embracing your sexy

5 Fun Boudoir Photography Poses My Clients Love | Brooklyn Boudoir Studio

Brunette tossing her hair in white sheets

As a boudoir photographer, I have worked with countless women of all ages and body types. One of the things that never ceases to amaze me is how empowering boudoir photography can be. It's a way to celebrate your body and your femininity, to feel confident and beautiful, and to capture that feeling forever in photographs. One of the questions I get asked most frequently is about poses - what are the most flattering, what are the most popular, and what are the most fun? So, today I'm going to share with you five fun boudoir photography poses that my clients love.

The Floor Pose

Our floors at Brooklyn Boudoir are kind of famous. In fact, along with the floor to ceiling windows they were what drew me to the studio in the first place. It’s no wonder that the "Floor Pose" is my #1 most request pose from my clients. It’s versatile and one of the most universally flattering boudoir photography poses. And while it isn’t comfortable to be laying on a hard, cold, polished-concrete floor, there is a LOT of variety we can get get here, resulting in about 10 unique shots. All of these reasons add up to the floor pose being an absolute must-try pose for any client looking for edgy and captivating shots that highlight their curves and beauty.

One of the reasons why this pose is so popular is the sheer number of angles you can capture. Everyone looks good stretched out on the floor, and there are tons of angles you can capture - from the front, side, back, and even from above. Moreover, the reflective nature of the concrete floors creates a unique and edgy look that's sure to turn heads.

Even if you have movement limitations, this pose is still doable. You can bend one of your legs, stretch out, or lie on your side to create different looks and angles. It's a versatile pose that works well for all body types.

However, I must warn you that this pose can be uncomfortable, especially if you're lying directly on the hard, cold floor. But, trust me, it's worth it! The results are always stunning, and the discomfort is temporary. Plus, as a photographer, I will do everything in my power to make you feel as comfortable as possible during the shoot.

Sitting Cross-legged

The "CrissCross Applesauce" pose is a perfect choice for those clients who are looking for a pose that's both comfortable and easy to execute. Many clients feel nervous when they're asked to pose in their lingerie, but this pose can help ease those nerves. It's a familiar position that we sit in every day, which can make the client feel more at ease during the shoot.

It's natural to feel self-conscious during a boudoir photoshoot, but it's important to remember that the camera sees things differently than we do. This pose can show as much or as little as you want it to. As a photographer, I have a trained eye to capture the best angles and lighting, which can enhance your beauty and make you look your best. So, even if you're feeling a bit nervous or self-conscious, trust me when I say that you look amazing.

Laying on Your Tummy

Laying on your tummy is an excellent pose to start with if you're feeling a bit hesitant or self-conscious. It can be a bit more comfortable since you're not as exposed, making it a perfect way to ease into the session. However, don't let the less revealing nature of this pose fool you - it's still incredibly versatile and can capture a wide range of moods. From a sultry, come-hither expression to a playful, flirty smile, laying on your tummy can showcase your personality while still maintaining your comfort level.

What's more, this pose is an excellent opportunity to play with your hair, whether you choose to let it cascade down your back or pull it up in a messy bun. As a boudoir photographer, I love capturing shots where my clients interact with their hair, adding a playful or seductive touch to the final images.

Arms Above the Head

This pose offers versatility in terms of style. You can make it look more pinup-like or more natural, depending on how you position yourself. If you touch your hair, it can create a natural look. And if you raise your arms up it will lift your breasts, which works well for both larger and smaller busts.

Additionally, there are plenty of ways to vary the composition of the shot by focusing on different parts of your body. For example, you can frame your eyes with your arms, emphasize the curve of your waist, showcase your curves by positioning your body to highlight your booty and side body, or play with your hair and back. You can also incorporate your hands into the pose to add a graceful element to the shot.

Legs Up on the Bed

Although this pose may not be the easiest to get into, once you're in it, it's a breeze. It may take some time to find the perfect angle, but it's totally worth it. One of the best things about this pose is that it can highlight your legs or statement shoes, which is perfect for those who love to show off their footwear collection. It elongates your legs, which can make them appear slimmer and longer, creating a stunning look that will leave you feeling confident.

Apart from the legs, this pose can also capture artistic, anonymous shots that still show off your body head to toe. It allows you to play with angles, creating a unique and captivating composition.


In conclusion, these are just five of the many boudoir photography poses that my clients love. The key to a great boudoir session is to trust your photographer and to have fun - after all, this is a celebration of you and your body. So don't be afraid to try new things and to embrace your femininity. And if you're still feeling a little nervous, just remember - what the camera sees is totally different than what you are seeing. You are beautiful, and you deserve to feel confident and empowered.

