If you’ve stumbled across the term “intimate portrait photography” (or “boudoir photography”) and you’re not entirely sure what it means, you’re not alone.

Let me break it down for you.

So, What Actually Is It?

Intimate portrait photography is exactly what it sounds like: photos of you in an intimate setting, wearing lingerie, swimwear, or whatever makes you feel confident and sexy.

It’s not about posing for someone else. It’s not a gift for your partner (though some women do share their photos). And it’s definitely not about fitting into some airbrushed, unrealistic standard of beauty.

It’s about you seeing yourself the way you deserve to be seen, powerful, beautiful, sensual, and completely yourself.

Think of it as a celebration of who you are right now. Not who you were 10 kilos ago. Not who you’ll be after you “get in shape.” Right now, exactly as you are.

What’s the Difference Between Boudoir and Intimate Portraits?

Honestly? Not much. They’re often used interchangeably.

“Boudoir” is the more traditional term which comes from the French word for a woman’s private bedroom or dressing room. Boudoir photography typically involves lingerie, soft lighting, and a bedroom or hotel setting.

“Intimate portrait photography” is a bit broader. It can include lingerie and bedroom settings, but it also covers swimwear shoots, outdoor sessions, or anything that feels personal and empowering to you.

At Shot by Peck, I use “intimate portrait photography” because it better captures what we’re actually doing, creating honest, empowering images that reflect who you are, not just what you’re wearing.

Who Is Intimate Photography For?

Short answer: anyone who wants to feel more confident in their own skin.

Long answer: I work with women of all ages, bodies, and life stages. Some are celebrating a milestone, a birthday, a divorce, beating an illness. Some are pregnant and want to capture that moment. Some are partnered, most are single. Some just woke up one day and thought, “You know what? I deserve this.”

Here’s who books intimate portrait sessions:

• Women who’ve had kids and want to reclaim their bodies as their own
• Women going through or after a breakup/divorce who are rediscovering themselves
• Pregnant women celebrating their changing bodies
• Women hitting milestone birthdays (18, 25, 30, 40, 50+) and want to mark the occasion
• Women who’ve lost weight, gained weight, or whose bodies have changed and want to see themselves with fresh eyes
• Women who just want to feel sexy and powerful for no reason other than they deserve to

If you’re reading this and thinking, “But I’m not [thin/young/confident/conventionally attractive] enough for this”, stop right there. That’s exactly the kind of thinking this work is designed to challenge.

What Happens During a Session?

Every session is different, but here’s the general vibe:

1. We chat beforehand: via video call to talk through what you’re after, answer questions, and make sure you’re comfortable.
2. You choose your outfits: lingerie, swimwear, an oversized shirt, whatever feels right. I’ll help guide you if you’re not sure. Check out the guide, for helpful articles.
3. We shoot: I guide you through everything. How to stand, where to look, what to do with your hands. You don’t need to know how to pose. That’s my job.
4. We have a laugh: because this should be fun, not some stiff, awkward ordeal.
5. You leave feeling brilliant: and a few weeks later, you get your images and remember just how good you looked.

Why Do Women Do This?

Here’s what I hear most often after sessions:

• “I didn’t realize I could look like that.”
• “I needed to see myself this way.”
• “I feel like I reclaimed something I’d lost.”

Intimate portrait photography isn’t about vanity. It’s about seeing yourself with kindness. It’s about celebrating your body as it is, not as you think it should be. It’s about feeling powerful in your own skin, maybe for the first time in a long time.

And yeah, the photos are stunning. But the real value? It’s how you feel when you see them.

Is It Just for Gifts?

Nope. In fact, most women I work with do this entirely for themselves.

Sure, some share their photos with partners. Some frame them and put them on the wall (because why the hell not?). But plenty keep them private, saved on their phone, tucked in a drawer, or printed in an album just for them.

These photos are yours. What you do with them is entirely up to you.

What If I’m Nervous?

Good. That means you’re human.

Most women walk into their session feeling nervous and walk out wondering why they didn’t do it sooner. The nerves are normal. It’s vulnerable, it’s personal, and yeah, it can feel a bit weird at first.

But here’s the thing: I’ve worked with lots of women who felt exactly the way you’re feeling right now. And every single one of them left feeling more confident than when they arrived.

If you’re nervous, let’s chat first. I offer a complimentary consultation where we can talk through your concerns, answer your questions, and make sure this feels right for you. No pressure, no sales pitch, just an honest conversation.

Ready to See Yourself Differently?

Intimate portrait photography is about celebrating who you are right now. Not in six months. Not after you’ve “fixed” something. Right now.

You deserve to see yourself the way you actually are—brilliant, powerful, and beautiful.

Let’s chat. Book a free consultation View pricing

Based in Newcastle and Sydney | Intimate portrait photography for women who are ready to show up for themselves.