Tyra says:

“I’ve been using the word “flawsome” a lot. It’s you + your flaws + awesome = Flawsome. I have a big forehead, and I got made fun of all time. When I was a little girl, they used to call me “five-head.” I’ve been teased my whole life, but I continue to rock it with pride. Years ago one of my agents told me that my forehead was what got me signed.”

As a photographer, I love seeing all the “flawsome” things about my clients during photoshoots, even when the clients themselves don’t see them. So, for today I want you to pick one “flawsome” thing about you and tell me how you’re planning to rock it.

You can see the relaxed elegance from this photograph. It has a very classic, simple look. This type of gown would be a great item of clothing for a photo shoot. It provides freedom of movement and doesn’t constrict or limit posing. Accessories could be added to the simplicity of this gown to make for a great look.

Other forms of lingerie that are great for photo shoots are vibrant and colorful pieces. Considering the summer season is coming around the corner, different types of colorful lingerie are appearing all over. Take for example this fun Cherry blossom print lingerie:

This fun and colorful lingerie is very appropriate for summer or spring. It could be a great outfit for a photo shoot or it could be your favorite seasonal underwear. Either way, the versatility of this beautifully patterned ensemble is hard to deny. This type of lingerie can drape over you in a comfortable, lightweight fashion, making it easy and luxurious to wear in those hot months. This look obviously contrasts with the long gown because of the colors and patterns, but each look has its own strengths to offer. These two pieces are both examples of the versatility of practical lingerie that can be applied to a lovely photo shoot.

I think that we can all agree that we live in a society that has a lot to say about how people “should” look. Women bear the brunt of this, but men aren’t immune to it either. It’s easy to internalize all of the rules for how we should look and forgot about how great we do look. We see ourselves in the mirror everyday, but we never really look closely at all of the good stuff. In some cases, we’ve been looking at ourselves for so long that we’re just incapable of seeing the good stuff. This is where a great photographer and a fun photoshoot can really give you a sense of perspective.

I can’t tell you how many clients I’ve worked with who have barely recognized themselves in their images. “I’m so pretty/curvy/sexy!” they say, like they’re surprised by this fact. Sometimes all it really takes is seeing yourself through someone else’s eyes to see yourself in a whole new way.

I think this is one of the reasons that boudoir and portrait shoots are so popular when people are entering new life stages. Lots of brides to be sign up for them, as well as pregnant women and women who have lost significant amounts of weight. I feel like on some subconscious level it’s a way to see the person that you’ve become through a new lens, so to speak.

So if you’ve been feeling a little down on yourself, think about trying out a boudoir or a portrait shoot. With a photographer who gets you, it can really help reintroduce you to yourself in a very positive way.

1. Pick the right outfit.

Lots of people automatically pick a black outfit for portraits, especially if they’re thinking about using them as headshots as well. However, I try and encourage my clients to go beyond this and pick an outfit that reflects who they really are. Strong colors are great, while strong patterns and prints tend to be tricker. There’s nothing worse than a strong pattern on either a matchy background or a clashing background. If you want to break out that bright yellow or teal shirt that you love and some big jewelry, you should go for it. Just leave your hot pink striped shirt at home.

2. Practice posing.

If you’re having trouble with this, try and channel your teenage self in front of a mirror with a hairbrush singing along to your favorite music. Posing can feel very awkward in the moment, so practicing helps loosen you up at the actual shoot. Experiment and see what angles you like your body at the most. Some women prefer to pose in ways that gives their waist more definition, while others like to look like they were caught mid-jump. It’s all up to you and your personality, but figuring it out in advance will make everything look more natural.

Image via Erica M.

Erica M. is a brand new stockings company making incredibly edgy and high quality stockings that are truly pieces of woven art. This Nadia stocking has the traditional garter belt woven right into it, with a sexy rope and tassel design going down the rest of the stocking. Show a lot or a little of them depending on the boudoir look that you are going for.

Image via Tattoo Socks

I’ve written about Tattoo Socks here before, but I had to feature this popular pair of stockings here. The list of sins can be hidden or displayed depending on the look you’re going for, or just peek out from under your skirt or robe. These stockings are opaque and non-traditional, but look great on everyone and last forever.

Image via StockingsHQ

If you like the thigh high stockings look but don’t want to mess with garter clips, hold ups are the perfect solution. Well made hold ups will stay up through a lot of movement, and this pair from Falke has an amazing peacock feather detail that really sets them apart from the pack.