Wardrobe Ideas for your Boudoir Shoot: The White Shirt

Woman in white shirt and sheer white bra from Eros_Brooklyn Boudoir Photo

Boudoir outfit inspiration

Your upcoming photoshoot is a big deal, so naturally the outfits you choose are important to plan carefully. After you book with me, I will send you a very comprehensive prep guide to help plan your looks. But in the meantime, I am starting this series of ideas for you to wearing during your boudoir session. Starting with …

The White Button Down Shirt

Ahh, the white shirt. Classic, classy, sexy, and already in your closet! There are so many ways to style a white shirt, and it’s always in style. Plus it looks good on EVERYONE, so naturally it’s one of my favorite pieces to photograph.

What style of white shirt should you choose?

I always recommend you choose a white button down without patterns, logos or details that could date the photo or be distracting. I personally love a shirt that it’s a little large (not too huge on you) and more summer weight - in other words, not too thick. A little sheerness is oh so sexy and a lighter material will move well when you do. I have a version of this kind of shirt in the studio if you don’t have one that you love.

Should I wear by partner’s shirt?

It’s always so fun to sneak your partner’s shirt out of the closet - so many of my clients do this and it always gives their partner a fun surprise. I would just call out that you don’t want the shirt to be TOO big on you-we still want to see you underneath it!

How should you wear a white shirt in your boudoir photoshoot?

There are SO MANY ways to wear the classic white shirt:

Woman in underwear buttoning white shirt Brooklyn New York
  • Wear it over lingerie, choosing how many buttons are closed to tailor the level of “edge” to your comfort zone.

  • Wear it completely undone, draped off the shoulder. My clients always love a “taking the shirt off” pose. Bonus if the shirt is a little sheer so we can get a peek of your silhouette underneath.

  • Wear it totally buttoned up with no pants

  • Wear it frumpy and wrinkled for a “just woke up like this” flavor

  • Hike it up to catch a glimpse of booty.

  • Styled with “his” accessories for a masculine-sexy feel

  • Tied up to show a little extra abs and give a ore fashion-forward feel.

Woman's figure in white button down shirt_brooklyn boudoir

Remember, you can be as revealing as you want to be during your boudoir shoot - from totally NSFW to completely covered up - and a crisp white button down gives you the flexibility to do just that. It also gives us tons of options for posing, gives you something productive to do with your hands, and is a classy, classy look that will never go out of style.

Need more Boudoir wardrobe inspiration? Keep checking out my blog posts for more!

xoxo,

Stephanie






Single This Valentine's Day? Celebrate YOU! | Brooklyn Boudoir Photography

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Women choose boudoir photography for all sorts of reasons. It’s certainly a popular gift for a significant other, but at Brooklyn Boudoir, I say, do it for your own.damn.self.  You will get beautiful images of yourself, yes, but it’s actually so much more than that.  It can be a meaningful way to mark a milestone birthday, a pregnancy, the arrival of a baby, or to celebrate a recent improvement to your life.  Most of all, it’s about celebrating and embracing your womanhood and capturing yourself exactly how you are at this very moment. Oh, and it’s also a hella lot of fun.  So this Valentine’s day, I urge all the single ladies out there to celebrate themselves with a boudoir portrait session. Need some convincing?  Here are a few reasons why you should consider a Brooklyn Boudoir photo shoot:

Celebrate Your Single Life
Valentine’s Day can be tough on single people, but it doesn’t have to be. Toss out the pre-conceived notions of what makes a good Valentine’s Day —you don’t need candy, flowers, or a fancy dinner to feel appreciated.  Why not celebrate being a strong, single woman and relish the terrific, rich life you have built for yourself?  Even better, gather your single women friends and book a group photography session!  I’m about to do this myself in New Orleans with a group of women I have known for 20 years.  Believe me, you’ll leave feeling like you can conquer the world, and you might just be the envy of your non-single friends. 

Banish Your Body Issues

Society has twisted the concept of beauty into something virtually unattainable, and our collective body image has paid a steep price. EVERYONE has insecurities, and we often spend too much time focusing on what we don’t like about our bodies. Instead, why not focus on what you love about yourself?  As a boudoir photographer, I sincerely see beauty in every woman -- that means YOU!  You are perfect just as you are. Not on a “skinny day,” not after you get in shape.   My hope is that by seeing yourself through my lens, you’ll be able to see yourself in a way you perhaps never have before, and that in itself is a reason to celebrate.

Body_positive_brooklyn_boudoir_photo

You’ll Look & Feel Amazing

Who doesn’t love getting primped, and how often do we allow ourselves such a luxury in our busy lives?  Part of the fun of a Brooklyn Boudoir Experience is getting pampered by my amazing hair & makeup team, which offers a chance to unwind before the session and indulge in a real treat.  Prefer to do your own hair & makeup? TOTALLY FINE!  Don’t wear makeup, period?  I fully support you!  I want you to look like the best version of you, not to feel as if you are playing dress up in someone else’s eyelashes.  Makeup or not, the sudden surge of self-confidence you’ll feel after your session will make you want to go out and celebrate how amazing you look and feel.  

