I am absolutely loving this summer! I’m just back from a blissful two week vacation filled with plenty of summer loving with my beau, sunsets and skinny dipping. So in honor of this smoking hot season and nakedness, let’s talk about How to Look Great Naked!
As you may know, I got a book deal to write a new boudoir book, The Art of Boudoir: How to Create Stunning Photographs of Women. I’ve been writing up a storm and super excited to share all the juicy new content with you.
I’m particularly excited about several sections in the book, which I created for all women who want to feel comfortable with their bodies and cultivate sex appeal, whether at a photo shoot or in daily life.
Today’s post is a little taste of the book’s content that focuses on the art of sensuality, which is truly the answer to…
How to Look Great Naked
1. Know What “Looking Great” Means
The quickest shortcut to “looking great” naked is not actually in how you look. A woman may be a beauty on the surface, but no amount of visual perfection can create sensuality and sex appeal, which is more truly what it means to “look great.” Sensuality is in a woman’s attitude. So, whether you are a photographer striving to create stunning nude photographs or you are a woman who wants to look great naked: The foundation is a woman enjoying herself and her body.
2. Be Confident
Step one in creating allure is to brim with confidence. In fact, confidence is the sexiest thing a woman can wear. Confidence in how you move, how you look, how you feel, and what you do. Remember to stay focused on your postive attributes and know that you can pull off nearly anything if you do it with self-assurance.
I know being confident is easier said than done. As you move through the rest of these tips and techniques, being confident becomes easier. In truth, no one feels 100 percent confident, ever. We all have insecurities and fears. A useful tip that has always worked for me is, if you don’t feel 100 percent confident, then fake it. Merely pretending to be confident will often be just what you need to manifest the real deal.
3. Practice Being Naked
Comfort with your body takes practice. Get very familiar with your body, paying particular attention to the parts you love. Practice being naked. Walk around your home naked. Try posing in the mirror naked. Appreciate and admire your body from all angles. Make sure you focus on the good stuff, and be grateful for the gift of your body.
4. Have Fun
Men (and women) are attracted to women who are genuinely enjoying themselves – that quality matters more than any individual physical attribute. Although this seems simple, it’s often neglected. Have fun! Enjoy being a woman. Enjoy being admired. Be playful. Have fun strutting around. Especially during a photo shoot, it’s important to remember to not take ourselves too seriously. After all, we’re posing in our underwear. Make sure any doubts or concerns take a backseat to having a good time.
5. Focus on Feeling
When a woman feels sexy, she looks sexy. When cultivating sex appeal, make sure to focus on pleasure and feeling good. How you move and how you flirt, dress, undress, and touch yourself—even how you breathe—should be guided by what feels good to you. Sometimes putting on your favorite music or closing your eyes for a moment can help you focus on feeling good.
6. Slower is Sexier
I was photographing a burlesque dancer in LA, and when I asked her to perform a few dance movements faster for me, she refused. Slower is sexier, she said. She’s right. Sensuality has a slow tempo. Take your sweet old time with your movements and gestures. Walk slowly and deliberately. Move your hands along your body languidly. When taking off clothes, tease and do it slowly. Take your time in between each piece. Hint at removing the item before removing it. Teasing out your movements is not only more sensual, but also gives the photographer more time to catch a movement she loves.
7. Flirt!
Move like you can barely contain your desire. Be playful and allow a bit of shyness to come out now and again. Look at your viewer or the camera with a teasing glint in your eye. Let your inner good girl and naughty girl come out to play and duke it out.
8. Know the Innate Power of Attraction
Men and women have enjoyed looking at women since the dawn of time. Stretch marks, cellulite, or some extra pounds are not going to change that. A woman’s attitude is the most important aspect of feeling and looking truly beautiful and appealing, not physical beauty. Trust that your viewer loves it all. Know that any boldness, playfulness, and enjoyment of your body will be appreciated and enjoyed.
9. Know the Tricks of the Trade
Finally, cultivating sex appeal and looking great naked is not about dieting or Photoshop. It’s about working what you’ve got and knowing a few tricks of the trade to enhance what’s already there, which brings us to the upcoming How to Look Great Naked, No. 2!
So stay tuned for more key tips that make a world of difference in feeling and looking great naked!
In the meantime, I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below… Did you find these tips useful? Do you find a person’s attitude their most attractive quality? or What are some of your tips to looking great naked? I love this topic, and can’t wait to hear from you!
Lots of love,
Christa








Great tips, Christa — those are all things I’ve tried on worked on with past clients and will keep on doing with future shoots! Great advice! :}
And I thought the answer was ” Go to the gym!” hehe. Great tips though :)
You are so right! It’s all about loving the skin you’re in!
Confidence is the MOST important part of any photoshoot. Nice work here.
I love these tips Christa! Being a man I have always said the same things you have given us here in this posting “How To Look Great Naked”. Outside beauty is truly in the eye of the beholder and the person that the eye is on commands that from us. If there is inner happiness and one feels every inch of sensuality then that is what we see. I love, love, love this topic. Some of this similar information is what should be passed on to clients before their photo session takes place.
Thanks Christa!
