Boudoir Babes POV
My Two Cents
Early on in my modeling journey, I did a fair amount of boudoir and implied modeling, even some nude work. I was doing a lot of experimenting --- seeing what I liked, how to pose, what made good art. I found that nude art wasn’t really my thing. Nothing against the people who did it; in fact I celebrate them. The lingerie shoots, however, made me feel powerful and beautiful. Despite a so-called friend thinking otherwise, I didn’t do this style because I was insecure. In fact, a lack of confidence will come through the images and quite frankly, won’t look good. Being comfortable with your body, the photographer, and your surroundings is key to the best boudoir (or beyond) images. As I’ll talk about in a future post about staying safe in the modeling industry, there is a large amount of what I call “people with cameras”. These are not professional photographers, but rather people who use the medium as an opportunity to see, talk, and touch models. While I am in no way implying that every photographer who wants to shoot boudoir/nude work has bad intentions, it’s unfortunately something to be aware of.
When a photographer reaches out to shoot content, sexy or otherwise, there’s a few things I consider:
Do I know this photographer?
Do they have a concept in mind?
How is the quality of their work?
In addressing question one, I, like most models, am more likely to work with photographers I have already worked with or met. In the reverse situation, I don’t typically reach out to photographers I don’t know. I propose concepts to photographers I know based on their work style. Nowadays, I rarely shoot just shoot. At the very minimum, I need a vision or mood board to guide the shoot. I can’t say I’m innocent in terms of posting thirst traps (they’re easy to self-shoot and overall a crowd pleaser), but I do prefer my photos to have more substance, some kind of thought or emotion behind them. Quality of work is really important to me when choosing who to work with. As I have grown as a model, I’m a little more selective of who I choose to work with; I’m past building my initial portfolio and now trying to create brand worthy content. Follower counts aren’t particularly important to me, but if it is a brand new page, I may be a little hesitant. When the latter two questions have wanting answers, I’m most likely going to send my rates, which are higher for boudoir and nude work. Setting these two requirements really helps to filter out the people who have ill intentions.
In posing for boudoir and art nude, you have to be very aware of your body at all times. There can be a lot of pressure in this industry to look a certain way. Tummy in, abs flexed, arch the back, look pretty and don’t forget to breathe. It is not uncommon to be sore and exhausted after an hour or two of shooting. With any shoot, there’s a delicate balance between interesting poses and keeping things flattering. Start with the traditional, then twist it and make it yours. This comes with experience. Pinterest is a great source for posing guides, and when in doubt, practice in the mirror, especially with new outfits. Shoot location also really dictates how I pose. AirBNBs and apartments make for more interactive environments. Beds are a classic setting for boudoir shoots. As I talked about in my last post, WFH, there’s more setting, props, and wardrobe options available when shooting in an apartment. My all time favorite lingerie shots are done in collaboration with my good friend and published Chicago photographer, Damien Alexander (@bad.omen_; https://goodomenphoto.com/) at an AirBNB. We shot in all areas of the small studio, utilized different tables, accessories, and wardrobe, to make each image beautifully unique.
Studio shoots are a little more challenging as you have less to play with, unless you bring props. My Valentine’s Day shoot with Angel Martinez (@famousangel/@famousangelports) is a great example of that. I had seen an ad for this red Savage x Fenty Xtra VIP set, and I decided I had to have it. Although I had a lot of ideas, I chose to go a more classic route -- cupid. I styled the 5 piece set with these wings (despite the lack of reviews) and an e-girl inspired makeup look. I also ordered a toy bow and arrow and modified it to be more appropriate for the shoot. The images came out both sexy and playful which was my ultimate goal.
As I’ve grown my page, I’ve redirected my focus and brand aesthetic. I’ve become more interested in creative concepts and pairing them with fashion trends, with the idea of being able to monetize my work through brand partnerships. So I’m still all for thirst traps, but let’s make them high quality and unique.
