Boudoir Predictions for 2012

Boudoir photography is staying hot and getting hotter. Any trip to the mall will tell you that lingerie fashion is mainstream, with giant posters of women in lingerie outside of stores for all passers-by to see. Lingerie fashion shows are on prime time TV to the soundtrack of popular music. And more and more photographers are offering Boudoir as part of what their studio shoots. And more and more areas of boudoir photography are becoming their own specialty.

Pin-Up photography is probably the fastest growing area. Pin-Up is based on a photographic styles of the 1940s, modernized with the use of Photoshop backgrounds. Wikipedia has a good description of Pin-Up girls that talks about the term first being used in the 1940s. In modern photography, Pin-Up sessions revolve around 1940's style poses, cute clothes, and props and are considered less racy (and show less skin) than traditional boudoir, making them a good entry point for many customers. Pin-Up will continue to grow in 2012, since it allows clients to be playful and flirtatous in their posing while still remaining modest enough to show to friends, and can be shown off on Facebook and other social networking websites without worries.

Traditional boudoir -- which is often defined as using lighting and poses that imitiate Old Hollywood with a slightly voyeuristic camera point of view -- will continue to be popular. Not only do clients like how the dramatic lighting hides extra weight and other body flaws, the clean style of post-shooting processing appeals to a lot of photographers and their clients. It's important to note, however, that as the population ages this style of boudoir may decrease in popularity -- dramatic lighting tends to emphasize wrinkles and black and white conversions often emphasize skin issues. Photographers and clients alike will need to pay more attention to skin smoothing and other retouching with traditional boudoir images, and that may add to the cost of these types of sessions.

Glamour-influenced boudoir takes much of its lighting style and poses from the world of Glamour photography, and combines the forwardness of images seen in men's magazines with the sets and styling of boudoir to create images that are both timeless and current. This style of imagery will also grow in popularity as people who have grown up with the internet get to an age where they want boudoir photos for themselves or their loved one. The brighter lighting style and heavy emphasis on skin retouching that is native to Glamour photography will make this area of Boudoir very popular with the aging population, but photographers will need to adjust traditional Glamour poses for that same population -- poses that look good on 20-something models in mens magazines do not necessarily look flattering on the 50+ crowd.

Boudoir photography in 2012 is looking to be a still growing -- and still changing -- area of photography. Photographers will need to adapt styles to match the age and expectations of their clients, while still creating images that are intimate, sensual, and beautiful.

Too Late for a Christmas Boudoir?

With Christmas just days away there's definitely not enough time to order the interesting products and large-size prints that are a mainstay of boudoir photography. But if all you want to give this Christmas is a few 8x10s you may still be able to squeeze in a photoshoot in the next couple of days.

However, that's only if you can find a photographer who has the time to take the photos, do the necessary post-processing work to get them ready for you to review, do any necessary retouching, and get the prints made. Since shipping is a concern this time of year you also may want a photographer who uses a local photography lab. Unfortunately for most folks who want a last-minute boudoir most photographers have already exhausted themselves getting all their November and early December shoots fully processed, ordered, and delivered in time for Christmas giving, so they may have already closed up shop until after the New Year.

If you can't find a local photographer who can squeeze you in and who has time to do the necessary retouching, you're better off scheduling a shoot in early January for Valentine's Day gift giving. Remember to allow at least two weeks for printing and shipping of items such as albums and canvases, as well as time to get the images to you without your gift recipient seeing them in advance of February 14th. Schedule your session for the second or third week of January for best results.

Boudoir Photography: Last Minute Gift Ideas

Are you planning to get boudoir photos taken in the new year? If so, then you may want to add a couple of items to your Christmas wish list.

Beautiful jewelry can add a special sparkle to your photoshoot. Real gems aren't necessary, and often the inexpensive items look better in photographs than real gemstones. Pearl necklaces, lacy ribbon-tied chokers, and dangling earrings are all great additions to any boudoir photograph.

