Boudoir photography is an incredibly popular genre, both for photographers and for their subjects.
A huge number of boudoir photographers are women, which makes perfect sense as it helps the subject – usually a woman themself – to feel happy, secure and safe in their presence.
With this popular field ever expanding, I’ve been seeking out some of the best practitioners of the genre to show you different styles, seek out some useful tips for both photographing and posing, and to discover what this empowering style of photography is all about.
Here, I’ve spoken to Emma Finch, also operating under the name Belle Prive for her boudoir work. Emma is an award-winning portrait and boudoir photographer and educator based in UK. She has taught around the world, particularly in UK and US and is known for her distinctive cinematic style and her work empowering women through photography.
You can see more of Emma’s fantastic work on her website, as well as on Facebook and Instagram.
What attracted you to boudoir genre?
I began my career in portrait photography and have always been fascinated by people and how intimate a photoshoot can be. As my work evolved, I found myself increasingly drawn to boudoir photography, not simply because of the images themselves, but because of the impact the experience had on the women I photographed.
Over time, I realised that my passion for boudoir was closely connected to my own experiences with body confidence. Like many women, I have had my own struggles with self-image, and I wanted to create an experience that helped other women see themselves in a more positive light. Watching a client arrive feeling nervous or self-conscious and leave feeling confident, beautiful and proud, is incredibly rewarding. That transformation is what continues to inspire me, and it’s why I love what I do.
Who is your typical client?
A typical boudoir client is often quite different from what people might expect when looking at my online portfolio. Most of my clients are women between their 30s and 60s, many of whom are professional women who choose to keep their images completely private.
They are often at a significant point in their lives… celebrating a marriage, marking a divorce, recovering from a health challenge, overcoming a difficult chapter, or simply reaching a stage where they feel ready to invest in themselves. For many, a boudoir shoot has been something they have dreamed about for years but never quite found the confidence to do. Ultimately, these women aren’t booking a photoshoot for anyone else. They’re doing it for themselves. It’s a celebration of who they are.
What are some ways that you make women feel amazing when they come to you for a shoot?
Every photoshoot I do is fully bespoke to my client – I send over a pre-shoot questionnaire in advance so that I can make sure that we are creating images that are exactly what she hoped for. I work with an amazing hair and makeup artist who spends up to two hours with her then we do the shoot. My studio is small but it is very cosy and feminine and doesn’t look like a photography studio at all! We play her choice of music and chat and have a laugh (and snacks!) – I only ever take one client a day so there is no rush and it is a very relaxed experience. Whilst it seems daunting at first, it will be one of the most empowering and liberating experiences of her life!
Do you have any posing tips you can recommend for those who might be attending a boudoir shoot?
Firstly there is never any expectation that a client would know how to pose – it is always the job of the photographer to understand how to pose different body types to create THE most flattering images. Learning to direct clients with ease is a skill. When I am training photographers, I always advise working with the best models you can afford as you will learn a lot from posing that way. Then pull together a mood board of poses you like, that fit your style, that flatter different body types so that you have a visual reference with you during a shoot. Learn some simple poses that suit all bodies and with time, you will build up a directory of poses that work with different body shapes.
For anyone doing a boudoir shoot for the first time, a few general tips – anything coming towards camera will look bigger, anything moving away will look smaller! It is one of the founding principles of posing, especially in a boudoir shoot where there is more skin on show. Secondly always have a little bend in limbs – drop the weight onto one hip, little bend in the arms – never have anything too straight. Thirdly – point toes (it adds extra inches to the legs) and be mindful to have relaxed, graceful hands. I could talk all day about posing but those are probably the most important points to remember.
How do women typically feel after they’ve left one of your shoots?
Many arrive looking terrified to be honest but almost everyone comments on how relaxed the shoot is so even if they have never stepped foot in front of a camera before, their nerves will soon disappear. By the end of the shoot, they are posing effortlessly and sashaying out the door like a supermodel at the end! I love that transformation!! I’ve had women cry literally with joy – an intimate photoshoot like this is quite a cathartic process for many and almost everyone leaves with a new found confidence.
Can you describe a typical photo shoot?
My goal is not only to make my client look incredible but to make her feel completely at ease during her photoshoot too.
