I’ve worked as a photographer taking boudoir style escort shots for worker's ads and websites. I’ve also taken my own sexy self-portraits when times were tough and I couldn’t access a photographer but still needed to refresh my pics. I’ve even done little shoots by myself when I was bored, and I ended up with some great shots from it. There’s something to be said for taking your own photos. You can really get into it when you’re on your own, especially if the idea of a photographer watching you as you pose makes you feel nervous. When it’s just you, there’s no one to see your awkward start, or all the photos where you don’t look quite the way you want to. It’s just you and your camera! Here’s my advice for taking the best DIY boudoir photos.
Use a good camera for your sexy self-portraits
You don’t need a DSLR to take a great boudoir photo—most phones these days have super high-quality cameras. If you have a good camera, excellent. They have so many features to get shots that have you looking your best. But if all you have is a phone, never fear—you can still get some amazing photos with just the camera app on your iPhone or Android device.
Use your timer, use multi capture, invest in a remote
Taking sexy selfies while holding your phone in an extended arm really limits what you can convey in an image. Likewise taking mirror selfies: the phone or camera in the image kind of ruins the vibe. You’re in luck though—making use of your phone or camera’s timer is super easy. Most phone camera apps have a multi-image feature, so you can take a bunch of shots without having to set the timer again. You can even try a camera remote. They are relatively cheap and unobtrusive, so it won’t look weird in the shot, and it beats setting the timer and running back into position every time! Make sure you set your phone or camera up somewhere that delivers a great angle. Tripods are super cheap, but you don’t even need one. I’ve set my phone up on ladders, piles of books, even taped it to the roof to get a good shot.
Lighting your boudoir photos
Lighting your erotic photoshoot properly can make a huge difference to the professional look of your shots. These days most folks own a ring light, and if you don’t you can pick them up everywhere—I got my large ring lights and tripods at Kmart for less than twenty bucks each. If you don’t have one, I guarantee one of your friends has one you can borrow, they are that ubiquitous. If you still can’t access one, no worries! Make sure you shoot in good natural light, like indoors with the blinds open (just don’t scare the neighbours). Be careful of bare bulbs, orange tones, fluorescent lights, and direct sunlight. The right lighting can take an image from low quality to high res in a second.
Wear something you feel comfortable in
If you feel confident, you’re going to look confident. Pick something to wear that makes you feel good. This is no time for anything you don’t quite feel right in. Got a new lingerie set that makes you feel like a hot, sexy bitch? Excellent! Have an old favourite money dress that’s always served you well? Wear that! Dressing for your body is important, yes, but the thing that will come across in photos is how confident you feel. Wear something that speaks to you. You’re going to look great!
Clean up your space for your boudoir shoot
I once showed up for a photoshoot in a house that was super untidy. We spent the first hour getting the space looking good, which really cut into the shoot time. Luckily, the photos came out great! Little did anyone know that we’d hidden all the mess in closets and behind couches or just out of shot. I’ve seen this so many times in selfies: the pose is great, the subject looks hot, but there’s a messy room behind them, a tv tuned to the news, or a pet in the background. Oftentimes, when we’re looking at a photo of ourselves, we are so focused on how we look that we don’t notice what’s in the background. So jam that clutter behind a couch, sweep the mess to the other side of the room, turn off the tv, and get your dog out of the frame. It will make all the difference.
Ham it up!
When you’re by yourself, you can really go for it. Throw out your best angles, try new sexy poses, see what works. Get into weird positions. One of my best photos is from me twisting myself into a pose I could only hold for a second–but that one second was enough to capture a great shot that I used for years in my advertising. Just try it! There’s no one to be embarrassed or nervous in front of, and if you end up looking weird or silly, no one will know. It’s all you, baby.
Take a lot of photos
The most important thing to do when shooting your own pics is to take a lot of them. I mean A LOT. When I do a pro shoot, I take upwards of 600 shots, and will come out with 50 or so that make the first cut. Out of those, maybe 10 will end up as the final proofs. Taking a large number of pics means the likelihood that you’ve got a good shot goes way up. And don’t worry, nobody needs to see the shots where you don’t look quite right but you!
Taking your own boudoir photos for your advertising profile might seem daunting, but it really does allow you to bring your best self to the fore. You know your best angles, what to wear to bring out your positive attributes, and how to show the best version of yourself to the world. With a few little tricks, you can take your sexy selfies to the next level!
For more info on getting your profile into shape, see How to Write an Escort Bio That Stands Out by Amie Wee.
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