Smart Photography's

Guide toboudoirsessionstyles

Feeling vintage? Playful? Bridal? Start choosing your 'boudoir style'

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Pin up style

Anonymous style

Playful style

Alternative style

All about bridal boudoir

Find out more

Table of Contents

If vintage is your thing, then maybe consider going all out on a pin-up styleportrait session - we'll plan it out together, from what to wear to the kindsof images you love the most.

I have to warn you though - pin-up posing can be a lot more difficult than itlooks - so you may need a little practice getting in to pose. You may alsofind that your boudoir portrait session feels more like a work out! Expressionit also important to really nail the look. Robin will be able to guide youthrough your entire portrait session, so don't worry - you're going to dobrilliantly!

There are some fab retailers for pin up style lingerie - I recommendchecking out www.joannaswardrobe.com, www.kissmedeadly.co.uk andwww.whatkatiedid.com (and if you do find the lingerie of your dreams atJoanna's Wardobe, I have a cheeky little discount code I can give you, whenyou come along for your portrait planning chat). What Katie Did is perfectfor you, if you've hankered after a bullet bra, and Kiss Me Deadly? Well,don't blame me when the credit card bill arrives.

One word of warning on the knicker front - a lot of the styles tend to behigher waisted and fuller at the back with vintage style knickers - these canlook amazing from the front, but I would still always recommend that yougrab a pair of 'cheeky' or 'brazilian' bottoms for images from behind - thesehave the most flattering cut of all.

Pin up styleby Smart Photography

Think about what accessories or props you might like to include, too.

Hair and makeup is key to this look - your stylist will be more than able tocreate the absolutely perfect vintage look for you, and you can bring alongas many pictures as you like for inspiration.

There is also some beautiful, vintage swimwear around (take a look at ForLuna) - one thing to be aware of with swimwear is that it won't give quite asmuch support as a good bra, so you may need to try a few styles out - itsnot always the one you love the most that 'works' the best - but there'splenty to choose from, so there should be something suitable out there.

Could your boudoir style be 'anonymous'?

If you want portraits to grace your walls, but you don't necessarily wanteveryone to recognise you, then consider having some beautiful art workcreated that's all about you...without anyone necessarily knowing. Thereare lots of poses that will work brilliantly for this (although some of themcan be quite hard work).

That way you've got some art that really means something to you.You could always include a favourite item of jewellery, to keep peopleguessing.

Anonymous styleby Smart Photography

Of course your boudoir portrait session can contain a mix of images - you'llwant some that show it's really you! But there's definitely something aboutbeing a little mysterious sometimes too.

There's also plenty of scope to focus on key items of clothing or props -detailing on shoes or corsets can be particularly effective.

If you've got beautiful artwork on you to show off, highlighting tattoos canwork really well, especially on backs or legs.

The great thing about anonymous art boudoir portraits is that you canreally go big with them on your wall, and they'll look absolutely stunning -all you have to decide is whether you prefer a framed or frameless solution,and measure the space available. Think about your colour scheme too, asbackgrounds can match in for you (or you can go black and white).

Could your boudoir style be 'playful'?

If you'd love stunning portraits, but you prefer a more relaxed style for yourimages, then maybe a more playful look is for you.When we're talking through what style you would like for your boudoirportraits, you may lean towards this look - so we'll plan it out together andtalk through everything you need to bring along to make this style work foryou.If you're not super confident in front of the camera, having a natural styleof images where you're not necessarily looking directly into the camera mayhelp you relax into your session.

Your boudoir portrait session doesn't have to be serious - have some funwith it!

Introduce props or accessories that mean something to you, to really infuseyour portrait session with your personality.We've had guns, guitars, golf clubs and even a chainsaw brought along tobe incorporated into boudoir sessions - anything goes!

Playful styleby Smart Photography

Extra accessories like long socks, hats, sunglasses can all work brilliantly forthis boudoir style.