On arrival at the studio, we’ll have a chat about the session and take a look at what they have brought with them. Next they’ll will be styled by my professional make up artist whilst I prepare the studio for the shoot. The studio may be small but it’s very versatile! There is only ever my client and I in the studio during the photoshoot itself and I will guide her through every pose to showcase her best bits and minimise any areas which aren’t her favourite. I always try and do a minimum of 3 different sets and I take a lot of images – different angles, different compositions, different lighting styles. I like her to have plenty of choice to find the images she absolutely loves from her gallery and after all, as I tell all my clients, she knows her face and body way better that I do and the tiniest adjustment in composition or expression, can make a huge difference.
By the next day, she will receive a password protected online proofing gallery from which to choose her favourite images – this is always the most difficult bit for my clients! I don’t do IPS (In Person Sales) – firstly as I hate being sold to personally and I would hate to put any pressure on people but secondly because almost all my clients travel to me from around UK, Europe and US sometimes and so it just isn’t feasible. They have two weeks to go through their gallery in their own time and… virtually every single client upgrades her package. When I send the proofing gallery to my clients, it is completely unedited. It makes me VERY happy that clients fall in love with the raw images – this is the real them, not a digital creation!
What kind of editing do you do afterwards?
I aim to do very little editing afterwards as I always aim to have it right in camera – with my skilled make up artist and making sure my posing and lighting are on point, means that I shouldn’t have too much to do. Afterwards, it is just a ‘polish’. I try to be as realistic as possible when editing but ultimately, my clients are in charge of if and how much editing their images get. My usual workflow is Evoto for retouch then Photoshop for any smaller details (removing light stand legs etc). I am very mindful that over editing can be detrimental to the confidence of the woman – I of course want images to be professional and polished but I want her to look like herself on her very best day! The main thing I do during the editing process is dodge and burn – lighten anything you want to draw attention to and darken anything you prefer to conceal. It is a great way to guide the viewer’s eye to where you want it to be.
Your “dark and sultry” portfolio has a certain aesthetic – can you explain more about this, who typically asks for it, what kind of images typically work well for it?
This is probably what I’m best known for, and certainly the style I’m most passionate about. My work is quite distinctive, and I think that’s what helps it stand out. I’m drawn to dramatic, cinematic lighting that creates mood and drama. While light and airy boudoir is beautiful, and understandably popular, I love showing women a version of themselves they may never have seen before. I’m especially inspired by old Hollywood glamour, with its timeless elegance, beautiful shaping of light, and sense of luxury. I gravitate towards rich jewel tones and imagery that feels sophisticated and indulgent. One of the best compliments I’ve ever received was that I make women look expensive. I want my clients to look powerful, glamorous and completely captivating.
Femininity and elegance are at the heart of everything I do, but despite specialising in boudoir, I am fundamentally a portrait photographer. The face is always the most important part of any image I create. Expression, connection and emotion will always matter more to me than what someone is wearing, or not wearing. Almost every client who books a shoot with me chooses at least one dark and sultry set. My style isn’t for everyone, and that’s perfectly fine. But the women who connect with it often travel significant distances and invest in the experience because they fall in love with it.
This style works particularly well with stronger makeup, such as defined eyes and lips, and richer, more confident styling choices. I tend to reserve softer pastel tones for brighter, lighter imagery. I always look for strong contrast and careful light placement, creating images that are just as striking in black and white as they are in colour. Beyond the aesthetic, I love the confidence this style gives women. There is something incredibly powerful about seeing yourself portrayed with strength, elegance and presence.
Anything else you want to add?
One thing I would love to see change within the industry is the perception of boudoir photography. There is still a tendency for people to dismiss it as being purely about lingerie or sexuality or creating images for someone else. I wish boudoir had more recognition as a photographic discipline. It requires technical skill, an understanding of light, posing every inch of the body, psychology, trust, respect and communication, often all at the same time. Creating an image that is beautiful is one thing; creating an image that makes someone feel beautiful is something else entirely.
At its best, boudoir is not really about lingerie at all. It is about helping women see themselves differently. Women’s bodies are in constant change… pregnancy, childbirth, hormones and menopause can all alter the way a woman looks and feels about herself. Add into that the relentless societal pressure to look younger, slimmer and more perfect, and it is easy to see why so many women become disconnected from their own sense of beauty and confidence. As photographers, we have the ability to influence how someone sees themselves, and that is a privilege I never take lightly. When a woman leaves my studio standing a little taller than when she arrived, that is every bit as important to me as creating award winning images.
Related reading:
- Boudoir photography – the complete guide
- See this stunning boudoir photography that goes beyond lingerie and lighting [NSFW]
- 9 boudoir photographers you should follow on Instagram right now [NSFW]
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