Boudoir photography is becoming more and more popular, because photo shoots and boudoir albums make excellent wedding day gifts for your future husband. “Boudoir” is the French word for a lady’s private dressing room or bedroom, and in photography terms, boudoir refers to a style in which women pose for photographs partially clothed or in lingerie. The photos are tasteful, and nudity is typically implied rather than explicit. That means you’re not wearing much of anything, but you’re also not showing off anything either.

Boudoir photographers are masters of creating elegant, sensual, and classy images of you in your lingerie. As with your wedding photographer, finding a boudoir photographer that you are completely at ease with is important, or the session won’t be worth it. When you start speaking with potential candidates, think about how relaxed and at ease you are with them. Ask yourself: Are the conversations and interactions easy? Would you feel comfortable in front of this person in very little clothing.

Planning a boudoir shoot can be a fun way to indulge and take some time out from wedding planning. Just like a bridal portrait session, it is worth investing in the details: professional makeup and lash application, having your hair and nails done, maybe getting a spray tan or waxing if that will make you feel beautiful. It’s also important to choose outfits that make you feel confident and sexy. If you bring in outfits too far outside your comfort zone, you may struggle with being comfortable in them, and this will show in your face and body language in the resulting photos. To prepare for the session, you can do a bit of searching on the internet for poses you might like to try, but a good boudoir photographer will have some suggestions of their own.

You will most likely want to allot at least two hours for your boudoir photo session. If you don’t arrive with your hair and make-up done, you may need longer. Many photographers may be able to do a photo session in a studio. Another popular site is a posh hotel room. Your own home or a borrowed home is another option. Once it comes time for the shoot to begin, it may also take you a little while to relax. Most brides aren’t used to lounging around while wearing very little, if any, clothing in front of the camera, so it can take you a while to warm up. You can probably bring a bottle of bubbly with you to the shoot, and maybe a playlist with some of your favorite music. A little champagne and some good tunes may help loosen things up.