DIY Boudoir Photography
This site contains all the information you will need to help you with DIY boudoir photography at home, and the chances are you can do it with the camera you already have. If you don't have a camera, there are some guidelines on what to look for when buying one on the digital camera page.
Sure there are more things you can achieve with a DSLR and some studio lights - but for now I am going to assume you have nothing more glamourous than a Compact Digital Camera. In addition to this you will need something to support the camera while you pose. The great thing about compact cameras is their small size and weight, which means there are a greater variety of options open to you and they are cheaper than models for SLRs:
Remote Control
Many compacts have the ability to be triggered via remote control. If this is an option for your camera, then getting one will make your life a whole lot easier!
Preparation
Firstly you need to have found a location in which to shoot. Despite the name, boudoir photographs don't have to be taken in the bedroom! If you are using a compact camera then you should plan on using daylight rather than the camera's flash. See Lighting Options, Window Lighting and fill flash lighting tutorial for more details.
You should decide on what 'look' you are going to go for. Using daylight you will get the best results with high key shots, which has an implication on choices of Lingerie. See Make Up and Lingerie for more. You should also have a number of Poses already in mind.
Setting up the Camera
- Make the appropriate exposure settings: You probably don't want the camera to use its flash, so either turn it off, or select a mode where that won't happen - usually P (Program Mode) or Av (Aperture Priority).
- Select the Self-Timer mode.
- Mount the camera on the tripod
- Frame the scene. Make a mental note of what elements make up the boundaries of the shot or use coloured tape to mark them on the bed/floor/walls.
- Press the shutter release and get into position, making sure you keep within the markers you noted.
Don't try to hold a smile for all 10 seconds that the Self-Timer is counting down; wait until just before the picture is taken or your expression is likely to become frozen and unnatural
Examine your results and make any changes to pose or camera setting necessary then go again!