BOUDOIR PORTRAITS

PREP GUIDE

BEAUTY PHOTOGRAPHY FOR THE CLIENT READY TO LOVE THEIR FEMININE FORM

HELLO, BEAUTIFUL!

I want you to know that I am so excited to be photographing you! I love Boudoir photography because it’s intimate, artistic and for the way it makes my clients feel. My goal for our session is for you to be totally comfortable and to make you feel heard, prepared, safe and simply to make you feel GORGEOUS. This prep guide is for you to refer to as often as you need!

first thing’s first…

Start reflecting on the types of images you are drawn too. It can be hard to articulate what style you like so I don’t ask you to. Instead, the first thing that I ask clients to do is to create a “secret” Pinterest board for their photo session. If you are not a Pinterest user you can also just send me some photos but I find that the secret board on Pinterest is the best way for you and I to get a good visual of the concept we’re going for.

TYPES OF IMAGES

While our standard style is “authentic cool girl”

You’ll get it when you see your first image.

You’ll look confident and cool. It’s our specialty there are lots of different types of image categories to work with.

What are your favorites?

Detail Shots

Hands, lashes, profile, neck and breast line, back, curve of the bum, lips, shoes, jewelry.

Silhouette

Back lit and side lit. The beauty of playing with light to accentuate your curves.

White Sheet

The white sheet is a client favorite. The white sheet will cover the bits that need it and create a timeless look you’ll love. Best with nude portraits and light lingerie.

Dark background

This look is favored for darker lingerie and makeup. Perfect for details and would be great shown as a sequence of images.

Light and Airy

Window light is where its at! Sheer clothing and levels of undress make light and airy shots a no brainer.

WARDROBE TIPS

HERE’S SOME WARDROBE TIPS TO CALM YOUR NERVES AND HELP YOU DECIDE WHAT TO BRING.

 

Lingerie is not a must for boudoir:

Don’t be afraid to get creative! For boudoir style shoot, a garter belt and thigh high fish nets would go great with a cropped sweater or graphic tee. A gorgeous bra can be paired with a long flowing skirt or cut offs. Your favorite tank top can be paired with no pants. A sheet can be used for everything! Your 20 year old favorite tee shirt paired with cheeky bottoms will get the nob done just perfectly, This is about you and your authentic personality , not about being someone you aren’t.

 My Shoot Style is very “ I’m - Not - Trying - Too - Hard - Chic “! We go for the “ I woke up like this” as often as possible. For that look, wardrobe is even less of an obstacle.

For beauty or portraits:

Structured and /or statement pieces work amazing. Your favorite blazer or jacket a cocktail dress with an interesting neckline, or just a bodysuit and jeans…. We want you to look and feel like yourself ( just on your best day).

When in doubt, just bring in some of your favorite wardrobe items and let me style them for you. It’s part of the service and I am happy to do it.

Structured Pieces & Solids Look great on camera as well as items with texture, and those that are form fitting to show your figure.

 

Thigh highs and Garters

If wearing thigh-highs, buy them 1-2 sizes too big according to the size chart on the back.

Buying them in a size that supposedly “fits” according to the package size chart will likely result int he stockings going a bit of a thigh muffin top ;)

We cab get then to stay up for each “pose”, or you can wear a garter belt to keep them from slipping.

More Wardrobe Tips

 

  • Have yourself properly fitted for lingerie if you will be wearing it for your session.

  • Avoid tiny busy patterns & neon colors.

  • Have several outfits picked out but only bring what you love! We will go through them together before your shoot to determine what will photograph best.

    • Try to incorporate a variety of pieces into your wardrobe selections. Think of different neck lines, something formal, casual, something super textured and fun, something more modest, something black and sleek … you get the idea.

  • Pressed and Pretty. Make sure your selections aren’t wrinkled and cut all the tags off of your sheer items before arriving.

  • Avoid Props: Unless it’s your second shoot with us or unless you’re super crazy confident and comfortable! Props and uncertainty go together like… like .. awkward school portraits ;)

  • Consider Artistic Nudes. For a super easy, low maintenance, and FREE wardrobe option.

Flattering all figures

 

CURVEY BODIES

BRING ON THE FORM-FITTING ITEMS! I adore bodysuits, tight dresses and nothing at all… especially for voluptuous bombshells. We often see curvy women trying to cover up more, but often that has the opposite effect they thin it will. Allowing me to pose you so that we can see your figure and celebrate it is the way to go!

