The Madison Bou Blog
YORKSHIRE’S FINEST BOUDOIR EXPERIENCE
DO YOU • BE YOU • LOVE YOU!
Madison Bou is one of the leading Boudoir Photography studios in the UK with over 20 years experience. Read on to learn more about Boudoir Photography and the Madison Bou Boudoir Photo Shoot Experience plus news, tips, and insights — PLUS see photos from previous clients’ Boudoir photo shoots and hear about their experiences in their own words.
14 Questions You May Be Too Embarrassed To Ask Your Boudoir Photographer.
Are you considering booking a Boudoir Photoshoot but feeling a little unsure about what to expect or what to ask?
Don't worry, you're not alone.
We’ve been photographing women for a long time (around 20 years), and probably seen and heard it all. As fun as boudoir certainly is, it's still not every day that women get to shed their clothes in front a photographer they really don't know. So this can often lead to a lot of anxiety in the run up to the shoot day.
Also, due to the intimate nature of this style of photography, potential clients may have questions about the process, that might be awkward or may seem a bit personal to ask.
This is why we’ve compiled a list of questions you may have been wondering about boudoir, but were a bit embarrassed to ask. so let's get started.
Why We Don’t Do Traditional Boudoir
In ‘traditional boudoir’, some sort of lingerie is often involved.
What if you don’t like lingerie?
Well, Here at Madison Bou Photography we’re rewriting the rules. We believe that every woman deserves to feel empowered and confident in her own skin, without conforming to outdated standards of beauty. That's why we've made it our mission to create a space where women can truly be themselves and celebrate their unique beauty in all its forms.
We say, “wear whatever you want to wear.”
This kind of thinking opens a lot more doors creatively.
By encouraging our clients to wear whatever makes them feel comfortable and confident, Whether it's a glamorous gown, a cozy sweater, or literally, nothing at all, the choice is entirely theirs. True beauty lies in authenticity, and that's exactly what we strive to capture in every photo we take.
So, when choosing your outfits for a boudoir experience, think about what you feel good wearing.
This experience is all about you, after all, so ask yourself “what outfits makes you feel more confident? What outfits make you feel more beautiful?”
(Oh, and no ‘negative talk’ like….. “I DON’T FEEL BEAUTIFUL IN ANYTHING” …. That kind of talk is prohibited around here :-)
Our approach to boudoir photography is all about celebrating diversity and individuality. Every body is beautiful, regardless of shape, size, or age. That's why we work closely with each of our clients to ensure that their unique personality shines through in every image.
From playful and flirty to bold and daring, we celebrate the full spectrum of femininity in all its glory.
So why settle for "traditional" boudoir when you can have something so much more meaningful?
WHICH OF THESE IS MORE EXPENSIVE? - The answer might surprise you.
A Winter Sun Break
An iPhone 15
A Boudoir photoshoot
Boudoir photography continues to grow in popularity year after year.
As excited as women are to try boudoir, one of the first questions for almost everyone (and rightly so) is how much does a GOOD Boudoir photo shoot cost?
This is a natural thing to ask, and today we're going to take a look at the mysterious world of boudoir pricing and what you should expect to spend on a successful (and quality) boudoir session.
5 Tips To Help Yorkshire Women Shop Smarter For A Boudoir Photographer
Are you a Yorkshire woman considering a boudoir photoshoot? Our latest blog article offers five top tips to help you shop smarter for a boudoir photographer. From researching local options to discussing wardrobe choices, discover how to make the most of your boudoir experience.
SEXUAL SHAME AND WHY BOUDOIR PHOTOGRAPHY CAN HELP
Overcoming Sexual Shame through Boudoir Photography
In a world often fraught with expectations and stigmas surrounding sexuality, Boudoir Photography can be a transformative and empowering tool for those women seeking to break free from the shackles of ‘sexual shame’.
Boudoir is an intimate art form that provides a safe space for self-expression, allowing people to embrace their sensuality and redefine their relationship with their own bodies. Today, we look at some good reasons why Boudoir Photography can become a powerful antidote to sexual shame.
BOUDOIR - THE ULTIMATE LUXURY GIFT
Are you searching for The ultimate luxury gift for your partner that strikes the perfect balance between empowering and pampering her?
A boudoir session is just what you are looking for.
It is a unique and personal experience for that special woman in your life.
Boudoir shoots make for a truly unique and personal gift that allows her to flaunt herself, feel sexy, and feel empowered.
It is one of the best gift ideas for the woman that has everything. What’s more, it’s effects can last for decades.
Boudoir is about more than just taking sexy photos!
The images become treasured keepsakes and preserve a moment in time for the two of you to look back on for many years to come.
Similar to taking family photos to capture ever-changing faces and family dynamics or hanging on to mementos from trips and important occasions.
Your wife or partner may want a Boudoir Experience Session because she thinks it’s important to capture and celebrate herself as an individual. (or certainly, you do, because she’s special, right?)…
BOUDOIR FOR ANY OCCASION
WHY SHOULD YOU BOOK A BOUDOIR PHOTOSHOOT?
TO CELEBRATE A MILESTONE such as…Birthday • First date anniversary • Engagement • Wedding anniversary •Honeymoon • Christmas • Valentine’s Day • Maternity • Mother’s/Father’s Day • Conquering an illness • Achieving A Weight Loss Goal • Achieving An Award • A Promotion At Work • Celebrating the Birth of Your Baby • Just to say “I love you!”
But…. If you’d like 100 more great reasons, then here they are…
How To Get Your Sexy Back
They say beauty comes from the inside and so does ‘sexy’.
You may not feel particularly beautiful if you split up from a partner and you may not feel particularly sexy after a long week at work, but if you learn to be kind to yourself, then your sexy will most definitely came back.
It’s not about being a size zero either, it’s about learning to give yourself love that will make you feel sexy and beautiful. As long as you feel good and accept yourself, others will see your sexy and beauty too.
Keep in mind though, sometimes our feelings about ourself can nosedive, particularly in challenging times, such as financial hardship, relationship breakup or illness. The road back to sexy is often a journey which can take some time. A Boudoir Photoshoot is part of that recovery process. A Boudoir Experience is a non judgemental way to learn to accept yourself and become comfortable in your own skin. To look in the mirror and be happy with what you see. This feeling is hugely liberating. We often feel so lost in ourselves that we can no longer see the positives but after a few hours in front of the camera you’ll see yourself as if through someone else’s eyes and start to appreciate your own awesome, beautiful self.
In this article we give you some simple suggestions to start the journey to GET YOUR SEXY BACK.
Top 20 Reasons To Do A Boudoir Photoshoot in Yorkshire
A Madison Bou Boudoir Photoshoot is about so much more than creating lovely pictures.
It's a celebration of confidence, sensuality, and embracing the beauty that defines you.
Whether you're considering this empowering experience for the very first time or seeking to renew your connection with your own sensuality, here are the top 20 reasons why choosing a Boudoir Photoshoot in Yorkshire could be the transformative journey you've been waiting for…
The best Underwear To Make Your Bum Look Amazing in A Boudoir Photoshoot
Knickers, panties, briefs, whatever you prefer to call them are often the least thought about item of underwear people decide on to bring to their shoot. This is a terrible mistake since in our experience, panties are one of the most unflattering outfits in the boudoir catalogue. If they’re too tight and the sides are too thin, love handles will be the result. If they sit too low and are a smidgen too small, mummy tummies will look like middle aged men’s beer bellies. (Oh and by the way, we’re not talking about some women, we’re talking about all women here. There’s no getting away from the effects of tight, ill fitting knickers!)
Thoughtfully chosen knickers are essential if you want an epic bum shot in your Boudoir album. To take an epic bum shot requires good posing and flattering underwear. This can’t be done with attitude and lighting.
Flattering underwear is all about the fit—tighter is not necessarily better. In fact, it’s better to have underwear that’s a little bit too big because with the right posing, no one will even notice.
One piece of advice when shopping for the right underwear is to avoid thin straps. G-strings, for example run a river through the mountains and give a permanent wedgie. They show off maximum bottom but have no control so, our advice for a photoshoot is to steer clear of thongs unless you have the most perfect, model butt. The strings also cut into the sides to amplify ‘love handles’ and it’s not the most flattering look.
So with these tips in mind, here are the 3 best types of underwear to make your bum look amazing!
WHY A SWEATER IS A PERFECT LOOK FOR YOUR BOUDOIR PHOTOSHOOT
We often get asked what outfits to bring to the session by our new clients.
We then list the outfits that seem to always work for boudoir and then we suggest that they should also bring a stretchy wool jumper to the shoot and you can hear the jaws drop to the floor at the other end of the phone.
A jumper? How could that be as sexy as lingerie? We’ll trust us when we say… They are.
It can be worn in so many ways, you can wear a sweater off the shoulder, lift it up to get the rare under-boob look or use it to hide areas that someone might be self conscious about. Open weave, real wool sweaters are best to allow that tantalising ‘peek a boo’ sexiness and the bigger and stretchier the better. (Also, try and stay clear of patterns. Plain and simple but great quality jumpers are an investment and so worth the extra)
Even a cardigan has its place among other Boudoir essentials. A cardigan with buttons, that you can unbutton and button back up….. seriously, what could be sexier? Sleeves can be pulled over the hands for a snuggly, soft look. Sweaters are great for showing off the curves and contours of the body in a subtle, yet powerful, manner. In the pictures below, an open weave, white top is used showing yet another variation of the stretchy jumper idea. These stretchy fabrics are so adaptable and work on pretty much anyone.
