125 BOUDOIR

POSES THAT SELL!

A Boudoir shotlist
to maximize your sessions
and avoid the dreaded freeze!
About Elise Kutt
Elise Kutt is a #RestiingBossFace extraordinaire who's been killing
the entrepreneurial game for over a decade. She's the brains behind
Mod Bettie Portraits, Naughty Bettie Lingerie Boutique, and The
Mod Photog. And let's just say, she knows a thing or two about
building a boudoir brand that's impactful AF.

Her lingerie boutique has been seen in TLC's "90 Day Fiancé: After
the 90 Days" and this year she was recognized as West Michigan's
Remarkable Woman of the Year and flown to Hollywood to be
recognized among the other 111 Remarkable Women from across
the country.

Say goodbye to blending in with the other boudoir photographers in

your area and hello to standing out like the empowerment expert
that you are. We should just start calling you a Curator of
Experience now then, yea?

COPYRIGHT DISCLAIMER
Copyright © 2023 The Mod Photog

All rights reserved.. No portion of this guide may be reproduced in

any form without written permission from the publisher, except as

permitted by U.S. copyright law.

 BOUDOIR SHOTLIST

Couch

Bed

Floor

Wall

Chair, Stool, Trunk, Window Sill, Etc.

Details

Mirror

Silhouette

Shoot through something

Double Exposure

Free standing

Hair Tug

Lower Angle

Higher Angle

BONUS: Tub

BONUS: Swing

BONUS: Water play

 POSING RULES
I'm not much of a rule follower, but anytime you learned something new, it's
always helpful to follow some standard guidelines until you're comfortable
enough to break them intentionally.

Posing is all about building triangle shapes that highlight those natural curves!
Remember that no two bodies are the same, and though some poses will need
to be modified for varying flexibilities, injuries or disabilities, ALL bodies
deserve to be documented and celebrated! Have a clear conversation with
your client before you ever begin shooting to understand their abilities.

Toes always pointed. Heels lifted whenever possible

Hips are always popped to one side, typically

whichever has most flexibility
When in seated/lying poses, always rotate more to
one hip to create curves
One shoulder is always popped higher than the
other
When standing, seated or lying down, knees are
always at different levels
Arched back whenever possible
The leg closest to camera is typically the most bent
at the knee
When eyes are off gazing away watch that they
aren't showing mostly the white's of the eyes. Aim
for a spot just past the camera
Relax the mouth, breathing through the lips
When in doubt, put the hands to work! Playing in
the hair, tugging at wardrobe or feeling the skin of
the body
If any pose that has a "free" hand, have your client
"play," either feeling along their skin or in their hair.

COUCH

Any of these poses can be done on a bed or some even on the floor. Notice the triangle shapes made by
arm and leg placements. Notice the varied shoulder heights and pointed toes. The "free" hand can move
up and down the body or play in the hair for variation.

SIDE PLANK KNEES

Left elbow is locked in the shoulder pop. Toes pointed. Knees spread, toes together, arched back. Hands can

The right arm is the free hand. Could tap the right tug at wardrobe or climb the body to play in the hair.

shoulder, tug at wardrobe or play in the hair. Can be captured from the front and back.

HEAD TO TOE CRAWL

Top knee is always bent more with hips rotated Left leg crawls forward while left hand tugs on the lip.
forward. Top foot is aligned with the bottom calf. Left Move further right for a full body shot from the side.
hand is free to play. Hands can drop forward and cross at the wrists into
an X.
COUCH

FALLING OFF THE COUCH SITTING ON THE EDGE

Body is fully supported with head and shoulders Couches that have supportive arms are great for
falling off. Knee closest to camera is bent more. Hands seated poses, giving more length to legs. Arched back
could also flow from the hips to the hair. with the back knee bent most. Lift the back heel.

FAINT BACK SHOT

Lying on side with arm of couch in the armpit. Left
Don't forget to face away from camera offering a new
hand is pulled into the body building a triangle. Top
angle and opportunity to show off curves and the back
knee is bent most. Right hand plays. of a great wardrobe. Bottom leg bent most to elongate
the body.
BED

Most of these poses can be done on a bed or some even on the floor. Notice the triangle shapes made by
arm and leg placements. Notice the varied shoulder heights and pointed toes. The "free" hand can move
up and down the body or play in the hair for variation.

KNEES SIDE SEAT

Knees spread, toes together, arched back. Hands can Sit on one hip with legs extended away from body,
tug at wardrobe or climb the body to play in the hair. bottom knee bent most. Right elbow locked with right
Can be captured from the front, back and side. shoulder popped higher. Left arm plays.