Embrace Your Inner Goddess

OK, “goddess” isn’t a word I often use, as overused as it is right now.  BUT hear me out.  A big part of boudoir photography is, of course, the sensual nature of it.  I am proud to be a sensual being and encourage all women to embrace and celebrate the sensual and yes - sexual - expression of themselves, however you choose to express that. If you don’t engage that aspect of your personality very often, it can be very powerful to remind yourself of it.  You might find that the photography session reignites a spark within you that you can carry with into many other aspects of your life. You think Beyonce looks at herself in the mirror and tells herself she is anything short of a goddess?  My bet is she doess’t, and neither should you. 

Do It Because It Scares You

We easily fall into certain habits in our daily life, completing the same tasks at work or wearing the same hairstyle or outfits. Comfort and routine can make us stale; it can kill productivity and imagination.  Sometimes it’s good to take a leap of faith, even if it terrifies you. We grow as people when we’re challenged, and that includes trying new things. That’s why it’s important to sometimes engage in something that makes you feel a little uncomfortable.   When you stretch yourself and try something new, you’ll find a new appreciation for life again. Imagine the terrific sense of self-confidence and empowerment you will gain from your boudoir session!  

It’s Fine Art
Under the care of the photographer’s trained eye, boudoir photography is much more than just sexy pictures. It’s a work of art, worthy of hanging in a gallery, and you play the starring role. Every grown woman should have a photo of herself looking her fiercest casually (or not so casually!) displayed in her home.  Plus, you have an amazing keepsake of your experience and a lifelong reminder of how beautiful you are, inside and out.

Ladies, boudoir is having a moment right now, and for good reason.  DO IT FOR YOU — and there is no better time than now.  Want to learn more?  Hit me up!  

xoxo, Stephanie

 

 

Loving Yourself | New York Bridal Boudoir Photography

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On this second day of the new year… the day that we all have to get back to the “real” world, I’d like to share a little inspiration and practical advice regarding the most important and meaningful love of your life…

YOU.

Loving yourself can seem like a vague idea, indulgent or even unnecessary. But it’s vital. Putting self love into practice and creating habits that fill you up is key to a fulfilled life. Daily self love will make you a better human, mother, wife… a better you.  It’s like going to the gym. (I think. I don’t go to the gym, so I don’t really know.)

I’m fortunate enough to have photographed amazing women who have become friends – mothers, entrepreneurs, single ladies, working ladies… all loving, nurturing, evolved humans who value the art of self love.  Ms. M is one of them women who really captured my heart in 2017.  Smart & successful but also sensitive and emotional, I saw a lot of myself in her.  

Ms. M initially contacted me a few months before her wedding.  Yes, there would be the extra added benefit of gifting her groom a beautiful and personal gift, but she more importantly wanted to have a boudoir shoot to have fun and gain confidence while in the midst of the wedding-planning craziness.  As many of us know, the wedding industry can often do a number on women — setting unrealistic expectations of perfection and bringing a lot of stress to a time that should be nothing short of joyous. I mean — not many of us mere mortals look or dress like Megan Markle and — *news flash* — that’s ok!  Imagine how sad it would be to look back on yourself as a 90 year old and only then realzie how beautiful you were.  The thought breaks my heart.  Ms. M wanted to have a boudoir shoot to give herself a day off, have fun and remind herself that she is beautiful and sexy exactly as she is now, in this moment.  And THAT to me is the crux boudoir photography.  There is no need to wait for some arbitray goal - you are allowed to love yourself and appreciate yourself just as you are today, and every day!

We shot at the William Vale, one of my favirite Brooklyn hotels in Williamsburg, which overlooks the New York City skyline.  We wanted to capture Ms. M looking sexy, stylish & fun, and Ms. M really went for it.  She pushed herself outside of her comfort zone, and was game for anything I suggested.  It was a late summer day, the light was gorgeous and we captured Ms. M looking beautiful, bold, confidant, and sexy as hell.  

After her shoot, Ms. M said: 

Thank you again SO much for such an amazing experience. … I had fun and felt fabulous every step of the way and that was due in large part to your creativity, careful guidance, and boundless energy.  I really cannot say enough about what this whole experience has done for me and for my confidence going into my wedding/the rest of my life in general -- you are an absolute gift and I feel so lucky to have met you and had a chance to shoot with you!

What can I say, this was a total lovefest of a collaboration.  I really could have photographed her all day — luckily she had the stamina to shoot for almost 4 hours with me!  I think we both needed a massage the next day but it was so worth it!  We had a blast together and hearing I applaud Miss "S" for not only stepping out of her comfort zone, but for proudly sharing these lovely photos with the world to encourage other women to embrace the experience for THEMSELVES. 

I told Ms. M that I would happily photographer her again for he 1 year wedding anniversary and I am very much looking forward to that day!  

xoxo, Stephanie

Ready to celebrate yourself in 2018?  Let's chat! 

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