A boudoir photoshoot after weight loss is often misunderstood, especially when the change has been significant. Some people assume it’s about vanity or showing off, while others (with the best of intentions) say things like, “OMG, you must feel amazing!” I’ve discovered that how someone actually feels is usually far more nuanced than that, and I’ve learned it’s better to ask questions rather than make assumptions, even though I still get swept up in mama bear pride for the women I work with.
I’ve learned a few things about women in this position. First, it’s common not to fully recognise your body in the mirror afterwards, even if the weight loss was slow and sustained. You look like a different person, but the old hang-ups and patterns don’t automatically disappear. Second, it can take a loooooooong time for your brain to catch up. For many people, the mental shift requires as much intentional work as the physical one, and it’s less obvious how to go about it.
Why a Boudoir Photoshoot After Weight Loss Can Be So Powerful
If you’ve lost a lot of weight recently, or your body has changed in other significant ways (hello, postpartum era) and you feel weird about it, please know you’re not alone. So many women can relate to looking in the mirror and thinking, “I don’t even recognise this person.” It’s not a nice feeling, but it’s common. I’ve been there too.
The disconnect shows up in all sorts of ways. One woman told me she has no idea what she really looks like anymore, because she low-key thinks her eyes are lying to her. Another client told me she feels healthier now, but she actually felt more confident before, because her husband now feels outmatched and admitted he preferred her bigger. Cue me massively trying to find compassion for this man, while being hella annoyed on her behalf. And also: this is why you do a boudoir shoot after weight loss for you, and you alone.
People tell Lisa, “You’re looking really good now!” but she thinks “Really? I don’t know….I’m not sure.”
These images of Lisa aren’t included as a “before and after” comparison. They are here because this version of her still matters. For many women, this earlier body is the one their brain remembers most clearly, even after everyone else sees something different.
It can be a tricky situation: you fully reinvent your body, but the brain doesn’t automatically follow. So a boudoir shoot after weight loss is often 50% a celebration of hard work and dedication, and 50% an exercise in bringing body dysmorphia and its mean little whispers into the light (so it can wither and die). It’s an honour to work with women in this position, and I really love how powerful these shoots can be.
We purposefully started with something moody and shadowy. A couple of reasons for this; first, it can already feel like a lot to be half-naked and on camera. If someone is particularly nervous, I like to focus on the body first, and leave happy smiley faces for later. It gives your nervous system time to chill out a little and realise you’re not actually being chased by a lion. Second, some of these poses are tricky to hold, so it’s good to get them out of the way early.
For many women doing a boudoir shoot after weight loss, these darker, silhouette-style images are the most mind-blowing, because they are easier to see in an objective way. In other words, you don’t really see your face, so it’s easy to pretend this isn’t even you. And if it was literally anyone other than you, you would think “that person looks amazing!” But here’s the thing, it IS YOU. Do you see how that works? You kind of catch your brain in its own lie.
After you’ve had time to settle in, we can shift to a brighter note, whether it’s an easy breezy beautiful vibe or a “Sunday Morning” set. I always aim to get at least a couple of great smiling or laughing images (don’t worry, I’ll say something dumb to make you laugh).
A lot of light and being this “on show” can feel intimidating, but I promise it turns out great. Nothing looks better on skin than an abundance of soft light. It’s actually a pet peeve of mine that certain photographers seem to put women exclusively in the dark and never show their faces – these girls are so beautiful, why are you hiding them in the shadows the whole shoot?!
Lisa asked if we could get a couple of fitness-inspired images. The gym has been such a big part of her journey, and homegirl still does an hour on the stairclimber every day, so I was never going to say no. Proper fitness photography is fairly complicated, but we got a few winners with what we had. I’ve been experimenting with AI and how it can be used (ethically) to enhance shoots. A simple gym background replacement (above right) is a pretty useful trick when there isn’t room in the schedule or budget for a second location.