COY CRAWL RELAXED STRETCH

Laying on side with head resting on shoulder, top This pose is great for varying flexibilities, letting gravity
knee bends most into a crawl. Upper body rotates do the work. Upper body is nice and supported on the
forward onto elbow. Left arm can slowly stretch bed, leg closest to the camera is bent more, dropping
forward to meet the right while pushing into the tush. the hips as low as they can go exhaling at the top.
BED

LONG SHOT MODERN PIN-UP

Back is supported by pillows with one elbow holding Set up the legs last. One hand higher than the other.
all the weight to push into the arch. The leg that bends Legs in the air with knee closest to camera bent most.
tilts away from camera. One shoulder popped higher Have them tilt their hips toward the camera. Make sure
with pointed toes. their chin lifts high enough where they aren't working
too hard to see the camera or their forehead wrinkles. If
so get to a higher vantage point.

GRAVITY DROP BUTT IN THE AIR

Upper body is supported on the bed with tush Knees spread with feet together. Upper body falls
hanging off the edge. Knee closest to camera bends forward with tush in the air. Head rests on back arm
most with a high arch on right foot, left heel lifts with the forward arm bent more to open up the face.
slightly when possible. Have them drop their butt as
far as they can while stretching arms long behind
head. Hands can move around body and play in hair
as you move to other angles.
FLOOR

PRETZEL LEGS
SIDE SEAT
In a seated position cross one leg over the other with all
Seated on the tush with all the weight on one hip with
the weight on the back arm. Left leg tilts away from
both knees bent. Pointed toes while hands play.
camera. Heel lifted. Right elbow to knee, hand plays.

DOE SPIDER
Sit on side of hip with all the weight on left arm, Start this pose lying straight like a pencil. Knee closest
shoulder popped higher. Top knee pulled into body to camera bends most. In this case we had a wall to
with toes pointed. Right elbow leans on top of knee, push off of but without it arms can stretch long and
building a triangle with upper body, right shoulder tap the floor. Tilting head back, push chest into the air.
drops. Right hand plays.
FLOOR

RELAXED SQUISH THE GETAWAY

Love this one in tight spaces. Seated against a wall Starting from a seat, flip the hips over into a crawl
with one leg bent into the body. Hands play. away from camera. Right arm slides forward arching
the back and pointing the toes.

SPREAD EAGLE RELAXED LEAN

Upper body is supported by the bed/couch/ottoman Sit with tush close to the edge of the
with all the weight on one elbow to support the arch. bed/couch/ottoman with closest elbow bent on the
Knees spread open with heels lifted. Right hand plays. bed to support the arch. Closest knee to the camera
bent most. Left hand plays.
WALL

ELBOW LEAN BUTT STUFF

Lean right elbow up against the wall with hand in the Feet and knees together standing a foot away from
hair. Right knee bends, pushing the hips away from the wall with arms stretched up long and back knee
the wall. Left hand plays in wardrobe, hair or along the bent. Push hips away from the wall as the upper body
body. sinks in.

Head to toe ARM LEAN

Back against the wall with one knee bent, hip pushed This works great with a stool or window ledge,
toward the direction the bent knee is pointed. One something tall enough to lean on. The knee closest to
arm lifted to different levels. the object bends most with hips pushed away from
object. Arm that's supported is locked straight.
Opposite arm plays.
WALL

SIDE STRETCH WALL CUDDLES

One arm stretched long with the wall in the armpit. Back knee bends pushing hips away from the wall
Leg closest to the wall bent with hips pushing away while upper body sinks in. Arm closest to camera
from the wall. Right hand plays. tucks into the body.

FROM BEHIND WALL PUSH

Feet spread apart with arms stretched long against Butt against the wall with knee closest to the camera
the wall. Chest sinks into the wall as the hips push bent most. Upper back arches until head touches the
away. Head is at neutral or falls back. wall. Right arm is horizontal on the wall, left
arm starts at the chest slowly sliding up the
neck as the back arches.
WALL

WALL ARCH
Feet together, knees together. Bend one knee kicking into the hip the bent knee points toward. Arms can "play"
always tipping the body toward the hip that's popped. One arm is always higher then the other building those
triangles.
CHAIR, STOOL, TRUNK, WINDOW SILL, ETC.

SEATED ARCH STANDING BUTT POP

Seated at the edge with both knees bent, lift the heels. Legs spread apart with all the weight on one foot,
One arm back to support the arch, left arm plays. pushed into one hip. Hands together with one
shoulder popped higher than the other.

