Boudoir photoshoot: turn your “someday” into “right now".

We all have a list of things we’d love to do “someday.” Maybe it’s traveling to a dream destination, taking up a new hobby, or finally booking that boudoir shoot you’ve been thinking about for years. But let’s be honest, how often does “someday” turn into never?

Here’s the truth: There is no perfect time. The only time we truly have is now.

Celebrating yourself as you are now.

Too often, we tell ourselves that we need to wait. “I’ll book a shoot when I lose weight.” “I’ll do it when I feel more confident.” “I’ll wait until life slows down.” But what if the key to confidence is actually doing the shoot? Boudoir isn’t about being a certain size or reaching some imaginary standard, it’s about embracing your natural beauty, right now.

Capturing the moment.

We tend to focus on the future so much that we forget to honour the present. A boudoir session is a chance to pause, appreciate yourself, and create something timeless. Whether you’re in your 20s, 40s, or 70s, your beauty deserves to be celebrated. Imagine looking back at these photos years from now and remembering how powerful, sensual, and strong you felt at this moment.

Because confidence doesn’t come from waiting, it comes from doing.

Many people believe confidence is something you need before booking a boudoir shoot. The reality? Confidence comes from stepping outside your comfort zone and seeing yourself in a new light. A boudoir session is an experience that helps you reconnect with your body, your sensuality, and your self-worth.

Stop letting fear hold you back.

Fear is one of the biggest reasons people put off boudoir photography. Fear of not looking “good enough,” fear of being vulnerable, fear of doing something bold, fear of being ridiculous. But what if you push past that fear? What if, instead of wondering “What if I don’t like my photos?” you asked, “What if I absolutely love them?” What if this experience changes the way you see yourself forever?

A gift for yourself, now and always.

Boudoir is not just about the photos, it’s about the journey of self-love and empowerment. The images become a reminder of your strength, beauty, and courage. Whether you’re doing this as a personal celebration, a milestone marker, or just because, the best gift you can give yourself is to stop waiting and say yes to the experience.

So, why wait? Why keep pushing this dream off to “someday”? You are worth celebrating now. You are beautiful now. You are powerful now. Take the leap. Do the boudoir shoot. And step into the most confident, radiant version of yourself!

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Use boudoir to bring out your alter-ego

Boudoir is all about capturing who you are. You should absolutely have photos where you recognize and feel like yourself. For many it means using the least accessories and the simplest outfits possible, but for others, it also means to bring out one of their alter-ego that never gets to shine (it can also be both, no one is going to stop you here!).

Playing around with your alter-egos is not only fun, but also a great way to bring extra confidence during your session. Allow us to show you some ideas that we have seen to inspire you!

Gaming & Fantasy

This one is for all the gamers and cosplay fans! You can absolutely bring a boudoir twist related to your favorite game, movies, anything.

You can rely on our make-up artist and hair-stylist to go crazy on our look or you can also bring some strong pieces with you. We have seen wonderful cosplay pieces that were a delight to turn into boudoir outfits, so the sky is the limit!

The femme fatale

You can never go wrong with a femme fatale vibe. It can come in so many different ways, from a cocktail gown to a blazer look, with or without accessories. You can truly make it your own. It makes this theme very easy to get into and on top of that, it automatically puts you in an empowered, badass state of mind and it shows.

Dark romance (and smut)

Book-lovers, we see you! We strongly believe that the content we consume defines us to a certain level, and as avid readers, we absolutely love creating those atmospheres for you.

Whether you want to show off your hopeless romantic side or your dark romance sexy side, once again, possibilities are endless. On a sidenote, gentlemen, you can never go wrong with a “Shadow Daddy” vibe. Smut is a popular genre for a reason, just throwing it out there!

Drag & playing with gender

More and more of our clients, especially male, bring oufits varying between masculine and feminine looks, and we absolutely love it. Take this photoshoot to express yourself fully, this is a safe space for you to do so. A client of ours recently shared with us RuPaul’s famous quote: ”We’re all born naked and the rest is drag”, and we couldn’t agree more.

Step into both of your sides, and go as extra as you want. You won't regret it!

While we have many, due to privacy reason, we cannot use our images illustrate this point, but we confirm they are here!

At the end of the day, boudoir photography is an art experience, and art requires creativity. It is a great opportunity to think outside the box and have fun with it. So why not incarnate a facet of your personality that can’t be shown to the world as freely as your real self?

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Things we don't agree with in boudoir

As boudoir photographers with over 10 years of experience, we have seen our field change in so many levels. Some for the better, some… not so much. Today, we would like to go over what practice in the boudoir world we simply can't get behind. This is, of course, a personal opinion and everything you will read is completely subjective.

1) The Before/Afters

This is a common practice you can see on many boudoir websites: one photo is the client without any make-up on, dressed in regular clothes and the next, she (because yes, it is always women) is fully dolled-up in boudoir. Since day 1, this has never sat right with us. It would make sense if we were make-up artists, but as photographers, this is send the message that the person in the before is simply not good enough.

Boudoir is not about looks. yes, you can get dolled up to add fun and confidence to your experience but the goal isn’t to change you and making you feel less-than.

