| York, PA Boudoir Photography Studio

One of the top concerns I hear from clients before their boudoir sessions is not knowing how to pose or move their body to achieve the best possible spicy portraits. Have no fear, Danielle is here.

1.DONT OVERCOMPLICATE YOUR POSES

Especially at the start of your boudoir portrait session and until you get comfortable with me, the studio
setups, and being in front of the camera with all of your bits out, we will keep it simple. Sometimes the easiest poses give you the most effortless results. Just kneeling, lying, or standing against a wall can create beautiful images of you just being you. So don’t overthink it. Once you get comfy and we’ve done the basics, I’ll bring out the fun stuff. But don’t get nervous. Im here to demonstrate everything for you. If I can do it, you can do it.

2. IF IT BENDS, BEND IT BABY!

The goal is to make you look natural and loose. We are creating images that mimic you in your most relaxed and vulnerable moments. No stiff-legged planking going on here. A good rule of thumb for every pose we will put you in is to bend EVERYTHING. Creating angles with your body will convey relaxation and visual interest so bend those knees, arch that back, and throw those arms over your head.

3. KEEP HANDS SOFT AND TOES POINTED

While different boudoir poses work for different bodies and we will tweak and adjust to make
everything works and flatter you, pointing toes AGGRESSIVELY and keeping hands soft and
relaxed is the golden rule that works for everyone and gives every pose that little something
extra. When touching your face, hair, and body, only use the pad of your middle finger and never
squish against skin… unless of course, we are going for something a little more, ahem, rough.
No matter what pose you are in, pointing those toes will flex and elongate the leg muscles
giving those beautiful sexy gams their best time in the spotlight.

4. WORK WITH YOUR BEST ASSETS

I want to show it all off baby. Every inch. But maybe you have a favorite body part? Or if gifting to
your boo, they just can’t get enough of that booty? Well, tell me all about it, hun! We will adjust
poses and angles to make the most of those body parts that you adore. Alternately, while I want
you to love every dimple, crease, and crevice, realistically I know that we all have areas we’d
rather not focus on. Don’t be shy. Tell me about those too. I won’t hide or avoid but I can take
extra care to tweak poses showing off those areas in a flattering way to change how to view and
feel about those areas

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5. MOVEMENT IS KEY

I tell everyone at the beginning of every boudoir session not to feel like they need to “pose” or “freeze” for the camera. Some of my favorite shots were the in-between moments. When my subject is starting to feel comfortable and opens up and has some fun with it. Move, giggle, talk, and be YOU. The literal job of the camera is to freeze a moment in time. Throw the hair, move the arms, touch yourself, roll around, and laugh like crazy. I’ll do the rest.

6. DON’T BE AFRAID OF THE CLOSEUP

Details make the moment. Focusing on the small pieces of you is so important to tell your whole story.
Maybe it’s an engagement ring at a bridal session. The lacy detail on your favorite piece of lingerie. A scar that reminds you where you’ve been and how far you’ve come. The beauty mark right above your belly button that your hunny named on that 3rd date. These things are beautiful and should get their time to shine. Tell me if there is something, in particular, you want to show off, or let me use my lense to find all the beautiful little pieces that make you, YOU.

7. STRETCH IT OUT

One of the things I will tell you to do for prep is to stretch. The night before and morning of your session, get on the floor and loosen up baby. Stretching before your spicy photoshoot will help make it easier to bend and arch and hold poses for a few minutes without getting cramps or feeling too sore after. Most poses are super easy and we can totally avoid the more complicated ones if it’s not your thang, but even the easiest poses will benefit from limbering up beforehand.

8. SMILE DAMMIT!

Boudoir is sexy enough. The outfits (or lack thereof), the poses, the whole damn idea is steamy and sultry and spicy. It won’t ruin the mood to throw in some laughs. Actually, I find nothing sexier than a beautiful woman enjoying herself. So be you. If you feel silly, laugh about it. If I trip over the carpet, laugh at me. If you are just having a damn good time, gimme a big ol giggle.

9. PROPS AND PROPS AND PROPS

Let’s have fun with this. If there are items you own or would like to incorporate that will add to your session and the story we are telling, we can work with them to create new and unique poses.
Maybe you are gifting this to your man and have one of his fav hats. Oh the things I can do with a strategically placed dirty hat over the naughty bits. BAM. We just made a new pose AND an
outfit. Wedding veil for a bridal boudoir session? We can center about 5 different poses around showing that bad boy off and letting it highlight your curves and soft beauty. Maybe you are going a little more bad ass with it and want to toke up? Smoke can create so much interest in a photo so light that bad boy up and we will make the joint a supporting character.

10. RELAX YOUR FACE

I have some tips and tricks to help your face look relaxed and even sultry in your boudoir photos. Try parting your lips slightly and breathing through your mouth. Sounds weird but relaxes your mouth in the most effortless way. Or tilt chin up but look down at your shoulder with just your eyes. This gives a soft closed eyed pose without looking like you’ve fallen asleep. There are tons of these but even with me telling you exactly where to look and what expression you should try, we need that brow and that jaw to be soft and relaxed. So take a chill pill. Or have another glass of bubbly. Whatever it takes to calm those nerves a bit.

BONUS TIP: TRUST YOUR PHOTOGRAPHER

Most women don’t know the first thing about how to pose themselves in a flattering way. We move
through day to day only seeing ourselves in the bathroom mirror or a perfectly curated and filtered selfie here and there.

You aren’t supposed to know how to do this. That’s why I exist. Who you choose to capture your boudoir portraits can make or break your experience and change how you feel about your photos and yourself. Find someone whose work shows the type of posing you are drawn to. Some are more sultry and sexual. Some are more powerful and edgy. Some romantic and soft. Make sure their branding personality and vibe align with your personal style and most of all, make sure they communicate with you in a way that makes you feel safe, comfortable, and supported. If you connect with your photographer from day 1, you will be more comfortable on the day of your session and everything will feel easy and seamless.