Boudoir photoshoots are a fun way to grow your confidence in your body and take some sexy and alluring pictures that highlight your best features. Many women, and some men, choose to book boudoir photoshoots so they can build their confidence, try out a new experience, and obtain a few pictures that they can look back on fondly.
Selecting an outfit for your boudoir session might be difficult, however, which is why our style guide is here to help. Below, we give you ideas about different outfits you can wear to a boudoir photoshoot and how to select the best outfit for your boudoir session.
- What Is a Boudoir Photoshoot?
- Outfits to Wear to Your Boudoir Session
- How to Choose Your Boudoir Outfit
- FAQs About Boudoir Photoshoots
- How Do I Find a Boudoir Photographer?
- Do I Need to Be Naked for a Boudoir Shoot?
- How Do I Pose During a Boudoir Session?
- Do I Need Modeling Experience for a Boudoir Shoot?
- What Can I Do With My Boudoir Photos?
- How Do I Get Comfortable Before My Boudoir Shoot?
- Can Couples Book Boudoir Photoshoots Together?
- Embracing Your Beauty Through Boudoir
What Is a Boudoir Photoshoot?
The word boudoir originates from a French term and describes a woman’s sitting room or small salon. The boudoir was historically treated as a room to retire to. Many women used boudoirs to take the time to freshen up their makeup or to rest, as boudoirs were occasionally equipped with beds and lounges to rest on.
The term boudoir is also synonymous with a photoshoot that produces glamorous, sensual, intimate, and romantic portraits. Boudoir photography typically features shots of women in lingerie or completely nude, posing in sexy or alluring ways.
Boudoir photography studies and embraces the human form. It has become quite popular in recent years as individuals choose to book boudoir sessions for themselves to gain a confidence boost and embrace the appearance of their natural body type.
While boudoir photography is most popular among women, men and non-binary individuals may also use it to showcase their vulnerability. They may also do boudoir photography to embrace the sense of empowerment that posing in their natural bodies gives.
Certain traditions in the Western world have embraced boudoir photography, and boudoir pictures are commonly used as a wedding gift from a bride to her groom. They may also be used as engagement gifts, or as a fun way to celebrate an anniversary between a couple.
Many individuals may also choose to book boudoir photoshoots to celebrate their birthdays, as they are a fun way to try something new and embrace everything about their bodies.
Outfits to Wear to Your Boudoir Session
While the most popular outfit for boudoir shoots seems to be lingerie, there are plenty of things that you can wear to your session, including nothing at all. Review our suggestions for boudoir outfits below and determine which one best fits your needs and comfort levels.
It’s important to note that most boudoir photographers will recommend that you select three different outfits you are comfortable in for your boudoir session. Check with your photographer directly to make sure you have the correct number of outfits for your allotted session.
Lingerie
Lingerie is a classic choice for a boudoir photoshoot, and there are many options of lingerie that you might want to try out. Bodysuits, also known as teddies, are popular, as are two-piece sets of lingerie. You may even want to try a pair of lacy lingerie panties and nothing on top – whatever you are comfortable with lingerie-wise is appropriate here.
Typically colors for lingerie in boudoir shoots include black, white, and red, though other colors of lingerie are flattering, especially if you have a preferred color.
Try not to pick something with too many straps, patterns, and distracting elements, as these can be hard to photograph. Classic, simple, and understated styles are often the best for highlighting your natural beauty in photographs.
There’s a simple sexiness behind a button-down shirt with lingerie underneath, or a blazer worn with nothing at all. If you’d like to embrace a more non-traditional boudoir style, select your favorite collared or button-down shirt, or pick a blazer out of your business-style wardrobe.
When partnered with lingerie, your body, and accessories such as high heels, these outfits can turn even the simplest of boudoir poses into something more alluring.
Sweaters and Cardigans
If you want your boudoir photoshoot to have cozier vibes, sweaters and cardigans, especially oversized items, are the perfect way to achieve this. Invest in your favorite fall outfit, accessorize with comfy socks and warm cups of coffee or tea, and partner your sweater or cardigan with a simple pair of panties or some lingerie underneath.
