What Is Boudoir? The Real Meaning Behind Boudoir (and “Bourdois”) Photography
Let’s start with the obvious: “boudoir” is one of those words that feels like it should come with a glass of champagne and a lace robe. It’s elegant, a little mysterious, and just fancy enough to make people wonder—am I even boudoir enough for boudoir?
And then there’s bourdois. You may have landed here by typing that into Google. If so—welcome. It’s not the correct spelling, but it’s incredibly common. So common, in fact, we’re including it here on purpose. Because whether you searched “boudoir photoshoots meaning” or “bourdois photo shoot,” chances are you’re curious about what this whole steamy, confidence-fueled experience is really about.
Spoiler alert: it’s not just about lingerie and sultry stares (though those are definitely on the menu if you want them). As a Seattle boudoir photographer, I can tell you—boudoir is so much more than that. It’s a full-blown experience. A celebration of sensuality, confidence, vulnerability, and power. It’s where self-love and self-expression meet the art of photography. And it’s for anyone who wants to feel bold, seen, and beautifully alive in their own skin.
Some clients walk into the studio a little nervous. Others show up ready to set the place on fire. But most walk out feeling like the most radiant version of themselves—energized, empowered, and wondering why they didn’t do it sooner. Boudoir has range: it can be soft and romantic, bold and spicy, playful, artistic, moody, sultry, or downright hot. It can be for you, for your partner, or just because it’s Tuesday and you’re feeling yourself.
Still not totally sure what boudoir is all about? You’re not alone—and you’re definitely in the right place. Let’s break it down.
Boudoir Photo Shoot Meaning: The Origin of the Word
The word boudoir comes from the French verb bouder, which means “to sulk” or “to pout.” Charming, right? In the 18th century, a boudoir referred to a woman’s private sitting room or dressing area—a space that was hers alone, tucked away from the rest of the household. Think velvet fainting couches, ornate mirrors, and maybe a scandalous romance novel hidden under a pillow.
Today, that sense of intimacy still lingers in boudoir photography—but it’s taken on a much more empowering twist. Instead of a private room to retreat and pout, a boudoir session is now a place to reclaim your space, your body, and your self-expression. It’s a room where you get to own the spotlight—whether you’re wearing lace, leather, or absolutely nothing at all.
As a modern woman and a Seattle boudoir photographer, I see this transformation in action every single day. The moment clients step into the studio, it becomes their space. A safe, private room designed not just for pouting, but for celebrating their power, sensuality, and story. That’s the heart of what a boudoir photo shoot really means today.
It may have started as a private room for aristocratic women—but these days, boudoir belongs to everyone who wants to feel bold, beautiful, and deeply seen.
What a Boudoir Photo Shoot Actually Is
Despite what the internet might have you believe, a boudoir photo shoot isn’t just about lingerie and come-hither eyes (though that’s totally an option). At its core, boudoir is an experience rooted in self-expression, confidence, and celebration. It’s about showing up exactly as you are—and maybe discovering you’re even more powerful, more radiant, and yes, more sultry than you realized.
As a Seattle boudoir photographer, I’ve worked with people from every walk of life: newly engaged, newly single, celebrating milestones, reclaiming their bodies, or just saying yes to themselves for the first time in a long time. Some arrive in silk robes and heels. Others in cozy sweaters, leather jackets, or nothing at all. Every session is customized, guided, and built around your vibe—not a cookie-cutter pose list.
Here’s what a modern boudoir photo shoot usually includes:
Professional hair and makeup to help you feel pampered, polished, and ready to shine.
Wardrobe styling and guidance—whether you bring your own favorites, borrow from the studio closet, or decide to go au naturel.
A private, judgment-free studio setting designed to make you feel safe, confident, and completely in control.
Full posing direction from head to toe—no modeling experience required (seriously).
The freedom to express yourself—whether that means soft and dreamy, steamy and dramatic, playful, sensual, moody, or anything in between.
And if you’re thinking, “I’m not photogenic,” or “I need to lose a few pounds first,” let me stop you right there. Boudoir is for every body. No filters, no perfection required. Just you, owning your story in a way that feels powerful, beautiful, and real.
Want to spice things up even more? Couples boudoir sessions bring an entirely different kind of energy—passionate, connected, sometimes playful, sometimes jaw-droppingly hot. It’s a way to capture chemistry that goes way beyond selfies and snapshots.
What Boudoir Is Not
Let’s clear the air. If you’ve heard the word boudoir and immediately pictured awkward glamour shots from the ‘90s or something that belongs behind a paywall—deep breath. That’s not what modern boudoir is.
Boudoir is not pornography.
It’s sensual, not explicit. It celebrates the body without objectifying it. A boudoir photo shoot is about intimacy, not indecency—and there’s a huge difference. The goal is to empower you, not perform for someone else.
Boudoir is not just for brides.
Sure, bridal boudoir is a thing (and a beautiful one), but this experience isn’t reserved for people walking down the aisle. It’s for anyone who wants to reconnect with their body, mark a new chapter, or just do something that feels a little indulgent and a lot liberating.
Boudoir is not one-size-fits-all.
You don’t have to wear lingerie. You don’t have to strike a sultry pose. You don’t even have to smile. Your session can be soft and ethereal, bold and edgy, or moody and mysterious. There are no rules except the ones you set.
Boudoir is not only for a certain body type.
Let’s bust that myth right now. You don’t need to be a model. You don’t need to be a certain size, shape, age, or “look.” As a Seattle boudoir photographer, I work with real people—and every single one of them is photogenic when they’re seen through the right lens (literally and figuratively).
Boudoir is not about becoming someone else.
You don’t need to transform into a different version of you. In fact, the magic of boudoir is capturing the most authentic version of you—the one that’s strong, sensual, layered, and unapologetically real.
But Wait… What’s “Bourdois”?
If you searched for “bourdois photo shoot,” you’re not alone—and you’re definitely not the first. Truth is, bourdois is simply a common misspelling of boudoir. Blame the French. The spelling’s fancy, the pronunciation’s confusing, and let’s face it—it looks like autocorrect had a little too much fun with it.
The correct term is boudoir (pronounced boo-dwahr), and while “bourdois” isn’t technically a word, we know exactly what you meant—and you still found the right place.
Misspellings like this happen all the time. In fact, many people first discover boudoir photography because they stumble across it while searching for something spicy or empowering, but aren’t totally sure how to describe it. That’s okay. Whether you call it a bourdois shoot, boudoir session, or that hot, empowering photo thing, the meaning is the same:
It’s about creating bold, intimate portraits that celebrate confidence, sensuality, and self-expression—no matter how you spell it.
And hey, if your journey to self-love starts with a typo, so be it. You’re here now. Let’s make it count.
✨ Common Boudoir Misspellings (And Yes, We Know What You Meant)
Don’t worry—we’ve seen them all. Here are some of the most common ways people spell boudoir when searching online:
❌ Misspelled ✅ You Meant
bourdois boudoir
boudior boudoir
boodwar boudoir
boudoire boudoir
boodoir boudoir
boudouir boudoir
No shame. Google knew what you meant, and so do we.
Whether you spell it right or not, what you’re really looking for is that confidence-igniting, steamy-yet-soulful experience that boudoir brings to life. And that? We’ve got covered.