Things To Do Before Your Boudoir Photoshoot
A Boudoir Photoshoot is an empowering journey, capturing moments of confidence and celebrating your life’s journey.
To ensure your experience is as seamless and memorable as possible, proper preparation is key.
In this guide, we'll walk you through essential things to do before your boudoir photoshoot, helping you feel poised, confident, and ready to embrace the art of self-celebration….
The Perfect Location For The Perfect Boudoir Photoshoot
When it comes to boudoir photography, the location sets the stage for capturing moments of intimacy, empowerment, and sheer luxury.
Choosing the right location enhances the overall aesthetic style of the photoshoot with the use of setting, furnishings and backdrops. A Luxury Boudoir experience isn’t all about luxurious settings but about creating something unique to each client. It could be wearing a swimsuit in the client’s own swimming pool or garden Hot Tub or nude horseback riding ‘Lady Godiva’ style in a private wood.
Discovering the ideal locations for a luxury boudoir photoshoot involves seeking environments that not only complement your personal style but also evoke a sense of indulgence.
From lavish suites in upscale hotels to the most personal location of all - Your beautiful home. The choice is yours and though the options are endless, this article will list some of our favourites…
Sensual Black and White Boudoir Photography
For those that love the timeless classiness of boudoir in Black and White we now have a Black and White Gallery just for you. We would love nothing more than to be commissioned to create a stunning Black and White album just for you, printed on our new Fine Art Matt pages which have a real wow factor.
The absence of colour allows us to simply focus on form, texture, and emotion, creating an intimate visual narrative that is extra-ordinary. This is our version of sensual black and white boudoir photography, where every frame tells a story of elegance, empowerment, and the celebration of individual beauty…
10 SONGS FOR THE PERFECT BOUDOIR PLAYLIST
Did you know that the Photographer half of the Madison Bou partnership (Not the beautiful, organised, smart half… The ‘other half’) used to be a full time radio DJ for 30 years?
No? well, the secret’s out now!
Creating the right ambiance is essential for a memorable boudoir photoshoot.
Music plays a crucial role in setting the mood, enhancing the experience, and making you feel comfortable and confident.
So. today we’re going to be talking about bringing a playlist of favourite songs to get you in the mood to completely ‘smash it’ in front of the camera.
(OK, over 30 years, lingo has really changed, from ‘bossing the turntables and spinning the decks’ !!!??? to ‘smashing it’ and playing ‘wicked’ and ‘sic’ tunes!!??????)
It’s no easy task to curate a truly excellent and ‘bodacious’ soundtrack and of course, it’s a very personal thing.
So, from an old pro…. here are some pointers.
Top 10 Most Overlooked Items To Bring To Your Boudoir Session
Booking a boudoir photoshoot is a thrilling experience that allows you to celebrate your unique beauty and capture moments of confidence and empowerment. While you may have your go-to lingerie pieces in mind, in the excitement and anticipation leading up to a boudoir photoshoot, it's common for clients to focus on these primary outfits and overlook some essential items that can enhance the overall experience.
Here's a guide to the top 10 most overlooked things you should consider bringing to your boudoir session.
5 Ways to Display Your Boudoir Photos
So your boudoir session is done and you’ve chosen your favourite pictures… Now where to display them?
Your boudoir photos are not just images; they are a celebration of your confidence, beauty, and self-love. Displaying them in creative and meaningful ways can turn these moments into lasting art pieces that inspire and empower.
Many of our clients are so thrilled with their artwork that they proudly frame and hang their boudoir art in the hallways and living rooms of their homes - Faantastic!
For others though, they prefer to keep our photos a bit more private.
Maybe they wan’t to display them in less public areas and so here are five great ways to showcase your boudoir pictures with style and flair…
Top 30 Sexy Boudoir Photography Poses
This article is to shed light on one of the most often talked about areas of Boudoir and that’s ‘posing’
So many women tell us they need help because they ‘don’t know how to pose’.
It’s ok…. We do and we’ve been helping direct our clients to pose from their heads to their tippy toes for many years. You’re in safe hands when it comes to perfect posing.
To help you even more - Here is our Top 30 Poses that work for pretty much everybody based on 20 years of posing experience.
You’ll notice some recurring themes such as compositional triangles, ‘if a limb is breakable then break it’, ‘ballet hands’ arched backs, stretching, exaggerating curves and pointing toes. These are almost unbreakable rules when posing for Boudoir and are evident in every picture we make…