My goal with any shoot, but particularly with a boudoir shoot after weight loss, is that you have a great time, you feel fully supported, and you get to see yourself the way I do. We always schedule a detailed pre-shoot consultation to chat about everything from the overall vibe you’re after, your preferences on retouching and skin reduction/tummy tuck scarring, things you do/don’t want photographed, what to wear, inspiration photos, your questions and concerns, etc.
To be clear, a boudoir shoot after weight loss is not a magic pill, but it IS a powerful way to shift your internal perception. There’s just something magical about it, and I’ve watched it unlock an “OH wait…what? That’s me?!” door in people’s minds countless times. It only takes a few hours too!
If you’re interested in changing the way you see yourself, or if you rarely, if ever, have felt like “the hot one,” I can’t recommend it enough. No experience necessary, I’ll show you exactly what to do. If you’re curious about what a session is like, you can read more about my London boudoir photography experience here.
xx
Stormy
Boudoir Photoshoot After Weight Loss – Common Questions
Should I wait until I reach my goal weight before doing a boudoir shoot?
No, I don’t think so! Many women book a boudoir photoshoot after weight loss long before they hit their “goal weight.” In fact, the longer you leave it, the bigger the gap between how you feel you look and how you actually look. I’d encourage sooner rather than later. You can always come back again;)
What if I have scarring from surgery, lymphedema, etc?
Absolutely no problem. We always schedule a pre-shoot consultation to discuss your preferences and concerns in detail, and we will work together to determine the best way to proceed. Some clients prefer to have all scars retouched out, others opt to keep them or have them toned down a bit. The same goes for things like stretch marks, cellulite, etc. It can be magically disappeared, de-emphasised, or kept in, as you prefer. There are no correct answers here, there’s only what feels best to you at this stage in your journey.
Cassie, who I first photographed over a decade ago (wild!), was kind enough to join me for some artistic nude photography recently. We did a few lingerie looks too, and it was just such a treat to see her again.
This is the first proper test shoot I’ve done in AGES, and it reminded me why I never should have stopped. To be honest, test shoots never feel like work at all to me. In fact they are usually so fun that I find them hard to justify. But creatively, I think it’s important to make space in your shooting schedule for things like this, partially so you don’t burn yourself into the ground. There are other practical reasons too though. It’s much more feasible to try new techniques and take your time nailing an idea if you don’t have the pressure of a client. I really love my clients, but I do sometimes feel like I have their heart, or more precisely, their self esteem and body image, in my hands during a shoot. It’s an honour and something I take really seriously, but it keeps me from taking too many risks. I want to be sure that I can deliver an absolutely smashing gallery of final images, so I don’t want to waste much shoot time on an idea that I’m not confident will work.
And of course for boudoir photographers, a test shoot is a chance to create work that can actually be shown publicly, which is always helpful when you have an online presence you’re supposed to be maintaining. I 100% support my clients’ right to total privacy, and test shoots ensure that I can keeps things fresh while you keep things private:)
I’m woefully out of practice with blogging, and so much has changed while I’ve been away. These images are stuck at this sizes for now which might be kind of hard to see on a phone. You’re welcome to look at the new featured sessions section of my website if it’s annoying. I’d quite like them to all be the size of a refrigerator, but that obviously won’t work and this is going to have to do for now.
Cassie is a lingerie connoisseur, so we were spoilt for choice. I love the way she prioritises ethical brands and designers, and I hope some of these links might come in handy if you’d like to do the same. Our first look was this beautiful white set from Seelanii Lingerie, paired with chandelier earrings from Mango.
There was a huge, semi-translucent, subtly striped background that was hanging in the upper level of the studio. I loved the look of it immediately, but then I realised there was a skylight positioned is exactly where I wanted it too. Some rare London sun meant I honestly didn’t have to add a thing – the natural light was perfect and these practically shot themselves. It was really hot up there, but they also had one of those industrial strength fans which we were really grateful for. Fans always add so much drama anyway, I would have wanted it on no matter the weather.