2) The use of AI

The use of Artificial Intelligence in anything artistic is simply a nuisance in our opinion. True artists need to master their craft. We need to go through the grind to learn, improve, and nurture our creativity. We have fought way too long already to prove that photography isn't just pressing a button and doesn't depend on a very expensive camera. Now, you can create anything with a bunch of (highly polluting) prompts and to us, the value of your work is completely lost. AI, if used at all, should be used with parsimony and not be the end goal. Additionally, feeding your revealing images to AI doesn't seem like a good idea to us, especially for those worried about privacy.

3) Over-editing the skin

We are in 2026, and we still see way too many images where the skin texture is completely gone. No pores, no wrinkles, no stretchmarks, no nothing.

We have a policy of removing anything that is temporary, such as blemishes and so on so you don’t have to worry about that zit who decided to show up the day of your shoot. We may go slightly heavier on smoothing the skin if the lighting used is very contrast-y and accentuating the skin texture, but it will never be totally removed. The goal is not to make you look like a doll. Our bodies come in every shape and form, and the goal of a boudoir shoot is to love it the way it is.

4) Changing bodies in post-production

Deeply connected to the previous point: changing the shape of the body is counter-productive with boudoir photography. Why would you want images of yourself where it simply isn't you…?

We bend, we twist, we arch. We luckily aren’t stick figures and it comes with creating rolls. There is nothing wrong with that! A good boudoir photographer should be able to highlight your body with the right outfits, the right poses and the right angles.

5) Not adapting the poses to the body type.

Not everybody can do the same poses and applying cookie-cutter poses just doesn't work. Some have more mobility and flexibility than others and for that reason alone, a good boudoir photographer knows how to adapt poses. You can be inspired by a specific pose, but your body might not allow it. Luckily, there are many ways to adjust so you can still have something beautiful, in the same vein of what caught your eye in the first place, without breaking your body!

We hope you enjoyed this little list, maybe you’ve agreed with some points, or maybe you didn’t. We always love hearing from you, so don't hesitate to leave a comment below or join our Instagram to discuss it more!

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The gift of boudoir for people you care about

Looking for the perfect gift for someone special is never easy. You want something meaningful that gives them joy and warm their heart.

What if we told you that gifting a boudoir photoshoot is the ultimate solution that will blow the mind of that special someone? Either it is for your partner, a family member, or a friend, a boudoir photoshoot is a gift like no other. It’s more than a present, it’s an experience, a celebration, and a lasting reminder of how much they mean to you.

Here are five compelling reasons why gifting a boudoir photoshoot is the ultimate way to show love and appreciation for someone special in your life.

A Celebration of Confidence

Boudoir photography is about embracing and celebrating anyone in front of the lens in their most authentic form. Whether it’s your partner, a close friend, or even yourself, a photoshoot like this is a powerful confidence booster.

By gifting this experience, you’re saying, “I see your beauty, strength, and uniqueness, and I want you to see it too.” It’s a profound way to remind someone how amazing they are and help them reconnect with their inner badassness.

A Gift That Lasts Forever

Unlike material gifts, the images from a boudoir shoot hold timeless value. Each photo is a piece of art that captures a moment when that person felt empowered, beautiful, and celebrated.

For many years to come, they will be flipping through their album or looking at a framed print, and remembering not just how they felt, but also the thoughtfulness behind your gift.

A Unique and Personal Gesture

Let’s face it: the best gifts are the ones that show you’ve put thought into them. A boudoir photoshoot is personal, customized to the person’s style and comfort level.

It’s a gift that shows you care about their journey of self-love and that you want to give them something that’s uniquely theirs. It’s not just an experience, it’s a statement of love and appreciation.

A Bond-Strengthening Experience

If this gift is for your partner, the experience becomes even more intimate. Not only does it give them a chance to feel pampered and special, but it can also enhance your relationship. Seeing someone you love rediscover their confidence and self-worth can deepen your connection and foster a new level of appreciation for each other.

You can even consider doing a photoshoot together!
If you feel like your partner has been itching to try such an experience but could use extra support, going for a couple photoshoot is a great way to go! Not only will you get to experience it together, but you will have beautiful memories to look back on.

A Gift of Self-Discovery

For many people, a boudoir shoot is a transformative experience. It’s a moment to step outside their comfort zone, embrace their vulnerabilities, and see themselves in a new light.

By gifting this experience, you’re not just giving photos—you’re giving them the chance to fall in love with themselves. And there’s no gift more empowering or meaningful than that.

Of course, we are biased as we are deeply passionate about the boudoir photography world, especially after seeing its beautiful effect on people over the years. To us, this is something you can go all out on, but there are however some important things to keep in mind to have the right approach.

The Dos and Don’ts of Gifting a Boudoir Photoshoot

DOS

✅ Consider their personality and comfort level.
This is a deeply personal experience, so think about whether your loved one would enjoy it. Do they embrace creativity and self-expression, or might this feel too outside their comfort zone?

✅ Focus on their empowerment.
Make it clear that this gift is about celebrating them, not about your preferences or desires. It’s about how they feel and their confidence.

