During the initial consultation, there’s one thing I hear very often: ‘I really don’t know what to expect.’
That’s perfectly normal. Most of the women who come to me have never done a boudoir shoot before. They know they want something beautiful – but they don’t know what that might look like. Light or dark? Playful or elegant? In lingerie or in a loose-fitting shirt?
That’s exactly what my new website, Bildwelten, is for. Here, I’ll show you the different atmospheres I can create in my studio. It’s not a catalogue from which you have to order something, but rather a starting point – inspiration for your own photographs.
What is a mood?
A mood is created by the interplay of light, fabric and posture. The same outfit looks completely different in soft window light than it does in harsh, glancing light. And the same pose tells a completely different story in black and white than it does in warm colours.
To start with, you’ll find six moods:
- Morning light – a white sheet, an open window, soft and bright
- His shirt – a shirt that’s far too big, casual and intimate
- Silk & lace – the classic boudoir, elegant and feminine
- Velvet Night – velvet, warm light, deep shadows
- Film Noir – black and white, streaks of light, a touch of Hollywood
- Sculpture – your body as a form of light and shadow
Each mood has its own page. It explains what lighting I use, which outfits and props work well, how far the mood can go, and which other moods it pairs well with.
The site has only just gone live. I’ll be adding new moods and real photos from my shoots bit by bit.
How to use the image libraries
1. Use your gut, not your head
Take a few minutes, have a leisurely scroll through the moods and see where your attention is drawn. Don’t ask: ‘What do I think I’m capable of?’, but rather: ‘What appeals to me?’. The question of courage comes later – and it’s usually less of an issue than you think.
If you need a quick overview, the filter at the top will help: Light & Soft, Classic, Dark & Warm, Black and White or Artistic.
2. Choose one, two or three moods
You don’t have to choose just one. Lots of women combine two or three moods in a single photoshoot – and that’s exactly what makes the series of photos so lively in the end. Here are a few examples that complement each other particularly well:
- Morning Light + His Shirt: a gentle, natural start – perfect if it’s your first time in front of the camera.
- Silk & Lace + Velvet Night: from the classic boudoir to a warm, dark evening atmosphere.
- Film Noir + Sculpture: for anyone who likes things graphic, artistic and rather minimalist.
3. Watch out for the step – and then forget all about it
Each mood specifies how far you can go – for example, ‘clothed to covered nudity’. This is a guide, not a rule. Every mood works even when you’re fully clothed. You always decide how far you go – before the shoot and at any point during it.
4. Take your shortlist with you to the preliminary interview
On every page, you’ll find the ‘Request this theme’ button. Clicking it opens my contact form, where your chosen theme is already filled in. Alternatively, you can simply say during the initial consultation: ‘I like Morning Light and Velvet Night.’ That’s all I need to start planning with you.
During the preliminary discussion, we’ll go through the following together: What do you already have in your wardrobe? What else might you like to get hold of? Which props would work – and which of these can we use in the studio? We always sort this out at our leisure and by mutual agreement.
5. Or bring your own idea along
The last card on the page is called ‘Your own mood’ – and it’s just as important to me as all the others. Perhaps you have a favourite picture, a dress with a story behind it, a colour that makes you happy, or an idea that doesn’t fit into any particular category. Tell me about it. Together, we’ll use it to create your very own visual world.
Why the order matters during a photoshoot
A little tip from real-life experience: when you’re combining several moods, we usually start with the brightest and calmest one. ‘Morning Light’ or ‘His Shirt’ are ideal for settling in. You get used to the camera, the lighting and me – and you’ll notice how you become more relaxed with each shot.
We’re saving the darker, more intense moods – such as ‘Velvet Night’ or ‘Film Noir’ – for later. For when you’re fully in the moment. That’s precisely why the most powerful images of the day often emerge then.
You’re already in the right frame of mind
Ultimately, it’s not about playing a part. Every mood that speaks to you is already a part of you – the soft, morning mood just as much as the dark, seductive one. The imagery simply helps you to discover it and give it a framework.
So: take your time to look around, take note of what moves you – and let’s turn that into your pictures.
I’m looking forward to seeing you.
Leif Sundelius
