Naked and unafraid: how much clothing should I wear during my boudoir session?

Before any boudoir session, I always like to ask my client how much skin they’re hoping to show in their boudoir pictures. Despite the name of this blog post (I just liked the title, haha!) many people don’t actually get fully nude during their boudoir sessions -- but some do! 

I’ve found that many folks feel a bit unsure what the options are when considering how much skin they’ll be revealing during their boudoir session. My goals for this blog post are to 1) emphasize that however much skin or little skin you choose to show, your portraits will be BEAUTIFUL, and 2) help you feel as unafraid and excited for your boudoir session as possible! 

Showing skin is a spectrum! 

In boudoir photography, there’s a huge spectrum of how much skin a client can show! On one end of the spectrum, I have some clients who choose to exclusively wear everyday clothing in their pictures. In the middle of the spectrum, many clients choose to wear lingerie and underwear. At the other end of the spectrum, some clients choose to do a fine art topless or nude look during their session. 

I think it’s so helpful to think of this as a spectrum because we can truly create incredible boudoir portraits no matter how much/how little clothing a client chooses to wear! Some clients come in and spend their entire sessions nude, and other clients spend their entire sessions fully clothed -- and either way, these sessions are all equally boudoir and equally awesome. 

Some of the boudoir photography terms I use (“fine art nude,” “implied topless,” and so on) might be a little confusing, so I thought I’d break down the language in this blog post! Most of my clients choose to mix and match between the different options below throughout their session, which can create a really rich, beautiful variety of portraits. 

If you’re considering a boudoir session, hopefully this post can help you explore your comfort zone and what feels good to you! (And if you’re not sure, feel free to email me or come to your session with questions and ideas -- we can totally talk about them together!) 

Option 1: everyday clothing

Some clients choose to wear jeans and a t-shirt, workout gear, a power suit, a really cool dress, or something along those  lines for their boudoir sessions. Personal branding sessions typically consist of clients wearing multiple everyday clothing looks. Some clients also choose to bring one everyday clothing look into their boudoir session, and mix in lingerie or other options for other looks. 

Option 2: a mix of everyday clothing + lingerie

Mixing everyday clothing and lingerie can look super fun in pictures! It feels a little more casual or a little flirty.. A ton of folks I work with choose to start their boudoir session with a look in this category -- they’ll pair a bralette with jeans, or a cozy sweater with underwear, and it creates a really lovely, effortless portrait. 

Option 3: lingerie

This is the option that most people imagine when they think about boudoir photography! Lingerie, bra and underwear sets, slips, teddies, bodysuits -- they all fit into this category beautifully. 

Option 4: implied topless or nude

When I use the term “implied,” I mean that the photo will give the implication of the client being nude while keeping the client’s nipples and butt covered. “Topless” refers to the upper half of the body, whereas “nude” refers to the whole body. For example, in an implied topless look, a client looks topless but is still covering themself up with their hands or a sheet, and they’re usually wearing underwear. For an implied nude look, a client looks nude (and isn’t wearing underwear) but is still covering their butt and nipples with a sheet or careful posing. These photos can be as revealing or as covered up as each client wants -- it’s all about a client’s comfort, first and foremost! 

Option 5: fine art topless or nude

This option is for folks who are comfortable with their nipples or butt showing! A “fine art topless” look might have nothing on top but would keep the booty covered, and a “fine art nude” look could show the full body (I also have some clients who are fine with their butt showing but want to keep their nipples covered). Pubic areas generally stay covered with careful posing of a sheet or legs. 

Clients who opt for a fine art nude or topless look often say that they love how much these photos feel like art -- fine art topless and nude portraits feel simple, elegant, and really special.

For more reading and info on wardrobe options, check out the Boudoir Wardrobe Guide!