Your photographer will help you pose so that you can feel your sexiest all while wearing some of your comfiest clothes.
Oversized Shirts
Oversized shirts are another fun option for boudoir shoots, especially if you are creating these pictures for a partner. Select a sports jersey, one of your partner’s shirts, or simply find a shirt or sweater you love that is a size or two too big and wear that.
Most people pair their oversized shirts with lingerie or nothing at all, which adds a hint of sexiness to the boudoir photoshoot, but you can also wear a pair of shorts or even leggings.
Bedsheets
Bedsheets are a popular option for individuals who want to pose in lingerie or nude but want a little more coverage. In most cases, your boudoir photographer will have a studio or set that includes a bed and plenty of bed sheets to choose from.
Typically, bed sheets in boudoir pictures are white. However, you may want to use a different color, like black or red, depending on the rest of your outfit and the desired appearance of the photographs.
Speak with your photographer to ensure bed sheets are an option. They will help you pose correctly either standing, sitting, or lying with the sheets to best enhance your natural features in a subtle, sexy way.
Absolutely Nothing
Sometimes, the best outfit for a boudoir photograph is no outfit. If you are daring enough or looking to gain a confidence boost, posing completely nude is a great way to capture some truly unique photographs.
It can be nerve-wracking to pose naked at first, which is why you may want to save this outfit for last, so you have time to get into the groove of things with your other boudoir poses and outfits.
Your photographer will help you select poses that highlight your features without being explicit, and you can choose to cover certain areas of your body with bed sheets. You might also want to opt for a pair of panties while being nude on top, depending on your comfort level.
How to Choose Your Boudoir Outfit
Selecting your boudoir outfit doesn’t need to be stressful. Follow our tips for figuring out which boudoir outfit is going to make you look best and remember that you should only be selecting clothes that you feel confident in, no matter what they are.
Select Something You’re Comfortable In
Selecting comfortable clothing and lingerie is the most essential step in choosing your boudoir outfit. You will need to ensure that whatever clothing items you pick aren’t too tight, aren’t exposing you in places that you’d rather cover, and aren’t making you feel less than confident.
Confidence and your natural features are the sexiest things to display, so choosing an outfit that supports this is essential.
Don’t feel pressured to wear lingerie or go completely nude if you’d rather wear an oversized shirt, sweater, or a blazer. Talk to your friends or someone else you trust about the best types of outfits that would be comfortable for your photoshoot if you need outside opinions to decide.
Choose the Right Size
It might seem tempting to squeeze yourself into a piece of lingerie a few sizes too small, but this is only likely to make you uncomfortable and won’t truly flatter your figure.
The size of the clothing doesn’t matter, and the tags of your outfits won’t be shown in a boudoir shoot. So, choose the right size of outfit and allow it to hug your figure in all the right places without being too tight or too oversized.
If you are going for an oversized shirt or sweater look, make sure that you only go one or two sizes up to create this effect, otherwise, you might be swimming in fabric, and it will be more difficult to capture proper boudoir-style photographs.
Don’t Be Afraid to Try Something New
A boudoir photoshoot is a great way to embrace your body, and you shouldn’t be afraid to try something new. If you’ve been eyeing a new piece of lingerie for a while or if you want to go completely nude for one of your photographs, don’t hesitate to try it out.
Make sure that when purchasing new items, you do this ahead of time. It can be massively stressful to purchase a new outfit the day of your boudoir shoot only to find that it isn’t as flattering as you had hoped or it doesn’t fit properly.
Select Solid Colors and Limited Patterns
Solid colors and limited patterns are the best for boudoir-style photographs, as they don’t take away from the beauty of the natural human form.
Lace, simple embroidery, and subtle embellishments are fine, but you should stay away from bold, bright patterns, lots of designs, and colors that are neon or metallic. All of these items make it harder for the photographs to capture your beauty, and lots of patterns or designs are too distracting and might create a less-than-flattering picture.