SPIDER LEGS LEAN BACK

Upper body leans against a piece of furniture. Butt This works great with layered apple boxes. Knee
drops with legs split at different levels. One hand is closest to the camera is bent most with upper body
free to play. supported in the arch. Right arm is free to play.
CHAIR, STOOL, TRUNK, WINDOW SILL, ETC.

BIRDIE IN THE WINDOW CHAIR STRADDLE

Seated on the sill, camera knee is bent most with right Hips tilted back with both heels lifted and back

hand resting on the thigh. Left hand plays. arched. Arms have many options to play here.

MORNING STRETCH FAINT

Body is supported by left arm on sill with knee closest Lying away from camera on one side, leaning on
to camera bent most. Right arm stretches reaching for elbow. Top knee is bent most, right arm plays.
the curtain.
MIRROR

PHOTOSHOP TRICKERY BOTH AND

Laying with head closest to the mirror, hands play in Focus on the reflection in the mirror, whether
hair, one higher than the other. We shoot with eyes in standing, seated, or crawling.
multiple directions, then photoshop a different
version into the mirror.

REFLECTIONS DOUBLE TAKE

With the mirror on the floor, capture them gazing at Stack multiple mirrors along a wall. Right arm
themselves and into the camera. stretches high left low. Knee closest to the camera
bends most.
MIRROR

DETAILS DANCING ON THE EDGE

Get in close to the mirror, shooting over the shoulder, Get close to the mirror, clipping the edge into the
focused on the reflection. frame out of focus. Focus on the reflection.

CHECK YOU OUT MIRROR ME

Facing camera, look back over the shoulder at your Simple reflection shot, try not to catch yourself
reflection. Focus on reflection. Hands start low and in the mirror!
flow up the body.
DETAILS

Don't forget to move in close for the details. This is one of the biggest mistakes I see new photographers make,
they get stuck and freeze, forgetting to physically MOVE their bodies.

Wardrobe deets:
Get in close to document those details. Shoes, garters, lingerie, jewelry, props, etc.

Portrait:
We capture every client in a simple portrait on a black background with side light. They purchase it every time
because it's something they can put on their socials.

Focus on parts of the body your client loves; lips, clavicle, legs, breasts...
DETAILS
SILHOUETTE

Everyone loves a good silhouette. They are "easy" sells because there are no expressions, just body shapes.
Whether you back light with natural light or strobes, all the same posing rules apply.

1. Build triangles
2. Create curves
3. Tell a story
SILHOUETTE
SHOOT THROUGH SOMETHING

Shooting through prisms, plants, fabric etc. creates a "vibe" that makes images special, sexy, voyeuristic. Word of
advice: don't overuse it! Not every image needs it. A few images per set is all you need to tell the story.

CURTAINS PRISM
A blurred curtain in the foreground makes for a great Prisms react best with lights; lamps, neon signs,
voyeuristic moment. chandeliers, etc.

LACE CLOSED DOORS

Shot through pink lace fabric covering the lens. Peek through closed doors or draped curtains.
SHOOT THROUGH SOMETHING

FABRIC WINDOWS
Great for brides that bring their veils. Otherwise use Peek through closed doors, hallways, windows, etc.
wardrobe or hang fabric.

PLANTS AND FLORALS SET PROPS

Shoot through greenery, florals etc. that pull your sets Take pieces from your set and shoot through them for
together. a few shots. The shot before this she was in the swing
and this is shot through the ropes of the swing.
DOUBLE EXPOSURE

Double exposures are a creative and unique option that will make your clients feel like the work of art that they are!
They will love being part of the creative process to make them and you will blow their minds when they see them
come together. My camera has the ability to set it to multiple exposures, so I can frame them in camera and see what I
get before clicking the shutter.
You can also create them during post-processing in photoshop by layering the images and playing with opacity of
specific areas of the image.

Don't overdue it. Offer them 3-5 options to choose from.

DOUBLE EXPOSURE

FREE STANDING NO FURNITURE

FLYING DRESS SQUAT LUNGE

No legs necessary! This one is all about the upper All the weight is on the back leg. Camera forward leg is
body. Same rules apply, different heights for the bent long. Both arms can "play"to build triangles, but
shoulders and arms. Butt back, tits up. be sure not to block the face with the front arm.

