How To Prepare For Your Boudoir (bu̇-ˌdwär)

HI , gorgeous

The vulnerability of a boudoir can be scary territory sometimes. But, as you’ll soon learn, with vulnerability comes intimacy. The kind of intimacy that we don’t often have a chance to capture in our fast-paced lives.

So, congratulations on scheduling this. For prioritizing your own needs, your own self-worth, your own body. When was the last time you set aside some time to really appreciate the body you’ve been living in? Our upcoming session together is the perfect way to set aside time for just this – an opportunity to embrace your entire self and stick it to a society that tells you you’re not good enough. I am here to support you all the way. That’s why I’ve created this guide. Crafted especially for you, it’s the key to you walking into your session feeling sexy, confident and informed.

Let’s do this.

Getting the juices ‘flowing’

Start thinking about what you love about your body. Reflect on why you’ve chosen to do this shoot. Imagine how incredible it’s going to feel to get the images back. Thinking about why you’re doing this shoot will help you balance out the (very normal) nerves that might come with the approaching shoot date.

How would you like your personality to be reflected in the images? Are you romantic or risqué? Classic or quirky? The answer to these questions will help you get excited about your shoot and drive the decision-making process about what to wear.

Keep the session as low-stress as possible in order to keep your child's attention. Make sure it is a fun experience and use positive reinforcement, or else harsh words or threats of discipline may send them into a tailspin. Your child's behavior might be frustrating at times, but this is one time you need to ignore it.


Frame your session in a lighthearted way to set yourself up for success. Say something like, "We're going to the park today with Miguel. He loves playing games and making goofy faces and noises. He'll be taking our picture and it will be so much fun! On the flip side, comments that amp up the pressure (e.g., 'This is a really important day for our family; mommy needs you to cooperate) are detrimental." Let go of any stress or tension before beginning a session, and have fun while cozying with your kids.

I’d love to shoot in a location that feels meaningful to you. This can be at home, in an Airbnb that reflects your style, or somewhere else entirely. The nature of the boudoir requires us to book our session somewhere private. Sometimes, this means finding an indoor location. But, it doesn't necessarily have to mean that! If you’re lucky enough to know of any deserted beaches or uncrowded riverways, throw ‘em at me! Alternatively, if there’s a really cute boutique hotel you’ve stayed at that you love the look of, let’s check it out together. I love any opportunity to work in new locations.

If nowhere comes to mind, don’t worry. I’ve got a list of amazing AirBnbs that we can look into renting for our session.

WHERE WE’LL SHOOT

The main reason we’re here is for your self-empowerment. If getting your hair and makeup done makes you feel more confident and comfortable in your own skin, do it. If you feel weird in a full face of makeup, skip it – or just keep it minimal.

If you do decide to get a little bit fancy, then I fully recommend getting your hair and makeup professionally done! If you’ve got a full mane, it’s best to wear your hair down – I have lots of great poses that involve running your fingers through your hair or tossing it around a little bit.

HAIR & MAKEUP

HOW TO PREPARE

  • Don’t starve yourself. Load up on leafy greens, healthy fats, and lots of water. Your skin will thank you for it.

  • Get lots of sleep – especially the night before your shoot. You’ll feel and look way more refreshed if you’re caught up on your sleep.

  • Moisturise. Do a face mask. Exfoliate. Condition. Do all of the things to pamper yourself – not just because you’ll look better, but because you’ll feel more confident knowing that you’re looking your best, too.

  • Make a playlist! Choose songs that make you feel sexy, beautiful, or happy. I’ll put it on my speakers when you arrive and we can set the mood together.

  • Mentally prepare by being mindful of your thinking. Practice being kind to yourself in small ways, like identifying parts of your body and mentally listing things about each part that you’re grateful for.

HOW TO NOT PREPARE

  • I just want to preface this section by saying it’s your body, your rules. But, there are a couple of things that you can do for me that will greatly impact your photographs for the better.

  • Please don’t get a spray tan. This stuff has a way of sinking into the little creases of your skin, creating an uneven or blotchy appearance.

  • Don’t wax or shave immediately before your session. These processes can sometimes cause inflammation, drawing undue attention to your bikini line or underarms.

  • Don’t wear anything you don’t feel comfortable in. Although it can be tempting to wear incredibly sexy new lingerie, it’s important that it’s been professionally fitted to your form so that it’s not bunching or pinching in the wrong places.

  • Don’t wear tight clothes before the session - jeans and bras sometimes leave marks on your skin.

Don’t be fooled – the world of boudoir is about much more than lace and lingerie. There are so many options for clothing (or no clothing), and what you wear to your session should make you feel sexy, confident, and authentic.

When choosing the perfect garments, consider bringing things that have interesting textures like lace, knits, embroidery, leather, or chiffon. Avoid anything with a logo or text on it, and steer clear from super bright, high-contrast prints and patterns.

Choose items that accentuate your shape. Large, boxy, oversized shirts and dresses won’t turn up well on camera. Think high-waisted cuts, corsets, and bodysuits – things that are designed with the contours of the body in mind.

If you’d like to shoot in your birthday suit, there’s a lot we can do with bedsheets, throws, and silhouettes so that you can strike the perfect balance between revealing and concealing.

If you want to get a lil’ freaky, costumes can provide you with the opportunity to step into a different version of yourself, even just temporarily. Channeling a different character can sometimes make it easier to summon that elusive confidence that is required when presenting yourself to a photographer.

WARDROBE

I’ll send you some sneak peeks 48 hours after your session via text and the full gallery within three weeks via a downloadable web gallery. You’ll be able to create favorites lists, share online, or download your images to elevate your sexting game or surprise that special someone in your life.

AFTER THE SESSION

Thank you so much for taking the time to read this guide! I imagine you’ll have a few questions bouncing around your head, so give me a call and let’s talk through all the things.

THANK YOU

Your photos are going to be amazing.

I hope you’re as excited as I am