What is A Boudoir Photoshoot and Why You Should Try It For Yourself

Boudoir photography is a photographic style featuring intimate, sensual, romantic, and sometimes erotic images of its subjects in a photographic studio, bedroom or private dressing room environment, primarily intended for the private enjoyment of the subjects and their romantic partners. Actually, that’s really a dictionary definition of the term. We prefer to interprete ‘Boudoir’ as a little broader than that. Many of our Boudoir clients don’t have partners at all and book a Boudoir Experience to empower themselves and learn to appreciate and become comfortable in their own skin.

So many women we meet have become strangers to their bodies, particularly after ageing and having babies. We believe it’s healthy to learn to appreciate the body you have and not be to judgemental. Loving yourself isn’t about vanity, it’s about sanity and a boudoir experience is all about learning to love and appreciate what you have. We are all ‘perfectly imperfect’ and accepting that is a hugely healthy thing.

Boudoir Sessions are becoming increasingly popular amongst a widening range of people - Of course they can be given as a gift for a significant other on your wedding day, or to celebrate an anniversary or as a unique (and sexy!) birthday surprise. 

A Boudoir Session is also a fabulous way of embracing and enjoying your womanhood. Great for regaining lost self confidence and a feeling of well being which few other experiences can match.

No matter what your body type, age, gender expression, sexuality or specific needs, Boudoir is for everyone and anyone. It is an uplifting and empowering experience that lets you really invest in yourself and something you’ll gain enormously from for many years to come, everytime you look at your pictures.

So, if you’re interested in surprising your partner with a tasteful, seductive and truly unique gift or you’d like to mark a milestone in your life, such as a birthday, anniversary or major achievement or if you’d simply like to treat yourself to a day of empowerment and pampering, because you’re worth it – A Boudoir Session is most definitely for you.

‘Boudoir’ is a French word meaning a lady’s private bedroom or dressing room. In photography terms, boudoir refers to a style in which subjects pose for photographs in lingerie or partially clothed. The images are tasteful and the nudity is typically implied, rather than explicit.

That being said, Boudoir photos can range from intimate and flirtatious to straight up sexy – it depends entirely on your preferences and comfort level. Boudoir photography can be inspired by a certain aesthetic, theme or idea – you really can make it completely your own. In fact, many of our clients prefer to stay fully clothed during their photoshoot and create a more ‘fashion forward’ look. Remember, for us ‘Boudoir’ has no restrictions and limits. Boudoir is whatever makes you feel sexy. (Consider Marilyn Monroe who could barely keep her clothes on during her career and contrast this with Audrey Hepburn who barely revealed an inch of skin during her career. Two very different approaches, each representing ‘sexy’ like nobody else.)

Whether you are super shy or quietly confident before you arrive, you will walk away with a new spring in your step after spending the day with Madison Bou bringing out your very best! 

On the day of your Boudoir Photoshoot we will pamper you throughout from head to toe. We will help with your outfits and styling, coach you with posing and use our 20 years experience in the art of Boudoir to allow you to relax and look natural in front of the camera. This day is all about you, we will listen to your preferences and create a look that suits your tastes and perfectly showcases your personality. From natural beauty to super glamorous – anything goes when it comes to Boudoir. 

Hair and make-up lasts about an hour to an hour and a half with refreshments and we’ll be adjusting everything throught the shoot itself which normally lasts around 2-3 hours. Regarding outfits, as we’ve said, anything goes…. Jeans, dungarees, dresses, heels, boots, trainers, vintage, modern, lingerie, even sheets or fully nude if you fancy an adrenaline rush. We certainly recommend picking something that makes you feel confident and comfortable and sexy.

Bring along a few options, more than you think you’ll need and don’t forget accessories such as jewellery, hats, shoes etc. To help inspire you we have created this Boudoir Prep Guide

We will guide you through the shoot, suggesting poses, helping you get into position and capturing your beauty. After photographing Boudoir for 20 years we’ve learned how to get the best out of everybody, regardless of bodyshape, age or level of confidence. Dave has been photographing professionally for nearly 30 years and his partner Jayne is a professional dancer, trained in ballet and worked in Paris at Moulin Rouge, so she has the skills to advise you on perfect posing. We also genuinely love working together so this energy will rub off on you in a really positive way. If we have fun, you will too!

Your stunning final images can then be enjoyed in the form of a hand made, bespoke album or a gorgeous folio art box with matted prints or a statement piece of wall art.

Whatever you choose – you will have some of your most beautiful pictures preserved forever!

We asked Diane to sit in the wardrobe for this shot. Great results from unusual locations.

So, what are you waiting for? Book a Boudoir Experience with Madison Bou and empower yourself, celebrate your beauty and boost your confidence. Join the hundreds of women who have given our Boudoir Sessions a go and loved it! See their stories here in the CLIENT SECTION

Using a bedsheet for an implied nude in the window

After a Boudoir session with Madison Bou, you will be able to get pictures that will last for a lifetime.

All of our products are printed with archival quality inks and papers, so your albums and prints will last and not fade as they would if you were to print images from the High Street or most online printing companies.

An open spread from a Madison Bou Boudoir Book