This is a blog post I’ve had in mind for a while because I don’t necessarily think people always equate “light and airy” with boudoir photography. Boudoir doesn’t have to be dark and moody. While that’s a gorgeous style, it’s just one style! Everyone’s own creative touch should feature their own style, and dark, broody settings are just not for me. If light, airy and soft boudoir photography feels closer to your own personal style, you can absolutely achieve these results too. These end results aren’t only accomplished during editing, so here are my three tips for achieving light and airy boudoir photography! 

1. Use reflectors
Using reflectors is super helpful for making sure lighting is evenly distributed on your client. They help to eliminate shadows that windows or one directional lights can cause. And before you worry about budget numbers and cost, anything can be a reflector! Your bed, your walls – also your floor! If you have hardwood floors that are darker or reflect an orange color, I would suggest purchasing a white rug to put down over it to lighten the floor as a reflector. If you have darker walls you could add white curtains to help bounce light. A white comforter can also help reflect light onto your client. Think outside the box with the way you use reflectors! I’ve even bought a stand to hold up a giant reflector that I put on the other side of my client and move around my studio with me.

 

2. Client wardrobe
Your client’s wardrobe choice can affect how light your images are! If you want to keep things as light as possible, try to have your client dress in lighter colors. Dusty blues, powder pinks, whites, nudes, and grays are all great options. It can also help to have a few pieces on hand that will help lighten up their outfit, like a kimono or a sweater. Having a client outfit guide or even a Pinterest board that you can share with them of light and airy outfits is super helpful. Eventually you can work your way up to having a client closet full of light and airy outfits!

3. Expose your camera properly
When you’re shooting light and airy, it can be really tempting to bump the exposure or highlights until everything in the background is bright white! I want to encourage you to not do this and instead to expose their skin instead. Try to balance everything out so that their skin isn’t blown out and way too light. Also, make sure your white balance is set to flatter their skin tone and their coloring is true-to-life. Remember, flattering our clients is more important than having a completely bright, white background! (I talk a lot about this in my blog post here – take a look!) So make sure their skin is the right color and everything is evenly exposed, and this will help flatter your subject and make your editing time much easier.

Bonus: Practice!
Practice truly is going to be your best friend with any sort of photography, no matter what style you want. Have a friend be your boudoir client for a day! Test out different ways of reflecting light and exposing for their skin. Or even set your camera up on a tripod and make yourself the client! Have fun and try out new things. This is definitely how you’ll find your perfect light and airy style.

While there are SO many ways to achieve gorgeous, bright images, these are my top three to achieving light and airy boudoir photography. I hope they help you too! I would also encourage you to join my Light and Airy Facebook Group where I post tips, videos, and you have access to a full community of other boudoir photographers!

-Emma