✅ Present it thoughtfully.
Instead of just handing over a gift card, create a special moment when giving the gift. Write a heartfelt note explaining why you think they’re amazing and why you chose this for them.

✅ Offer to support them.
Let them know you’re there to cheer them on, whether it’s helping them pick outfits or just being a source of encouragement.

DONT’S

❌ Don’t pressure them.
A boudoir shoot is a vulnerable experience, and they should feel 100% comfortable with the idea. If they’re hesitant, respect their feelings and don’t push it.

❌ Don’t make it about you.
Avoid framing this as something you want them to do for your benefit. The focus should be on their self-love journey, not your desires.

❌ Don’t spring it on them unexpectedly.
Surprises can be tricky with something this personal. Make sure they’re on board with the idea before booking anything.

They will step into a safe space

One of the main priorities we focused on when we opened Scandaleuse Photography was to create a safe and judgment-free space for people to express themselves freely. From the moment your loved one walks through our doors, we guide them through every step of the process to ensure they feel comfortable, confident, and celebrated.

Ready to give the ultimate expression of love and appreciation? Let’s create something unforgettable together!

What we do to make you comfortable during your boudoir shoot

It is not a secret that a boudoir photo shoot can feel intimidating. After all, even if we had a pre-booking consultation together, we don’t truly know one another and yet, you are about to be in front of us with more or less revealing outfits. There is a lot of trust the process in our field and there are many things we do in order to make you feel as comfortable as possible, so you can have fun and let loose during your session.

The prep before the photoshoot

Some of us like to jump into something without overthinking, and others like to prep as much as possible in order to calm the nerves. There isn’t one way better than the other and to give you options, there are a few things that we provide prior to your photoshoot, once you have secured your session.

First of all, you will be sent tips & tricks with outfits ideas, makeup & hair tips, wardrobe tips and more straight in your inbox, to review in your own time.

If you chose to keep the hair and make-up services, you will also be introduced to your make-up artist and have the freedom to communicate with her and share some ideas or concerns you may have.

We also encourage everyone to send us any inspiration images if they wish, as it is always helpful for us to see what catches your eye. Last but not least, we also suggest to put together a playlist if you feel like having your own soundtrack will help you get into the mood.

Those little things do make a difference to alleviate the potential photoshoot jitters.

The heavy lifting is done for you the minute you pass the doors of the studio.

At no point during our sessions will you be left wondering what you have to do next. We will go through your wardrobe options, check what your favourite pieces are and style the ones you love but don’t know what to do with. We will then be guiding you through each sets thought just for you and every single pose, demonstration included.

The fact that there are 2 of us on every session is a huge advantage: it brings extra energy, makes the session flows very nicely on top of having an additional pair of eyes for little details. You are free to completely let go and rely on us to look great, we do the thinking for you.

We always start with the outfit that covers you the most.

Whether you would like to experiment with nudity or not, we always start with the outfits that has the most layers. It gives you the chance to get comfortable with your surroundings, our directions and just the vibe in general. It is an excellent warm-up that will lead you to feel more confident by the minute.

Communication is key.

You will never be left in front of the camera in a vulnerable position and without direction. We make a point to walk you through our ideas before posing you and explain what it will look like and what will show. We always have back-up ideas in mind to suggest so you have the choice to either go for it or ask for adjustments, such as being more covered up for example. This is essential for any shots involving more nudity.

Nudity is never mandatory.

Posing nude or semi-nude is a decision that is 100% yours to make. Many of our clients chose not to do any kind of nudity, wither it is partial or full, while others want to focus on it. This is completely up to you and our job is to follow your level of comfort. Just like we tend to start with the outfits that cover you the most, we tend to do partial or full nude shots towards the second half of the session, if you want them.

The photos involving nudity tend to be suggested, meaning that no private parts and nipples are showing, unless you want them to.

As long as you are ready to trust us and allow yourself to be seen like the masterpiece that you are, there are no wrong or right way to do boudoir. Your photos need to reflect you and your personality, so you can look at your photos with pure happiness and confidence and hold the memory of it close to your heart. And we are here to give you just that.

If you would like more information or have questions, you are welcome to book a complimentary chat with us here or email us here.

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How to Prepare Yourself to See Your Boudoir Photos

You’ve done it: you booked the shoot, showed up, and absolutely rocked your boudoir session. Now comes the exciting part: seeing your photos for the very first time!

For many of our clients, this moment is just as transformative as the shoot itself. It is the final outcome after all! We know for a fact you will be pleasantly surprised and have no concern whatsoever, but we can also understand how intimidating it may feel. If anything, it is absolutely normal to feel a mix of excitement and nerves and have a million questions popping in your head.

Here is how you can prep in order to make the most out of your reveal session and fully enjoy it.

1. Leave negative self-talk at the door

We are so used to being critical of ourselves that we sometimes forget how to simply appreciate the beauty in front of us, especially when it’s our own reflection. The biggest gift you can give yourself when you view your photos is kindness. Instead of focusing on small details you usually critique, shift your perspective. See yourself as you would a dear friend, with compassion, appreciation, and love.

