6 Boudoir Myths That Need To Be Ditched

As someone who’s been doing boudoir photography sessions for almost 4 years, I’ve heard it all from women who have been comfortably stuck on the fence about boudoir for a while. They come to me with these preconceived notions about boudoir that are hard to get rid of.

Have you said any of these things to yourself about boudoir photography?
 
“I think it’ll be awkward.”

“I don’t have a sexy face.”
 
“I’m not good in front of the camera.” 

“I need to lose a few pounds.” 

“No way I could look like those other models.” 

If so, I get it. But now is the time to let those thoughts go. The truth about boudoir is that it doesn’t have to be what you see on the Internet or in other people’s photos. Boudoir is all about making it your own, and owning what you got. So if you’re still straddling the fence about booking a boudoir photo session because of any of the reasons listed here, I say this with gentle love and compassion: it’s time to rip off the band-aid. 

Here are 6 common boudoir myths that need to be kicked to the curb, once and for all. 

Myth 1: you have to lose weight first.

The way society is set up (thanks, patriarchy) is what perpetuates this myth. You might see other boudoir photos and think, but they’re all so skinny, I should lose weight. Boudoir is about embracing who you are and what your body looks like at this moment. It’s okay if you’re not where you want to be with your weight when you have your shoot. You’ll be happy to hear that many of my clients say that they view their bodies in a different light after looking at their galleries. 

So don’t should yourself to death before booking a boudoir session. Embrace what your body looks like and can do for you at this time in your life. Take the leap of faith. Love yourself enough in this moment to invest in yourself and celebrate your unique beauty. 

Myth 2: you can only wear lingerie in a boudoir shoot.

This is what everyone typically envisions when they think of boudoir, right? If that’s what you see yourself in for your boudoir photo session, that’s great. However, boudoir has come such a long way and you don’t have to feel like you need to wear lingerie during your shoot. You can choose to wear as much (or as little) as you’re comfortable with. A good boudoir photographer will not judge you for what you choose.

If you’re not sure where to start when it comes to what to wear during your shoot, check out some of the most popular choices–straight from my clients.

Myth 3: you have to be comfortable in front of the camera.

Even though we live in the era of smartphones and social media, I get that some people still might not be comfortable in front of a camera. A good boudoir photographer will do what they can to make you feel at ease during your photo shoot. You won’t have to worry about what to do with your face or how to look “sexy.” 

In my sessions, I pose my clients from head-to-toe so they don’t have to worry about what to do with their bodies. I even get clients who start to feel comfortable halfway through the session and suggest poses themselves! And remember that if you book a boudoir photography session with me, you can feel at ease knowing that you get to choose who does or doesn’t get to see your photos. Your privacy matters to me. 

Myth 4: you have to have a certain “look” to do a boudoir session.

If you’ve done a Google search for boudoir photos, it can be easy to feel super intimidated by what you see and be completely put off from boudoir. As women, we tend to compare ourselves (especially our bodies) to other women, and even to earlier versions of ourselves. 

I know this is going to be hard to internalize, but I’m here to tell you that you don’t have to look a certain way to have a boudoir shoot. Boudoir is for everyone–the mom who may have lost a little bit of who she is after having kids. The older woman who wants to bust the myth that boudoir is for the young. The businesswoman who kills it in the conference room but struggles with body image issues. No matter who you are or what you look like, you can rock a boudoir session. 

Myth 5: boudoir sessions are only for a romantic partner.

No! Well, of course they can be a sweet gift for Valentine’s Day or a birthday. But first and foremost, boudoir is for you. The photos you take during your boudoir photography session are for you to view yourself in a positive light and embrace the beautiful woman you are. So if you’re single and don’t have anyone to give your photos to, that’s okay! Cherish your photos as a gift that helps you to discover confidence and empowerment like never before.  

Myth 6: boudoir photography is erotic.

Okay, I can see why you might think this due to the nature of these photos. I want to point you back to the introduction of this article: boudoir is something you can make your own. If you feel comfortable rocking a strappy number with super high heels, go for it. If you want more of a subtle, “leave some to the imagination look,” that’s great! A good boudoir photographer can make suggestions but should not force you into doing something you’re not comfortable with. As long as you’re at ease, there aren’t any set rules for what your photo shoot should look like. You get to decide what to wear and how to interpret your photos–so you can walk away feeling liberated and beautiful.

There are so many myths about boudoir that are difficult to ditch. No matter what you think about boudoir and whether or not you should book a boudoir photo session, remember that boudoir is a gift to yourself that you can make your own. 

Is there anything that you can add to this list of myths to bust about boudoir photography? Comment them down below!