Boudoir Photography Posing Tips -- Standing Poses

While most boudoir photography poses are done lying or sitting on a bed or other bedroom type furniture you will probably want to do a few standing poses with your client or model.

Standing poses in lingerie or swimwear are the hardest to pull off. You have to work harder to flatter every body type. You can still use some creative angles and poses to make the best of every woman's features. I will start by giving some basic standing photography tips and then some specific creative poses you can try.

Some basic guidelines to photographing women standing are as follows. Try to never photograph her straight on. It is not the most flattering angle and will make her look wider than she is. Turn her slightly to a 45-degree angle or all the way to a profile position. For most poses it is best to have her put her weight on her back leg and slightly bend the front leg. The hands look best doing something like holding a prop, playing with her lingerie straps or having her just put her hands on her hips. Avoid letting her hands just hang limply to the side. One more basic tip is to photograph her from slightly above eye level. This will make her eyes stand out since she will be looking slightly up and will make her appear more slender overall. Some bridal photographs are taken from a low position to make the bride look tall and regal, but this is usually done with her facing away from the camera, so you don't emphasize her nostrils and have her chin tilting down. In boudoir photography this is rarely, if ever, done.

Get creative with the poses and props you use for standing boudoir pictures. Have her lean up against the wall. If she puts her hands behind her back with elbows slightly bent and one foot up and flat against the wall you can create a pretty demure pose. Move your camera position to a 45-degree angle to her so you aren't shooting her straight on. Try different facial expressions like a small smile or a serious look. After that have her look to the side or down slightly, and not directly at the camera for some variety to the pose. After you have done that pose you can have her turn around and press herself against the wall and face the camera. Move yourself to further to the side to get a side view of her body. Make sure her front knee (the one closest the camera) is bent. This is a more erotic or passionate boudoir pose, have her look at the camera with a sultry expression.

Starting out your standing poses by using the wall will make your client or model more comfortable with standing poses, you can now move her away from the wall or backdrop for more shots. You can use a chair back or a stool for something for her to stand next to and to put her hands on.

For all standing poses it is best if high heels are worn. They will make her legs look longer and more graceful. It will also help her posture. High heels with lingerie and swimwear are sexy.

Looking through men's magazines and lingerie catalogs can help you find posing you like and that will work in your studio and with your props. You can even clip some of these out and show your client or model. It will be easier for her to do a pose if she can see an example of what you are looking for.