Wondering how to take nudes that aren’t the grainy bathroom selfies of the past? No longer should nudes be something you instantly regret or take because you felt pressured.

Nudes are sensual, artistic, and—most importantly—empowering. Nudes are a celebration of your body and your confidence. They are not something owed to your forgettable high school boyfriend. They’re a gift and a privilege for anyone lucky enough to see them.

So, let’s get to the matter at hand: how to take nudes like a pro? It’s all about poses that make you love your body, lighting that frames you like a masterpiece, and confidence in setting boundaries. You’re a star, baby, time to feel like one.

Nude Poses That Steal the Show

Think of these nude poses as invitations to experiment. With each one, tailor the lighting, perspective, and mood to shift the vibe from flirty to fierce to downright showstopping.

1. The Back Arch

The perfect pose for a suggestive, rather than explicit, nude.

Lie on your stomach on the floor, bed, or couch. With the camera in front of your face, arch your back by raising your hips.

A strategically placed pillow under the hips accentuates the curve of your back, implying a more curvaceous body and turning your butt into two perfect peaks.

Any pillow will work for this pose, but if you’re in the market for a sex specific pillow, Liberator is the place to look.

Position your light source to the side, catching shadows along your back and contouring your whole body.

2. The Mirror Seduction

Mirrors create instant intrigue and are a great tool for creative control.

Move a full-length mirror into your room or living room. Kneel in front of the mirror, with your knees wide, feet together, and sit back on your heels. Experiment with arching your back, leaning forward, and placing a hand on the ground to steady yourself.

You can set the camera to the side, or have it in your hand for a sexy take on a mirror selfie. This pose is an awesome “panties on” nude opportunity, or let it all hang out. You’re the boss.

Make sure the lighting hits your body rather than the mirror to avoid glare. A lamp is your best friend here; light from the side rather than above to capture flattering shadows.

3. The Open Robe

A robe, kimono, sheet, or scarf will do the trick here. Plus some creative tripod building.

The idea is to let the fabric fall, showing skin without giving everything away. This pose invites you to explore angles and framing that highlight what you love about your body.

Set up your phone on a tripod or table, and switch to video. Experiment with slowly twisting your hips away from your shoulders, bending one leg, then the other, using your hands to pull at the fabric… You get the idea.

Once you have the video, take screenshots of what you liked. This creates more candid, organic nudes than self-timed photos do.

4. The Cropped Close-Up

Zoom in on yummy details. Do you have a fold between your thigh and hip that you love? What about the curve of your waist?

Cropped shots leave more to the imagination and often feel more erotic than full-body photos. Plus, if you’re new to taking nudes, this is a chance to find your angles and focal points without showing your face.

Some of these poses will feel more sensual and intimate than you expect. After all, you’re exploring your body the way a lover would.

5. The Worship From Below

This pose puts your booty on a pedestal.

Stack books or find a box to turn upside down. You want to capture your body from a low angle. Position yourself near a corner; showers are a great location for this shot as the tile gives you a sleek, textured background.

Lean into the corner, away from the camera, bending one knee. This gives the camera a full view of your legs, accentuating your backside and the curve of your spine. The angle even gives you a generous hourglass figure.

You can try this pose fully nude, or try on a short skirt that you can pull up to tease the viewer.

Why Taking Nudes Can Be Empowering

The first nude I ever took, I was way too young to know better than to trust the dumb teenage boy I sent it to. He only wanted it so he could show his friends, saying, “Look at what I got her to do!”

It gave nudes a bad rap because it violated my privacy, took away ownership of my image and body, and made the whole interaction feel sleazy and shameful.

Too many women I know have had the same experience. At 14, what should have been an uplifting act of self-love and worship was used to cultivate shame and disgust.

But this experience couldn’t be further from the potential nudes have to be empowering. By choosing how you frame yourself and recognizing the privilege your nudes are, you reclaim control over how your body is seen.

We forget that nudes can live in a private folder; they don’t have to be for anyone but ourselves. So, start there by celebrating yourself on your own terms.

Building Confidence, Setting the Mood

Confidence is the secret ingredient behind every stunning nude. Luckily, it’s something you can build:

Set the mood by:

• Playing music, think of that one song that makes you feel invincible and blast it.

• Grab your favorite piece of clothing; it can be lingerie, scarves, anything. If it makes you feel confident, put it on. No one said you need to be fully naked.

• Find the right location. The bathroom, bedroom, or, if you live alone, the living room is perfect. If you’re comfortable, you’re in the right place.

Setting the stage:

• Start with lingerie, sheets, or cropped shots to ease in. If there’s a part of your body you love, like your collarbone or the curve of your hip, take a photo of just that.

• Lean into the vibe—there’s no time limit on taking nudes, enjoy the process.

• Use a mirror to practice angles you love. You can start in the bathroom, or move a mirror nearer to your stage.

• Remind yourself that these photos are for you first. All that matters is how you react to your photos; no one else is a part of this right now.

Once you’re comfortable, the camera will feel like a creative tool, not a spotlight.

Comfort is Sexy

We’ve covered lighting, and we’ve covered poses. Let’s take a moment for privacy. There’s a lot of shame baked into taking nudes, none of it should be there.

If you’re like me, you grew up with teenagers excited about the possibilities of phone cameras, but had no idea the implications. You might still be wondering, how do I take nudes safely?

Here are a few tips for ensuring your nudes are under your control:

• Lock your phone with a passcode.

• Store sensitive photos in encrypted or hidden albums.

• Be thoughtful about who you share with—trust is key.

A special note for iPhone users: If you’re sending nudes from iPhone to iPhone, you can use invisible ink to obscure the image.

Here’s how to do it:

• Go to your conversation with the person and make sure your texts and the “send” arrow are both blue.

• Select the photo you’d like to send, then press and hold the blue “send” arrow.

• A menu will appear with an option labeled “invisible ink” at the bottom. Select this.

• You’ll see a preview of the image, and at the top “bubble” will already be selected. Leave this as is.

• Send the message now. The receiver will only be able to see what’s under the invisible ink if they touch the image, and they will not be able to save it.

Taking nudes is not just a young girl's game. Our libido naturally grows over time, and we deserve to indulge.

Staying in Control

You never owe anyone a nude. If you’re not in the mood, or you simply don’t want to, that’s the end of the conversation.

What I hope you’ve gotten from this article is that your nudes are for you first. You control how they’re taken, how they’re lit, and who sees them. Seeing your masterpieces is a privilege, not a right.

Hell, my nudes mostly go to my best friend. We have a chat just for us where we cheer each other on. Consent is sexy. Pressure is not.

Do what makes you feel good.