Image via Lillie Boutique

Sometimes all you need to create the perfect outfit is one outstanding design element, and these stockings fit the bill. The design is cute and unique, and the yellow could be used as an unexpected accent color.

Laquel Wright sat down with media mavens Lala Valentine for a fun interview about what drew her to Boudoir Photography.

 Q. (Lala Valentine) How long have you been a photographer?

A.  (Laquel)  I’ve been a photographer since high school. I was known for taking a camera with me everywhere I went and would just take rolls and rolls of film. My family and friends liked to go camping and traveling quite a bit, so I had a huge number of landscape pictures, as well as various images of buildings that we saw on our travels. I’ve been taking pictures of people for the past year and a half.

Q. When and how did you become a boudoir photographer?

A. I decided to focus on boudoir photography last year. I realized that not only did I love taking pictures of people, but I also love helping women discover their natural beauty. Too often, women compare themselves to the highly stylized images in magazines and don’t realize how beautiful they truly are. The media is constantly bombarding us with images of what it thinks women should like and it’s often an unattainable ideal. I want to be able to show each and every one of my clients that they are gorgeous just the way they are.

Q. What is your favorite thing about boudoir photography?

A. I absolutely love the expressions of excitement and wonder I see on my client’s faces when I show them their photographs. They are thrilled to discover that they really are beautiful! They see themselves in a totally new light and their self-confidence soars. It’s such great feeling to help women see their beauty.

Q. What do you tell someone who has never done a photoshoot before to put them at ease?

A. I tell them that boudoir photography isn’t all about skimpy lingerie and high heels. Boudoir photography is meant to showcase a client’s beauty, and the shoot can be about whatever the client wants–it’s all about her personality, her image, what SHE feels comfortable and sexy in. She can wear lingerie, an oversized t-shirt that belongs to her partner, a sexy dress, whatever works for her. My goal is to bring out the beauty and sexiness that comes out when someone is comfortable and feeling good. My sessions are fun, relaxed, and pressure-free. I have a great time chatting up the clients I work with, listening to their stories, and getting a chance to know them personally.

Q. What is your recommendation to first time participants in a boudoir photoshoot?

A. Have fun!! This is your time. It’s your chance to relax, kick back, and have a good time being exactly who you are.

Q. Who/what kind of person is the ideal boudoir photoshoot subject?

A. My ideal clients vary quite a bit. They can be the young, newly engaged woman who is free spirited and is looking for a present for her soon-to-be hubby. My client can be the stylish lady who has been married for seven years and has two kids who wants to celebrate her anniversary or give her partner a sexy visual present. It can be the single lady who never gets pictures taken of herself but decides it’s high time to do so! Boudoir photography can be for every woman out there who wants to get in touch with her beauty and sexiness.

Q. Describe the perfect boudoir photoshoot.

A. The perfect boudoir shoot starts with my client arriving for her session at either a hotel room that has been reserved, or coming into the studio. She usually has a few different outfits with her that she adores and feels her sexiest in. We sit down and chat a bit about what we’ll do in her session, laughing over chocolate port and tasty pastries until we are ready to begin. We laugh and talk during our session with me clicking away. I’ll instruct her on some of the most flattering poses for her and we’ll have our own, personalized photoshoot with her having fun and becoming more and more confident along the way! I’d end up taking at least 50 gorgeous images of her and by the end we are worn out with having such a great time!

Today I have five quick boudoir shoot ready robe suggestions based on some different personality types for you. These obviously aren’t set in stone, but should provide a good starting point when you go searching for your perfect robe.

The Hollywood Goddess:

This robe by Marika Vera proves that old can always become new again. It’s modern yet vintage, and perfect for your big screen close up. The traditional silk chiffon is mixed with leather detailing and intriguing cuts that hint at more beneath.

The Romantic:

This robe by La Lilouche has been all over the internet this season, and for good reason. It’s built on a modern kimono silhouette to make it very wearable, but the heart cut out in the back is both traditional and surprising.

The Modernist:

Priscilla Jade put out her Hera robe this season in several unconventional colorways, but this one is my favorite. Paired with the right set, all you’d need is some great basic black lingerie underneath and some of your favorite jewelry to make this work beautifully. The fabric is very sheer, which is sexy without being too revealing.

