Yep, we are still in a pandemic which is challenging in so many ways that would prevent you from booking a confidence-boosting boudoir session. But let’s face it, we could all use a confidence boost after this last year. So, even if I can’t help you with that in-studio right now, I wanted to help you get that confidence boost on your own and using things you might have around the house!
So let’s dive in and learn how to take your own boudoir selfies!
What You’ll Need
Keeping it simple is best. The less to manage the better. You’ll need:
- a phone with a camera that has a timer on it – I used my Samsung A70 with the front camera on a 10-second timer. Your back camera will likely give you better quality images, but you won’t be able to see what you’re doing as you’re doing it.
- something to prop your phone upon – I used a step stool with books (seen in the picture) but you could also put your phone in a mug on a chair or a tripod if you have it.
- a private room – I used my living room studio but your images could be taken in any room!
- wardrobe – I’ll go into this a little bit in the next section.
- a free downloadable editing app – I used Snapseed.
Wardrobe
I just want to touch base briefly on wardrobe because this is one of the most common concerns I get when talking to clients. What do I wear?
Use what you already have! Assuredly you have something. Any matching bra and panty set will do. Check out this blog post that I wrote regarding everyday wear for a boudoir wardrobe.
As for your hair and makeup – do them like you’re going out to an expensive restaurant or to a nightclub (however you roll!).
Lighting Tips
If you’re going to be doing your selfies during the day, use the light from the windows to light your shots. Just open the curtains or blinds. I had sheer curtains over my windows which helped to soften the light and afford me some privacy.
If you’re going to do your selfies later in the day and don’t have the natural window light, then I suggest using a lamp without a light shade. Make sure that whatever part of your body you want lit is facing toward the light. For example, if you want your face lit evenly, then have your face turned completely toward the light. If you only want half of it lit, then turn sideways to the light.
Your phone will compensate for the lower light conditions if you’re taking your selfies in darker conditions.
Boudoir Selfies
The Poses
You’ve got your setup, your lighting, your wardrobe, it’s time for the poses! I’ll go through each pose step-by-step and share the example photo I took myself. I’m going to start with the easier poses and then get a little more difficult.
Here are the tips that will apply to all these poses:
- Always point your toes when able to do so (this gives your legs shape).
- To minimize double chins (we all have them) and define your jaw, push your face forward (not up), and suck on your tongue.
- Arch your back!
- You’ll have to find facial looks that work best with what you’re wanting to show and what works with your face.
Let’s go!
Pose 1
- Have your phone set up in a vertical orientation
- Sit on the floor sitting sideways to the camera
- Lean on your hip closest to the camera, place a hand on the floor and extend your legs away from the camera, pointing your toes
- Turn your face toward the camera, turn your chin down toward your shoulder but don’t touch them
- Push your face forward
- Put your free hand gently over your hair at the level of your ear, then slide it up a little to get that tousled hair look
- Arch your back to lift your breasts toward the camera
- Try different looks with your face. I relaxed my face and had my eyes half open, but you could look down your nose at your shoulder or off-camera.
Pose 2
Do this pose on a couch, chaise lounge (as I have), or even on the floor.
- Lay on your side, prop your elbow on the back of the chaise and put your hand in your hair. If you’re on a bed or the floor place the elbow beneath your shoulder and leave the hand flat on the floor or you could stretch your arm all the way out, lay down and lay your head on your arm.
- Straighten the bottom leg and point the toe
- Bend the top leg, resting your foot on top of your bottom calf, point the toes. Let the knee fall toward the bed/floor/chaise to help give your booty some lovely shape
- Let your free arm drape across your belly and rest on the bed/floor/chaise. If you’re like me and your tummy is your ‘problem area’ then this will help obscure it. You could also bring your free hand up onto your hip and let your elbow fall behind you a little
- Pop your ‘free hand’ shoulder up a little and turn your face toward it. You could also just look toward the camera.
Intimate Pictures
Pose 3
This pose can be used to take two different shots. One from the front and one from the back.
- Get down on your knees, knees slightly apart, feet flat, ankles close together
- Flex your quads to keep yourself from sitting fully on your feet
- Place your hands on your inner thighs for support. This also helped to obscure my ‘problem area’ (my tummy)
- Arch your back
- Pop the shoulder closest to the camera up and turn your chin toward it without touching
Taking this image from the front features your face and chest while taking it from the back features your bum. You can also play with a mirror behind you to get a hint of the other in the same shot. I also used a robe to add a playful teasing feeling and further obscure my mid-section.
FYI: the lower your sit without actually sitting and the more you arch your back, the smoother your bum will look in the image.
Pose 4
You’ll need something to sit on for this one. Believe me, it’s a bit of a challenging one.
- Sit on the edge of the chaise or chair, ensuring that one hip and thigh are the only body parts in contact with it (I sat on my right hip and thigh)
- Shift your weight on to the opposite foot
- Once you’re balanced on that foot, slide the other foot backward and try to point the toe as much as you can (this was challenging with heels on)
- Sit up as straight as possible and arch your back
- Lean your shoulders toward the camera
- Lay your forearm on the thigh you have your weight on
- Reach the other hand across your body and rest the hand on your upper arm. This will have the happy side effect of bringing your breasts together and creating some cleavage
- Pop the shoulder closest to the camera up and bring your chin down to it, but don’t let them touch
- Look at the camera or down at your shoulder
This one might be easier to do without heels on – I know I struggled with them on. If you do it without heels on, make sure you lift your heels off the floor, putting your weight on the balls of your feet. It’s difficult but it’s prettier than feet flat on the floor.
Editing with SnapSeed
You don’t have to edit your images. If you love them the way they are, then continue to do so!
But, if you want to add a little extra flare then I recommend the free image editing app SnapSeed.
All you have to do is ‘Open’ any image in your phone’s gallery in the app. It will offer you a preset style or you can go into the Tools to really personalize it by adjusting the basic settings like Brightness and Sharpness, or apply any variety of filters the app offers. The only downside to the app is that color adjustments outside of the filters and white balance are not available.
Editing your images can help you forget that your front camera image is of lower quality. But be careful not to overdo it. Too much editing can distract from the subject (you). Ultimately it’s about your preference.
Check out some of my other fun edits!
There you have it! Everything you need to know about taking your own boudoir selfies that will help boost your confidence during this seemingly never-ending pandemic!
Go have some fun!
Be Fierce, Be Bodacious, and always Be a Badass!
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Maybe taking selfies isn’t for you! That’s okay, I’m open for bookings, too. I can help you get that confidence boost with either a Webcam Session or an In-Studio Session.
All you have to do is contact me using the contact information on my Contact Page.
Don’t be afraid to reach out! I don’t bite.
Promise 😉
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