Everything about Boudoir Photography

Vintage lingerie is a great idea to include in black and white boudoir photography sessions. There’s something so sensual about lace lingerie combined with fishnet stockings or garter belts.

There is something incredibly elegant about black and white boudoir photography. It’s classic, sensual, and artistic compared to a bright color image. Color carries with it a lot of meaning and evokes different emotions compared to shooting in black and white where the image is devoid of that extra, often distracting information. It allows the photographer, and the viewer to focus on the tones, light, composition, and the shapes your subject’s body is making. And black and white photography carries with it a timeless element.

The easiest way is to create three versions of the same image: one in color, one in monochrome, and one in a sepia tone. You can then offer your clients a choice on which they prefer.

High key boudoir photography is an excellent option for those not comfortable being photographed with dark shadows highlighting their facial features.

High key boudoir photography softens any wrinkles or imperfections in a more flattering way than other lighting styles would have it. The resulting image has less contrast, which also helps make skin appear smoother.

Consider having your subject stand in front of a bright window. It’s a bonus if the sun shines through it, so you get a flare shot simultaneously.

Comfort is what you want to focus on here. If you can, have the high key boudoir photography session in the subject’s home.

Typically, low key boudoir photography entails using less harsh light sources and a more natural look. Low key photography is considered more gentle on the eyes than high key photography because it’s softer, darker, and less contrasty.

With low key boudoir photography, ensure that the background has no clutter. While this style may have less light and softer tones, it can be easy to overlook the background.

To get the best silhouette boudoir photography, it’s recommended to get your subjects wearing a formal dress or piece of lingerie that’s sophisticated and light.

Layer with a blazer, scarf, or wrap for added warmth and attitude. Your props can play an important role in this type of shoot to set the mood and create your desired feel, so think about what you want to come across.

Candles are always sexy and sensual, but if you have another idea (think: hats, aprons), go for it.

Make sure you place your subject between the camera and the light source and set your exposure settings to expose for the highlights so your subject will be silhouetted by the light behind, without showing detail in the shadows.

The best time to take natural light boudoir photography is in the morning when the sun is high and bright. When the sun shines through a window, you’ll get a beautiful, natural glow on your subject. If you find the natural light is creating too much contrast you can use a reflector to fill in some of the shadows for a softer, more even look.

Low light photography is perfect for boudoir photographers who want to use natural light sources or have dark settings, such as a bedroom.

With low light boudoir photography, the right poses are everything. Lingerie can appear much more revealing in low light than during daylight, and because of that, you may want to let your subject know. They might have a few different attire options in mind once informed about that.

A bed boudoir photography session will not only make your bedroom look beautiful, but it can also bring out some of your intimate feelings and memories.

The bed is part of the scene but think of it more as a prop. Your model can interact with the sheets or hold a pillow. Also, think about how you pose your subject on and around the bed. There are many beautiful and flattering poses that can be used when shooting with your subject on a bed.

Consider adding a fluffy blanket or other fabric for an additional pop of color to add detail and create interest.

One of the most timeless and classic boudoir photography ideas is the bathtub and shower boudoir combination.

Your subject can be photographed on the edge of a bathtub wearing a lace top or in the shower, kneeling with her head leaning back to get wet and rinse off.

This type of setup has many benefits: it provides sexy coverage of your subject’s body and also allows for beautifully executed shots from multiple angles.

Is your subject having a birthday, anniversary, or even a wedding? What better way for them to commemorate the moment than with a luxury boudoir photography session?

Luxury Boudoir Photography is a boudoir experience that focuses solely on the subject and allows them to feel special, pampered, and, dare we say it, luxurious. With luxury boudoir photography the subject will enjoy a premium experience from arrival to the end of the shoot, including things like makeup and hair, and maybe even some champagne. Location and props are really important as well in order to really sell the luxury look and experience.

• For simple boudoir poses, tell the subject to take her right leg and cross it in front of her left, then lean her chest forward. This will create a beautiful look that accentuates the curves of her thigh and hips.
• Another pose is to have the subject turn and face the side, take one step forward and point one toe, then tilt her head by looking up with her hand reaching to touch her forehead. 
• The last simple boudoir pose is to have your subject crisscross her steps, pulling the robe off her shoulders but caught in her wrists as she strolls slowly away from your camera. 

• One edgy boudoir photography pose is telling the subject to get into the “cat position” with her upper body lowered down, hips arched and tilting up her calves in high heels. Shoot from the angle of her hips at eye level.
• Try asking your subject to lean her back against the wall, toss her hair to one side, cross her legs, pop her hips, and bring her arms up by holding her wrists with her eyes looking away/down.
• Guide your subject to sit on her knees with thighs slightly parted, left arm behind her body, back arched, head tilted to the left with right finger touching lips. Take the shot at eye level.

There are many sensual poses for couple boudoir photography.

• Ask the couple to hold each other like they would on a dancing floor. Have the man pull up the woman’s dress, pull the straps off of her shoulders, or lean in for a kiss.
• Another sensual couple boudoir photography pose is to have the woman leaning against the wall with both of her arms up and holding her wrists. Ask the man to lean in to hold her hand while lifting one of her legs up and holding her thigh. 
• Switch positions so that the man’s back is against the wall and the woman leaning towards him. The man places his hands on her hips and looks into her eyes as she looks away at the camera. 