Stockings have been discussed in a previous posting, so don't forget to ask for a pair to match your favorite boudoir outfit.

Lacy gloves and fingerless gloves can also add some visual interest to a boudoir photograph, especially if your lingerie has a bit of a Victorian feel. Long white satin gloves can be found at bridal shops as well as costume shops, and they look lovely in both vintage-inspired boudoir and pin-up style photographs.

And if you really want to look your best for your photoshoot why not ask for a spa package gift certificate from Santa? That way you can give your skin a complete makeover a few days before your boudior photo shoot.

Christmas Cut-off Dates

For many professional labs the Christmas cutoff date for books, calendars, and other items is this week -- meaning items submitted for printing after this week probably won't be printed and shipped back to you in time for Christmas giving. If you don't have your orders turned into your photographer already you want to get that done as soon as possible.

If your items won't be back in time for holiday giving to your beloved, you may want to ask your photographer to get you a single printed 5x7 of one of the photos for you to attach to a card with an I.O.U. for the real gifts.

And remember to schedule your sessions earlier next year -- get your holiday gift boudoir photos done in early November to allow plenty of time for proofing, selecting, designing, and ordering.

Wardrobe for Boudoir Photography: Stockings, Socks and Garters

Legs are sexy all by themselves, shown bare and natural. And you do want a selection of boudoir photos of you in bare legs. But you also want to make sure you show your legs non-bare, because when you decorate your legs with stockings, socks, and garters they create immense heat in any boudoir photography session.

The most simple of leg decoration is an elastic garter belt like a bride would wear under her dress at a wedding.


They come in multiple colors these days, not just the plain white lace of yesteryear. The white lace garters have their own appeal for boudoir, due to their mental association with weddings. You might want to think about getting a garter in the colors of your favorite sports team, or coordinating the garter color with the outfit you're wearing. Garters can be worn on bare legs, with stockings, or with lacy ankle socks.

Socks can be short or knee length, or even just above the knee.



Typically thicker than stockings, they come in a wide variety of yarns and colors. A short ankle sock with lace trim goes well with a babydoll and flat shoes, but don't overlook warm chunky socks matched with unbuttoned jeans shorts for a more country or casual look. Printed or patterned socks can be added to a plain negligee or bra and panty set to create a seasonal outfit -- for example, hearts are a perfect fit for Valentines Day. And don't forget the sports teams -- along with a shot or two in your favorite jersey, getting a photo of you in socks showing your significant other's favorite team is sure to create a smile.

Stockings are the ultimate leg decoration for boudoir photography.


Unlike pantyhose, stockings stop at the thigh, and are either elastic topped (to stay up by themselves) or require a garter belt to hold them up. Made of very thin silk or nylon, stockings hug the leg closely and emphasize the curves when photographed. They also hide leg scars and any varicose veins. Plain black stockings, fishnet stockings, and white stockings are three of the most commonly seen stockings for boudoir photography. But there are also lace-pattern stockings, nude stockings embedded with gemstones or printed patterns, 1940's style back seam stockings, and stockings in a rainbow of colors and patterns. The elastic topped stockings often have a row of stretch lace at the top to add an additional note of romance.

Pantyhose are another option.


Although typically boudoir photoshoots don't include pantyhose (since the emphasis is often on outfits where they wouldn't fit in) certain pin-up style outfits can look good with hose. If you are wearing hose, though, they need to be something more interesting than plain tan pantyhose -- for example pantyhose that look like tattoos.

However you chose to decorate and display your legs for your boudoir photo shoot, have fun with it. Your legs will be the center of attention in many of the photos, so be sure to pick out wardrobe items for your legs that will compliment your outfits and enhance the photos.

Wardrobe for Boudoir Photography: Choosing Shoes

Shoes can be an important part of a boudoir shoot. Bare feet are soft and romantic, but the right shoes can add a playful, flirty, or exotic touch to your photos. High heels are a must if you're adding shoes to your boudoir wardrobe -- you don't usually have to walk in them, just stand, sit, or lay down wearing them, so the heels can be much higher than what you'd normally buy.