2. Don’t dismiss too quickly

Sometimes the photos that challenge you at first end up being the ones you treasure the most later on.

Boudoir is about capturing your essence, not perfection. You might see sides of yourself you have never noticed before such as your confidence, your playfulness, your strength. Give yourself time to sit with each image before making a decision. What feels bold or unfamiliar today might become the picture that makes you feel unstoppable tomorrow.

3. Make space for the experience

Viewing your photos deserves your full attention. This whole experience from beginning to end is about putting yourself first for a moment, and it doesn’t stop at the photo shoot! Make sure to carve out a moment where you won’t be rushed and distracted.

Unless distance is an issue, we host our reveal sessions in person, in the studio so you can give yourself permission to be fully present, take your time and even enjoy a warm beverage and treats while you witness how great you look. It is also important to mention that you can go through the images as many times as you wish to get your ultimate selection!

4. Celebrate your courage

Remember: booking a boudoir shoot takes guts. If you only knew the number of people dying to try this and never daring to! But you did. You trusted the process, you allowed yourself to be seen, and embraced the unknown with pizzazz. You did a brave thing and it deserves to be acknowledged and celebrated.

5. Bring someone if you feel like it.

It is absolutely allowed to bring someone if you want to. Some people bring their best-friends, other their partners, and many prefer to do this on their own. Just make sure you bring a person you trust and fully supports you. Avoid anyone who might project their own insecurity and judgment on you.

Pro-tip: give them a heads-up that reveal sessions can take up to 2 hours. Not everybody expect that and it can feel long looking at someone else’s photos. Again, you don’t want to feel rushed 😉

6. Let yourself feel it all

It’s okay if you laugh, cry, or sit in awe. Boudoir images are more than just photos; they are reflections of your journey, your story, and your strength. Give yourself the freedom to feel whatever comes up and don't hesitate to be vocal about it. We are all working on making sure you leave with images you will look at over and over again with pride.

Seeing your boudoir photos is about so much more than images on a screen. It’s about witnessing yourself in a new light, unapologetically, beautifully, and authentically you. So take a deep breath, open your heart, and get ready to meet the incredible person you already are.

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Why you may not be ready for boudoir (and that's okay)

Boudoir photography looks amazing. The women you see on our website and socials seem so confident, so free, so… ready. And maybe you’re here because a little part of you wants that too: you scroll through the images, you feel a spark of curiosity… and then a voice inside whispers, “Not me. Not yet.”

And that’s perfectly okay.

Boudoir is a deeply personal experience, and sometimes, the timing just isn’t right. If that’s where you are, you’re not alone. Let’s explore a few reasons you might not feel ready right now and what you can do to start moving toward that version of yourself who is ready to take the leap.

The biggest reasons why boudoir may be a bit too far out of reach.

You truly despise your appearance and your body.

Don't get us wrong, it is very rare, maybe even impossible, for anyone to be completely at peace with the way they look at all times. But we do believe that in order to enjoy your boudoir experience, you do need to have a minimum of self-appreciation.

Boudoir is about celebration. If looking in the mirror feels like a battle and if you are stuck in harsh self-talk, it might feel impossible to celebrate yourself right now.

sensuality terrifies you.

Speaking mostly for women here, since we are women ourselves. Unfortunately, the grand majority of us have been taught that sensuality is “wrong” and inappropriate. For some of us, this was instilled stronger than for others. If the thought of letting it show feels deeply uncomfortable, boudoir might seem like crossing a line you’re not ready for.

You are not in the right headspace.

Stress, grief, trauma, or burnout can make it hard to imagine opening up to an experience as vulnerable as boudoir. And that’s okay. Sometimes self-care looks like giving yourself the time and space to heal before diving into something big.

The idea of going against the grain is overwhelming.

Boudoir is a little rebellious in its own way. It asks you to take up space, to be unapologetically visible, to celebrate yourself loudly in a world that often tells women to shrink. If you don’t feel a teeny-tiny "rebellious” spark yet, boudoir may be a little too much at the moment. And it is a-okay! This feeling is very different from one person to the other, and it may show up in unexpected ways.

How to Start Moving Toward “Ready”

In case it crossed your mind, no, you are absolutely not a lost cause. The majority of us have needed to take a few more steps in order to get into this feeling ready pool. Here are a variety of ideas for you to explore:

Practice self-kindness.

Notice your inner dialogue and practice replacing negative self-talk one with kinder comments. For example, you can try to give yourself more compliments instead of criticism. If that feels impossible, you can also attempt to tell those negative voices to shut it and remind yourself they are not accurate. While we are here, allow us to remind you that negative self-talk comes from a lot of outside factors out of your control. There is absolutely nothing wrong with you.

Reconnect with your sensual side in private.

Sensuality is not solely about sexuality. It is a gigantic umbrella with a lot of ways to bring it out. It can be as simple as dancing in your living room, wearing outfits (even lingerie) just for you, practice a new sport you’ve been dying to try, or even journal about how you’d like to feel in your own skin. It is truly a choose your own adventure book, and your instinct will tell you what you need to do to awaken it. Now it’s a matter of listening to it and trust us, it is a lot more fun than listening to the bitchy voices from above!

