Boudoir Photos…It’s Not Just About Wearing Lingerie (or less)
A boudoir photo shoot celebrates femininity; it’s a unique and intimate experience that allows you to showcase your beauty and confidence in a personal and powerful way. It is a time when most women feel extremely vulnerable…and for good reason. You are having a photographer take photos of you (ALL OF YOU)…your mom pooch, stretchmarks, cellulite, saggy boobs, your “problem areas” that you try to hide from the rest of the world. Trust me, everyone has those insecurities…EVERYONE. This is why, when I talk with clients at our initial consultation, I always ask them about their comfort levels and make sure they know the many wardrobe options available. One of the common questions that many women ask at their pre-consultation is whether or not they have to be naked. The short answer is no, you do not have to be naked during a boudoir shoot (unless you want to be).
Boudoir photography is all about capturing the intimate and sensual side of a woman, and nudity is not a requirement. The level of nudity that you are comfortable with is entirely up to you. Some women choose to wear lingerie or other revealing clothing, while others choose to wear more modest clothing or even everyday clothing like jeans or a robe. Most clients prefer to wear flattering lingerie that show off the girls and hide some of their “trouble spots”. I make sure to ask my clients ahead of time if they are uncomfortable about certain areas of their body so we can come up with a solution to help them feel confident when it’s time for their session. There are so many options of things you can wear that will look stunning in your photos. From lacey lingerie, to jeans paired with a bodysuit, to a trenchcoat with fishnets, there is something for everyone! It’s always a fun idea to come up with a creative theme and dress accordingly.
For those clients who do want something a bit more intimate, I encourage them to do bodyscapes. They are beautiful and artistic and show off your curves while hiding things you don’t want seen. The focus is on creating art with your body through lights and shadows. Clients can still wear lingerie or a bra and panty set with bodyscapes if they aren’t comfortable not having anything on. If you’re interested in finding out more about bodyscapes, check out my blog post “What is a Bodyscape?” to see if it’s a good fit for you.
Another option for clients is doing an implied nude look, where they have a white sheet or a blanket covering all their lady bits (while having some clothing on under) and when you look at the final image, there’s lots left to the imagination. You’d have no idea they were clothed underneath! The most important thing is that you feel comfortable and confident in what you're wearing.
The most important piece of advice I can give you is to make sure to communicate with your photographer about your comfort level before the shoot. Let your photographer know what you're okay with wearing and what your boundaries are for your shoot. Professional boudoir photographers will work with you to create a look that you're comfortable with that still captures the essence of a boudoir shoot. They should never push you to do something you aren’t comfortable with or make you wear something that doesn’t align with your ideals.
It's also important to remember that boudoir photography is not about perfection, it's about capturing the beauty and sensuality of a woman. It's about celebrating your unique beauty and confidence, regardless of your body type or shape. Your photographer will use techniques such as lighting, posing, and editing to create beautiful and flattering images that showcase your best features.
Are you ready for an amazing boudoir experience with a professional, well-educated boudoir photographer? At Jennifer Maesen Photography, my goal is to provide you with an awesome experience that will forever change you (in the best of ways)! I want to help you love how you look and see yourself how I and the rest of the world see you. Together, we can create beautiful artwork you will cherish. I would LOVE the opportunity to work with you and be a part of your boudoir journey!
xoxo, Jenn
Visit www.maesenphotography.com to view my work and inquire about your boudoir session!