Our next look was this red number (bra by Freolic Lingerie, tap pants by Foxtrot Molly). We used this in another area of the studio with some canvas/burlap materials and some wood pieces that were already half set up. I think the lingerie is beautiful, but I felt like the colour didn’t really match the vibe we were going for (and I was preoccupied by all the potential in the lower floor of the studio), so we didn’t spend too long on this.
This location felt like the perfect place for art nudes – muted colour palette, natural, earthy feel. The thing is, artistic nudes are a bit complicated to use. They can’t be shared on social media, and it’s difficult to even show them here on my website without risking angering the SEO gods or getting dropped by your payment processor (although they also run credit cards for all of OnlyFans sooooo…….!?) . Anyway, when Cassie took this sheer robe/cape piece from Emiah Couture I thought it would be the perfect compromise.
I’ve tried to censor these is the least annoying way possible. For any photographers out there who have to do the same, this is a combo of motion blur on a selection in a new layer, and a great Photoshop mixer brush called “Kyle’s Real Oils – round flex wet.” I don’t remember ever downloading a brush like this, so I think it might be a default option native to Photoshop?
It took a lot of trying to get these. If you’re contemplating an art nude set for your own shoot, please just know this is totally normal! You can’t really hold poses like this, so you have to swing into them. Which is, you know, a bit weird if you’re new to doing photo shoots and also not clothed lol?! When I’m looking through later, I expect to see a lot of weird, awkward looking poses, faces that show the struggle, and some where I’ve missed the moment. It’s all part of the process. If you lean into it though, there will be a handful of winners that make it look like the whole thing was easy as pie. If that all sounds a bit daunting though, we can do art nudes lying down in bed or lounging in a tub and it’s much easier!
It’s all in the tip toes!
These, for example, are much less physically demanding!
And a few in black and white…
Our last look was this delicate pink ensemble from Angela Friedman and Twilight Siren Corsetry. Is this not just absolute blush perfection? For years I’ve been saying that unfinished plaster is a fantastic backdrop and I feel vindicated.
Cassie, what can I say? Thank you again, it’s an honour to photograph you. See you again sooner I hope, but we must shoot again in 10 years time if nothing else!
If you’re reading this and would like to arrange your own shoot (artistic nudes or otherwise!) please don’t be shy. I’d love to hear from you and chat about any ideas you might have, answer any questions, convince you that you actually ARE hot enough and brave enough to do this, etc. 🙂 Please get in touch any time.
Katie used a boudoir shoot to motivate herself at the gym following the birth of her daughter, who I think was about a year old when we shot these. A looming boudoir photoshoot sounds like a great strategy to keep you showing your face at the gym, and it clearly worked really well for her because she looks like a million bucks. I’m always curious what people are up to, so I asked about her workout secrets. She said her routine was mainly hot yoga. Now, I’ve never done hot yoga myself because let’s be honest, I wash my hair as little as possible, and a room that sweaty makes me think I’d definitely have to wash my hair after. I’m sort of thinking about it now though…
This shoot was part of my Nov. 2016 trip to New Orleans. If you’ve missed earlier posts, the reason I’m blogging these so late is a long, boring story that can be boiled down to two words: technical difficulties. Better late than never right? I’m pretending to hear you say yes.
Meet Miranda, a brilliant photographer, mother, wife, business owner, and more. How this woman does sooo many things, all so well, I’ll never know.
We got together for a quick photo shoot while we were both in New Orleans for the Association of International Boudoir Photographers retreat. The day was crazy with lots of shoots and multiple photographers all in one space, so I’m pleased it doesn’t show too much in the final images lol!
We did a couple quick outfits, I think the white lace bodysuit was my personal favourite, but see what you think:)
Nicole and I got together a while back to shoot a Valentine’s Day video (watch the Be Your Own Valentine Boudoir Video), and we did a couple of stills that day too.
The first lingerie set is a black and pink combo from the Doutzen Collection by brand Hunkemoller, which is really lovely. The bra has such pretty back details and it’s quite a flattering cut. I added a “3d glasses” effect on these images images, which I think turned out pretty fun and a bit fashion-y.
