Boudoir photography expresses a unique and tasteful distinct emotion that other types of photography lack. Boudoir photography is a wonderful service to offer as a portrait photographer. However, it can be intimidating to know where to begin. Below I offer some tips on how to get started with shooting Boudoir and offering it as a service to your clients.

Definition

Boudoir photography is a style of photography that features a model in a sensual and intimate setting. Most of the time, the photography will be taken in a photographic studio featuring a bathroom, bedroom closet, or a private place where the subject spends time with their romantic partners.

Photo Examples

"impressive mood " by JessMiddlebrook

"impressive mood " by yuliannatennant

"Silver moonlight kissed my shoulders and hands " by nataliadrepina

"Baby I could drive your car " by DirkC

"EVE " by maminemessaoudi

Tips To Get Started

These tips will help you get started in a flash!

Don’t Be Shy
If you are interested in offering Boudoir photography as a professional service, it’s important to start by creating a portfolio of images to serve as examples of your style and what you offer. This also allows you to do a handful of shots as practice and through this process, you can try different things and see what you like the best within Boudoir and what you want to focus on. These shoots are most commonly referred to as “test” shoots.

Finding subjects for test shoots can be tricky with Boudoir, as this area of photography is a lot more intimate than your typical portrait session. While it may be easy to find volunteers to build a portfolio of children’s portraits, for example, it’s a bit harder to find subjects comfortable posing in just their underwear. Luckily, there are lots of aspiring models across the world and I use websites like ModelMayhem.com and Craigslist.org to find them. Test shoots are generally trade of time in exchange for images so it’s perfect for models who are looking to build their portfolios and gain more experience. There are always models looking for photographers to work with so get out there and start building that portfolio!

Ease Your Clients in Slowly
Once you have a portfolio built and you are establishing yourself as a Boudoir shooter, you will start being contacted by women who would like Boudoir portraits but who are not working models. They may be looking for a gift for a significant other or they may just want to do a photoshoot for themselves. The important thing is to immediately put them at ease and help them to relax in front of the camera.

To help clients ease into the Boudoir session, I start with a glam portrait that is composed from the waist up. This way we can start slowly and give each client time to loosen up before having them completely remove their outer clothing to shoot head-to-toe. I have found that a lot of the nervousness that your subject may feel will go away as soon as they see that you know what you are doing. Once we have the tight portraits captured, the client has had time to relax and become more comfortable with you.

Use Lots of Props
Another way to help your subjects relax in front of the camera is to give them something to pose with. During the holidays this is really easy as there are lots of suitable props in stores. At a holiday Boudoir session I usually have the following on hand; a Santa hat, tinsel garlands, large ribbons and bows, a small, wrapped package, etc. Giving your subject something to hold in their hands helps them to relax a bit and pose more naturally.

Outside of the holidays, good prop choices can be items that are personal to your client. For example, one of my clients wanted to pose with a teddy bear since it had been a gift from her husband. Items with personal significance will not only give your client a prop to work with but can also make the portraits more meaningful to them.

Pro Tips

Rafael Orczy known as suiciderock on ViewBug, is a destination wedding and boudoir photographer currently living in Budapest, Hungary. "I started freelance photography 5 years ago and since then I have been  shooting around the globe."

What are you trying to capture/say with your photography?
I'm a lifestyle wedding and boudoir photographer. Usually, people describe my work as modern, classic, romantic, elegant, timeless. On my wedding images, I concentrate on the couple, I try to show the real emotions, the hidden moments of their day, and I concentrate on the storytelling. On the internet there are thousands of beautiful images when the couple stands on a cliff or in front of a big waterfall, etc., I call these “landscape wedding” images. But these images show only the scenery and not the emotions, feelings, the subject is not the couple. The “who” is more important for me than the “where”.

On my boudoir images, I capture clean, nice, classic boudoir and sensual (and not erotic) images. I want to show the inner beauty of my clients during the session. The women are choosing me not only because of my photography style but also because of my personality. For models, it is easier to undress in front of a photographer but for someone who has never been in front of a camera, the photographer's attitude and personality is the key. The client has to feel comfortable, she has to trust the photographer, otherwise, the good result just won't happen.

How do you know if your images are visually interesting?
Most of the time during the session I feel if the images are good or not. I'm in a small photography group, where we share the images and we tell honest opinions to each other. So I can always get some constructive feedback.

