Did you open this blog post because you dream of doing a boudoir photoshoot but feel quite nervous about it? We're going to assume you did, so if that's the case, this blog is 100% for you 😘
In case you don't know, Juliette and I (Fanny) opened Scandaleuse Photography 9 years ago, and in all those years, we've stopped counting the number of times people have told us they would love to do a shoot but don't think they can, often for the same reasons we're going to debunk today!
We bet one of the reasons stopping you from doing your photoshoot is on this list. If not, please leave us a comment. We're very curious to learn more about your story.
Yes, you have the right body!
This is probably the #1 reason why most people feel like boudoir photography is not for them. Beauty standards are still so deeply rooted in our society that many of us see ourselves as ugly or unworthy if our bodies don't look like what the media considers "acceptable" or "normal."
What we often forget is that these beauty standards were created for marketing purposes, to sell us products and services we don't need. If we all accepted our bodies the way they are, we wouldn't be searching for magical solutions or spending thousands of dollars to look younger, thinner, or more muscular.
Unfortunately, we live in a society that focuses more on what we look like than on who we are as people. So when it comes to boudoir photography, many people still feel that it's reserved only for those with "perfect" bodies.
One of the reasons we opened a boudoir photography studio was to put things back into perspective and encourage people to celebrate their natural beauty. Your body, no matter its shape or form, is beautiful exactly the way it is. Your cellulite, your wrinkles, your scars, and yes, even your belly fat (most of our clients complain about that part of their body, but it deserves some love too 🥹) are all part of who you are. There is no need to feel ashamed of, or hide, any part of yourself.
One of the benefits of doing a boudoir shoot is learning to accept ourselves as we are and giving a big middle finger to those beauty standards!
Yes, you are photogenic!
Another common reason some people fear doing a boudoir session is the belief that they are not photogenic. Honestly, we blame school portrait photography for that!
I remember hating those photo days as a kid. Most photographers had zero patience, parents forced us to smile, and it was often a truly unpleasant experience. I believe that created a lot of negative associations with being photographed. The idea of standing still and having to smile at a camera can be nerve-racking for some people and make them feel very awkward. But boudoir photography is a completely different experience, and it's actually a lot of fun once people start to relax.
First of all, we guide you through the entire process. We show you every pose, and we even demonstrate what we have in mind by posing ourselves in front of you so you can easily copy what we're doing.
Secondly, unless you're naturally a very smiley person, you're probably not going to smile in every photo. We build the sets around the outfits you bring. So let's say you bring a lot of badass lingerie, in that case the attitude we'll try to bring out in you will be more serious, powerful, and confident. We help create that atmosphere through the poses we guide you into and by directing where we want you to look.
On the other hand, if you bring outfits that create a cozy or cute vibe, we might encourage you to give a soft smile while looking off into the distance. We'll probably make you laugh too so we can capture some genuine, candid smiles.
Nothing is ever forced. With the right guidance, your natural attitude comes through very easily.
Yes, you can still do a boudoir shoot!
"I'm too old to do a boudoir shoot!"
No, you're not! The only requirement you need in order to do a boudoir shoot is to be over 18. Beyond that, there is no age limit.
Can you guess why women over a certain age think they shouldn't try this experience? It's because we live in a world where we've been told that women only matter when they're young. That after a certain age, they lose their beauty, their sensuality, and their sexuality. What a load of BS!
Aging is a natural process that all humans go through. Juliette likes to say that aging is a privilege, and she is absolutely right. We should celebrate our bodies for all the hard work they do for us, remembering that not everyone gets the chance to grow old and that, without our bodies, we are nothing.
Getting older should not stop us from living life and experiencing everything this world has to offer.
Yes, you will feel safe!
Another reason why we opened Scandaleuse Photography was because we wanted to create a safe space for people to fully express themselves and reclaim their bodies. Some of our clients are women who have experienced abuse in their lives, and doing a photoshoot is their way of taking back control of their image and their bodies.
We also have clients from the LGBTQIA2S+ community, such as cross-dressers and gay men, who use boudoir photography as a way to express their femininity because they don't feel safe enough to do so in their everyday lives. We also photograph trans women who are looking for a way to celebrate the feminine side of themselves that they may have had to hide for much of their lives.
Scandaleuse is a safe haven for anyone who needs a space to be themselves without fear of being judged, mocked, or abused. We make it our priority to provide support and guidance to every single person who comes to our studio and to ensure they leave with wonderful memories of this empowering experience.
Yes, you will relax and have fun!
When we shoot boudoir, we love helping you showcase all the facets of your personality. That's why we encourage you to bring outfits that make you feel amazing, as well as any props you'd like to incorporate into your session so that the experience feels truly personalized.
We also play music to help you get in the mood, guide you through every pose, cheer you on, and crack a few jokes to help you relax. Will you feel nervous during the first 10 minutes of the shoot? Probably! But as the session goes on, you'll start feeling less stressed and more comfortable, and before you know it, you'll be having fun.
Our photoshoots are two hours long, but you'll see that time flies by quickly... and you'll probably wish it lasted longer 😇
You will want to do it again in the future!
Boudoir photography isn't necessarily something people do every year, as it is an investment. However, we often see past clients return for a second or even third shoot years after their first boudoir experience. Sometimes their lives have changed. Sometimes they've reached an important milestone. And sometimes they simply want to celebrate themselves again with a new boudoir session.
That's one of the beautiful things about boudoir photography: every session tells the story of who you are in that moment of your life.