FLATT-BUTTS

Thongs tend to make a butt look fuller than full-coverage bottoms or g-strings. Play around int he mirror with different styles to see what you like best. And don’t worry, I’m a PRO at creating curves in posing where there aren’t any otherwise ! I can get a d killer booty shot with any level of cure (or lack thereof).

SHORTER LEGS

High heels with a THIN heel rather than chunky! Avoid shoes with thick ankle straps or a square toe Nude shoes naturally elongate the legs.

THIN/NO CURVE

That’s all in the posing-girl! Form fitting options and nothing at all work great as I pose the heck out of you to make you look and feel bodacious.

SMALL CHEST

Underwires and deep v-braletttes are lovely, as well as NO BRA AT ALL. Small boobs rock so please don’t feel the NEED to creat extra “oomph” unless it’s something that really concerns you.

MOM BOOBS

If your breasts are a bit lower of “floppier” thank you’d like them to be, just be sure to snag a bra with some support, or form fitting bodysuits that will keep them at bay. Posing will play a huge role here, and I’m really good that that. So.. bring your mom boobs my way!

SURGERY SCARS & STRETCH MARK

My personal belief is that the scars tell a story. Sometimes clients wish they didn’t have to be permanently reminded of that story, and other times, clients embrace their scars and say they’re a part of them, For this reason, I will never edit out a scar or stretch mark unless a client and I discuss it before hand. This is a VERY personally topic ad its’ not my decision to make. I welcome scars and stretch marks, but I also support each individual clients request.

Get your beauty sleep

Seriously! Photoshop can’t fix tired

  • PLAN AHEAD

    Nothing puts a damper on a fun and relaxing photo shoot like feeling rushed or late! You should plan for traffic and arrive about 5 minutes before your scheduled start time.

  • PAMPER YOURSLEF

    Use this as an opportunity to paper yourself. Go a few days before your shoot and get a manicure and pedicure! This will give you finished, polished look, Chipped polish can be distracting.

  • BRUSH YOUR LIPS

    Sounds weird, right? Dry lips are very hard to fix in post processing In the days leading up to your photoshoot, use your toothbrush while brushing your teeth to also make few passes over that pucker of yours. This will help shed dead skin After that, apply a moisturizing lip balm… repeat, repeat, repeat If you’re looking for a KILLER product try I LOVE DR. LIPP’S MIRACLE BALM. You can score a tube of it on Amazon. It’s used for several awesome purposes but for those intended here it will give you luscious lips and a cheek highlight, also great for cracked heals and other dry areas.

  • LATHER ON THE LOTION

    Supple is key for beautiful skin. Be sure to moisturize twice a day for the week leasing up to your shoot. On the day of your shoot, use a non-bronzer illuminating lotion. If you’re having a hard time finding an illuminating lotion without color, you can absolutely just go with an il based lotion like organ oil moisturizer or coconut oil moisturizer. Don’t use tinted lotions or anything with color. We will have some moisturizer at the studio for you to use if you don’t have a lotion you love.

  • MAKE A PLAYLIST if music is your jam

    Music will really help you get into the super model Zone!! Try to select music that matches the concept of your shoot. We have a bluetooth speaker to stream your tunes if you bring them! We also have a go to list we created that tends to work well for most people if you want to go with that.

  • BRING A SOFT, LIGHT WEIGHT ROBE

    Avoid your big furry winter robe as I have found most clients have higher body temperature while they are getting makeup done an its hard to do makeup when you’re sweating! Also, between looks you might want it and you will be warm already from posing.

Don’t you dare!

the dont’s before your shoot

  • SPRAY TAN BEFORE YOUR SHOOT

    I know you think that you look better with a tan.. but I assure you, even if you don’t see the streaks and unevenness with your naked eye, the camera will pick them up. You will photograph a lot more tan than you think you look (especially given that my specialty is yummy whites , low-key lighting and black and white imagery). True me on this!! On that same note, no tinted lotions or bronzers on your body. Even after this warning I get a lot of women who message me to say that they’ve been spray tanning for years and they can not fathom not doing so before a photo shoot. Of course I will still photograph you but unfortunately our standard retouch will not account for spray tan correction, so just keep that in mind.

