Your Body Deserves Boudoir Photography – No Matter Your Size
One of the most common things I hear as a boudoir photographer is:
"I'll book a shoot once I've lost some weight."
The truth is that people of every size, age and body type tell me exactly the same thing.
And after photographing hundreds of women (and some men), I can confidently say this:
You do not need to lose weight before a boudoir shoot.
Your body deserves to be celebrated exactly as it is today
Hi, I’m Katie
and I am a professional photographer of over a decade, specialising in boudoir since 2020. I have worked with hundreds of people of all shapes, sizes, ages, cultures, backgrounds and beliefs. Yet all of them have come in wanting to change - wanting to feel stronger in themselves. And all of them have come out feeling exactly that.
My photography studio is in Melbourne, Victoria.
Do I Need to Lose Weight Before a Boudoir Shoot?
Absolutely not. When does your goal-post stop shifting? I wrote about who a boudoir shoot is for (hint: anybody) where I touch on some of the other myths around who ‘can’ and ‘cannot’ do a shoot.
Why So Many Women Delay Booking a Boudoir Shoot
“I'll Just Lose a Few More Kilos"
"Can You Photoshop My Stomach?"
"I'm Not Confident Enough Yet"
These are all things that I have heard (mostly) women say about their bodies when asked if they've ever thought about getting themselves a boudoir shoot. Sometimes I ask them back ““would you speak to a friend / stranger in that way?” in which often the response is “oh no, that’s different!” And my intent is not to aggravate, but to get one to think “well… why is it different?”
And …this self putting-down… it's definitely things that I've thought myself.
I've Photographed Hundreds of Women—and They All Felt This Way
I have done photo shoots with people of all sizes, and they still do this anyway. Why are you saying that at three kgs, seven kgs, 20 kgs, more than you'd like to be, that you're supposedly not worthy of celebrating what you look like now? Why are you denying yourself that?
Weight doesn’t not equate beauty, worth or hotness.
The Goalposts Always Move
Let's be honest with each other, when you say to me, “oh, oh, I need to lose 10 kilos first.” "after summer/winter" “after I tone up"
Like, are you being realistic? If you're actively on a journey for losing some weight for whatever reason, and that's your goal, cool, I’m with you. I'm doing that for my health, legitimately, my health right now. But as I said, that didn't stop me from doing a boudoir shoot before. But if you're using it as a blocker because you think you don’t deserve it, then stop that thinking right now.
Because you know you're just using it as an excuse. I know. Get out of your own way.
Confidence Doesn't Come From Weight Loss
After having worked with hundreds of people of all shapes, sizes, ages, colours, identities - is that it doesn't matter what they look like, or what their journey has been.
It doesn't matter if they fit into what the patriarchy has said is acceptable, because even if they do fit that mould, there's still doubt there.
There's still a self consciousness.
What One Former Bodybuilder Taught Me About Confidence
I had a stunning client who was a bodybuilder for years - so putting herself through so much strict training, strict diet. And when she shot with while she hadn't been a bodybuilder for a while now, she was still pretty slim and toned.
And she said this was the “biggest” that she had been, and she was quite nervous about this shoot.
And after the shoot and seeing the photos, she said to me that doing this had undone, maybe not fully, but it had undone a lot of the damage that body building had done to her psychologically, of needing to look a certain way. She saw me again a few years later.
So it doesn't really matter what size you are - if you feel that you are too “big” to be able to do a boudoir shoot,
because people of all sizes have this doubt that they're not worthy for this.
And I'm going to tell you right now it's bullshit.
I've done boudoir shoots when I've been 20 kilos heavier and I'll do a boudoir shoot when I've lost 10 more kilos, and I'll do one in a few weeks. It doesn't matter. I'm not waiting to reach a certain weight. And I never did wait to reach a certain weight.
I also encourage you to read the story of N, in my About section.
What Boudoir Photography Looks Like on Real Bodies
Take a good look at this blog. At my other work. My socials.
These ARE real bodies. Bumps, curves and all.
Curves Photograph Beautifully
Ancient art - while mostly made by men - had women as the focal point. Recently I was in France and Italy, so natuarly, I saw a lot of ancient art. Marble figures. Renaissance paintings. And they were all beautiful. Love handles and rolls. Bellies. Double chins. I took photos of a lot of these to keep, to share, to take inspiration from. Here, look. Beauty.
