Boudoir photography: on either side of the lens

Claire Diana is a wedding and engagement photographer living and working in Atlanta and Athens, Georgia. She also does boudoir photography offering women the chance to feel good in their skin — and show a little of it for themselves or someone they love.

Her Instagram is gorgeous, and her pup Ladybug is a complete joy to know (so is Claire, BTW). 

Laura Scholz is an Atlanta-based writer and editor. You can find her work on the pages of Eater and Atlanta magazine if she’s not teaching Pilates.

She’s a wordsmith covering fitness and cocktails (sign us up for those classes) around the nation. Laura had two boudoir photography sessions — one just in time for her 40th birthday. 

Both share with Conversational what their experiences with these sexy, sensual, body-affirming sessions have been as we talk about boudoir photography from both sides of the lens. 

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What inspired you to do boudoir photos?

Claire: I personally became a photographer because I love connecting with people, boosting their confidence, and giving them images of themselves that they love. And while that's true across the board, I feel like boudoir really provides the perfect platform to do those things. It strips away the outer layers and puts people in a vulnerable state where they can truly let their walls down and learn to love themselves, inside and out. 

Laura: I think it's something I always wanted to do but seeing a few friends' photos with the photographer I ultimately chose (Sarah Esther Witherington of OWN Boudoir) inspired me to go for it. Plus, I work from home and live in workout clothes without makeup on, so it was a fun opportunity to play dress up and feel sexy and pretty for a few hours.

Are they becoming more common?

Claire: Yes! Boudoir has always been popular as a "wedding present" for husbands, but I am so thrilled to see that the body positivity movement is growing and that more and more women are choosing to do boudoir sessions for themselves — just because they deserve it. 

Was it a sexy experience at the moment — or did you have to see the photos to feel it?  

OWN Boudoir photography

Laura: I think the first session in the fall of 2017, I felt more awkward and silly. Some of the poses are actually physically challenging, even for someone with my athletic background — I’m a runner and Pilates teacher —  and I think I was at a non-confident point in my life. 

 In the second session, two years later in summer 2019, I actually was feeling very confident after having bounced back from two running injuries and some health issues. So, I definitely felt sexier in the moment. I was also more comfortable with the process and the photographer, and I had a vision for what I wanted the photos to look like. So it was fun and silly, but also when it came time to pose, I really got into it. 

They're a bit steamier than the first set, but really reflect where I was at the time. I will say having seen the first set of photos, I was like "whoa, is that really me?" It helped me through a dark period of low self-esteem and processing being over 40. 

Do women typically do them for a particular birthday or life event? 

Claire: A lot of my clients do a boudoir session leading up to their wedding, and they purchase an album of the images to gift to their future spouse as a surprise. Other clients of mine have chosen to celebrate big milestones in their lives — like a birthday or getting a promotion or losing X amount of weight — by treating themselves to a boudoir session. In essence, they're self-love sessions, and I believe every woman deserves to have the experience at least once. 

Laura: In my second session, I went a bit more dramatic with makeup and posing because I felt more comfortable with myself.  Sarah (the photographer) says you can see the evolution in my confidence between the first shot and second. And I'll likely do it again.

Claire Diana photography

How many sessions have you done?

Claire: Way too many to count! I have been photographing boudoir for over six years, even though it's only recently started becoming a main niche in my business. 

How do you set the atmosphere? 

Claire: I send out a questionnaire in advance of the session that helps me get to know my clients, their motivations behind doing the session, etc. One of the questions asks what kind of music they'd like playing at their session, so I have that ready when they arrive. Some people like upbeat dance music, while others enjoy more relaxing music. I do have a "female empowerment" Spotify station I've created over the years that I can play if they don't have anything in mind. 

Laura: You know, I don't remember what music we played, but my photographer and I have a lot of the same taste in music. I think the mood was more in the styling and the way the shots were framed, with a lot of laughing and shaking out muscle cramps in between! Just having hair and make-up done and sexy outfits get you in the right frame of mind to pose.

What outfits do your subjects typically bring? 

Claire: What I love about my boudoir sessions is that they're extremely diverse. I send out a "How to Prep" guide to my clients, which shows some outfit suggestions, but I always tell them to think outside the box. I've had everything from a sequined dress to baggy sweaters to lace teddies and bra and undies sets. 

I tell people to really think about what makes them feel beautiful and confident... there are no rules! We typically photograph three different looks, and I suggest that at least one of the looks push them a little outside of their comfort zone — because that's often when I can work the most magic. 

OWN Boudoir photography

What sort of outfits did you bring, Laura? How did you choose?

Laura: OWN has a fantastic wardrobe consultant who will help you with selecting outfits and telling you what will look good and photograph well. I styled myself in a mix of bodysuits, bustiers, chunky sweaters, and bra and panty sets, but just ran everything by them to double-check. My second color palate was all blush and navy blue, the latter of which really pops in photos.

Did you do your own hair and makeup? 

Laura: Oh gosh no. I rarely wash my hair more than once a week and am horrible with hair and makeup. I had the same makeup artist, Brielle Brenner, both times. She and I have become friends, and she just really nailed my vision. Super soft make-up with big, loose curls and lots and lots of false lashes. 

What's the most difficult part of these shoots? 

Claire: For my clients? I hear that choosing outfits and dealing with overall nerves leading up to the session is the worst part. But as soon as the session starts, the nerves quickly fade away because we're having so much fun. It's really like playing dress-up and getting to feel like a model for an afternoon... and who wouldn't love that? 

Laura, was there something you really enjoyed about the experience? 

Laura: I really enjoyed the people and the friendships I made with my photographer and make-up artist. They are so good at putting you at ease. And then I think just seeing the photographs and how it all came together was really amazing.

Claire: The most difficult part for me is not getting carried away and shooting all afternoon. I've finally started telling people not to schedule anything immediately afterward, so if we're having a blast, we can just keep shooting. It's hard to stop when you're having so much fun!

Claire Diana photography

What advice would you give to a woman considering doing boudoir photos? 

Laura: To go fully vet your photographer. I'm not exaggerating when I say at least 20 people in my circle have used OWN, either before or after me! Ask for help with hair, make-up, wardrobe, and mostly, just to have fun. It's a really empowering experience. 

Claire: Book one now. There are a million excuses why now isn't the right time... "Let me lose 10 pounds first…” “My schedule is too busy right now...” “I can't justify spending that much money on myself when X is coming up, and I need to think about others." Etc. etc. 

I hear it all. 

And there's really no reason to wait. No one needs to lose 10 pounds first. What they need is to let a professional show them how amazing their body already looks when given the right lighting, angles, and wardrobe. Trust us. We know what we're doing.