Bridal boudoir
photography:
a guide
People choose to do boudoir sessions for a bunch of different reasons: it’s empowering and fun and expressive and transgressive and affirming (among other things).
Choosing to be photographed in this way before you get married is a unique opportunity, and that’s what we’re gonna explore in this guide.
What makes bridal boudoir unique
Does it have to be as a gift to my partner?
Not necessary, but super common! Really, I can think of few gifts more meaningful (and maybe jaw-dropping) for your partner than a thoughtfully-arranged album of beautiful photos that show you, expressing/bearing yourself.
It can be a fun, private way to connect that’s just between the two of you amidst the public-ness (and potential stress) of planning a wedding.
Is it just wedding-themed boudoir?
It could be! You can absolutely lean into the bridal part of it — white lace, a dress, garter, veil — or not. There are no rules to this stuff.
Like every session I do, your session will be personalized to you. We’re gonna find out what you’re drawn to and do that.
Some similarities
The process is very similar too: we’ll talk through things like location (outdoors or indoors?), outfit (what levels are you comfortable with?) and vibes (light, airy, fun, dark, moody, dramatic, etc) and build your session around what’s calling to you.
Your session can absolutely reflect who you are, even if it’s a part of you that isn’t often seen or photographed.
My lovely wife Jess often looks back on photos of herself and realizes she was so much hotter than she may have felt at the time, and how glad she is to have these photos of herself. Who you are at this very specific time in your life is worth remembering. And that’s true for any boudoir or portrait session.
Bridal boudoir is still boudoir — and that means you’re still expressing who you are through a photo session.
It’s still about pushing your comfort zone while honoring your boundaries
It’s still about the power of being seen — both during your photo session and by your partner if you’re gifting these photos to them
What to wear
As you’re deciding what you might like to wear, how bridal you’d like to go, or what vibes to channel, be sure whatever you choose 1) fits you well and 2) makes you feel super confident. If it passes these two simple tests you’re gonna have a great time during your session.
One important note that I always share with clients: your photos don’t become better when you wear racier or less clothing. It’s not like a linear scale that way.
The photo album experience
Most bridal boudoir sessions have some amount of secrecy — and even if your partner knows you’re doing one (or helped arrange it!), they won’t know the results they’re in for. Just imagine sitting across from your partner — you’re full of butterflies as you hand them the album, they open that first page and they audibly gulp — yeah it’s not really something that happens every day!
Getting images off the screen is so important in all my work — and there’s real romance in paging through a physical book together. The album is tactile, it’s tangible and real. And it gets to be a thing that maybe just the two of you know about; a keepsake, tucked somewhere safe.
Ready to book your own bridal boudoir session?
Take the first step
A short note
with what you have in mind
is all we need to get started.
Or check out some inspo below
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