure that the customer feels comfortable with snacks, drinks, or a relaxed atmosphere.
Important tip: No touches without permission!
This is very important so that your model can feel comfortable. Make sure in advance whether it is appropriate for your customer to be touched by you during the boudoir shoot, if necessary, to be able to correct poses and postures. Even during the boudoir shoot, you should politely ask again shortly before touching it. How come? It is not unknown that many photo models have had uncomfortable situations with photographers – especially in boudoir photography. And that is exactly why it is so important to show your model how serious you are and to give her a pleasant sense of well-being. And as a serious photographer, it is also important to you to maintain your good image.
Your customer’s wishes and views come first
Make sure the recordings are made in the customer’s interests during the boudoir shoot. Are there any parts of the body that she doesn’t particularly like and that it’s best not to focus on? Ask for the tips! Or, on the contrary – which details would she particularly like to highlight for the photos?
You can only implement the tips for boudoir photography successfully if you also respond to the wishes and views of your customer. Is she open and sexy? Use this feature for seductive boudoir pictures of her. Try to capture their movements during the boudoir shoot, not just the usual poses. Make your model laugh out loud or wave her at the camera.
Conclusion
Now that you know the basics and have learned our 17 tips, you can complete the rest of the boudoir shoot with your own personal style. Despite our great tips and tricks, it is important that you stay true to your style and that you stand out from other photographers with your personality in boudoir photography. Are you lacking the ideas? Here you can find another Instagram account with boudoir inspiration.