Getting Comfortable in Outdoor Boudoir Photo Shoots

Photo by Jakob Owens via Unsplash

Photo by Jakob Owens via Unsplash

We’re not going to over-romanticize it: there can be a lot of barriers to getting photos of yourself in the outdoors… especially if you’re looking for boudoir photography. Posing in the nude or nearly-nude outside, feeling safe, and making it all look natural isn’t as easy as it looks online. And one of the biggest barriers we’ve found is getting comfortable to begin with, which is why we’re sharing some tips below from experience, research, and from a conversation with professional boudoir photographer Janette Casolary:

If you’re working with a photographer, choose them carefully.

Firstly, it’s important to remember that you don’t have to hire a photographer to take photos of you! There are so many ways to take incredible self-times portraits with any device (including a cell phone). However, if you do choose to hire a photographer, make sure you not only like the photos in their portfolio, but that you also feel wholly comfortable around them. Don’t be afraid to ask for reviews or references from other clients, and if you’ve never met them before, it’s highly recommended that you meet them in-person or over video prior to your session.

Try taking boudoir photos indoors first.

This isn’t something that most folks think about when they imagine their outdoor boudoir session, but if you’re feeling even a tiny bit nervous about taking your clothes off (or partially off) in the outdoors or in front of a camera, try it out when the stakes are lower. Take some selfies indoors when you’re feeling especially into it, with no expectation of good lighting or composition. By focusing on how your body feels and what photos make you feel the most like yourself, you’ll not only be more likely to be comfortable and confident the day of your shoot, but you might even have a few pose ideas to start things off with.

Consider bringing a friend.

Friends can help create a sense of safety and company, so whether it’s for photography or simply some moral support, never hesitate to bring a friend along with you! It’s nice to have someone around who can keep a look out, hype you up, or play just the right song. You might even inspire them to take some photos of their own some day!

Choose your locations thoughtfully.

Location is truly so important because every country, state, and county have varying laws and regulations around nudity in what are deemed to be “public spaces”, such as non-privatized outdoor spaces (check out the links at the bottom of this post for more resources). In addition to considering legal risk, there’s your own comfort level to take into account. Make sure you select a spot that feels private enough for you to pose in a shoot, yet easy enough to access that you aren’t going off trail or violating other ethics when it comes to recreating responsibly.

Wear (or don’t wear) whatever you want.

Anything that you feel good in will be what you look most sexy in! Remember that intimate portraits don’t have to include you being naked or exposed more than you want to be. It also doesn’t have to be expensive or something you might only wear once. Bringing more than one option for the day-of is also a great way to ensure that no matter what your mental or emotional comfort level is that day or how the weather shapes up, you’ll walk away with photos that you truly love.

Bring clothes that are easy to throw on if you need to.

For both safety and comfort, you’ll want something to change into or cover up with so you can feel prepared in the event that you encounter weather, location changes, or people you weren’t planning on. This is specific for everyone, but flowy pants, skirts, or dresses; big coats or button-up shirts; or even a nice fluffy robe all work nicely!

Curious to hear more tips? Tune into a Nature Quickie with boudoir photographer Janette Casolary here:

Laura Borichevsky