Boudoir on a budget

Get the best boudoir portraits at home using only diffused window light in the bedroom with our pro photographer Peter Travers

- Peter Travers

As we’re still spending time indoors at the moment, it’s a great time to photograph a willing partner for some beautiful boudoir images. Note: we photographed our model before lockdown restrictions were introduced. But with boudoir it’s all about getting the light right to capture flattering images – that means soft light.

Rather than expensive lighting kits and large diffusers, instead we’ve simply used our diffused bedroom blinds pulled down (usually used for privacy), which naturally create lovely soft light for great portraits. Our window blinds basically act like a massive 3x2-metre softbox behind us to light our subject on the bed!

Whoever you’re photographing, whether it’s a boudoir model or your partner, give them encouragement and feedback on how to move and pose on the bed for better results. Showing them your shots to give them confidence for the next set of photos.

You also don’t need the latest Canon gear, we used an old Canon EOS 5D Mark III full-frame camera, with Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L lens, but any Canon EOS camera and kit lens will work.