The Literature Lover:

If you know your Roman mythology, this Diana robe is going to be right up your alley. The wings are a nice nod to the mythological origins of it’s namesake, and sexy book nerds everywhere will love being in on the reference.

The Nature Lover:

This sage green Sally Jones robe with fake fur trim is perfect for embracing spring weather. It’s refined without being stuffy, and the fake fur trim ensures that you won’t have any qualms about wearing it.

I tend to shoot more alternative or modern boudoir looks, which means that I see less of the vintage style stockings. However, there are lots of great modern options out there for you and your stylish boudoir shoot.

Image via Tattoo Socks

Tattoo Socks is a great place to jump into the world of alternative stockings. This Etsy retailer has been making tattoo illusion stockings and socks of all varieties since before it was trendy, and they’re constantly coming out with new designs. They also make each design in five different colors, which makes it pretty easy to match any skin tone.

I love these naughtier “Mind the Gap” stockings (which also allow you to test someone’s knowledge of the London Underground system), and these flamingo ones. Both of these pairs of stockings are thigh high, and you’ll need a garter belt to hold them up.

These Jonathan Aston tights are cheeky and fun, along with being very modern. They could be a great accent piece or the building block for an entire outfit.

If you’re looking for a more classic look, these Abby Black stockings are a great option. Gold and black go with almost everything, and the slight pop of color doesn’t distract from the rest of the shot. Pair them with gold heels and lots of dangling or stacked jewelry to complete the look.

These Falke tights are a showstopper, and would be a great look paired with some basic black lingerie. Sometimes greatness doesn’t need anything extra.

High waisted panties accomplish several things, other than being really trendy. They cinch you in at your natural waist, which gives you more of an hourglass and makes you look thinner. While bikini briefs and other styles can cut into your stomach and hips at awkward places, high waisted panties give you a smooth slimming line all the way up. When they’re cut properly, they also make your legs look much longer. Thanks to a recent resurgence, designers are making them in all kinds of sexy sheer fabrics and bright colors, which also makes them the perfect item to mix and match your favorite bras.

Here are some of my current favorites. You can pair them with a barely there sheer bra, or throw on a robe for more coverage. Either way, you’ll look sexy and chic.

Image via Kiss Me Deadly

Image via Marika Vera

Image via Rebecca Ansah

Today I thought I’d answer some questions and give out some tips to demystify the boudoir photoshoot, as well as help assuage some of your boudoir jitters.

1. Make sure you’re relaxed.

I like to meet with my clients once in my studio to start. We’ll talk about what you want out of your boudoir shoot, you’ll meet my cats (if you’re that kind of person), and I’ll talk you through the process and what you can expect to happen. Almost all photographers have a “get to know you” process, and a great photographer can really help calm your nerves. This brings me to the second tip.

Don’t hire anyone you don’t connect with or don’t like.

Once you’ve contacted a photographer, it can be hard to say no. I never strongarm my clients into anything, but lots of people feel guilty once they’ve gotten as far as the first studio session. Make sure that you’re choosing a boudoir photographer who you like and feel comfortable with first and foremost. You’ll have more fun, and you’ll feel good going into it instead of nervous.

Bring multiple outfits.

Most photographers will give you a set number of outfit changes per session, but it can be good to bring more than the minimum. Make sure to bring a variety of options, as you never know how you’ll feel once you get started! I usually suggest bringing a range of coverage options, from a full robe to a barely there set. You don’t have to use all of them, but being able to adapt to your mood will enhance your shoot dramatically.

Consider the context.

If you’re having pictures taken for an album that will become a gift, think about the story that you want to tell. If you’re celebrating a major change in your body, like weight loss or pregnancy, consider what you feel sexiest and most comfortable in now instead of six months ago. If your boudoir shoot is part of your wedding, think of what you want to capture about yourself and your relationship. Thinking about these sorts of things, and talking to your photographer about them will help keep you on the same page and make sure that everything runs smoothly.

Put your body hangups aside.

No, not forever, we all know that’s impossible. All you need is an hour of time where you’re not worrying about your thighs or your stomach or how big or small your breasts are. Do your prep work, pick outfits that flatter you, and then try and relax and embrace what you’ve got. My favorite part of my job is when a client sees the photos and tells me that they never realized how sexy they were. All of that is inside you, so once you get into the studio relax and have fun.