Posing Makes a Difference
I say during the lingerie fitting to people, that of course during our shoot, you won’t be standing neutral, hunched over, so to really see the range of the lingerie, to angle themselves in the mirror, stretch it out. Posing makes a huge difference. See my piece on posing here.
Every Body Has Beautiful Angles
You are not an outlier. And I am an expert on posing you - with all of the different women I have seen over the years, I see how different people move. And note I didn’t say different ‘bodies’. I have seen incredibly flexible and mobile ‘plus size’ women and very stiff lean women. I am a very stiff mid-size woman and I still have beautiful images from shoots I have done.
Everybody is beautiful
Every body is beautiful
Will You Photoshop My Body?
Nope. Look through my site at all the beautiful people, who are gorgeous because they are them, not because they have been liquified in Photoshop.
What Boudoir Retouching Should (and Shouldn't) Do
My editing style is not to make you look completely airbrushed, but you as you are. I will also do final touches such as tweaks to the lighting. And you know that pesky pimple that happened to show up the night before the shoot, because, of course it did. Together, we will choose your photos that you most love based on the package that you chose, and if you choose to upgrade your package, then you absolutely can do that.
Some people want a fully airbrushed look - at Poledoir, we don’t do that here.
Why You Deserve Photos of Yourself Right Now
Not after:
5kg
10kg
another year
after this season
maybe when your house sells
maybe when you get a partner
Nope.
Now.
Frequently Asked Questions About Boudoir and Body Confidence
Do I Need to Lose Weight Before a Boudoir Shoot?
No. Please, no.
Can Plus Size Women Do Boudoir Photography?
Yes. Absolutely. Stop policing your body and what it does and doesn’t ‘deserve’.
Will My Photographer Photoshop My Body?
Only mild blemishes and some goosebump removal.
What If I'm Self-Conscious?
Everyone is. That usually disappears within 5 minutes of us shooting. But also this isn’t a replacement if you do have some deep concerns. While this CAN be healing for some, if you are truly not ready then I do not want you to look back on this experience with negativity. But sometimes we do need a little push.
What Should I Wear If I'm Curvy?
Whatever you want. I have a large selection of lingerie from size 6-24, and we can always fill any gaps. I want you to feel nothing but the absolute hottest.
Can Boudoir Photography Help Confidence?
100%. Why don’t you see what some clients have to say?
Truly an amazing experience. First time ever doing something like this and she made me relax and enjoy the photo shoot.
Katie made both me and mum feel very safe and seen, the photos turned out absolutely incredible and yes there was many tears of joy and being so moved by the photos… it was a wonderful experience for us both but I am more happy for my mum to have witnessed how truely beautiful and baddass she still is.
Amazing experience! Katie was great to work with and full of advice for first timers like me. I came away feeling good and the photos turned out fantastic.
This was my second boudoir shoot with Katie, and somehow she managed to top an already incredible first experience. Walking back into her studio felt like stepping into a space where you’re instantly seen, supported, and celebrated. Katie has this rare gift of making you feel completely relaxed and genuinely powerful — the kind of comfortable that lets you drop your shoulders, breathe, and step fully into your own confidence. The images are stunning, of course, but it’s the experience that stays with you. Katie creates more than photos; she creates moments of self‑discovery, pride, and empowerment that linger long after you leave the studio. If you’re considering a boudoir shoot, I can’t recommend Katie enough. She captures not just your body, but your strength, your softness, your spark — your whole essence.
This was one of the most truly transformative experiences of my life.
If you've looked at her gallery, Katie's incredible skills and ability to create art is undeniable.
What perhaps makes her exceptional though, is her ability to make the entire process, from the first chat to the big reveal, feel simple, effortless and even playful.
It wasn't until later, when I found myself looking back at my photos repeatedly, when I discovered a newfound confidence and comfort in my own body, that I understood how incredible she is at what she does. She is worthy of the trust, and I'd encourage everyone to book a session in, no matter your motivation.
Chat soon x
those are some hot curves. They look pretty worthy to me.