Accessorize Your Outfit
Accessorizing your boudoir outfit is a great way to further enhance your natural style and embrace what makes you feel your most beautiful. Wearing makeup that fits your style, dressing up your look with a pair of high heels, and wearing delicately placed jewelry or a pair of earrings make for a unique set of boudoir photographs.
You may also want to speak to your photographer about adding unique personality items such as a glass of champagne, a book, or even a beloved pet. This will help you get that alluring, subtly sexy, and captivating boudoir look that’s totally you.
FAQs About Boudoir Photoshoots
Boudoir photoshoots are fun for many, but they can be anxiety-inducing as you try to figure out what to wear and the best etiquette for your boudoir session. Review our answers to frequently asked questions about boudoir photoshoots below to put your concerns about these photographs to rest.
How Do I Find a Boudoir Photographer?
Choosing a boudoir photographer might seem difficult at first, as there are likely plenty of competent photographers in your area that offer boudoir photoshoot services.
A few things to keep in mind when selecting a boudoir photographer are your price range, how long you want your session to be, and other add-on services, such as prints and digital files.
Browse through reviews of a photographer’s services and contact them directly with any questions before booking a boudoir shoot and putting down a deposit. You want to be sure about the photographer you select and their services.
Do I Need to Be Naked for a Boudoir Shoot?
While posing nude is certainly an option, you don’t need to be naked for a boudoir photoshoot. Many individuals choose to wear lingerie, oversized shirts, and even shorts.
You can be as nude or covered up as you like in your boudoir shoot. A reputable photographer will work with you to capture intimate and alluring boudoir photographs no matter which outfit you select.
How Do I Pose During a Boudoir Session?
For many people, a boudoir session is their first experience posing behind a camera in an almost model-like fashion. It can be difficult to figure out how to pose, but, fortunately, a good photographer will help direct you so you can look your best in each photograph.
To prepare for your boudoir session, consider looking up other boudoir pictures online and checking out the poses used. You can start thinking about the poses you would be most comfortable in and what you want to try when the day of your boudoir session arrives.
Do I Need Modeling Experience for a Boudoir Shoot?
You don’t need to have any modeling experience for a boudoir shoot – this is what makes these photographs so fun and empowering for many people.
Anyone can pose for a boudoir session, and you should just try to relax and enjoy the experience. Your photographer will capture your best angles, and all you need to do is feel confident and comfortable in your outfit choices.
What Can I Do With My Boudoir Photos?
Many individuals decide to book a boudoir photoshoot so they can embrace their body and natural features. Others use boudoir photos as a gift for their partner on their wedding day, as an anniversary present, or to spice up a regular day.
If you are taking boudoir photos for yourself, simply save the pictures your photographer delivers. You can make prints for hanging or save them to give yourself a confidence boost when needed.
How Do I Get Comfortable Before My Boudoir Shoot?
It’s natural for anxiety and nerves to be present before your boudoir shoot, especially if you have never done one before. It might help to have a glass of champagne or another adult beverage to relax but be careful that you don’t overdo it. You don’t want to be going to the bathroom every few minutes or too inebriated to pose properly.
You may also want to listen to some soothing music, look at other boudoir pictures online to get comfortable with poses, or give yourself an inspiring pep talk. Trying something new is always a little stressful, but once you get started with your photographer, you are sure to forget your nerves and enjoy the boudoir experience.
Can Couples Book Boudoir Photoshoots Together?
It is possible to book a boudoir session together with your couple, though you will need to work with a photographer who specializes in these photos. Some may only take boudoir photos of a single subject.
When taking boudoir photos with your partner, have fun creating intimate, sensual, and simply sexy pictures for the both of you to enjoy for years to come.
Embracing Your Beauty Through Boudoir
Though many think of boudoir photoshoots as something highly sexy, they are an excellent way to embrace and highlight the many captivating aspects of your body.
Boudoir photoshoots are designed to help you feel your most confident and beautiful. When you select a comfortable, flattering outfit for these photographs, you are sure to have the time of your life taking these pictures.
Remember – relax, listen to your photographer, and have some fun taking gorgeous pictures that you can look back on fondly for years to come.