How I Edit Your Boudoir Photos: From Capture to Completion

If you're curious about how your boudoir photos go from RAW captures to breathtaking final images, you're in the right place. In this blog post, I’ll walk you through my editing process. Spoiler alert: I’m not into over-edited, mannequin-smooth skin. I have standards—and I want you to look authentically beautiful in your photos.

A Balanced Approach to Editing

When it comes to editing, my goal is simple: be as light-handed yet thorough as possible. Think of it like applying makeup: you want to conceal blemishes, even out your skin tone, and gently enhance your features—without crossing into cake-face territory. Editing works the same way; too little and you lose the magic, too much and you look like a plastic doll.

My job is to make the editing invisible. I want you to see the best version of yourself in your photos, not like some cheap Instagram filter.

Why I Personally Edit Every Photo

Because of my high standards, I hand-edit every single one of your photos myself. I’ve tried outsourcing my edits in the past, but the results were like comparing a mass-produced Honda Civic to a handcrafted Lamborghini. The Honda might be decent from a distance, but nothing compares to the quality of something built by hand.

So, even though it takes more time, I personally ensure that every image you receive reflects the best version of you—without cutting corners.

Starting with RAW Captures

The magic begins with RAW captures. RAW files are like digital negatives, allowing me to get the most out of your photos. They contain more information and depth than JPEGs, which is why starting with a JPEG is like painting the Mona Lisa on a napkin. Using RAW files is how I ensure your images have the highest quality and flexibility for editing.

Global Edits in Lightroom

I start the editing process in Lightroom, adjusting global settings like exposure, shadows, and highlights. Think of this as applying a filter to your entire photo, but on steroids. Once I’ve fine-tuned everything to a good starting point, I move the image to Photoshop.

Pixel-Based Edits in Photoshop

Photoshop is where the real fun begins. Here, I make localized, pixel-based corrections like removing blemishes and editing skin. But don’t worry—I won’t go overboard. My aim is always to keep the edits light but effective, so you look like the best version of yourself without losing your personality.

Editing Skin: A Delicate Balance

When it comes to skin editing, balance is key. I like to remove things like blemishes and patchy redness—things that won’t be there in a few weeks. But scars and stretch marks? Those tell your story, and I’d prefer not to erase them. That said, if you’d like me to edit out any scars or anything else you're insecure about, just let me know. While I believe in embracing authenticity, I’m always happy to accommodate your preferences.

Custom Photoshop Actions

A small portion of my custom action I use to edit your photos

After editing your skin, I run your image through a custom Photoshop action I built myself. This helps enhance your skin, eyes, and overall tone, keeping my process consistent and your photos looking like the ones you see in my gallery.

Frequency Separation: Advanced Skin Editing

In some cases, I use a technique called frequency separation to enhance your skin. This allows me to soften unflattering shadows without messing with the texture of your skin, giving you an upgraded version of traditional airbrushing while avoiding that waxy, overdone look.

Enhancing Eyes & Teeth

Eyes are the focal point of any portrait. I enhance them by sharpening and lightening them just a touch. Teeth get a similar treatment if needed—whitened slightly, but never to an unnatural level. The goal is to draw attention without making anything look artificial.

Color Toning for a Cinematic Look

Once your skin and eyes are perfect, the final step is color grading. This adds richness and depth to your images, giving them a cinematic feel. I start by converting every image to black and white to ensure it has the right tones, then I add color back in selectively, using a technique called split toning. This adds warmth and depth to your photos, making them feel like they belong in your favorite binge-worthy series.

What I don’t do is slap on a one-size-fits-all filter like some fast-food drive-thru. That McDonald’s approach might save time, but it sacrifices quality. Instead, I fine-tune every image to make sure it looks perfect for its intended display—whether it’s a boudoir album with a black background or an online gallery.

Additional Edits: Fine-Tuning the Details

Sometimes, I need to make additional edits to ensure everything looks flawless. For example, I might use tools like Liquify to subtly enhance certain features or remove distracting objects from the background. Even though I try to get everything right in-camera, I occasionally miss things like flyaway hairs or twisted bra straps. When that happens, I make sure to correct them in the final edit.

In the End

At the end of the day, my approach is all about making you look and feel your best. In a world full of over-edited boudoir photos, I believe in authenticity. Your images should take your breath away without becoming something you’re not.

If this approach resonates with you, feel free to get in touch, and I’d love to discuss your boudoir session.