Black shoes go with just about any color of lingerie, so a nice pair of black stiletto heal pumps is a good basic addition to your wardrobe. Red shoes are very photogenic, and look good with both plain black and plain white outfits. If your clothing choices include pink, purple, or other colors you'll want either a plain black shoe or to match your clothing colors exactly -- wearing shoes that almost match the clothing ends up being very distracting and makes the photo less effective at feeling romantic, sexy, or sweet.

Boots are an often-overlooked item that can really add some zip to an image. Both thigh-high and short booties can combine with the selected outfit to create a very sexy mood. Think about pairing thigh-high white boots with a lace-trimmed black bra and panty set, or wearing a black babydoll with red leather cowboy boots.

Don't worry if heels are not your thing -- ballet flats and decorated slippers can also add a romantic touch to your boudoir shoot. Ebay has a wide selection of flat shoes like maribu trimmed slippers, and there are also metallic slide-on flats available at many stores.

Here are a few shoes that are available online:

GoJane has a wonderful buckled up bootie that could really heat up your shoot.


There's also a sweet little shoe with satin bows in red, blue, and metalics that would look wonderful in a pin-up style pose or with a bow-trimmed babydoll.


If you're looking for ballet flats, don't forget to check bridal shops. This cute little white shoe is from BridalPeople, and would look wonderful with a frilly white negligee.


La Doux has a wild assortment of flower-trimmed and feather-trimmed slippers in colors ranging from hot pink to lime green.



And if you already have enough shoes to fill several closets, how about adding "spats" to your existing shoes to change the look?


And remember to have fun picking out what footwear you'll add to your boudoir wardrobe -- because in the end how a shoe looks in the photo needs to be matched by how it makes you feel when you're wearing it.

What is Boudoir Photography?

Just like some other forms of photography, the niche of boudoir photography actually covers a very wide range of possible scenes, types of lighting, types of clothing, and types of photographic treatment. One common definition of the word "boudoir" is "A woman's private sitting room, dressing room, or bedroom." So to most people the area of boudoir photography involves bedroom clothing and scenes, dressing room scenes and activities, and views of other private moments.

Most people classify an image as boudoir, intimate, or even glamour photography if it shows the woman in lingerie. But keep in mind that the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show involves lingerie, but it's not boudoir photography -- for one thing the large crowd at the shows takes what they are wearing out of the bedroom and into the public. So another aspect of the boudoir photograph is the feeling of being in private, not in public, when you see this lingerie. Doesn't matter how flattering, how new, or how frilly the underthings are, it's the feeling of getting a peek into her private space that makes it boudoir.

This doesn't mean that boudoir photographs can't be taken of someone who is more covered up. Think about a shot that shows a woman in jeans and a shirt where her buttons are slightly undone. This may not fit the standard definition, but if her expression is right and the scene looks private, this type of photo can definitely be a true boudoir photo if it feels intimate. And a woman in a tank top and little tap pants that cover more than your typical bikini can be seen as boudoir if it's obvious she's in the process of getting dressed or putting on makeup (like a bride on her wedding day who is not yet in her dress). For these types of photos it's the scene and the expression that make the photo intimate.

At its most basic, a photo qualifies as a boudoir photograph if the woman in the photo looks sexy, romantic, or flirty. It doesn't matter what (or how much or how little) she's wearing as long as the mood is right.

Why Blog About Boudoir Photography?

Because the world needs a little more beauty. And boudoir photography, in the end, is about how beautiful women are and how much men enjoy looking at them. A good boudoir photograph evokes romance, a sense of peeking in a window, and a desire to see more. A good boudoir photographer makes the subject feel comfortable, warm, sexy, sweet, flirty, and worthy of being draped in diamonds and pearls. In a word filled with IMing, gossip magazines, and fast food it's a very nice change to think about romance, bubble baths, and lingerie.