LONG BACK SHOT LONG FRONT SHOT

Feet together, knees together. Bend one knee kicking Feet together, knees together. Bend one knee kicking
into the hip the bent knee points toward. Arms can into the hip the bent knee points toward. In the big
"play." Try to get the head turn all the way left or right gowns I always step the front foot forward so it
so you get a good profile. doesn't get lost in the gown.
FREE STANDING NO FURNITURE

POWER POSE TIGHT FRONT SHOT

The only time we break our leg rule! Legs spread Feet together, knees together. Bend one knee kicking
apart, kicking into one hip. Shoulder opposite of the into the hip the bent knee points toward. Shoulder
foot all the weight is in is popped slightly higher. opposite of the foot all the weight is in is popped
slightly higher. Arms can "play."
HAIR DRAG

The hair drag is a powerful moment for a client! It can be incredibly uncomfortable at first but as soon as you "nail the
shot" show your client the back of the camera and they will BELIEVE it. These are the un-posed moments where we
"flow." I almost always save these for the last outfit at the end of the session when they tend to feel more confident in
their bodies and in the movement. I'll give them a starting pose and then coach them through the movement. You'll
notice they're almost never holding eye contact with the camera and just "feeling themselves."
SHOOT FROM ABOVE

We often get "stuck" and forget to move as we are shooting. It can take a lot of time setting up each pose. The quickest
way to work is to get multiple angles of the same pose so you're maximizing the time you have with a client. Shots
from above are some of our best sellers.

Pro Tip: Safety First-ish! Use a ladder or something stable when shooting from above.
SHOOT FROM ABOVE
SHOOT FROM BELOW

I know I know, shooting from below is often considered "unflattering" by modern standards but FUCK THAT NOISE!
It's a great way to highlight those gams, show off a killer pair of shoes or create a larger than life vibe.

Pro tip: Use a wide angle lens for even more drama. These are all shot on a 24-70mm at 24mm.
BONUS: SWING

DETAILS RECLINE
Anytime you can shoot through the stirrup you have Let gravity do the work. The upper back is supported
an opportunity to tell another part of the larger story by the swing seat and the head falls back. Hands can
you are capturing. play in the stirrups and in the hair. Knee closest to
camera is bent most. Step to the right and shoot from
above.

SEATED FROM THE FRONT SEATED FROM THE BACK

Seated at the front of the swing, knee closest to the Note: When shooting from the back have her sit back
camera bent most with both heals lifted. Right further in the seat so her tush hangs over the edge of
shoulder is dropped and left is popped. the seat instead of how it's shown here. Back arm is
higher than the right. Arched back, chin up.
BONUS: SWING

PULL UP CRAWL
This is a great pose for varying flexibility levels. Lie Chest is supported in the seat swing, left leg is crawled
with the hips directly under the seat of the swing, forward. Arms reach for each or one stirrup with little
knees open. With hands on the stirrups, pull the chest to no bend in the elbows.
up off the floor letting the head fall back and be
supported.

STRADDLE FALLING ANGEL

Straddle the swing with hips tilted back. Right leg goes Start standing with the swing seat at the thighs. Fall
straight with a slight bed while left foot pulls in closer forward until the hands touch the floor in front. Using
to the body. Off both heels. Hands can play in the one hand, or an assistant, slide the seat away from the
stirrups or slide across the thighs, body or play in the waist to the thigh. Upper body and head falls forward
hair. as feet separate. Pull the knees in towards the body
popping the butt into the air. Arms are stretched
forward with one elbow bent more than the other.
BONUS: TUB

This is the only shoot I've ever filled the tub with water and I swore NEVER AGAIN. LOL There are other fillers out there

that I've seen people use; bubble machines, pillow filling, beads or just an empty tub works.

Remember the:

1. Detail shots.
2. Point of view: shoot through plants, prisms, etc to get a voyeuristic feel.
3. Don't forget to shoot from above.
4. One shoulder is higher than the other
5. Knee closest to the camera is always bent most
6. Free hand plays in the hair and all over the body
BONUS: TUB

BONUS: WATER

Incorporating water into a session can be a fun way to offer something new, especially to your repeat clients. We stock

the closet with plain white T-Shirts from Amazon and sometimes take scissors to them to make them "cute." When we

do the wet t-shirt we soak the shirt in the water first and then have the client put it on. We used a watering can for the

top two shots where an assistant poured the water from above, just out of camera frame. The bottom two shots we

used a spray bottle to get the droplets of water where we wanted.

Don't forget the towels!

OUR NUMBER ONE BEST SELLING POSE
The pulled back arch. Get's them EVERY TIME. You can make it as spicy or as PG as your client is comfortable with. (We
always ask this before we even start shooting)

The first image is for those clients with increased flexibility and mobility. The second is a modified version for those
that need a little more support.

Pro-Tip: Watch for wardrobe. If there are bows or ties on the back of the garment that might fall to the floor and block
up the arch tie them to the back side, tuck them in or opt for another option for this pose.