Add a vintage element to your portrait session to keep things light. Thisboudoir style is a perfect match with pin up for creating fun portraits.

Your portrait session could also be the perfect time to show off a cheekytattoo.

Could your boudoir style be more alternative? You've looked at the imagesand thought "that's all very well, but I was after something with a bit moreedge"?

If you've got something different in mind then let's really put our headstogether to find your unique style. When you have very strong ideas about the look you want, we'll worktogether planning how to achieve it for you. It is especially useful in thisinstance if you set up a Pinterest board and share make up and hair looksyou love, plus the images that you're being inspired by.

Make sure the look you want is reflected in the lingerie and outfits youbring.

Your hair and make up will be key to achieving the exact style you want -your stylist will be able to do whatever you want and the clearer your ideaof what you want, the more chance she has of perfecting it for you.Meanwhile, you can go wild and get creative with your accessories.

Alternative styleby Smart Photography

Your portrait session should reflect your personality and if we can bring inthe things you love, it's all for the better. Want to be an amazing piece ofwall art? Let's create it together!

If you've got a strong concept, then planning is absolutely key.

This is where our pre-session chat really helps - really it's just the start ofthe planning process, to make sure your boudoir style is brought to life inyour images.

Don't be surprised if you're given 'homework' of researching images thatreflect the look you're after (and a shopping list!).

Planning a bridal boudoir portrait session, as a gift for your groom?Here's what you need to think about.

Plan in advance

It could be that your chosen photographer can be called within 2 weeks ofyour wedding and get something turned around for you, but it's more likelythat you need to think several weeks ahead. This is not something to leaveuntil the last minute, so ideally, get something booked a couple of monthsin advance of your wedding.

Look at it this way:

1. Find photographer2. Book the portrait session (some photographers, well, us, will invite youalong for a chat before the portrait session itself, to plan it out togetherand you want at least a week between the chat and the portrait session, incase you need to do some shopping).- 1 week later3. Attend pre-session chat- 2 weeks later4. Attend portrait session- 1 week later5. Attend viewing appointment and choose your portraits.

All about bridalboudoirby Smart Photography

Sometimes, you're able to take away portraits on the day, but if you'rehaving an album created, or a piece of wall art, you may need to allow 4-6weeks for that. We'll go with 4.- 4 weeks later6. Collect final portraitsTotal time - 8 weeks.

Of course this can all be done much quicker, but to make the most out of it,since it's important, don't make it a rush.

Think about your wedding lingerie

Some dresses have built in corsetry, meaning you won't be needing specificwedding lingerie, but you may still want to have something special for theportrait session. So think about whether you want a bridal look to yourimages (especially if you're bringing a veil along too), and get lingerie tomatch the theme.There are plenty of places to shop - here are a couple if ideas:Wedding NitesFox and Rose

Whilst searching for 'bow backed knickers' with a client the other day, Ihave to apologise for the cost involved in finding these at Lucile. Helpfully, Ihave now found something even more extravagant at Gilda & Pearl (well,you're only doing this once, right? and you can personalise them with initialsin crystal.)

Bring shoes, veil, wedding jewellery

Make sure you have your veil, shoes, and anything else that you may wantto include, in time for your bridal boudoir portrait session.

Veils are particularly fab.

If you're having artificial flowers - whether for a bouquet, or as tabledecorations, then if you can bring those along too, do.

Include the dress

If you have your dress already, it can definitely be incorporated into yourbridal boudoir portraits.

Pinch the groom's shirtOr at least a shirt of his. (Or hers, if she's your bridetoo)

and finally...

Budget

One of the benefits of coming along for a pre-session chat at the studio, isthat you can get a real feel for the products, and know exactly what youwant from your session and what that's going to cost.

It could be that the groom's box you're planning is about to become all

about the album. It could also be that you're spending a LOT on yourwedding, and you can't get exactly what you want, in which case consideryour first anniversary).

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