SueVex
I wanted to be a nude model before I legally could. There's something truly magical about stripping down to our most raw form and being within it without fear. Then to capture that on camera and encourage others to observe their own comfort zones; there's such power in that.Modeling itself I began when I was six years old, photography was something I began in junior high, then in high school as a method of brainwashing away my body dysmorphia I took a daily nude selfie. The selfie wasn't sent to anyone, I simply admired it alone and told myself, sometimes lying, that I loved every aspect of the photo. I wouldn't allow myself to retake it, I was forced to love it as it turned out the first try.
After two years I had developed quite the self confidence. As no shock, I also got rather good at posing while equally accepting the photos that didn't look "good". I became entirely comfortable in front of a camera.
At 18 I began nude modeling. Still in high school, it didn't take long for word to get around. Family members disowned me, friends no longer stayed friends, people I hardly knew had the audacity to tell me I was gross. The saddest part is I believed them and all that work I had done for two years crumbled faster than my "gross" reputation spread.
Throughout my entire career as a model and simply as a human being, my own discomfort with nudity has only ever come from the discomfort of others.
Body dysmorphia, as one of the most extreme forms of discomfort with one's self, stems from the anxieties we're conditioned to feel. I wasn't born thinking I was ugly and seeing myself as less healthy than I actually am, no one was. The same way I was trained to see things as imperfections, I trained myself to see them as things to love deeper.
I'm now 27 and I've been successfully building my career as a sex worker going on three years. Modeling is the largest part of my work. I've been making a living out of living in ways that, through a lot of conscious healing in my soul and my self, flow so naturally. I've reached a point where nudity and sexuality are both very normal in my life, mind you these are two very separate things and that should not be confused.
My comfort with my body is a journey, the same as yours is. Just yesterday I had a photoshoot and had to remind myself to step into the dressing room to get into my lingerie instead of just strip down in front of the photographer. Though we would be shooting nude as planned, too, it was the professional thing to do to begin the shoot. But I was felt that comfortable, and applause to the photographer for providing that atmosphere, as I wasn't thinking twice about getting naked.
It's photographers that are vastly experienced, well-referable and greatly reputable that generally provide this kind of space and if you're new to the world of boudoir modeling and photography, those are the only people you should be accepting inquiries from.
Back track one more day though. I was avoiding all mirrors. Feeling bloated from PMS and physically seeing my reflection as much larger than I am, it was a rough mental day. That's body dysmorphia for you though, sneaking in to trick us in to hating ourselves. All is temporary though and we have to trust that in those darker moments.
The journey is never straight. Starting to be comfortable with myself for myself is what worked for me. Whether it's the journey with your own body or the journey of something else in life, the key is to brainwash ourselves into loving us more than the world teaches us how to hate. That's my key for being comfortable in my skin.
For more work by Sam visit her on Instagram @somethinaboutsam and via onlyfans.com/she_is_sam
Ingrid
As a model, shooting boudoir and nude photography can be a rush of events and emotions. I’ve been modeling for 8 years, but I still get butterflies when I take off my robe at a shoot and no longer have a place to hide. Jumping into posing can be awkward at first, but I think it’s fun and I’ve developed a flow over the years. Still, it’s a workout of sitting, standing, lying down, lying upside down, and kneeling in uncomfortable positions and trying to make them look “natural” (the trick is to breathe). Meanwhile, the photographer is telling you how beautiful you are and making little comments about where to look or place your hands. All of this while remaining professional when acting romantic, erotic, or even orgasmic for the camera. Posing in this way has completely changed my life. Shooting sexy content has given me so much self confidence and done wonders for my self-image. Claiming my sexuality in this way has given me a sense of autonomy and ownership of my body. And I’ve been able to carry that into the bedroom as well as my everyday life.
Golden Rules
Photographers:
Communication is key! Be very clear about expectations and boundaries PRIOR to the shoot.
Always ask permission to touch or adjust anything on a model!
Be polite, but also speak up if something looks off.
Respect your model’s boundaries. Do not push for things that make the model uncomfortable
If you know a photographer with bad intentions, please don’t keep that to yourself. You are responsible if something happens to a model.
Don’t be offended if a model asks to bring a friend along. She’s just trying to be safe!
If you’re just trying to see hot models naked, please get out of the industry.
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