Category: boudoir photography

How Boudoir & Self-Portrait Photography Have Improved My Life

Self portrait boudoir photoshoot featuring tattoos and a one-piece lingerie bodysuit
Boudoir self portrait photography featuring red lace lingerie

How Boudoir & Self-Portrait Photography has Improved My Life

Not only has becoming a self-portrait artist and boudoir photographer been so much fun over the last several years, it’s also boosted my life in other ways.

  • My Self-Confidence has Grown
    • Modeling for boudoir self-portraits has made me so much more confident and at home in my body over the years
    • I’ve learned what kinds of colors and style flatter my complexion and figure. This has saved me money and time when it comes to growing my wardrobe
  • My Sense of Community & Self-Acceptance has been Strengthened
    • Following & being inspired by photographers, models, burlesque performers, etc has made me feel part of a larger community. I feel at home being surrounded by others that celebrate the beauty & art that is being human
    • I’ve learned that sensuality & sexuality can be beautiful
  • I’ve Learned to See Myself as an Artist and a Work of Art
    • I see myself as a work of art, which I believe everyone is
    • As a photographer, I wanted to capture the beauty of femininity and create art featuring feminine characters. In being my own model for my photography, I get to embody and appreciate this in myself
    • Modeling for my own camera also means I can create portraits whenever I can/want without needing to seek out a photographer
  • My Technical & Artistic Skills Have Grown
    • Through my journey with boudoir and self-portrait photography, my skills in modeling, lighting, photography, makeup, styling and more have grown
    • By doing all these aspects myself, I’ve been inspired to research how to do these individual skills
Boudoir self-portrait featuring red lace lingerie, shot with backlighting in the Blessed Shadows photo studio

Although not definitive by any means, these are some of the ways that boudoir and self-portrait photography have improved my life!

Are you a boudoir model, photographer, and fellow self-portrait artist?

How have boudoir photography & self-portraits changed your life?

Here’s an ongoing list of Essential Tools & Equipment that I love having in the photo studio!

Favorite tools and photography equipment in the Blessed Shadows studio

The linked list above contains affiliate links that can earn me a commission at no cost to you.

by Ophelia

Getting Started in Self Portrait Photography | What I Would do if I was Starting Over

What advice would I give to those starting self portrait photography?

What would I do different if I was starting over today?

Advice for New Photographers

  • You don’t need the newest DSLR. In fact, the best camera to start with is a camera phone. You don’t need to spend hundreds of dollars on a DSLR and different portrait lenses to get great portraits. Most of my self portraits these days are taken on my smartphone.
  • If you want to experiment with different lenses, you can buy inexpensive clip-on lenses for your smartphone camera.
  • You don’t need fancy lights or flashguns either. Cheap room lights work well, as well as inexpensive ring lights. Experiment with different angles and distance in relation to you.
  • You don’t need a backdrop rig with expensive backdrops. Easy backdrops can be made by lying on a blanket on the floor of tacking a blanket/curtain to your studio wall.
  • Invest in a selfie stick, tripod, and Bluetooth camera release remote. These tools will get you far.
  • Focus on building your skills, not spending money on equipment. There’s no shortcut to great portraits.
  • Get comfortable in front of the camera by practicing a LOT. Get comfortable doing your own hair, makeup, and wardrobe styling by practicing a LOT.
  • Source backdrops (blankets/curtains), wardrobe and props from thrift shops. You’ll find something unique and save money.
  • Find a solid group of apps to use. My most essential apps for editing self portraits are Lightroom and Facetune with occasional use of Mextures and Procreate Pocket.
  • Get your own website to share your art. If you do more risqué portraits, upload teasers on Facebook and IG so you don’t get reported. You want a portfolio where people can find your work where YOU are in control.
  • Back up your portraits. Get yourself a thumb drive that attaches to your phone. Then backup your photography work both on a computer and a hard drive.

If I Was Starting my Photography Career Over

Honestly, if I was starting over I would do it more from a financial perspective.

I spent so much money on DSLR bodies, different lenses, backdrops, umbrellas, lighting and more to try and be more professional, but all this equipment ran up my credit card bill and slowed down my creation process.

And when it’s harder to create, the less we create.

The more time it takes to create, the less we can create.

I would keep down to the basics:

  • Camera phone will cheap plan
  • Selfie stick
  • Clip on portrait lens
  • Tripod
  • Bluetooth remote
  • Thrifted wardrobe and blankets for backdrops

We truly don’t need to spend so much money to look professional.

We need to spend our time creating, practicing, and upgrading our equipment when necessary instead of when we think we can get a shortcut.

I hope this helps!

Self portrait photography is one of my greatest passions in life!

Let’s get creative and make some art.

by Ophelia

Getting Started in Self Portrait Photography | What I Would do if I was Starting Over

What advice would I give to those starting self portrait photography?

What would I do different if I was starting over today?

Advice for New Photographers

  • You don’t need the newest DSLR. In fact, the best camera to start with is a camera phone. You don’t need to spend hundreds of dollars on a DSLR and different portrait lenses to get great portraits. Most of my self portraits these days are taken on my smartphone.
  • If you want to experiment with different lenses, you can buy inexpensive clip-on lenses for your smartphone camera.
  • You don’t need fancy lights or flashguns either. Cheap room lights work well, as well as inexpensive ring lights. Experiment with different angles and distance in relation to you.
  • You don’t need a backdrop rig with expensive backdrops. Easy backdrops can be made by lying on a blanket on the floor of tacking a blanket/curtain to your studio wall.
  • Invest in a selfie stick, tripod, and Bluetooth camera release remote. These tools will get you far.
  • Focus on building your skills, not spending money on equipment. There’s no shortcut to great portraits.
  • Get comfortable in front of the camera by practicing a LOT. Get comfortable doing your own hair, makeup, and wardrobe styling by practicing a LOT.
  • Source backdrops (blankets/curtains), wardrobe and props from thrift shops. You’ll find something unique and save money.
  • Find a solid group of apps to use. My most essential apps for editing self portraits are Lightroom and Facetune with occasional use of Mextures and Procreate Pocket.
  • Get your own website to share your art. If you do more risqué portraits, upload teasers on Facebook and IG so you don’t get reported. You want a portfolio where people can find your work where YOU are in control.
  • Back up your portraits. Get yourself a thumb drive that attaches to your phone. Then backup your photography work both on a computer and a hard drive.

If I Was Starting my Photography Career Over

Honestly, if I was starting over I would do it more from a financial perspective.

I spent so much money on DSLR bodies, different lenses, backdrops, umbrellas, lighting and more to try and be more professional, but all this equipment ran up my credit card bill and slowed down my creation process.

And when it’s harder to create, the less we create.

The more time it takes to create, the less we can create.

📷

I would keep down to the basics:

  • Camera phone will cheap plan
  • Selfie stick
  • Clip on portrait lens
  • Tripod
  • Bluetooth remote
  • Thrifted wardrobe and blankets for backdrops

We truly don’t need to spend so much money to look professional.

We need to spend our time creating, practicing, and upgrading our equipment when necessary instead of when we think we can get a shortcut.

📷

I hope this helps!

Self portrait photography is one of my greatest passions in life!

Let’s get creative and make some art.

by Ophelia