what I wish I knew before my first boudoir session
I’m not going to lie, I had no idea what boudoir even was less than two years ago. If you would have asked me two years ago if I would ever imagine doing this type of photo session, my exact words would have been:
“Abso-f*cking-lutley not.”
Over the last year and a half, I have been working on my body image and embarking on a self-love journey. If you follow me on Instagram, I’m sure you’ve probably noticed. One thing that has been eye-opening on this spiritual-like journey was doing a boudoir-style photoshoot. It wasn’t easy, and it still isn’t easy, to get completely naked in front of a stranger, but here I am.
I don’t even remember how I connected with Luci of Desert Boudoir AZ, but I am 95% sure it was through an Instagram DM. I saw that she was having a model call for a project showcasing different sizes of women of all different backgrounds. There was just this something telling me that I need to be a part of this woman’s passion. Being a part of this body positivity project made me realize that we are all more than just our bodies. It made me realize that we are all worthy of being seen for who we are, no matter our size. After this photoshoot, I was hooked on Luci’s positive and uplifting attitude, and couldn’t wait for another model call or to book a shoot.
Overall, I have had over four photoshoots that have been boudoir-style but here are three things I wish I knew before my first session.
You don’t need the ‘perfect’ body for a boudoir photo session
One of the biggest reasons I was putting off this type of photo shoot was because I felt gross in my body. I thought that I needed to get abs or get rid of my cellulite so I can look my “best” in these photos. The truth is, if you are always waiting for the ‘perfect’ body you’ll be waiting forever and regret never being able to get in front of the camera. Show up exactly how you are and don’t be afraid to take up space in this world.
The best part about doing a boudoir shoot is that you get to wear as much or as little as you want, or whatever you’re comfortable with. A couple of things that helped me feel more confident for my session was to get my hair professionally done at Drybar in Scottsdale. There’s just something about getting your hair done that makes you feel thousand times more confident.
You don’t need to spend money on expensive lingerie
When you look up boudoir on Pinterest, you’ll probably be flooded with photos of women in intricate, delicate pieces of lingerie. For my first shoot, I went out and bought brand new undies and bras, spending a little too much on stuff I might not wear again (sorry babe). The worst part was I didn’t even try them on before buying so I had no idea how they would fit. When I put a set on, the material was scratchy and I just was not comfortable at all. And trust me, you can certainly tell in the photos. If you’re comfortable going nude, that’s totally fine (bonus: nude is free lol). You can go in your fave pair of blue jeans and your favorite bralette if that makes you feel more comfortable.
In my last session, I wore only a bedsheet. It felt effortlessly sexy, and it made me feel more confident than when I was in lingerie. You don’t need expensive lingerie to feel sexy. But if you do like lingerie, try to find a photographer that has a client closet of lingerie. There might be an extra fee, but it’s a lot cheaper than buying three new outfits. If you’re not quite ready for a solo shoot, don’t be afraid to ask if you can bring your significant other.
Don’t be afraid to bring your partner
I remember asking Nolan to do a boudoir photo shoot with me, and I think he thought I was just kidding, so he said yes. Flash forward a couple of weeks, and he soon found out that I was NOT kidding. Luci advised us to wear something simple like white t-shirts, blue jeans, and my favorite bralette. When we got there, we were definitely nervous but at least we were nervous together, right? This was the first time Nolan met Luci and we were going to be in intimate poses together. It was a little awkward at first with the different poses, but Luci helped ease our nerves with funny jokes and silly sounds.
If you’re worried about what your friends or family will think about you taking “sexy” photos, don’t. I know, easier said than done, but taking photos with Nolan helped us connect deeper emotionally. We didn’t take any explicit photos (I mean I shared them on my Insta) and it wasn’t like we were fully naked canoodling on the bed. It was just us being vulnerable together. Luci took editorial yet sensitive photos, and they turned out beautiful. I personally want to frame them and hang them on our bedroom wall, but Nolan said no. If you’re not ready for a solo boudoir photoshoot, bring your partner to help ease your nerves. It’ll be a fun experience, and you can get some really cute pictures out of it.
I hope if you’re considering doing a boudoir style photoshoot, that you book it right now with your fave photographer! If you’re in the Valley, I highly recommend (and adore!) Luci at Desert Boudoir AZ. She is amazing and I love her photography style so much. Luci also makes you feel super comfortable and in control. She helps pose you and cheers you on throughout the entire shoot. If you’re from another state, let me know of your favorite photographer down below so I can shout them out on my Instagram or send me an email!