Whether you’re already considering early holiday gift ideas for your beloved or simply want to surprise them with something special, boudoir photography is always a great idea. Boudoir photographs are a wonderfully intimate gift that celebrates the romantic and sexual connection you have with a partner. Plus, they’re fun to have taken, as well as terrific confidence boosters.
Even so, knowing you’d like to gift your sexy significant other with such a smoking hot gift is one thing. Understanding how to actually go about it and get the amazing results you’re after is another. Here we’ll go over everything you need to know to have a positive experience all around.
What Is Boudoir Photography?
Boudoir photographs can be as stylistically unique and creative as any other type of photograph, but they all have one thing in common. They’re photographs that focus on the subject’s sexuality and general identity as a sexual being. Sometimes that subject is in the nude or clothed in something very sexy (e.g. lingerie or fetish attire), but not always. This type of photograph can also be quite subtle while still remaining intimate and sensual.
Although boudoir photographs are very popular gifts for a woman to give her male partner, anyone – male or female, straight or gay – can have them taken or would appreciate receiving them as a gift from their partner. To begin with, they’re on the rare side as gifts go. More people may be comfortable firing off a couple of sexy selfies on the fly these days, but only a special few will put forth the effort to have photos like these professionally or artfully taken. In fact, boudoir photos are arguably as romantic and personal a gift as a piece of jewelry, so giving them is a meaningful gesture as well.
It’s not just your partner that benefits from your choice to arrange a sexy photo shoot either. Many people love posing for boudoir photos because of how it makes them feel. Owning your sexuality and taking complete charge of it is already empowering but putting it out there in a photograph takes things one step further. Plus, it can feel absolutely amazing to see yourself looking like a million bucks in photos that portray you at your sexiest and most sultry.
Should I Have My Boudoir Photo Shoot Professionally Done?
These days, you don’t have to have your photos professionally taken unless you want to, especially if you yourself are blessed with an eye for photography. All you really need is a healthy dose of creativity and a smartphone to take some really awesome shots. However, there are definitely benefits to having this type of photo professionally done.
To begin with, professional photographers know everything there is to know about elevating a boudoir shoot to its true potential via lighting, poses, settings, and post editing. They’re aces at helping even the most anxious, apprehensive first-time model feel completely at ease as well. If you’re at all concerned about the possible results or unsure of what to expect from the experience, definitely go the professional route. When you see the final outcome, you’ll be glad you did! If you do decide to hire a professional:
- Choose someone with an excellent boudoir photography portfolio, but that also makes you feel comfortable and relaxed. This person is going to be seeing and capturing you at your most intimate, so it needs to be someone you trust with that experience.
- Make sure the location you choose for your shoot is safe, but also make sure it’s someplace that speaks to you. If that’s your actual bedroom or a lavish hotel room, that’s perfectly acceptable, but definitely don’t be afraid to get creative and think outside the box.
- Consider having your hair and make-up (if you wear it) professionally done as well. Not only is it a great way to make sure you’ll look the way you want to in your photos, but it’s a great way to add to the “I’m being pampered” feeling a professional shoot can bring to the table.
How Can I Make a DIY Boudoir Shoot Memorable?
Even if you love the idea of having things professionally done, one thing’s for certain. Once you’ve completed your first boudoir shoot like the boss you are, you’ll definitely want to do another one sometime. You’ll not only love the way you looked in the pictures and felt while shooting them, but you’ll be even more thrilled with the way your partner’s jaw drops when they see them.
You’ll almost certainly want to plan your own sexy photo shoot sometime. Whether you take the photos for your partner, share them with other people, or even keep them strictly for yourself, DIY boudoir photography shoots can be as fun or naughty as you like. Think of it as raising the bar when it comes to your selfie game! You can make sure each shoot is fresh and memorable by keeping the following tips in mind.
1. Know your lighting.
Your lighting choices can literally make or break your end results, so make them your primary concern. If you do have strobe lighting or other such options at your disposal, that’s terrific, but you can’t go wrong with natural light if you don’t.
2. Experiment with everything.
A little creativity when it comes to your choice in posing surface, facial expression, or positioning can go a really long way, so play around a little to see how different options look in your photos. You may also want to experiment with taking close-ups, changing your camera settings, or using after-effects. Try taking a few shots that are more playful (or even just plain goofy) as well.
3. Get a little naughty.
Part of the beauty of staging your own shoot is you have free reign to photograph yourself doing things or wearing things that you might hesitate to consider when working with a third party. That said, feel free to open up your naughty toy chest and integrate items like fetish costumes, bondage gear, or sex toys into your shots. We doubt you’ll hear any complaints from your partner!
4. Get your partner involved.
Speaking of your partner, sexy photography can be a exhilarating way to break out of a sexual rut and spice things up in the bedroom between the two of you. Just have them get behind the camera and play director. Encourage them to tell you what to do, what to wear, and how to pose. Remind them that every shot their taking is for their own private collection – for their eyes only. They’ll love knowing they’ll have these shots to look back on in the future, and you’ll love knowing they’re fantasizing about you every time they look at them.
5. Do it for any reason (or no reason at all).
Yes, next-level sexy photos make great anniversary or Valentine’s gifts… but you don’t actually need a reason to take them at all. Good hair days, good body image days, or random Wednesdays are all great reasons in our book.
Boudoir photography shoots aren’t just a great way to do romantic gift-giving right. They’re truly the type of experience you’ll wish you considered a long time ago once you’ve done a couple. Unleash your inner vixen today and find out firsthand how empowering it can be!