The second lingerie set is a red lace number from Coco de Mer, although I purchased it at a steep discount on ASOS. It’s got a ribbon halter top close that feels special, and it looked incredible on Nicole. You have to be really careful with this sort of style though, because it can be really unflattering unless it’s mainly functioning as decoration for your already perfect breasts. If you have a great boob job I’d recommend it, otherwise I’d probably go for something else. Nicole also wore my vintage fur coat for this set.
We did a few quick headshots too – never hurts to have an updated one.
50something is looking pretty fantastic on Charlotte for her boudoir photoshoot in London. Prepare yourselves for about a hundred images of this woman, because she’s real life #goals. Mother, wife, career woman, funny, has a cool job, is independent but still committed to her family, confident but humble, has great taste in shoes, etc. I’m a little bit in love with her. She was flying into London with her family for the weekend and contacted me on a bit of a whim. We managed to pull everything together in just a few days, AND keep everything a secret. Which is great, because C did this for herself and wasn’t sure she wanted to tell anyone. I think in the end her lucky husband did get a look, but this really wasn’t about him, which I love. #doitforyourself
We started with an old school glamour feel, which is a nice way to ease into a boudoir shoot.
If all else fails, throw in the expensive things – silk, pearls, lace, gold, fur, the family jewels…
…and then pretend to gaze at the poolboy. Or lunch. Whichever you fancy more I guess?
Staaaahhhpp it.
I mean COME ON. If I look this good at 50, you’re going to have to widen the doorways so I can swan in with my big head and overinflated ego.
Next up. Sexytime.
These boots are a real winner. Big heels trick the eye into thinking your legs are much longer than they really are, so if you’d like to look a bit taller and leaner, I’d recommend a pair of stilettos for your shoot. You don’t even have to be able to walk in them, just lounge around on a bed 😉
Grainy black and whites all day long. We’re moody like that.
How nice is this Agent Provocateur corset? Also, what a total lingerie snob I am.
These boots are legit my favourite shoes of the year.
Effortless. You know what isn’t cool? Retouching or “airbrushing” skin to death. I think you should look like you – sure, the best version of you, with great hair and makeup, and beautiful lighting, but still YOU.
Overdone skin retouching is an insult to women everywhere. Of course some people will always love that blurry, where-are-the-edges-of-your-nose, pore-free look, but I think it’s ridiculous. I would go so far to say it’s a photoshop sin one should be ashamed of.
Your freckles should show, your hard earned smile lines are a part of you now. Don’t make me erase them.
Real beauty is radiant, just the way it is.
A few fun ones.
I’m learning French. This is: un corset
Oh you know I was always going to make her do this. That yoga is paying off big time.
More great shoes. Charlotte wins the shoe prize this year.
Such a pretty looking pose. So uncomfortable though, it’s really not an easy one.
You know I’m not a big prop person, but this I don’t mind. If you’re going to be brave, you might as well throw in something daring.
Details.
Oh Charlotte, what to even say about you?! It was an honour and a pleasure and you did GREAT. I think these images are going to inspire lots of women like you, and your daughter too. Hope to see you again soon, maybe closer to home next time;)
Here are some of my favourite images from albino, ginger beauty Lauren from New Orleans. If these look familiar, it’s because they are. It turns out I have about 12 blog posts from shoots in 2016 that just….didn’t post?! Haha ahhhh fuuuunnnnnn. Really smart of you to just realise this Stormy, really smart. Anyway, it’s too much work not to share just because they are a little old, so here’s the first one:
I arrived in New Orleans feeling a bit crap. This is normal – I love new places, but I don’t really enjoy the process of getting there. The lack of sleep, the heavy bags, flying coach for 12 hours, cankles, airport food, being bomb swabbed with my suspicious looking photography equipment at every security check, the jet lag – it’s exhausting. I was blaming a crazy schedule and too much talking, but it turns out I had case of bronchitis. My mom saved me with her “I’m a nurse so it’s okay for me to take the antibiotic samples home from the office” drug stash. Thanks mom.
