Did you know a plain white shirt is the ultimate prop?

There's something always sexy about a girl in a man's shirt. Even more so if it is the partners shirt.

I use the shirt often in boudoir shoots as a "warm-up". As an item of clothing it's quite covering, so the sitter can start off feeling quite dressed, rather than having to walk out into a big studio in her undies all of a sudden.

I have a pretty standard sequence that I use on most shoots for this warm-up session. It's all about starting off supporting the client and making them feel comfortable and moving them through stages where they become more adventurous.

The starting piece starts with them sitting on a stool, literally and metaphorically supported. I do a few headshots, get them warmed up, get the smile going and the start of our rapport building in the studio.

You can see an example here in the first photo.

Next I will move them over to a side wall. Again they have something to lean on that supports them. It also lets me do a little bit of posing guidance. The sitter can now be a bit more revealing if they want to be.

After that I will move them into the centre of my white cove - but sitting on the floor. All the way through I've been giving them positions which are basically comfortable, supportive and doesn't let them stand there like a lemon wondering what to do with themselves.

Only after this last sitting part will I actually stand them in the middle of the cove and only when I feel they are ready. Usually this little sequence takes about 10 or 15 minutes. There's a lot of chat - a lot of me paying attention to the sitter. I also don't give them much chance to sit and think about what they are doing - instead I want them giggling, laughing, looking saucy, generally already "in the experience".

key points

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