Top 5 Essential Boudoir Poses for Taking Your Anniversary Gift To A New Level
Updated: Jun 4
Hi everyone. My name is Michael and I am an expert boudoir photographer who works with wonderful women from all across New Jersey and the NYC area.
I take part in many boudoir photo shoots every year, and one of the fun parts of boudoir are all the fun posing ideas that are always popping up and working their way into client albums. Anniversary sessions are huge-- and probably only second to wedding boudoir session in total number.
Most of my clients are doing homework these days and bringing in amazing boudoir photography posing ideas to do during their sessions. Some of these poses seem to really catch on, and client after client come in looking to get them in their books. This post contains what I believe are the top 5 anniversary boudoir poses you need in your album.
As a posing expert, I can tell you, small details can make or break every boudoir pose, so make sure you work with an accomplished photographer who bring out your inner "posing goddess."
What will be the top 5 be? Let’s take a look and find out. Some are tried and true and have been around for a while, but we also have some newer entries, as well. Boudoir can be many things– Sexy. Flirty. Beautiful. –Or any combination of those. The anniversary album is special, though. The fun part about it is you can tailor your session to be uniquely your own. Ultimately, you are looking to create a set of boudoir photos that make you feel great about yourself-- not to mention make your husband drool a bit, too. The difference between an average boudoir album and a great one is all about the posing! If you are working with a skilled photographer, he/she will be well versed in complimentary poses and will guide you throughout your session toward your goal.
It never hurts, though, to do some homework and get a “leg up” on some boudoir posing ideas that really catch your eye. I always give my clients a homework assignment to have them looks at sites such as Pinterest for boudoir poses and find some boudoir posing pins they'd love to do in their session. Not only does this help them get some great ideas, it’s a great tool for me to get some insight into what's on their minds and the direction of their session may be headed.
One important thing to keep in mind, not every pose you see online is necessarily ideal for every body type. Very few woman are 5′ 9″ 125lbs., with super long legs, big boobs, curvy hips, and natural pouty gaze that will look stunning at any angle-- no matter what the shot. I know from practical experience which poses will best fit certain body shapes, but first time boudoir-ers will lack the benefits of this expertise and need to rely on an experienced professional. Although I will happily accommodate a client's posing request which may not be the most flattering (a boudoir session is all about having fun, after all!) I know, more often than not, when a client is reviewing these poses after the session, I get a "Yeah, you were right, Mike…" and the photo is typically discarded.
The key is to pick the poses that make you look your best. Below are some of the sexiest boudoir poses that not only fit most body types, but clients continually pick these as their favorites. Without further delay– the is my list of the top 5 favorite anniversary boudoir poses you must get in your album.
Boudoir Pose 5. The “Hangover”
The “Hangover” has been around a long time and is still a popular pose that I get asked to do regularly. This pose is suitable for most body types, and has a low difficulty. Lay square to the edge of the bed with your head slightly over, and let your hair hang straight down. Be certain that your shoulders and hips are in line. Another tip here is to make sure you are wearing the proper bra size-- it will be readily apparent if you aren't. Variations include bringing an arm up to your head, hand placement in the hair, or twisting your head a bit to a side. This pose can easily be "anniversara-tized" by shooting the ring hand on top of the head, or on the shoulder.
How your photographer will screw this up: …By letting your head hang too far over the edge of the bed and photographing you looking at him/her with your eyes rolling back into your head- which is not a cute look (and I see this all the time.) Also, your photographer will fail to keep your body in line, and fail to position your hands properly.
How you will screw this up: Wearing a bra that doesn't fit properly. Shooting from this angle may expose your chest, and leave an unsightly gap between your breast tissue and your bra.
Boudoir Pose 4. The “Cross Body"
The “Cross Body” has seemingly stormed to the front of the posing world over the past year or so- and for good reason. It doesn’t involve any treacherous posing “gymnastics” and the result is total sensuality. Not only that, there are tons of variations of this pose that can be done (I could fill a whole album with just variations of this one pose!), and it is suitable for most body types. Everyone needs a version of this pose in their album-- and it's easily "anniversara-tized" where you can get the ring out on the side (as pictured above) or putting the arm on the shoulder and shooting the ring from above.
Simply recline on the bed… Variations are numerous and include using arms on your chest (as pictured), and hand on side of head, or hand on the thigh. When done properly, it’s a simple pose with a big impact.
