Posing for Your Boudoir Photo Shoot
Thinking about a boudoir photo shoot but you’ve never done this sort of thing before? You’ve got lots of company. Nine out of 10 of our clients not only have never previously done a boudoir photo shoot, they’ve never done modeling of any kind before. So don’t worry if it’s your first time –it’s actually pretty easy and fun, and we’ll guide you through the process.
Posing Tips and Tricks
Here are a few simple tips that can help you in your posing for your boudoir photo shoot. You’ll be pleasantly surprised at what a difference they can make in your shoot:
- Practice your facial expressions in the mirror. Take a few selfies to get an idea of what looks work best for you.
- Relax your face, allowing your lips to naturally part slightly in the middle, an especially sexy look.
- It’s OK to smile…really! Boudoir photography isn’t just about that pouty look. A warm, sincere smile can be disarming and beautiful.
- Use your eyes. Though you might be showing lots of skin, it’s your eyes that can command attention. Your eyes can convey tremendous emotion, so practice making them expressive.
- Tilt your chin down slightly to provide nice shape to your face and slimming your neck.
- Elongate your neck. This will help you appear taller, leaner and more confident.
- Use the angles. Posing yourself at a slight angle, rather than facing the camera directly, makes your photos more interesting and can have a slimming effect.
- Find the light. Be conscious of where the light is. You’ll usually want to position your face toward the brightest light (called the “key light”) to be sure your face is evenly lit without unwanted shadows.
- Practice poses in the mirror. Below we list some sources for ideas for boudoir poses. Try a range of poses — standing, sitting, lying down — and take note of what works best for you.
- Let your poses evolve. As the shoot progresses, allow yourself to experiment. Let your poses evolve, moving gradually from one to another. Eventually you’ll find you can get into a great creative rhythm with your photographer.
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Don’t slouch or go limp. You should always pose with tension in your body, from head to toe. Arch your back, stand on your toes, stretch your arms. The tension in your body will display your muscle tone and you’ll look especially strong and alive.
- Take control and be creative. Think of your photographer as your collaborative partner, not your posing boss. S/he will coach you along but if you feel it, go for it. If you have an inspired idea, express it! This is art and it’s all about encouraging the creative process.
- It’s OK to have a (little) drink. If it helps you relax, feel free to bring your favorite wine or champagne to the studio. However, it’s important to go very easy. Too much alcohol can affect your appearance (blushing skin, glassy eyes, etc.), not to mention swaying atop those 9-inch heels!
Boudoir Posing Examples
Looking for posing ideas? Here are a few sources we recommend:
- Our portfolio. OK, we’re biased, but you’ll find a range of boudoir poses (as well as glamour/pin-up, fine art, etc.) in our portfolio.
- Pinterest. There’s a vibrant boudoir community on Pinterest and we’ve discovered some great inspiration shots there. You can start with our Pinterest board and explore from there.
- Books on posing. We’ve hand-picked a few good ones below. Don’t get overwhelmed…these books have hundreds of poses. Try to focus on a few that you really love.
- Before your shoot, share your inspiration. If there are any sample “inspiration” photos and/or links you find in our portfolio or elsewhere that you might want to recreate during your photo shoot, please use this form to send them along. Such examples are especially helpful in helping us prepare for your shoot.
Be Yourself
Boudoir photography is ultimately about celebrating you and it’s important to be true to who you are. Go with poses that you feel a personal connection with. Don’t forget to express yourself and let your personality shine through. One of our prospective clients said it best: “I want to show another side of myself. I want to get out of my comfort zone but still be me.”
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