Amp up your erotic features. Before you settle in to take photos, do a little primping. You'll feel more relaxed in front of the camera knowing that you already look stunning, and you won't have to do as many photo touch-ups later. Try these tips to look a bit vampy:

• Do bold makeup. Use a slightly heavier hand than usual to make sure your features stand out in a two-dimensional image. Put on some dark, thick eyeliner. For classically sexy, pinup-style makeup, try false eyelashes, black eyeliner, and a bright red lipstick.
• Tousle your hair. Add some volume and messiness to your hair for a suggestive bed-head look that implies a recent roll in the hay. You can tease already-dry hair with back-combing and hairspray, or you can wash and blow dry your hair, applying a root-lifter or mousse around your scalp.
• Remove stray hairs. Hop in the shower and get shaving, plucking or trimming! Smooth legs, a well-maintained bikini area, and tweezed brows are all good ideas for an erotic photo shoot. Remove any other noticeable strays while you're at it.

 

Decide what to wear (or not wear). How much you choose to show in your photos is up to you, and depends on how comfortable you feel. Keep in mind, though, that more skin isn't always sexier — if you look over boudoir shoots, old pinups, or even Playboy pictorials, you'll notice that it's more about teasing and intrigue than straight-up nudity. Arouse the imagination with clothing items like these:

• Basic underwear: You don't have to go all-out and buy new lingerie to take sexy photos — what you already have will probably work great, if you present it in the right way. For bras, try push-up, balconette or plunge styles for maximum effect. On panties, steer clear of the baggy granny briefs and go for thongs, tangas, boyshorts or a bikini-cut style.
• Lingerie: If you have pretty lingerie on-hand, now's the time to use it! Corsets, bustiers, negligees, slips, stockings and garters are all great options.
• Other items: High heels, oversized button-up shirts, men's ties, ruffled miniskirts, or a simple bed sheet are all popular erotic wear, as well. Or, if you'd prefer to be mostly naked with a few accessories for visual interest, try sexy shoes, long necklaces, thick cuff bracelets, hats, scarves, glasses, or whatever else strikes your fancy.

 

Set the scene. Make sure you're the star of the photo by removing any distractions from the area where you plan to take your shots. Remove clutter, get rid of any loud wall hangings, and clear out anything else that doesn't fit the look you want. One common place to take photos is on a bed, so clear off your nightstand and anything else in the immediate area. Or, if you're taking them in front of the bathroom mirror, take everything off the counter. Consider these factors as well:

• Framing: Pay attention to what's in the photo and what isn't. For instance, you probably don't want to cut off the top of your head, but you might not want half of the bedpost in the shot, either.
• Lighting: You can use lighting to accentuate or hide, depending on where you put the light source. If it's behind you, you'll appear as a silhouette; if it's to the front or side, you'll end up with shadows, which you can use for dramatic effect. If this is your first time, though, it's probably best to go with soft, diffuse lighting. Turn on a few different lamps around the area, and throw a sheer scarf, shirt, or other fabric over them to soften the glare.
• Using a tripod: Take photos of yourself without actually holding the camera! This isn't an option if you're using a camera phone, but it might be if you're using a traditional camera with a timer. Set up the tripod that came with the camera, or put the camera on a completely level and stable surface.