Boudoir for the Shy Girl

I've been concentrating on my boudoir photography for the last few months, specifically because it's a lot easier to work on than my wedding photography. Gathering a few willing test subjects, I mean models, is simpler than filling a church with people on an evening after work.

Apart from trying out different styles and working with a variety of lighting techniques (all technical stuff that is of nearly no interest to my clients), I've also been researching different types of clients. One client that is greatly under-represented in my boudoir catalogue is the shy girl.

Those that ask for boudoir photography typically don't need convincing. Most either bring way more lingerie than we could conceivably shoot in a day (and would put many storefronts to shame!) or they bring little to nothing at all, citing their "European" attitude or ancestry for their comfort level in front of the camera. These wonderful people aside, I'm inclined to think that the vast majority of Maritimers fall into the category that I might label more reserved or even shy. (I for one fall into that camp. Don't ask to look under my kilt any time soon.)

So what is a shy girl to do? A bottle of champagne goes a long way to uncovering the feisty spirit within, but that may not be a healthy way of expressing a different side of yourself, nor would it necessarily make for better pictures. I found this article from the Wedding Bee to be most insightful and gave me some new perspective.

Ultimately, boudoir is a style and whether the subject is nude, partly nude, or fully dressed, it's the look and feel of the photo that will convey sexiness, not whether whether a breast or a buttock is exposed. Likewise, a confident and comfortable subject will make a much sexier photo than someone who is too far past their comfort zone. Your favourite dress or your favorite pyjamas, coupled with a few cherished or significant items from your relationship, will do just fine for a boudoir shoot.

An important point to remember: You're not doing a boudoir shoot for a magazine or for mass-market appeal. You're doing it for your partner - someone who's already chosen you for who you are! ;)

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