So much of Boudoir photography is about lighting – and natural lighting is one option that typically works well. During photography sessions, we want to create an alluring and beautiful boudoir image – in order to do that, we need alluring and beautiful light. And ideally, over the course of a boudoir photography session, lighting should be varied as much as possible. We can play around even more with directional light to create moody and evocative images.
Beyond aesthetics, the right lighting in boudoir photography can also create a sense of comfort and relaxation during the session. Finding the lighting setup that makes clients most comfortable will go a long way toward how the final photos turn out.
It’s no question lighting is important for boudoir photography. If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s to try to get natural lighting. Here are some good tips on how to get natural lighting for boudoir photography:
Techniques to Create a Natural Light Boudoir Studio
1. Using V-Flats
Using V Flats helps to harness the beautiful natural light we get in the studio. My current studio space is on the top floor and faces northwest. We get indirect sunlight most of the day. In the late afternoon, we get direct light streaming in, but I prefer the soft indirect light that we have in the mid-morning.
The question of “how do I get a 4’x8 ‘ flat home?” comes up fairly often on the photography boards. I drive a very small car, nothing that could handle a 48″ x 96? piece of foam core. The first time I bought a set, I rented a van to drive there and back. The second time I borrowed a friend’s truck. And this time I got many more than I thought I needed. Guess what? I don’t regret having extra. I do use them.
2. Lighting for Smaller Spaces
I also bought huge reflectors, which I intended to use to bounce light and end up creating a sense of smaller rooms within the studio. Enclosed spaces make people feel more comfortable during the photoshoot. Using lighting for smaller spaces, I started to notice that clients were getting comfortable faster, having a sense of security. I could see a noticeable change in their expressions and in their posture – and when clients are more relaxed, it goes a long way in getting great boudoir photography.
3. Sultry Window Lighting
Window lighting is a natural technique to get beautiful and flattering boudoir photos. I’ve also come to find that window lighting makes clients more comfortable during the photoshoot. You need a window, some white and black foam core, and practice looking at how light hits a face and a figure. It’s been so much fun to figure out all the different looks I can create from a wall of windows and the DIY foam core reflectors.
Closing Out:
Ultimately, great boudoir photography is about much more than simply having beautiful light. It’s about understanding how light interacts with the body, the space, and the person in front of the camera. Natural light gives me an incredible starting point, but knowing how to shape, soften, and direct that light allows me to create a wide range of looks throughout a session.
From soft and airy to dramatic and moody, thoughtful lighting can completely transform the feeling of an image. More importantly, when the lighting and environment feel comfortable, you can relax, get out of your head, and let your authentic self come through.
That combination of beautiful light, thoughtful direction, and a comfortable environment is what helps create boudoir images that feel not only visually striking, but genuinely like you.