Do you think about perspective when you shoot?
Sure, most of the time I already have the image in my head that I want to capture. Perspective is very important.

Do you use a tripod or flash?
I prefer natural light, but if there is not enough natural light or the shooting or project requires flash then I use it. For my cinematic headshots, I always use flashes. I barely use a tripod, it always stays in the trunk of my car.

What time of the day do you prefer to shoot?
What I love the most in the early morning or late afternoon light. But I believe that I can shoot under any light-conditions.

Are you looking for a unique subject?
I'm always on a search for unique subjects. But people overrate the unique subject. A photographer should be able to shoot good pictures about not unique subjects as well.

How are you choosing to stay close or far from the subject?
It depends on what am I focusing on. When I'm telling a story, the scenery is nice, or there are interesting subjects in the background I stay farther. When I want to show the face and emotions, I stay close.

Do you think of the rule of thirds/how?
I think the rule of third is more like a rule of fifth. So it is more like 2/5 and 3/5. I use it but I think that the rules are important in composing. However, most of the photographers are taking the rule of thirds way too strict. For example, in fashion photography, the photographers are trying to thinking out of the box, and breaking the barriers by not using the “basic” rules of composition.

Do you think of symmetry or reflections?
Yes, reflections and symmetry can add an extra flavor to the images and also can be used to change the perspective or to use it for creative purposes.

Do you pay attention to the subject only or also background and why?
If the background is nice or interesting I like to add it to the image, work with it. When I have a project I try to find the best background for the shots, I watch for every single detail even in the background.

What do you prefer; B&W vs color?
I prefer B&W over color images when I want storytelling or dramatic images. Also, I think that there is still something “magical” about B&W images. You can easier concentrate on the subject without “distraction”. Sometimes it is the opposite: there is a nice image but it is working only because of the colors.

What mistake do you see photographers doing often?
Thinking that only the best gear can bring good results, believing in 1 click “magic” presets, inconsistency, trying to mimic others’ work and not breaking the habits, and not experimenting enough (including me in the last one as well).

What is the most important lesson you’ve learned that has improved your photography?
I was lucky because I had a chance to learn from great photographers, mentors. The most important is to see the light. Don't stress out, practice a lot, be always open-minded. The result will come.

Capturing Nude Male Photography

A boudoir shoot is a great way to celebrate the model; to create some private, tasteful and sexy photographs that reflect just how incredible and beautiful the male model is and how comfortable he is with his body and self. Boudoir photography is an intimate expression of beauty that showcases the male body in a strong and elegant way.

"Blue Light Series No. 1" by ralfeyertt

Capturing Nude Female Photography

A boudoir shoot is a great way to celebrate the female model; this is the perfect way to create some private, tasteful and sexy photographs that reflect just how incredible and beautiful the female model is and how comfortable she is with herself; body and looks. Boudoir photography is an intimate expression of beauty that showcases the female beauty, sensitivity, and body in a smooth and elegant way.

"Jasmine" by WPphotography

Nude Boudoir Photo Examples

"SIngle Light Nude" by sjholbert

"Beautiful bride " by martinesansoucy

"ELEGANT NUDE " by AJVITARO

"Pure" by yannickdesmet

"Beloved" by chrisfphotos

"untitled" by Cookieman

"The Voyeur 1" by jacksoncarvalho

"Debby" by HugoDeneweth

"Tattoo girl" by anhede

"Elizabeth" by trey7

"In bed!" by sickan

"Irina - Fashion" by Zo-Zo

"Brittney" by TonyBendele

"Material Faith" by visualchaos

"Anastasia " by manny212

"glamour topless woman bw" by olenazaskochenko

"Am" by Chakrit

"Overheated Blonde" by garyabigt

"Bree" by Leeannerose

"Rach sheet" by mattbelshaw

"Kavita" by TheLucidTruth

--
Born and raised on the West Coast, Laura Tillinghast began making art at a young age. She explored many mediums until finally discovering photography when she was 17 years old. From that point on, she knew she had found the tool she was looking for to bring her imagination to life. Shooting primarily advertising and editorial content, you never know what you will find in front of Laura's lens. Whether it is a gorgeous model, a rock band or a bowl of oatmeal, she shoots with the same goal in mind; make it beautiful. See more of Laura’s work at her website: lauratillinghast.com