Photoshoot Clichés to Avoid If You Want to Be Taken Seriously as a Photographer
Photography is full of repeated ideas. Some are harmless shortcuts that can still produce good images. Others are so overdone, unimaginative, or badly executed that they hurt your credibility.
If you want to be respected, particularly in genres like boudoir and nude work where intentions are often questioned, you need to know the difference.
Some photographers have carved out respected careers in these smaller niches, but most—especially men—are fighting against a preconception: “just another guy with a camera who wants to photograph naked women.” That assumption can follow you for years if you’re not careful.
Here are the clichés that will drag your work down, plus practical, creative approaches to replace them.
1. The Overused “Bed Sheet” Boudoir Shot
Why avoid it:
The “wrapped in white sheets” pose has been a boudoir standby for decades. It’s quick to set up, but unless you have outstanding lighting and styling, it looks like a stock photo or social media filler. It also says very little about the subject beyond “person in bed.”
Better approach:
Change the environment. Boudoir doesn’t have to happen in a bedroom—try a richly textured hotel suite, a moody industrial loft, or even an outdoor location with privacy.
Work the light. Morning sunlight through half-closed blinds, or a single, directional studio light can turn a basic bed scene into something cinematic.
Add narrative details. Coffee cups, handwritten notes, or jewellery left on the nightstand can give the image a sense of story and lived-in realism.
2. Railway Tracks and Rooftops
Why avoid it:
These locations were once edgy, but they’ve been overshot to the point of losing impact. Railway lines are illegal in many countries and can be lethal. Rooftops have become Instagram tropes—more stunt than storytelling.
Better approach:
Urban exploration without the danger. Look for derelict warehouses, stairwells, or multi-storey car parks with interesting light pockets and lines.
Play with framing. Use doorways, fire escapes, or reflections to build a sense of height or depth without risking safety.
Think texture and mood. Rust, peeling paint, and shadowy corners often tell a stronger visual story than a risky roof shot.
3. The “Random Guitar”
Why avoid it:
A subject holding a prop they have no connection to instantly looks staged. It’s a dead giveaway when they can’t hold it correctly, and the audience feels the disconnect.
Better approach:
Only use relevant props. If your subject is a musician, capture them mid-performance, tuning, or even repairing their instrument.
Let the prop interact with the environment. A guitar leaning casually against a wall in a rehearsal space feels more authentic than a model clutching it awkwardly.
Props as part of the concept. If the guitar is symbolic, make that symbolism clear through styling, location, or body language.
4. “Art Nude” Without the Art
Why avoid it:
Simply photographing a nude body doesn’t make it “art.” Without careful attention to shape, shadow, composition, and emotional intent, it looks like glamour in disguise.
Better approach:
Study form. Use light to sculpt the body into lines, curves, and negative space—treat it as you would any other design subject.
Limit distractions. A strong art nude often has minimal backgrounds so nothing competes with form and light.
Emphasise emotion. A pose, facial expression, or even the absence of eye contact can make the image feel purposeful, not voyeuristic.
5. Bargain Bin Fantasy Props
Why avoid it:
Plastic angel wings, cheap halos, or “fairy” skirts rarely survive the jump from bargain shop to camera lens. They look low-quality, and your audience will notice.
Better approach:
Invest in quality. Work with costume designers or stylists who can create bespoke pieces.
Imply fantasy. Suggest the theme with textures, colour palettes, and lighting rather than literal costume pieces.
Abstract it. Use light gels, smoke, or movement blur to create a dreamlike mood without relying on literal wings.
6. Copying Pinterest Without Thought
Why avoid it:
Pinterest is a great inspiration source, but duplicating an image exactly without adapting it to your subject, setting, or style makes your work look derivative.
Better approach:
Break down the reference. Ask what you like about it—lighting, pose, mood? Keep that, but change the rest.
Change perspective. Shoot from a lower angle, move your subject further from the light, or adjust the colour grading.
Blend ideas. Combine elements from different references to make something new rather than replicating one image wholesale.
7. Boudoir Without Purpose
Why avoid it:
Boudoir can be empowering, intimate, and beautiful—but without a clear creative aim, it risks looking voyeuristic. This can be particularly damaging for male photographers trying to establish credibility.
Better approach:
Have a concept. Is it about strength, vulnerability, nostalgia? Build the set, styling, and mood around that.
Collaborate with your subject. Involve them in the creative process so the images reflect their vision as much as yours.
Keep it professional. Clear communication, signed releases, and a safe environment are non-negotiable.
Before You Shoot Boudoir or Nude Work, Ask Yourself:
Why am I doing this? If the only answer is “because it’s sexy,” rethink the concept.
How does this fit my portfolio? Will it build your credibility or box you into a niche?
What’s my point of view? Without a unique perspective, your work will disappear into the noise.
Have I set boundaries? Professionalism isn’t optional—it’s the foundation of trust.
The Final Word
Clichés exist because they’re easy, familiar, and comfortable to recreate. But if you want to be taken seriously, especially in genres where trust is everything, you need to step beyond the obvious. Bring intention to every choice—props, location, lighting, pose—and make sure they serve the story, not just the shot.
That’s how you move from “just another photographer” to a visual storyteller worth remembering.