Surround yourself with inspiration.

Create mood boards on Pinterest or Canva, follow boudoir accounts (like ours!) and ideally, look for people that look like you. It’s a great way to remind yourself that beauty, sensuality, and power come in every age, shape, and story and avoid falling into the rabbit hole of comparisons. Social media can be quickly toxic, but the good side of it is that you can make it your own by being careful about who you follow.

Seek support.

It is no secret that therapy or coaching with the right person can help unpack body image and self-worth struggles. There is absolutely no shame in getting outside help when everything feels too much. It may even be the best gift you give yourself.

Last but not least, a little boudoir reality check.

Here’s the secret most people don’t realize: none of our clients feel fully ready when they book.

They arrive nervous, uncertain, sometimes even wondering if they’ve made a mistake. The difference is, they have managed getting to a place where they can let go of the idea of “perfect readiness". They chose to place their trust in the process, and they allow themselves to be guided.

That’s when the transformation happens.

Boudoir isn’t about waiting until you feel flawless, fearless, or perfectly aligned. It’s about stepping into the experience as you are and discovering the strength, sensuality, and beauty that’s been there all along.

So if you’re not ready yet, that’s okay. Take your time. But when you feel even the tiniest spark of curiosity, that may be your sign. You don’t need to feel fully ready, you just need to be willing.

And of course, if you feel like chatting about our potential boudoir experience, we are always one call away!

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What are you waiting for?

We hear it too often:

“I really want to do a boudoir shoot, but not now!”

When Juliette and I talk about our photography work, people often express the desire to have a boudoir shoot done. They share about the fact they have been wanting to do it for a long time, that they are waiting for the right moment to do it, but never seem to know when it is.

The truth is, the perfect moment to do a boudoir shoot doesn’t exist! Of course, there are a couple of factors to take into consideration such as time and money (time because you need to be able to dedicate a good chunk of your day just for yourself, and money because a boudoir shoot is a little bit of an investment), but for the rest, it is mostly fear that makes people keep pushing back the idea of doing a boudoir session.

Yes, boudoir photography can be intimidating. But it is such a transformative experience and trust us when we say that the more you wait, the more you are missing out on something extraordinary!

Celebrate Your Present Self

If you feel proud of who you are right now, then celebrating yourself with a boudoir shoot is a really great idea! Maybe you got out of a toxic relationship, or you changed carrier for something more fulfilling, or maybe you are turning a certain age and feel fabulous, then you deserve to treat yourself for all the hard work you had to do to in order to be where you are today.

It takes a lot of courage to make the changes we need to be happier in life, so we hope that you can see how strong and badass you are! A boudoir shoot is the perfect gift to capture that strength 💪

Reconnect To Your Body

So many of our clients dislike their body, and every time it breaks our hearts to hear how they talk about themselves:

“I hate myself!”

“Ugh, I am so ugly!”

“I am fat, it is awful!“

“I wish I could have a different body!“

For way too long, society has taught us to see our body as an enemy by creating beauty standards, and conditioned us to make them our reality. It is so deeply rooted that every part of ourselves that don’t follow those standards became “imperfections” that have to be destroyed. The result is that we are now so disconnected from our body we forget that without it, we will not exist. We focus on what we believe we “should look like”, completely put our sensuality on the side, and replace it with bitterness.

Doing a boudoir shoot is an important step to reconnect with your sensuality, and start loving your body for its natural beauty. So if this resonates with you, then this is the right moment to do it!

The Middle Finger You Sometime Need To Give

There is no better sweet revenge than doing something that makes you feel super confident other people find scandalous. There is a moment in life where we get tired of people’s judgment and being pressured to live a life that isn’t what we truly want. When you reach to that moment, your inner rebel takes control and encourages you to do stuff that make you feel proud of yourself.

When you do a boudoir shoot, you try an experience that allows you to become your own sexy and sensual version of yourself, and this is so freaking liberating.

It feels like giving an empowered middle finger to all the shitty things people have told you and done to you. You don’t want to wait forever to feel this way 😎

Life Is Unpredictable

This is going to be a big cliché, but there is so much truth there: life is too short to be waiting for the perfect moment!

I, Fanny, lost my aunt last year, and it was very sudden. She was young, she was travelling with her husband, and she died. Her death was a sad reminder that you never know when it is time for you to leave this earth, and it feels like a slap in the face. Either it is death, an accident, or any other life's uncertainties, there may never be a "right time" to embark on this journey. The more you wait, the more you take the risk that it never happens.

If you want to try boudoir photography, stop overthinking it and just do it! You will never regret having a boudoir shoot done, but you might regret not doing it.

As you can see, the beauty of a boudoir shoot isn’t in waiting for the ideal version of yourself; it’s about celebrating exactly who you are today. Every curve, every scar, every feature tells your story, and that story deserves to be honoured. Boudoir photography is about embracing your present self with love and courage, because you are already enough, already beautiful.

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What You Think You Have to Do During a Boudoir Shoot (But Really Don't)

There are many things people seem to believe are expected during a boudoir shoot. It can be related from the nudity aspect to the outfits options, and many more in between. You may be surprised to learn that, in fact, everything is optional.

So if you are feeling curious about doing a session but have been holding back because you are not sure what is "required," let us gently clear up a few things that are not mandatory, unless you want them to be.

You do not have to be naked.

That is probably the biggest point we remind everyone we speak to: you are always in control of what you wear and how much you reveal. Yes, full nudes are beautiful and empowering but they are absolutely not mandatory.

In our case, we always make a point to start your session with the outfit that covers you the most to give you the time to get comfortable with your surroundings and our directions. After that, we remove some layers as we go.

We also walk you through any ideas we may have that involve some sort of nudity and always have a back-up outfit in mind if you aren't feeling it. Your session will reflect your level of comfort. We will never ask you to do anything that does not feel right for you.

You do not need to know how to pose.

Please take this pressure off your shoulders: you do not need to show up with any experience in front of the camera. It is our job to guide you every step of the way, down to the tilt of your chin or the placement of your hands. You do not have to “perform” or “act sexy.” You simply have to be yourself, and we will take care of the rest. Keep in mind however that the boudoir poses can feel a bit odd, but turn out wonderfully natural looking. It's part of the magic, trust the process!

You do not need to wear lingerie.

Lingerie is one of many options. Some of our favourite images have come from more unexpected outfits such as a fancy dress, a denim jacket, a button-down shirt, a bodysuit, or even just bed sheets. What we are looking for are those pieces you know you feel beautiful and confident in and we will bring a boudoir twist to anything.

You also don't have to stick to one theme. Our photos are thought to capture different facets of your personality, because that's how human beings are. We are not always edgy and sexy, or soft and romantic. We are a mix of everything, and we encourage every person stepping into the lens to bring outfits that reflect that too!

You do not need to look a certain way.

Boudoir is not about fitting into a mold. There is no ideal age, size, or body type for this experience. Every person who walks through our doors brings their own story, energy, and beauty and that is what we love to capture. This space is for you as you are right now, not a version of you that the world expects.

You do not need to be someone else.

This experience is not about becoming someone you are not. It is about reconnecting with the version of you that often gets hidden under daily responsibilities and expectations. Whether you are bold and playful, quiet and dreamy, or somewhere in between, your session will be designed around who you truly are.

What is actually required?

Just one thing: that you show up for yourself.

There is no checklist. No pressure. No “right” way to do boudoir. Our goal is to create a space where you feel safe, celebrated, and completely in control. Whether you want to go all out or keep things soft and subtle, we are here to support you every step of the way.

Curious about what your version of boudoir could look like? Let us show you. It might just be more freeing, and more you, than you imagined.

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Why we love celebrating women over 50

Over the past 8 years, we have had the privilege of photographing women of all ages, backgrounds, and stories. But lately, we have noticed more and more women in the 50s, 60s, and even 70s passing our studio doors and we truly stepped into an even more powerful boudoir experience we cannot get enough of. It got us wondering why we were feeling this deep fire during those sessions, and we just had to share it with you.

Our boudoir work has always been around slamming doors on expectations.

This has been our motto since day 1: yes, boudoir is an artistic experience, but it is so much more than that. When you sign up for it, you make the choice to detach yourself from judgement, expectations, the pressure round what you do and look like. Instead, you choose to focus on your relationship with yourself and your body.

Why does it feel evem stronger for women over 50? Because we firmly believe it takes more courage for women over 50 than for us, women in our 30s, to jump onto that train of embracing your body the way it is.

Different generation and much more body shame.

For many women over 50, body shaming wasn’t a passing comment — it was a way of life. It was baked into their everyday existence: in school, at home, in magazines, on TV. The message was loud and clear: your body must be thin, firm, young, and perfectly polished in order to be “good.” And if it wasn’t, you should fix it, hide it, or stay quiet about it.

Things like stretch marks, wrinkles, softness, and aging were treated as flaws to be covered up or corrected — not celebrated as part of a life well-lived.

Compared to the body-positive movement we see today - which still has a long way to go, let’s be honest - the messages these women grew up with were harsh, unforgiving, and deeply damaging.

And for many of them, that conditioning still lingers — even now.

Sending power back: Our way to say thank-you.

So much of what women in our generation get to enjoy — the growing conversations around body positivity, the normalization of self-love, the ability to express our sensuality without shame — is thanks to the generations who came before us.

Women over 50 have lived through decades of change. They have witnessed cultural revolutions, shifting beauty standards, and the slow, painful tearing down of deeply rooted expectations. They have fought , often quietly and thanklessly, for rights, recognition, and the ability to take up space — not just in society, but in their own lives.

While we are producing changes of our own, they have paved the way for us on many levels. Having the chance to show them how to reconcile with their bodies, celebrate their sensual side and feel powerful not despite their age, but because of it, is a true honour for us.

It is our way to send some power back on something they couldn't really focus on despite being very important in a woman's journey. And it is often incredibly healing.

Their no-F***-Given attitude is everything.

The women over 50 we are lucky enough to photograph all have one thing in common: they are done with the people-pleasing. Done with trying to fit into boxes. Done with waiting for permission to feel good in their skin. The kids are grown. The careers have evolved. The need to perform or chase external validation starts to fade.

There’s a boldness and a softness that coexist in the most beautiful way. They don’t need to prove anything to anyone and that confidence is magnetic. For some of them, this feeling is loud and obvious, and for others, it is more subtle. But the latter doesn't mean it is not as strong as the former.

To the Women Who’ve Carried So Much — We See You

To every woman who’s spent decades putting others first. To those who were told to be small, quiet, and modest. To those who believed that their worth faded as the years passed — we see you. We celebrate you.

There is no deadline for falling in love with yourself. There is no “too late” when it comes to feeling empowered, beautiful, and whole. You deserve to feel proud of your body, your story, and your strength. You deserve to be photographed not just for how you look, but for who you are.

And we’re so damn honoured to help you see it.

If you are curious about doing a boudoir session, just know you will be welcome in our studio with open arms. We are just one consultation away.

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You should have a picture of yourself naked

Since the beginning of time, there has been this curiosity around illustrating the naked body. Painting, photography, sculpture (any kind of art, truly)!. And it is because bodies are beautifully fascinating. Yes, even yours! And it is definitely worth capturing it, one way or another.

Hold on though, we are not talking about slamming it on a billboard for everyone to see, we are talking about the act of posing naked, the power behind it and the wonderful memento you get to have out of it.

So why should you want a badass naked photo of yourself?

Because you never get the chance to see your full body, nude, from a distance, and even from the back. 

That's a pretty simple answer, but, oh, so true. You can only see your body from your point of view and the odd (and not always flattering!!) photo taken by someone else. You also rarely see your full body and you definitely don't see the back of it much. 

Having a well-done photo of your naked self taken gives you the chance to see your body with an entire different perspective. It brings objectivity to the table, which is a powerful tool in itself to take down body insecurities and work on potential body-dysmorphia. It helps you realize that, no, your vision is definitely different from what you thought and might even be inaccurate. 

Because you are turning vulnerability into power. 

Being fully naked, without anything to hide you is one of the most vulnerable states you could be in. This is the real you. When you decide to step into this, you are becoming one with your vulnerability and are turning it into power.

You are taking on the challenge and showing up for yourself, and that my friend, is the ultimate confidence token you could give yourself. 

Because you are going against the grain

Posing naked can truly satisfy your inner rebel. It is still to this day considered "frowned upon", "not proper", or even "shameful". When you decide to do it anyway, this feeling of showing your middle finger to all of those judgments is so empowering and liberating. And this has an impact on everything you touch afterwards: you won't let shit stand in your way as easily, scout's honour!

Because it's a way to own your body and honour it.

If you have spent a good chunk of your life deprecating your body, the best treatment would be to get a naked image of yourself taken. This is a way to bring back objectivity and detachment in how you see yourself. To bring clarity to a cloudy vision. 

If your body has changed a lot over the years, whether it was planned or not, this experience is the perfect opportunity to reclaim your self-image and get acquainted with this "new"  body of yours. 

And because Moira Rose says it best…

Take a thousand naked pictures of yourself now.

There you have it. If the idea of owning a photo of yourself naked has been tickling you for a while, give yourself this chance. Don't chalk it off to a "superficial" experience, it isn't. Its effects will linger, provoke some necessary changes within you and give you the push you were looking for to achieve what you want.

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Hiding VS Showing your "flaws" during a photoshoot

Scars, stretch marks, loose skin… we all have parts of our bodies that make us feel insecure. In our everyday life, we are surrounded by tips on how to hide them. In the media, whatever is not considered good enough to match the current beauty standards has a solid chance of getting photoshopped. Long story short, we are constantly told that if a part of our body isn't “right”, we have to change it.

But how does it work in the boudoir world, when you have less clothes on? Do you face your fears or do you work ever harder to hide the body parts that bother you?

The ultimate reason for a boudoir photoshoot: gaining confidence.

After years in the industry, we can say with certainty that there are way more people wanting to do a boudoir photoshoot for themselves, to learn to feel comfortable in their own skin than people who want to do it solely for a partner. After all, posing with minimum coverage or even nude is a challenge, that comes with high rewards, but a challenge nonetheless. So, theoretically, to get the most of your boudoir session, you should approach it with the goal of letting go of your insecurities and just embrace them. Except it is not easy for everyone, and it shouldn't be forced.

Can you do a boudoir session without showing anything that makes you insecure?

Yes, and it doesn't mean you are "doing boudoir wrong". For many of us, the act of signing up for more revealing photos is already a huge step towards increasing your self-confidence. You don't need to add pressure on yourself to go all out and show it all if you don't feel like it. After all, some people can learn how to swim by getting thrown in the ocean, others need to dip their toes in first before exploring, and that's very much okay. You will still get wonderful photographs and a great experience.

If you feel like this would be you, definitely focus on finding outfits that make you feel your best while hiding whatever you want to hide. For example, the majority of women that come to us tend to be insecure about their stomachs. In this case, we suggest getting high waisted panties, bodysuits or other kind of cover-ups like open blouses or cute loose t-shirts. Focus then on the parts of yourself you do like and want to showcase.

