7 tips to help you feel comfortable posing for a boudoir shoot
If you’re like most people, your experience in front of a professional photographer is likely limited. Maybe you got married and hired a photographer or maybe you had a headshot taken for work. You probably take the majority of the photos in your life on your phone, including a LOT of selfies.
So when it comes to thinking about doing a boudoir session and thinking about the actual experience, you’re probably running through a lot of questions in your head.
Questions like “How will I know what to do with my hands?” “What if my face looks awkward?”
As your photographer, it’s my job to help you feel relaxed and comfortable during your shoot.
Here are 7 tips I have that can help us work together smoothly, help you feel good about boudoir posing, and help you enjoy your experience together.
1. Boudoir isn’t about being perfect
Perhaps the biggest thing I like to remind people is that no one is perfect. Perfect doesn’t exist. What exists is YOU and what makes you unique, amazing, and beautiful all on your own. It’s not your job to be perfect. Or to strive for some version of something you’ve seen on a website somewhere. Your job is to be yourself, however you are able to show up.
2. I can (and will!) do everything I ask you to do, myself
I can talk you through micro-adjusments of body angles for the light, but when it comes to grasping the best way to do a pose nothing beats a visual example. That’s why I will show you exactly what I’m wanting you to do. I will get in a pose myself, talk you through what I’m doing, and give you tips about what it will feel like, before asking you to try to mirror what I showed you. From there we can make minor adjustments to make the pose perfect for you.
3. Movement is a good thing
Nothing feels more awkward than getting in a pose and then feeling like you have to hold perfectly still (maybe not even breathe!) until the photo is taken. Doing this just leads to tension in your neck and shoulders, and even your face. You can’t look natural and sexy if you feel like a statue. That’s why small movements are encouraged. Movements in your hands, your head tilt, your weight on your legs. Even just well timed exhales. I will help guide you through some of these movements, too, but it’s always good to remember that you don’t have to be a statue!
4. We make decisions together
When it comes to choosing poses to explore, we can make these decisions together. Some people feel more comfortable sitting first, some laying with their faces tilted away from the camera. Others want to highlight their butt, but feel self-conscious about their torso. I want you to feel empowered to share what you’re feeling with me so we can make decisions about the flow of the session together. Think of your session as a bit of a partnership and the more we talk, the more comfortable you can be.
5. Your outfits can help guide our posing
I wrote a great blog post about boudoir outfit inspiration, so make sure you click through to get my take on the options. But also remember that we can use your outfits to help guide your posing. If you’re wearing an oversized shirt, we can think about poses that make you feel sexy and confident in that shirt. If you’re wearing lingerie that shows off your back, we can plan poses and angles that make the light hit your back just right.
6. Practice “smizing” ahead of time
Practice the “smize” (smiling with your eyes) in front of the mirror as well as practice soft breathing through your mouth so your lips are only slightly parted. Smiling with your eyes and without teeth is a great way to give off a sexy look without looking dead faced or having resting bitch face. Soft breaths from your mouth with the lips just slightly parted elevates your photos and gives off a sensual vibe.
7. Make sure you stretch
Start stretching at least a week before your session date (If not longer). This will help you not cramp as much. The majority of my sessions there are a lot of back arching and toe pointing. This can oftentimes make your calves cramp up or your back muscles hurt if not properly prepared. Making sure you are hydrated can also help with cramping. You want to be hydrated enough that your skin shines and your muscles feel relaxed but don’t overdo it if you are prone to bloating.
