Ask a Boudoir Photographer: "What if there are parts of my body that I don't really love?"
What If I Don't Love Parts of My Body?
Question:
“Hi Chicago Boudoir, I have a question. I’ve been thinking about doing a boudoir photoshoot for a while, but I keep getting stuck on one thing. There are some parts of my body that I don’t really love. I worry that the camera will highlight those areas and make me feel even more self conscious. I see boudoir photos online and the women look amazing, but I can’t imagine looking like that myself. Is boudoir still something I could do if I’m not completely comfortable with my body?”
Answer from Chicago Boudoir:
Oh, girl. I get it. ❤️
Almost every woman has something about her body that she isn't completely comfortable with. Maybe it's her stomach, arms, thighs, hips, breasts, stretch marks, scars, or simply the way her body has changed over the years.
And when you're thinking about getting nearly naked in front of a camera, it's pretty easy for your brain to go straight to the things you're worried about.
But here's the thing… you don't have to love every inch of your body to do a boudoir photoshoot!
My job isn't to put a spotlight on the things you're worried about. It's to photograph you in a way that makes you see yourself differently.
Boudoir Is About Highlighting What You Love
When we're photographing you, I'm looking for the things that make you look and feel amazing.
Instead of focusing on the parts of your body that make you feel self conscious, we focus on the features that make you feel beautiful and confident. Maybe you love your eyes, your smile, your legs, your shoulders, your curves or the shape of your silhouette. Those are the things I want to bring forward in your images.
And if there's an area you're particularly self-conscious about, you can absolutely tell me. I want to know what you're comfortable with and what you're not.
The goal isn't to make you forget that your body has things you might not love. It's to help you see that those things don't define your beauty.
Many women are surprised by how quickly their attention shifts once they see their images. The thing they were so worried about beforehand suddenly isn't the first thing they notice.
The Camera Does Not See You the Way You See Yourself
Most of us are used to seeing ourselves from the same angle every day in the mirror. Over time, we develop a very specific way of judging our own appearance, almost always from the exact same perspective.
Then we fixate on that one angle, that one outfit, that one area we don't like and convince ourselves that's what everyone else sees, too.
But a professional camera, combined with thoughtful lighting and posing, can reveal a completely different perspective.
Changing the angle, lighting and perspective can completely change an image. That's one of the things I love most about boudoir photography. I get to show you angles and details that you probably don't see when you're standing in front of your bathroom mirror.
And sometimes the woman you thought you'd see in your photos looks completely different from the woman you've been criticizing in your head.
Posing Can Make a HUGE Difference
You don't need to know how to pose because that’s MY job! Boudoir posing is all about creating beautiful lines, curves and shapes with your body. Sometimes a tiny adjustment like a shift of your hip, the position of your shoulder, or the angle of your chin can completely change a photograph.
And I'm guiding you through all of it without wondering what you’re supposed to do with your body. I'll tell you where to put your hands, where to look, how to move and how to position your body so you feel comfortable and look amazing. You just have to follow my directions and trust me.
Lighting and Styling Help Create Beautiful Images
Of course, posing isn't the only thing that makes a beautiful boudoir image. Lighting, wardrobe, hair and makeup and styling all play a part, too.
Soft, directional light creates beautiful highlights and shadows that sculpt the body and add depth to the image. Wardrobe choices like lace bodysuits, robes, sweaters, or flowing fabrics can also add softness and shape that photograph beautifully.
Professional hair and makeup further enhance the overall look, helping you feel polished, confident, and ready for your session.
All of these elements work together to create images that feel natural, elegant, and flattering.
Professional Retouching Polishes Your Final Images
After your session, your images receive complimentary professional beauty and body-shaping retouching.
Our retouching services include smoothing skin, removing temporary blemishes and distractions, evening out skin tone and making subtle adjustments to the body when needed.
But here's what I don't want you to think: retouching isn't about turning you into someone else. You should still look like YOU. Your stretch marks, scars, freckles, laugh lines and other things that make you you don't automatically need to disappear. If there's something you'd specifically like us to address, we'll talk about it.
The goal is a beautiful, polished photograph, not creating a completely different woman.
Want to see what professional retouching actually looks like?
Here are a few real before-and-after examples from Chicago Boudoir so you can see the difference for yourself.
Sometimes Seeing Yourself Through a New Lens Changes Everything
This is probably one of my favorite parts of the entire boudoir experience.
You come in with this idea of what you think you're going to see. Maybe you're worried about your stomach. Or your arms. Or your thighs. Or your stretch marks. And then you see your photos. And suddenly, that's not what you notice first.
You notice your eyes. Your curves. Your smile. Your strength. The way you're looking at the camera.
You see yourself as a whole person instead of a collection of “problem areas.” Sometimes you don't need to change your body. You just need to see yourself differently.
Curious What a Boudoir Session Could Look Like for You?
If there are parts of your body you don't love, please don't let that be the reason you talk yourself out of doing something you've been thinking about. You don't have to be completely confident before your session. You don't have to love every part of your body. And you definitely don't have to know how to pose! That's where I come in.
During a complimentary boudoir photoshoot phone consultation, we can talk about your concerns, what you're hoping to get from the experience and what you can expect when you come into the studio.
Call or text 312-425-2946 to schedule your complimentary consultation.
Ask a Boudoir Photographer Series
This article is part of our Ask a Boudoir Photographer series. Many women have questions, concerns and hesitations before booking something as personal a boudoir photoshoot, and that’s completely normal. In this series we answer questions that real Chicago women ask us all the time about boudoir photography. If you’d like to read more in this series, you can explore other questions and answers here. And if you have a question of your own, please text us at 312-425-2946 or email it to hello@chicago-boudoir.com.