• One of the best boudoir plus-size poses is to have the client leaning on her back against the edge of the bed with hands held together with her wrists over her head.
• Another pose is asking the subject to sit on her knees with her thighs apart, her body arched slightly back while holding both hands together by the wrists in front of her groin.
• Tell your client to move her arms away from the camera and push her elbows back while standing.

Another popular way to pose your subject to get some really stunning boudoir poses is to have your subject posed on the bed.

• Tell the subject to bring her knees up, her feet flat, and her toes pointed. This will make her legs look longer and tone up her muscles. 
• Direct your subject to lie on her stomach, ask to bring her feet up, and point her toes. Then ask her to slide her elbows out & forward while running her hands through her hair. 
• Another bed pose you can try is to tell the subject to lie on her side, cross & bend one thigh over the other while propping the rest of her body up by leaning on just one elbow.

Boudoir photography is all about empowerment and helping people feel comfortable int heir own skin, but that being said, a lot of people do not like the look of their stomach. Despite the aim of boudoir to embrace your body, some people may ask that you try to minimize the look of their stomach – so here are a few poses you can try that will hide your subject’s stomach.

• Get the subject in a sitting position on a bed or a couch with her knee bent on the same side that you’ll be shooting from. 
• Place things like pillows or foreground items in front of her stomach before snapping that shot would also hide her belly. 
• You can also have the subject straddle a prop (pillow or chair) and have her lean back into a sexy pose. That’ll hide her stomach, too.

Bringing props to a boudoir shoot will enrich the photography and highlight the details you want to draw attention to in the photos. Items like tasteful (not cheesy) veils, high heels, foreground elements, mirrors, and robes are great boudoir props.

Try bringing some extra visual interest to the background of your scene. Adding a couple of plants to add some greenery to the environment will add context and help make it look interesting. Blankets, art, and other decorative elements can liven up the background without feeling intrusive to the images. Scented candles are another great prop to keep around as they add a relaxing and sensual aesthetic and help clients relax and liven up the experience.

A great place to start when hashtagging your work, we recommend adding a handful of these boudoir photography hashtags to your caption. These are all general boudoir photography hashtags that will be a great starting place in getting you some traction for your posts, and ensure your images start to reach the right audience.

#boudoirphotography #boudoir #boudoirphotographer #boudoirphoto #boudoirposes #boudoirshoot #boudoirinspiration #boudoirphotographers #boudoirsession #boudoirphotoshoot #somethingboudoir #boudoirvibe

Once you’ve started with some general boudoir photo hashtags, you can throw in hashtags that are more narrowed into the type of boudoir photography that your content reflects. In this case, if your boudoir photography is also classified as portrait photography, you’ll use hashtags that are relevant to both genres. Here are a few to consider.

#boudoirportrait #portraits #photoshoot #portraitphotography #greatshots #bwportrait #model #portraitmood #discoverportrait #portraitstudio #portraitperfection   

Many clients will appreciate having shots done both in color and black and white. You’ll likely frame and shoot these differently, as different feelings are evoked with black and white imagery. When you go to post your black and white boudoir photos, be sure you have the right hashtags! 

#blackandwhite #bnw #blackandwhitephotography #monochrome #bw #bwphoto #bnwphotography #blackandwhitephoto #bnwmood #bnwphoto #monochromephotography #blackwhite #instablackandwhite #blackandwhitephotographylovers

Boudoir photography can capture moments in clients’ lives that are particularly important, such as an anniversary, the lead-up to an event like a marriage, or in this case, a pregnancy. Capturing your client when they are pregnant helps them savor and document an important moment in their lives, and may help them further embrace their changing bodies.

If you’re sharing your boudoir maternity photography, we highly recommend throwing in some of these hashtags.

#maternityphotoshoot, #maternityshoot, #pregnancyphotoshoot #maternityphotographer #maternityfashion #pregnancy #maternityphotography #maternitypictures #maternitystyle #maternitywear #maternitysession #maternityphotos #maternityportraits

As you’ve probably noticed, the genre of boudoir photography has expanded over the years. So much so that your client may be more than one person – like a couple. If you have a couple that’s doing a boudoir photoshoot with you, you now have a whole new set of hashtags you can use when you go to post!

#lovebirds #coupleshoot #boudoircouple #happycouple #couplegoals #boudoircouplesession #couplephotoshoot #couplephotography #couplephotographer

As a fine art photographer, you’ll have a particular point of view and aesthetic associated with your art. Your images will be distinct and created for the purpose of being expressive or creative. In many instances, in order to capture aesthetic qualities and show off a higher caliber of photography, your boudoir photography may be black and white or even nude. 

If you’re posting fine art boudoir imagery, try some of these hashtags to attract people to your boudoir photography. 

#finephotography #finephotograph #artisticphotography #fineartphotograph #fineartphotographer #fineartphotos #fineartfilm #filmphotography #photographyart #art #noiretblanc #fineartphoto

Similar to what we mentioned when speaking about maternity boudoir, your client may want to capture a special occasion or memory, such as a wedding! Bridal boudoir photography is a fun shoot, and many social media users (likely soon-to-be brides themselves) will be researching how to make their own day special. By posting and hashtagging your bridal boudoir shoots, you’ll have a greater chance of finding new clients. Be sure to incorporate the right hashtags when you do! 

#weddingphotographer #theknot #bridalboudoir #weddinginspo #bride #bridalstyle #weddingphotography #wedding #weddingday #love #weddingphoto #couple #instawedding #beautiful #bridalfashion #bridalinspiration #bride #bridetobe