All that to tell you this – never say no to New Orleans. It’s the most vibrant, amazing city. Full of great food, actual culture, beautiful buildings, and the nicest people. It’s crazy like Vegas, but not so dirty and soulless like Vegas. If you have the chance, it’s definitely worth a trip, even if you lose your voice and have to propel yourself along with willpower and caffeine.
One of my clients attended a wedding in NOLA the year before, and she tipped me off to the most amazing location. It was a fortune to hire this place but I don’t even care because omghaveyouseenit. I photographed a few great clients here and also one model. I’m trying to be very conscious about the “models” I work with these days because I have limited time, and I also know that it’s not that inspiring to see teenagers with perfect bodies posing in lingerie. But I saw Lauren’s profile and just couldn’t resist her unique look.
So I’ll start off this series of posts with Lauren’s session, which has since been published in online magazine The Quarterly in New Orleans. This was Lauren’s first lingerie shoot, and she did great despite being outside of her comfort zone. My roomie for the trip, the incomparable Michelle Carpenter, and I stopped by Urban Outfitters to pick up a few things, and then she came along to assist and shoot some behind the scenes footage, for which I’m obviously in her debt. You can see this in the “Behind the Scenes” section on my website. Michelle you are my photo homegirl forever.
*Fun fact: due to some (still not understood) technical issues, this post took 1 hour and 54 minutes to upload. So I hope you like it lol!*
I taught a 1-1 boudoir photography workshop in Austin, Texas recently, and lovely M was kind enough to be our posing guinea pig for a few hours. She was a literal godsend too, because we had a lot of issues. Mainly with the combination of a broken AC, 90+ degree weather, and a location that functioned exactly like a greenhouse. But, we soldiered on and got through it. Lucky we were shooting lingerie and not winter coats I guess!
Below are a few favourites from our time together:
Setting: the most incredible apartment in Verona, Italy. Original details from centuries ago adorn, a stunning balcony overlooks the plaza below. The light is heavenly.
Enter scene right: Ms. D, beautiful 30something, self-styled to perfection. Boudoir photography session ensues as the afternoon sinks into golden hour. Much merriment and laughter. If the men on the vespas below could see us now, they would fling all their roses onto the balcony.
Mid-scene wardrobe change: Ms. D dons purple, the colour of royalty, via the most divine Agent Provocateur number from my personal collection. No one has ever worn it better.
As the sun sets, the shoot wraps. Another bucket list shoot compete. Fresh pasta and vino to follow.
End scene.
But, soft, what light through yonder window breaks? It is the east, and Juliet is the sun. (Romeo, Act 2 Scene 1)
I cannot imagine tiring of Italy. I think it might be the most romantic place on earth. The food is great, the colours are perfection, and the quality of the sunlight seems entirely different to anywhere else. Then again, maybe part of the rose coloured glasses is the fact that I eat only carbs while I’m there.
This shoot was a destination trip I planned a while back, and although most of what I photographed must be kept private, Ms. D is happy to have me share her triple fire emoji results here.
We chose Verona partly because there are easy, cheap flights from Gatwick, partly because of the location I found and fell in love with, and partly because it’s where Shakespeare’s “Romeo & Juliet” was based. I’m not going to lie, it took us a minute to remember that Romeo & Juliet is a fictional story. There’s a tourist attraction called “Juliet’s Balcony” which is confusing given there was never actually any real Juliet’s balcony. It was swarming in tourists and looks exactly how you’d think it would, except smaller. Well, I suppose it does…it was undergoing renovation work when we were there so was covered in hoarding.There was a life size picture on the hoarding covering the actual balcony, which was never an actual place Juliet stood, because it’s a fictional story. It was anticlimactic to say the least.
The shoots were not though! I’ve got a bucket list of ideas in my head, and something like this was definitely on it. It doesn’t hurt that Ms. D is extremely easy on the eye, and so much fun to work with and be around.
Anyway, enough of me going on about it, here’s the goods:
