DIY Boudoir Photos

laceeseth

 I really want to take some boudoir pictures for my FI. It would be right up his alley! I have priced some online for my area and the price seems steep. I am considering asking a friend that I am comfortable with to take some pictures and make a book for my FI. Has anyone done this? Any advice?

LaraValentine

You are definitely better off with someone who has at least some experience with pro photography. Check with local colleges and see if you can find a (probably female) student who has been learning the tricks of the trade and see if you can arrange for her to shoot for you in exchange for a small price (30-50 bucks) or some kind of trade (depending on what you have to offer... a college student may be happy to do a few hours work in exchange for some home baked casseroles, cookies, and a promise of referrrals for your friends). 

If you can't find anyone pro to do the pics, make sure you pick at least two locations in your home which are near to a window that lets in lots of light. Make sure these areas are clean and neat (put away anything that may seem cluttered, simple backgrounds let the attention go to you). Pick out specific outfits shoes and jewelry for each 'set' and make sure you do makeup that will go with all your looks. Faux lashes over a bit of thin black liquid liner makes a big difference. So does lipstick or gloss. If you aren't comfortable doing your own makeup, have a local department store do it (I'd recommend MAC makeup). Tell them what you have in mind, and check to see if they require you to buy something (most do, but really, if you find the perfect sexy shade of lipstick... you know everytime your honey sees you wear it he will think of those sexy photos...) then do your pictures as soon as possible before the makeup can get smudged or streaky. 

Play some music at low volume while your pictures are being taken. Picking tunes that make you feel good make a big difference.

Look online and in underwear catalogues (Victoria's Secret, for example) to get ideas for poses and PRACTICE them in the mirror. Check your facial expressions. What feels sexy pouty may look more like spoiled child, so use that mirror while you have the chance. 

Lastly, when images have been snapped and uploaded, go through them and pick your favorites. 

I HIGHLY recommend you check online for someone who calls themselves a "photoshop wizard" or "retoucher". These pros will make your well-lit high res pics look like glossies from Vogue for about three dollars per picture if you do your research. They'll smooth lines, adjust color and light, hide that bruise/cut/blemish, bring out your eyes, and make the photos really pop. Look at examples of before and afters and ask about prices before deciding. But, seriously, half a photographer's work is the editing. If you take the pics yourself and have them retouched professionally, you'll pay a fraction of the cost with similar results. 

If you have any other questions, pm me, I'm a wealth of information. : )

Jenna Michele Photography

I think you should hire a pro, because they have studied on how to pose your body to look it's best and how to use light and the camera to the same goal. Doing it with a friend isn't a bad idea, and you could try that to help loosen up for a boudoir session with a pro.... but I wouldn't expect to get the WOW effect with anyone who's not doing this for a living.