With Valentine’s Day approaching, my mind is on love and lust, and all things in between, and it’s no surprise that “boudoir” and “boudoir photographer” are always the top keyword searches driving new traffic to my website and blog. But while the obvious reason for booking this sexy session is to surprise a partner, there is no rule that says you have to be female, that you can’t do this with your lover, or even simply for yourself, just for the helluva it! In fact, I recently had a plus-size client who was celebrating a long road to discovering her inner confidence with a boudoir shoot––she really owned her femininity and worked all the sassy angles, which made this boudoir shoot one of my all-time favorites!
Here are some things to know if you’re not-so-secretly considering a boudoir shoot:
1. Location
Choose a location that has lots of natural light and one that offers a few different backgrounds or textures to pose against. I’ve often found that a posh hotel room lends a modern-day sexy appeal, while a charming B&B evokes a different kind of creative vision. Your own home is also a good location because you already feel comfortable in the environment, and you can enlist the help of an heirloom rental service like ShadowBox Dreams to glam it up!
2. Styling/Props
Choose lingerie/outfits that make you feel sexy. A good rule of thumb: bring something white, something black, something in a bright color, and don’t forget a pair of sexy heels. (Your birthday suit is also a good option.)
3. Bubbly
A few sips of bubbly can go a long way in helping you to relax during the shoot. Have fun, play some bootylicious music, be silly!
4. Posing
Don’t try to be sexy. Don’t try to be a model. Just be. My goal as the photographer is to make my clients laugh and to feel comfortable around me. Most people aren’t used to lounging around wearing next to nothing (or nothing at all) in front of the camera, so don’t be worried if the first few shots feel a bit stiff. Your personality will come through in the end.
Will you be posing for a boudoir shoot sometime?
xo, Melissa
Gorgeous photos. I am especially loving the maternity ones at the end. I just saw some of them on Pinterest. Lovely work.