How your photographer will screw this up: This pose is like pizza– a simple product that few make well. This is one that is easy for the client, but fairly difficult for your photographer. Lighting, body position, and focal length are crucial elements that need to be in order to get this to look right. Your photographer will crop your head wrong (or cut it off completely.) Hands will be posed incorrectly. Depth of field too wide. Incorrect point of focus.... the points of failure here are numerous for unskilled photographers. Done incorrectly, and it just appears awkward.
Boudoir Pose 3. The Laydown “Side Shot"
The “Side Shot” is a newer shot that I have developed (invented?), which looks great, and is suitable for most body types, and has been a big hit finding its way into many albums. This shot has a low difficulty, lots of options, and clients love it! This pose can be both demure and sultry– It can be shot in jeans, or not. Variations include several hand positions, including going in for the plunge and getting a hand down the front of the undies. This shot is also adaptable with accessories such as ice cubes, or for the daring, even a vibrator on the belly. This shot can be "anniversara-tized" by zooming in a bit and putting your focus on the ring hand with a shallow depth of field. (Which this image exactly isn't.)
How your photographer will screw this up: Errant posing of the hands. Poor framing. Improper depth of field.
How you will screw this up: No dangers here for you.
Boudoir Pose 2. The Zoomed In “Legs Up”
The “Legs Up” is another hugely requested shot for my client’s albums, and has been around for years and years as a perennial favorite. This is another top shot that everyone should be including– for good reason. Its sexy. Suggestive. Dramatic. And, simple to do! Just scootch your butt up to the headboard close enough so your legs will stretch straight up, and viola! Variations include multiple hand positions and leg positions.
This shot is easily "anniversara-tized" and makes the perfect shot for your anniversary album-- with a little twist. We'll get the hand positioned just so on top of the head...and make sure we get a beautiful shot with the wedding ring right in focus. Boom!
How your photographer will screw this up: This pose has its pitfalls for your photographer, and again is not the easiest for them to get correct. This pose is all about leg & arm position. One wrong move and sexy becomes awkward- and doesn't look so great. Additionally, focus and depth of field issues will ruin this pose.
How you will screw this up: Once again... wearing an ill fitted bra. Unsightly gaps, or exposed chests are difficult to fix afterward.
Boudoir Pose 1. The “Ring Shot"
The “Ring Shot” is the one must have shot in your anniversary boudoir album! It has seemingly stormed to the front of the posing world over the past few years- and for good reason. It doesn’t involve any treacherous posing “gymnastics” and the result is total gorgeousness. Not only that, there are several variations of this pose that can be done, and it is suitable for most body types. Simply recline on the bed… and get that ring in there. BOOM! This shot is all about the ring. When done properly, it’s a simple pose with a big impact.
How your photographer will screw this up: This is one that is easy for the client, but can be a bit tricky for your photographer. Lighting, body position, and depth of field are crucial elements that need to be in order to get this to look right. Your photographer will crop your head wrong (or cut it off completely.) Your hand will be posed incorrectly. Depth of field too wide. Incorrect point of focus.... the points of failure can be numerous for unskilled photographers despite the simple appearance. Done incorrectly, it loses and marriage goodness.
How you will screw this up: No dangers here for you. Just show up with that ring a'blazin'.
BONUS POSE -- The "Sexy Plunge!"
Want a bit unexpectedness in your album? Go with the plunge... I personally love the "sexy plunge," but I totally understand it doesn't fit every personality or every album. This pose is easy to do, and is suitable for almost everyone. Simple wear some cute undies, and dive right in! It is easily "anniversara-tized" by getting your sparkly ring right there in the action. Variations includes the depth of the plunge, and using your free hand to even get in there and pull the undies down a bit. Be as daring as you like! The results are super cute.
How your photographer will screw this up: Well, this shot needs excellent setup and framing or this little teasing pose starts to go in a complete different direction... and the focus isn't your beautiful ring. Depth of field issues will also kill this one.
How you will screw this up: No dangers here. Just jump right in.
Conclusion
Well, there you go!
The number of boudoir photo poses are endless, and these are some that are client favorites that look amazing in an anniversary album. Be sure to try a few of these basic poses during your session, as well as their variations, to secure a good foundation images for your album. After you’ve got the essentials completed, though– have fun and experiment. Improvise -- and "plunge" right in for a great time. Boudoir is, after all, about having fun during your session and trying some of poses you’ve found online. If you’re not happy with the results when reviewing your images afterward… simply discard them… but you never know– and that’s half the fun!
Have questions for me about posing? Or want to see more? Visit my boudoir site at Mike Cassidy Photography.
What are your favorites? Let me know by commenting below.
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