Boudoir photography is a beautiful and intimate art form that allows women to celebrate their bodies and their beauty. However, many boudoir photographers find themselves spending hours in post-production editing their images. While editing can be a helpful tool, it’s important to remember that the best boudoir images are the ones that are captured in camera.

There are a few reasons why it’s important to focus on getting it right in camera when shooting boudoir photography. First, editing can be time-consuming and expensive. If you’re spending hours editing each image, you’re not going to be able to shoot as many sessions. This can limit your income and make it difficult to grow your business.

A boudoir client posing for Deaqon James during her photoshoot while Roni James looks on with a video camera.

Second, editing can be subjective. What one person considers to be a beautiful image, another person might not. This can lead to disagreements with clients and can make it difficult to deliver images that they’re happy with.

Third, editing can be destructive. If you’re not careful, you can easily damage an image by over-editing it. This can lead to blurry images, lost details, and unnatural colors.

Deaqon James photographing a client in her hotel room using a Neewer Vision5 strobe light
Roni James poses for Deaqon James during her shoot with him at their house in Arenal Costa Rica.
An assistant holds up a tablet with a straight out of camera image of Roni James during a Deaqon James workshop to show how to getting the image right in camera

So, what can you do to get it right in camera when shooting boudoir photography? Here are a few tips:

  • Use good lighting. The right lighting will make all the difference in a boudoir image. Natural light is of course the easiest, but flash is always going to be the best option. Flash will cause the colors to and skin to pop creating the kind of result clients pay top dollar for.
  • Choose the right settings. When you’re shooting boudoir photography, it’s important to use the right settings on your camera. This will help you to capture sharp, well-exposed images.
  • Compose your shots carefully. Boudoir photography is all about creating an intimate and sensual mood. Take your time to compose your shots and make sure that they reflect the beauty of your subject.
  • Work with your client. Boudoir photography is a personal experience, so it’s important to work with your client to create images that they love. Ask them what they’re looking for in their images and help them to feel comfortable and confident in front of the camera.

By following these tips, you can get it right in camera and create stunning boudoir images that your clients will love.

Boudoir Photographer Deaqon James Meters his Neewer vision 5 on the Las Vegas Dry Lake Bed.

Here are some additional tips for getting it right in camera when shooting boudoir photography:

  • I like zoom lenses with a wide aperture (f/1.8 or f/2.8). This will help to create a shallow depth of field, which will blur the background and focus attention on your subject.
  • Use a tripod to keep your camera steady. This is especially important if you’re shooting in low light.
  • Experiment with different poses. The right pose can make all the difference in a boudoir image. Ask your client to move around and try different things until you find poses that flatter her figure and her personality.
  • Be creative with your lighting. You can use natural light, artificial light, or a combination of both. Experiment with different lighting setups to create the mood you want for your images.
  • Have fun! Boudoir photography should be an enjoyable experience for both you and your client. Relax, laugh, and enjoy the process of creating beautiful images together.

I hope you find this information helpful. Please feel free to leave your thoughts in the comments below. I welcome the discussion. Also if you want more great tips and conversation about business please consider becoming a part of my Boudoir Photography Business Education group on Facebook!

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