Boudoir Photography

Boudoir. The very word incites sensual and provocative images in the minds of men and women, alike. The alluring, private and sensual thoughts produced by this word aren’t surprising, since the word itself is a reference to woman’s private room and all that may or may not occur in said room. Boudoir photography is no different. It offers women an opportunity to do something special for their partners that is tasteful and private, but also tantalizingly erotic. It is also a niche market that is becoming increasingly profitable for wedding photographers and offers an alluring glimpse into the secluded world of the bride’s own boudoir.

For any number of reasons, brides-to-be are requesting bedroom services of their wedding photographers. This isn’t what you may be thinking, though. These services are of the most professional quality and result in boudoir photographs of an elegant, yet intimate nature that are given as gifts to the bride’s husband on that special day or during the honeymoon. In fact, the requests for this style of photography have grown to such substantial numbers that it has become a market all its own, with many photographers specializing in this one area of photography.

Men, being the visually stimulated creatures that they are, love to see their mates in various stages of undress and women see boudoir photography sessions as a way to be intimate and sexy for their husband or fiancé. In some cases, it is also a way for a bride to document those moments in the dressing room just prior to the wedding when bustiers are being adjusted, nylons are being drawn up the length of a leg or a garter is being pulled into place. These things, by their nature, are not something in which a groom has an opportunity to participate.

There are a few things to keep in mind when asking about what photographer to choose for a boudoir session. The first issue is one of trust. Since boudoir photography generally requires some level of undress and possibly even full nudity, trust and comfort are of the utmost importance. In general, women are very self-conscious about their bodies and their privacy and even though there are many amazing male photographers available, choosing a female photographer will help provide a higher comfort level during the session.

The second thing to consider when looking for a photographer is the portfolio. Unless a photographer is completely new and just starting out, they should have a portfolio to review and more specifically the portfolio should include examples of boudoir photography. When examining the portfolio, look for things such as dramatic lighting, the style of poses (do they look natural and bring out the best in the model or are they awkward?) and obvious photo editing. Post-production photo editing should not be obvious at all, so if it is, thank the photographer for their time and move on. Overall, do as much research as possible before choosing a photographer.

Having the right photographer for a boudoir session is most of the battle. If the comfort level is good, the session will be a positive experience. Most photographers offer make-up and wardrobe changes for the session at an additional charge. This option can make things much easier, however, there may be special pieces of lingerie or other clothing that one may want to bring to the photo session. The key is to inform the photographer beforehand if there are specific requests to be made. The photographer will generally be comfortable in directing the model in different poses and should know what to look for to get the best angles and most dramatic lighting. So, being instructed to pose a particular way should be expected, as well. The session itself should be a fun and enjoyable experience for both the photographer and model.

The location of the shoot will generally be dictated by the photographer’s availability and the cost. If money is no object, having the photographer travel to a special location for the shoot might be very appealing, however, for the budget conscious, going to a local photographer’s studio is often the best course of action.

Boudoir photography, in general, is package-based and can come as part of an entire bridal shoot or separately. Some photographers do, however, charge an hourly rate so it’s important to check before setting up the session and to look at what is available.

A boudoir photography session should be sexy, intimate and enjoyable. So, finding the right photographer and knowing what to expect are the two most important issues to think about when planning for one. Above all, keep the reason for your boudoir session at the front of your mind, because when your partner sees the results it will all be worth it.