David,
You are right on with this quote man: “If there is inner happiness and one feels every inch of sensuality then that is what we see”
And yes, feel free to pass on these tips (or the link to this post) to your clients well before the photo session.
xoxo Christa
Can’t wait for Part 2. Confidence is definitely the sexiest thing to wear – for either sex.
Great article! As you say, confidence is key, otherwise it just won’t happen!
Love your post Christa. Just what I needed ! will practice slow and naked all week before beach time.
Cant wait for you part 2.
Bis, gry
WOW! I LOVE these tips! Thank you for sharing them. You totally nailed it and I am so going to apply these principles in my own life and try to encourage my clients to feel this way too. Thank you!
Hi Anne,
Feel free to share this post with your clients!
Thanks for the comment,
xoxo Christa
Thanks for the tips. Some great advice!
You nailed it!
: )
S
“work with what you have….enhance what is already there” great advise naked or not!
love the post, can’t wait for part 2.
i watched your creative live seminar and loved it.
Hey J! Thrilled you loved the creativeLIVE seminar and thanks for the comment!
xo Christa
Great post!
I find that most people are uncomfortable in their own skin. When a client comes in that is comfortable, weather fit or not, the pictures rock. I like your comment on posing nude in a mirror. It creates a familiarity with the body. That can only lead to a more relaxed and engaging sesson.
Juan,
Thanks for the comment. You’re absolutely right about posing in the mirror leading to a more relaxed session. Plus, it’s our job as photogs to foster a comfortable atmosphere, which begins way before the photo shoot. More tips on that coming in the new book!
xo Christa
Great advice! I just did my first boudior shoot last weekend at The Waldorf Astoria in NYC and I used a lot of your great advice and techniques to make the atomsphere comfortable and sexy for the young woman. Got some great shots that her boyfriend loved! :)
Preston,
Congrats on your first boudoir shoot!
I’m psyched that my advice helped you get great shots that her bf loved!
Keep it up,
xoxo Christa
You are right, it is all about confidence in yourself, body and look. The great thing is we all have the confidence. It just has to be drawn out of some more than others and that’s where we come in as photographers. Boy, I love my career.
This is fantastic, Christa! Thanks! xoxo
Those tips are fantastic! My job is to make other women look sexy, yet I have a very hard time feeling sexy myself. It’s all in my head and I need to change the way I think. These tips will help me in my personal life and I think they will also help me as I coach my clients during a shoot. Thank you so much! I just pre-ordered your book and I CAN’T WAIT to get it!!
Excellent tips and advice, naked or not. Will Love to see no. 2.
Awesome article Christa, thank you! I really believe that when a woman is beautiful on the inside, that it shows on the outside, and it definitely shows in photos!
Hi Christa!
What a great blog! I identify with 100% of what you’ve said here and have
Been practicing it as often as possible. I actually planned my own boudie shoot w Claire and Rachel, and in the lead up – took time with myself to find security. During the shoot I was amazed to not just embody the experience, but to be
On the other end of the spectrum. What you’ve written resonates with me even more so ‘post’ boudie shoot!! I feel sexy, beautiful, confidant – the most ive ever felt before, and with all sincerity. Thank you for sharing,
Looking forward to part ii!
Best,
Kaui
Christa, I have been working using your tips and I can see dramatic improvements with each session. Thank you for that. I see your new book will be on amazon. Will it be available in kindle format? I’ve gotten used to having good information at hand on my ipad.
I love this and can’t wait for the book to come out!! By the way, your models’ shoes are to die for!
I am a portrait photographer myself and love the tips and tricks you post, but I really wonder at the willingness of these women to allow you to post nude photos of themselves on the internet…since they will always be there and never go away. I totally get to have the photos done – I would just want to be able to control the audience that sees them. I just don’t understand being willing for a whole world of people they don’t know to be able to see such an intimate part of themselves. Am I missing something, or am I just more modest?
Very well written, awesome tips… I have posted the link in my 1st Coast Boudoir and Glamour Group on Facebook… it is a wonderful resource… looking forward to the book.. and comparing notes… MJ Images Photography & Graphic Design
Hi Christa,
Awsome blog. You nailed it. Being comfortable with body and who you are and let the confidence shine through. Relax and let your sensuality shine through. This is great advice and definitely something to share with clients before a shoot. I believe these tips will also help in portrait shoots as well as when shooting nudes. My wife and I took your creative live course and loved it. We also purchased your “Exposed” book and can’t wait for your new book.
By the way I love your cover photo for this blog. It exudes sensuality and confidence. Looking forward to part 2.
Hi Christa,
Love the information and how much joy your model has on her face!
Hi Christa,
I love that image beautiful, full of energy , enthusiastic
Best
mahvash
I recently photographed 6 women in an all day boudoir session. They ranged from a petite, small chested lady to one that was, well a little on the heavy side. The young and skinny women looked beautiful but they didn’t have a clue how to be sexy. By far the Hottest photos were from the heaviest of the group. She had confidence, and it showed that she was comfortable being naked. I will share this information with all my clients. Thanks for sharing.
Great tips Christa! I just had a client ask me how people get to be comfortable in the various stages of undress during a shoot. Sure, I can help them relax, and I can work with them to create the right envorionment, but it’s much easier when they’re confident and feeling good about themselves! Definitely going to share this ;)
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