The Truth About Boudoir Photography: Real, Beautiful, and Never What You Expect

Have you ever thought about doing a boudoir photoshoot—then stopped yourself because of something someone said?

Or maybe it was just a little voice in your head whispering, “What will people think?”

You’re not alone. And you’re not wrong to wonder.

Boudoir photography is deeply personal. It’s also deeply misunderstood. There’s a world of difference between boudoir and something explicit, but not everyone knows that. Boudoir, when done with care and intention, isn’t about being provocative. It’s about being real, vulnerable, honest, and yes, beautiful, because you are, even if you don’t always feel like it.

While this post is all about boudoir, I also love creating other types of sessions, fashion, conceptual, and more, that celebrate individuality and style in different ways. No matter the session, my goal is simple: to capture the kind of beauty that’s all yours, the stuff that makes you proud to be you and seen. Images you’ll even want to show your friends!

Take Rebecca’s stunning session, for example; it was more fashion and conceptual, showing just one way we explore beauty beyond boudoir. But if you’re curious about what boudoir really means, keep reading, because this is where the magic of feeling truly yourself happens.

Boudoir with Shelly Erwich Photography isn’t about being flashy or over-the-top, it’s about celebrating your strength, your softness, and your real, everyday beauty. It’s about feeling confident, seen, and downright amazing in your own skin.

What makes boudoir so special is the experience itself. In my studio serving the Seattle, Bellevue, Renton, and Kent areas, I create a space where you can relax and be yourself.

Whether you’re finally just trying something you’ve always wanted to try, embracing your body just as it is, or giving yourself a gift you deserve, every session highlights your unique style with warmth and elegance. It’s never anything over the top or uncomfortable. I will always make sure I know your comfort level before we begin, and you will always call the shots.

Boudoir is more than just pictures. It’s a chance to remember how you once felt, wearing things that made you feel alluring, confident, and completely yourself. Wrapped in lace, silk, or simply nothing at all, you’ll leave with photos that make you proud, and with a confidence that stays with you long after the shoot.