Something to also consider: the biggest part that makes the right photoshoot is the photographer. The right photographer will teach you poses and shoot in a certain way to take away the focus from your insecurities and accentuate the parts of yourself you do like.

For some, showing your body insecurities is a great way to overcome them.

If you are feeling the itch of finally making peace with your body, going all out and showing what scares you the most could be extremely beneficial.

A professional boudoir shoot gives you the chance to see your body in a new light. We rarely get to see our whole body from another perspective. We see it more often than not in unflattering light, and tend to pay attention to it only when we are not feeling our best.

Being posed beautifully, with the right ambiance and the right lighting goes a long way in body-acceptance. Based on our experience when our clients see their photos, chances are you won't even notice the "flaws” that bothered you before signing up because you will be so in awe by the whole you. You will see that whatever caused you so much worry is actually not bad at all, quite the opposite! It is the ultimate way to give yourself a break and recalibrate the vision your had of yourself on the positive!

On a side note: avoid photographers that edit bodies shapes and do extreme skin edits. What is the point of challenging yourself by showing more of you if it is to get it edited post-session in ways that don't look like you? The goal is to bring some appreciation of our "flaws", not digitally "fix them".

So, should I hide or should I show my "flaws”?

While we would love to tell you to go full nude because it is so incredibly empowering, we also want to be realistic because, even for ourselves, there are many days when posing nude feels completely out of the question due to many factors. The best answer is then: do both.

Start with the outfits that covers you most. Remove some layers bit by bit until you reached your maximum level of comfort. Maybe, after getting comfortable in your session, you will even feel confident enough to pose semi or full nude, but maybe not and that's great too! Just enjoy each step and see what happens.

A boudoir photoshoot is usually outside of everyone's comfort zone, but, while it is empowering as hell, it should still feel safe. It should reflect who you are, and capture what makes YOU feel beautiful, in your own way. Don't hesitate to make your photoshoot your own, with your favourite looks and props, and enjoy the ride!

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The most common inquiries we got this year

We are a little bit more than a month away from starting a new year, and we thought it would be nice to do a recap of the most common boudoir inquiries we got this year, hoping you might relate to what you read in this blog and finally find the courage to do your boudoir shoot (you deserve to try this experience for yourself, it is truly life changing) 🤗

The search for self-love and body acceptance

When we receive messages from people struggling with their body (most of the time it comes from women or transgender people), they are the inquiries that are the most emotional. People talk about their stories, life issues, and lack of body confidence. They share about addictions they are dealing with, disease that changed their body, abusive relationships that destroyed their image, or the fact they never liked their body. And it often breaks our hearts because some people are really harsh with themselves, and don’t always have the kindest words towards the way they look.

But is it also very inspiring to see that despite all the sadness they had to face, they are fighting to love themselves again and reappropriate their body.

Men who went through a divorce

Those past months, we shot a lot with men in their 50’s/60’s who recently went through a divorce and are looking to either have spicy pictures to send to their new partner, or have nicer pictures of themselves to update their online dating profile with.

We have been saying it from the day we opened Scandaleuse Photography, boudoir is not only for women. Anyone can do a shoot, even men!

Women over 50 looking to feel empowered

We also have more and more inquiries from mature women who are finally stepping out of the social etiquette that is stopping them from expressing their sensuality and sexiness.

Ageism is so deeply rooted in our society, that it is very difficult for those women to do a boudoir shoot. For most of them, this experience feels like it is forbidden, and they have to push through many fears in order to give it a try.

But when they finally do their photoshoot, we can see the transformation from the start, it is beautiful!

Birthday celebrations & couples’ anniversary

This year, many people did a shoot to celebrate their birthdays or anniversaries, and we love this idea! Using boudoir photography to celebrate a milestone, make your shoot extra special. Usually, this is when we see the most creative outfits and props that people bring with them:

• a couple did a shoot to celebrate their love, and they were both big fans of Harry Potter;

• one of our client wanted to do her shoot with a vintage erotic postcard vibe;

• one of our last boudoir shoot was for a client turning 35, and it was all about glam, silver, and diamonds;

• this summer, another couple celebrated their anniversary with an outdoor shoot, and wanted to be photographed in the nude with their paddle board because it is one of their favourite outdoor activity;

• we even had a son who gifted a boudoir shoot to his mom for her birthday because he knew she would love it!

Like those people, you deserve to celebrate your badass-self 😘

The classic wedding gift

Last but not least, we had a lot of photoshoots with women who were getting married and wanted to gift a boudoir album to their husband (hoping to have their reaction photographed and filmed during the ceremony while opening the album). One of them sent us the photo, and as you can see, his reaction is hilarious!

If you have been reading our blogs for a while, you know that we believe that it is very important to do a shoot for yourself. But showing your beautiful photographs to your partner, to make them blush and happy, is a cool extra bonus and a great way to add some spiciness to your relationship!

This is only a small selection of the reasons why people do a boudoir shoot, but they are so many others. Remember, your boudoir shoot should be fun and make you feel amazing, and to be honest, you don’t really need a reason to try this fabulous experience. It can just be a gift from you to you :)

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