How to Pose for a Boudoir Shoot: 8 Easy Tips for Beautiful Photos
I'm Katie, and I am a professional photographer of over a decade, specialising in boudoir since 2020. I have worked with hundreds of people of all shapes, sizes, ages, cultures, backgrounds and beliefs. Yet all of them have come in wanting to change - wanting to feel stronger in themselves. And all of them have come out feeling exactly that. More about me
Oh it’s me!
This is one of the first test shots I took in my new studio. Wearing track pants and a sweater. Still look hot. Still incorporating my posing guides.
One of the most common questions I hear as a boudoir photographer is:
“What do I do with my hands?!”
The good news? You don't need modelling experience to create beautiful boudoir photos.
Whether you're planning a professional boudoir session or taking self-portraits at home, a few simple posing techniques can help you look more relaxed, confident and flattering in front of the camera.
In this boudoir posing guide, I'll walk you through the same posing tips I use with dozens of boudoir clients every year.
With over a decade of experience and learning behind me (plus over a decade of pole dancing which means I know what lines and poses look good!), I am here to tell you it
a) takes practice but also
b) isn’t that complicated.
Me again, showing someone how to throw a pose on the vanity.
Frequently Asked Questions About Boudoir Posing - that will be answered in this guide.
What if I Don't Know How to Pose?
How Do I Look Natural in Boudoir Photos?
What Should I Do With My Hands?
How Can I Look More Confident in Photos?
Whether you are doing a selfie session or seeing a boudoir photographer, this guide will help you with some poses. While Poledoir Photography has got you covered with posing at your session, not all photographers will offer full posing guidance, so use this to help you prepare for your photoshoot.
The boudoir posing guide covers:
Stretching - it doesn’t have to be intense but you need to limber up
Hands - you have hair to play with, straps, materials and furniture to grab. Your BODY to grab
Hair - play with it!
Materials - use beautiful materials to add another layer of depth
Face, eyes and mouth - turn your face to the light, change with closed, opened and looking away, breathe through your mouth
Arching and angles - try and get a good S curve arch with your back. This is why we stretch
Feet - point your feet / ankles. Always. Don’t argue with me
Breathe and have fun!
Do You Need Modelling Experience for a Boudoir Shoot?
I've photographed hundreds of people of all ages, sizes, genders and backgrounds, and almost every one of them tells me they don't know how to pose.
So no, you absolutely do not need any experience to have a beautiful and fun boudoir experience.
It comes down to a few things:
Stretching
Hands
Face (mostly eyes and mouth)
Angles (including pointing your feet)
Using what’s around you
Grabbing and playing with materials
Slowing down
Having fun!
Stretch Before Your Boudoir Photoshoot
Feet, shoulders, quads, neck and especially back. When you do a boudoir shoot with Poledoir at my Melbourne studio (or at an offsite), I take you through a 5 minute stretch warm up, so no need to worry about not knowing what to stretch ;)
Why Stretching Helps Your Poses
Posing is the art of being beautifully stiff without looking like it. You are going to be holding these poses anywhere from 5 seconds to 30 or more at a time. While we take breaks when you need it, you will be a bit tired at the end of the day, and limbering up helps get the most variety, while also combatting any discomfort you may have, physically. I know I can’t sit on my feet for very long, so I get it!
A is pointing her feet, her neck is deliberately posed, shoulders at a deliberate level compared to her head and her back is arched. But doesn’t she look so graceful and not stiff?
2. What Do I Do With My Hands?
Touch Your Hair
Utilise your hair. Get feral with it. Move it around. Change the parting. It is all hot, hot, hot.
Hold Lingerie Straps
Pull it up, pull it down, wrap it around your hand, test stuff out!
Trace Your Collarbone or Waist
Generally, I like each hand doing something different. One hand may stay static, such as in your hair, while the other tries other things.
Use Furniture and Props
Fondle those flowers!
Or… just embrace the T-Rex Hands!
3. Use Your Hair in Your Boudoir Photos
Hair movement creates:
softness
shape
connection
Run your fingers through your hair, look over your shoulder, cover some of your face with it…
4. Pay Attention to Your Face, Eyes and Mouth
look towards light
close your eyes
look away
soft smile
parted lips
People forget to breathe during a pose hold - my tip for this is to breathe through your mouth slightly. This has the added benefit of looking more relaxed and sensual and avoiding a tense, possibly angry looking face.
Eyes - you can alter bewteen closed and open, or even a wink. Look at the camera, look away. But keep your nose pointed towards a light source so you don’t cast shadows all over your face. Look with your whole head, otherwise you can get a double raised eyebrows look, and that’s generally NOT what we are going for ;)
face towards the light, feet pointed, hands grabbing straps and breathing through her mouth.
5. Create Curves With Arching and Angles
the spines’ S curve
elongating the body
roll your shoulders back
Make angles with your limbs
This is why we stretch, baby! Try and get a good S curve arch with your back. Use your arms and hands to create more shapes. A lot of poses can feel weird, like “is this really hot?” If it wasn’t hot, I would tell you to get out of it. If you are doing a selfie shoot, just try it out! Or do some posing in front of a mirror first.
Here is W, demonstrating the above:
the spines’ S curve
elongating the body
roll your shoulders back
make angles with your arms
6. Point Your Toes (Trust Me)
Always.
Don't argue with me.
Pointing your feet and toes looks good because it creates a visual illusion of elongation, graceful lines and deliberate physical control. This engaged posture signifies elegance and purpose. Tell me the last time you saw a ballet performance with flexed feet.
This is a quick one to try in the mirror. Sit or lay in front of a mirror, in a slight pose, nothing too fancy. Now point your feet. Now flex them. I think you know the reason now.
7. Use Fabrics, Sheets and Clothing
These can also be good boudoir photography ideas for your shoot. Things you can wear or drape over you are also things you can grab! Materials add movement and depth.
Some ideas are:
robes
sheets
oversized shirts
lace
bridal veil
8. Slow Down and Have Fun
Most people move too fast, because it can feel a little awkward! So make sure that you:
breathe!
throw a cheeky smile - have fun
relax
trust the process
If you are doing it for yourself at home, I recommend setting up your phone on film mode, so you can move slowly and capture screenshots. I made a video about this on my instagram page here.
Have fun and if you are feeling overwhelmed, flick me a message <3
x Katie
