Rise in boudoir photography sees over a third of women daring to bare all before the big day…

Brides-to-be are baring all, with an increase in the number of risqué photoshoots according to a survey by UKbride. Conducting a poll of its 700,000 members, UKbride.co.uk found that 36% of brides-to-be are planning to pay up to £1,000 for a raunchy studio shoot.

Lasting three to four hours, the shoots see a hair and beauty makeover before a photographer takes a set of sexy photos. Some shoots are conducted naked, others see the girls wearing slinky lingerie, whilst the remaining ones are clothed but suggestive.

Helen Booth set up her boudoir studio in Barnsley in 2009 and says; “We were hosting about 30 shoots a year and back then had to explain what a boudoir shoot was. Now we’ve about 150 clients a year. A third of our women are brides-to-be. They use the shoots to boost their confidence before walking down the aisle.”

“There’s nothing seedy about the shoots, often a bride just wants to feel good about herself and give her groom a special wedding day treat.”

“Usually they ask the best man to leave the groom a ‘secret box’ – made of leather & wood and containing sensual photos – on his pillow the night before the wedding.”

Another photographer, Jo Menner, has a studio in Bath and adds; “They’re women of all shapes and sizes. All of them leave feeling really amazing. 90% of the women we see are looking for a confidence boost. We’ve different rooms in the studio with a bed or a chaise lounge, and one room that’s more ‘50 Shades’ themed.”

Bride-to-be

Lissie from Barnsley booked her shoot as a treat for her husband-to-be and says: “I was instantly relaxed. I came away feeling amazing and it was the perfect present for my hubby… he just loves the pictures!”

The shoots can cost as little as £200, with typical prices of between £300 and £400. “It’s important not to just opt for the cheapest photographer,” says UKbride’s Tilly Wilkinson.

“Choose a photographer you feel really comfortable with and don’t be temped by ‘free’ shoots which will then charge you much more for the images themselves. Otherwise, it’s important not to feel inhibited, and to really have fun. It’s the photographer’s job to make you feel good and to provide shots that make you look and feel sexy, regardless of your shape and size.”

Here are some before and afters from Divine Divas Boudoir Photography: