Boudoir photography is a popular genre in the photography community. However, men’s boudoir photography is not as popular as women’s bodies, so many photographers often focus on women’s boudoir photography.
The term boudoir photography is sometimes used, which comes from the two words “dude” and “boudoir”. Most of the time, this name is used for playful images of male poses, which are far from gods of beauty, but look quite attractive.
The glorification of the beauty of a male body has always been of great importance in the history of classical art, for instance, Michelangelo’s famous statue of David. In modern photography, this topic is growing and developing rapidly, attracting many experts to highlight natural silhouettes.
Boudoir photography takes place in a specific personal space of the model, for example, in the bedroom, and has a color of intimacy and accentuated idea of masculinity.
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9 tips and ideas for male’s boudoir photoshoot
1- Do a short brief before shooting session
Before starting the boudoir shooting session, have a little chat with your male model. Find out the purpose of the photography. Does he want to improve his body image? Or is it a gift for his partner?
Most men want to have a boudoir photo shoot after getting into a certain shape. In that case, be sure to highlight any muscle he gained.
2- Give your model ideas on the outfit
Men often feel lost when choosing an outfit for a boudoir photo session. Help your model by asking what clothes make him feel comfortable about his body.
Underwear or nudity are obvious choices in men’s boudoir photography. For instance, think about a typical CK ad.
But these are not the only options. Your model can wear an unbuttoned shirt. Or a singlet with jeans. Besides, you can get creative with towels, bedsheets, or kitchen aprons.
And remember the clothes you see in the men’s calendar. Dressing up as a firefighter or policeman can bring you very masculine and sexy photos.
Talk to him about what makes him feel confident, and choose an outfit based on.
3- make your model feel comfortable
It is essential for boudoir photographers to know how to make women comfortable in front of the camera. We agree that women complain about their bodies. But if a man does it, we don’t know how to deal with it.
Men also need compliments to feel confident while posing. And it’s your job to find ways to make your models feel comfortable.
Keep saying positive things, but not just about his body or muscles. Compliment his smile, eyes, or a special pose he does. Be sure to help his masculinity.
You can also play some background music, chat, and tell jokes to ease the mood.
4- Inspire your model with posing tips
Posing is essential in boudoir photography. Your subject might have never posed in front of a camera and feels nervous. You can help them relax by asking them to do some funny poses between the more serious ones.
To highlight the beauty of the male body, you should pay attention to the posture of the model. Many poses which are suitable for women are not suitable for men. Consider that your goal is to highlight the masculinity of your model.
You don’t focus on the curves, you focus on the angles that show strength and masculinity. But you also want to show the more intimate side of your male model.
5- Silhouettes shooting
One of the most popular techniques in male boudoir photography is silhouette shooting. Silhouette shooting is a perfect way to create dramatic and sensual photos.
To shoot a silhouette, you will need to position your subject in front of a light source. The light source can be natural sunlight or artificial light like a lamp or flash. Once your subject is in position, you will need to expose for the background. That is to say, your subject will be silhouetted against the background.
Silhouette photography is an appealing way to add drama and interest to your photos. Using this technique, you can create wonderful images which capture the true essence of boudoir photography.
There are various techniques you can use to take your male boudoir photography to a higher level. By taking the time to choose the right lens, set the scene, and take your time, you can create a stunning photo that capture the true essence of boudoir photography. With these male boudoir photography tips, you can create emotional and intimate images that your subjects will fall in love with.
6- Make it fun
Regardless of how amazing the photos are, your client isn’t doing a male boudoir shoot only for the photos – it’s also about the experience.
Make the photoshoot fun – not only because they will be a great memory, but it helps them relax and look more natural in the photos.
It is essential to communicate with your clients, before your male boudoir photo session. Try to find common ground, either during a chat beforehand or by using the information you collected in the questionnaire when the client booked.
Women are stereotypically more talkative than men, so you may need to do some work to make sure your male client feels comfortable. Talk as you would with friends, but remember to keep it professional.
Photographers should talk about what’s going to happen with the shoot, but it is also important to keep things relaxed and friendly.
It is likely this is your client’s first male boudoir photography session, so they are probably nervous. Don’t mistake the lack of conversation for confidence or arrogance – work with your model to get them relaxed.
7- Tell a story with your boudoir photography
If you only work with cliche’s boudoir photography can look staged and unnatural. Being creative can be exhausting, but it’s usually a worthwhile investment.
Talk to your model to get inspiration. Maybe you could “document” his daily activities at home via your photos. Or you could take a look at fashion editorials or ads. They often tell stories you can be inspired by.
8- Capture the intimacy
Boudoir photography is all about shooting intimate moments between couples. Whether it’s the way they look at each other, the way they touch, or the unspoken connection between them, these are the moments you aim to photograph.
One of the best ways to achieve this is to focus on close-ups. Getting a close-up of their faces help show their emotions and connection. You can focus on their hands and how they touch each other as well. This can be a very emotional and intimate moment which actually shows their connection.
By focusing on these intimate moments, you can capture the true essence of what boudoir photography is all about – a celebration of love and intimacy.
9- Use props
You don’t need plenty of props for male boudoir photography. In deed, the fewer props you use, the better the result will be. If you have too many props, the viewer’s attention will be drawn from the subject.
You just need a few simple props to improve your image. Consider bedsheets, towels, or curtains.
Common objects like mugs, glasses, or even books work well. Choose props which suit your model’s personality and define his body.
Technical tips for male Boudoir photoshoot
Select a good camera
In male boudoir photography, it is important to have a good quality camera. This will ensure that your photos are of the highest quality. A DSLR camera is perfect, but if you don’t have one, a high-quality point-and-shoot camera will be sufficient. Before you start taking pictures, it’s important to learn how to use your camera. This involves understanding all the features and functions of your camera. Taking the time to learn about your camera will pay off eventually because you’ll be able to take better photos.
Use light to create the mood
Lighting is one of the most essential aspects of photography. In male boudoir photography, you will want to use lighting to create a mood. For instance, if you want to create a romantic mood, you may want to use soft lighting. Instead, if you intend to create a more mysterious mood, you may want to use harsher lighting. Experiment with different types of lighting until you find what works for you. Additionally, you might be interested in using directional lighting guide.
Find the right angle
In male boudoir photography, it’s important to find the right angle. This means finding an angle which flatters your subject. For instance, if your subject has broad shoulders, you may want to photograph from above. This makes their shoulders look smaller. On the other hand, if your subject has a small waist, you may want to photograph from below. This makes their waist look bigger. Experiment with different angles until you find the right angle for your subject
Choose a right lens
Not all lenses are created equal. In male boudoir photography, you will want to use a lens designed specifically for portraiture. Portrait lenses have a wide aperture, which allows for a shallow depth of field. This means that your subject will be in focus as the background is blurred. This is perfect for boudoir photography as it helps to create an intimate and sensual look.
There are a number of different portrait lenses on the market. If you use a DSLR camera, you may want to invest in a prime portrait lens. Prime lenses have fixed focal lengths and are cheaper than zoom lenses. If you use a point-and-shoot- camera, you may want to consider having a zoom lens. Zoom lenses allow you to change the focal length, that can be useful if you’re photographing in a small space. Besides, you may be interested in telephoto lens vs. zoom lens comparison.
Edit your photos
Once you’ve taken some photos, it’s important to edit them. Editing photos helps to improve their quality. There are a number of various editing software programs that you can use. Some of these programs are free, as others must be purchased. If you are new to photo editing, it is important to start with a simple program and move on to more advanced programs as you become more familiar with them.