How To Take Boudoir Photos For Your Husband

One of the things I wanted Chris to have during our wedding time were boudoir photos of me. I spread them around our honeymoon suite. I wanted them to be sprawled through messy sheets, on the floor, and anyplace that was unusual. I was going for the “What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas” look.

I wanted to shed the wholesome image and really give it that naughty side.

So one day when he came in the room they were everywhere. It was very spontaneous.

While this was my personal preference, I know the vast majority of women prefer to give a bounded book of their boudoirs right before their groom walks down the aisle. When I gave mine to Chris, he was shocked and happy, but of course the first question he asked was “Who took these?” When I planned to take the photos I had anticipated this question. This is another reason I did not give them to him before he walked down the aisle. I wanted to reassure his mind that his new wife’s pics wouldn’t be all over town, but rather wanted him to focus on enjoying them. Since whispering to the answer during the ceremony would not be part of my ceremony service, I chose to wait for the honeymoon.

I didn’t want that to be on his mind during our wedding ceremony.

I know many women would like to take these photos for their hubbies, but are either nervous or unsure as to how to go about it. I put together a list of things that will help make your boudoir session a success.

• Do not obsess over your body. That may be the biggest concern that some women have while preparing for a boudoir photo shoot. Your hubby knows what your body looks like. Even if he has never seen you fully undressed, believe me he has a general idea of what he is getting. If you begin obsessing over a roll here or a pooch there, you will kill your moment and regret the process. These pics are not for the cover of vogue. They are for his eyes only. If you keep that in mind then you will feel more comfortable in your own skin.

• Prep your body. Make sure you get waxed in all the places you plan to show to the camera. Buff your skin with a sugar polish or salt scrub. Make sure your mani and pedi are fresh. Think about the details you can usually disguise with clothes and work on them. Since you will be fully exposed don’t give yourself a reason to be embarrassed. Don’t worry about a tan unless you are really pale; the photographer can correct your coloring in post production.

• Pick a photographer you can trust. There is nothing worse than feeling uncomfortable with the person who is taking these type of photos of you. If it is a man make sure he has a very good reputation for this type of photography and works as a team with his wife or female assistant. Of course whether it is a man or a woman make sure they are experienced with these type of photos so that they can direct you properly and help you find your best angles.

• Get it in writing. Make sure you have a contract, whether email or written. Know what you will get for your money in advance, like touch ups and color grading. Also make sure there is a confidentiality agreement that states these photos cannot be sold, distributed, placed on his website or in his comp book/ portfolio. If you are OK with him sharing some but not all, make sure you have sole discretion as to which ones to share. You will feel very confident if you make sure this is spelled out before you are in your skivvies.

• Plan your look. Boudoir photos can range in look and feel based on the type of photography, clothing and setting. I wanted mine to have a delicate yet naughty girl feel. So I never was nude; just very suggestive and seductive. You may want to be more playful and choose bright colored lingerie, give cute giggles, and use props such as a lollipop. Or perhaps you want to look like a dominatrix by wearing dark or animal print lingerie, keeping a sexy/ serious face, and using props such as a whip. You can also do a live scene shoot. This is where you pose in lingerie doing household chores like vacuuming, cooking and making the bed. Sorta like the naughty housewife. There are many creative ways to make your photos come to life and speak to your husband. You can choose one or mix it up.

• Don’t go far from home. Take the photos in your own home. If your photographer has a studio or you want to rent a hotel room then by all means do that. But a really good photographer can make even a messy room or home look fab in photos. This also allows you to create your own setting through bedding, pillows and lighting. The shower is also a very good place to take pics. You can put a bikini on or go full throttle. Get really soapy and make sure you get your hair wet. Oh and use waterproof mascara!

• Plan when to give them. I mentioned a few options earlier, but you can also give these to him for his bachelor party, on your anniversary, for his birthday or randomly throughout your first year of marriage. You can have it printed like a magazine, a photo album, his own personal (password-protected) website, or just the loose pics (which come in handy to hide in a briefcase or business trip suitcase.

Boudoir photos can be done if they are done in the context of a safe, trusting and loyal marriage. There is nothing dirty or bad about them. On the contrary I think every wife should plan to do this for her husband at some point. Every couple of years wouldn’t even be a stretch in my book. It will be a much appreciated gift to him and can be a great bonding experience for the both of you.