  • BRING A CONSTRUCTION HAT ( OR OTHER PROPS)

    If you have jewelry that has sentimental value, absolutely bring it! But avoid jerseys, military apparel, weapons (yes, really), sports equipment, masks, etc.etc.etc.

  • PARTY THE NIGHT BEFORE YOUR SHOOT

    If you’re nervous, try a bubble bath and a yoga class. Hangovers aren’t sexy. Some clients like to use a natural sleep aid the night before as well if they are used to taking that, like melatonin.

  • DRINK RED WINE TO CALM YOUR NERVES

    Don’t drink a bottle of red wine right before you show up in efforts to calm your nerves! #ONE it will stain your teeth & lips. #TWO drunk doesn’t photograph pretty either. HOWEVER, I’m admittedly an advocate of a little bit of booze to soothe anxiety if you are super nervous. SO, I set a firm 2 drink maximum limit for my clients on the day of their shoot. Champagne or white wine is a good option because it won’t stain your mouth and will still calm you down a little. You’re welcome to bring a small bottle with you to the session. We have non-non-alcoholoic refreshments to offer you.

  • FORGET TO STRETCH

    Many of these poses, while they look effortless, are quite unnatural feeling, Take a few minutes on the morning of your shoot to stretch your arms, legs, hips, and especially your back. People are surprised to see how sore their muscles get after something as silly as a photo shoot, so any extra flexibility you can add by a quick yoga flow will only benefit you.

  • GET A NEW HAIRCUT / COLOR IMMEDIATELY BEFORE YOUR SHOOT

    Now isn’t the time to experiment with a whole new look.

  • TALK SMACK ON YOURSELF

    I don’t want to hear about how you hate your hips, I want to hear about how you LOVE your legs. A great attitude will go a long way in having a fabulous and upbeat experience! HOWEVER… if you really feel the need to discuss the thing that bothers you the most about your body. Just let me know by saying “I love my ______, but my biggest insecurity is my ____”. I will be extra careful to play down your “flaws”… but I will ALSO make it my challenge to take the best image featuring your ___so you have a new-found appreciation for it!

“I honestly can’t think of a single thing that could have made the experience better.

Diana was prepared, confident, and chill which helped with the vibe and feel of the whole day”.

-Sarah

  • what are you worried about?

    It happens all the time.. a client’s photo shoot is a few days away and she begins to panic. I get a terrified e-mail in the middle of the night begging for me to take them off the ledge. They want to cancel, they just haven’t had the time to prepare, you name the excuse, I’ve heard it. So let me be proactive here and tackle the most common trepidations I hear, so that maybe you won’t be hyperventilating in the middle of the night on the day before your session

  • stress acne

    Yeah, it happens. Pimples suck. If you think for one second that every woman you see pictured on my website was magically pimple-free on the day of their session, you’re takin crazy pills. We retouch blemishes and bruises with ease on every photo you see. No problem,. No stress. Let that pimple try it’s hardest to ruin your day, but your photos won’t be a permanent reminder of it.

  • my period

    Yep, it’s the worst. No, it will not affect your finished product. We run an all-female work flow and we ALL understand the plight of menstruation on photo shoot day. We keep extra strength Advil and feminine hygiene products on hand, and we have zero qualms with 30 bathroom breaks. Start your morning with some fresh fruit and a heating pad and we’ll take it from there. No worries about bloat or blemishes.

  • pose anxiety

    This one’s easy, You don’t have to know how to pose … not even a little bit. I will walk you through every step of the way. I will get into the poses myself and have you mirror me. If we didn’t get it right on the first try, I’ll gently redirect you. It’s not YOUR job to take amazing photos, it’s mine. And I’m pretty competitive about taking amazing photos.

  • I’m not photogenic

    If you’re thinking that all of the women featured you have seen through my work are models, you’re sorely mistaken. I have NEVER….EVER had a client who didn’t love their photos. You don’t have to love EVERY SINGLE ONE of them, but you will love most of them. And you will be shocked that you could love photos of yourself this much. I WILL rock out your photo session and I WILL get a whole bunch of killer images of you. I always do. But if you come into the shoot with an open mind and with trust in me, we’ll get EXTRA. And extra is always good, I’ve never met a woman who I couldn’t capture beautifully. That included you.

  • body "issues"

    I long for the day that women are comfortable in their skin at all stages for the day that women embrace their wobbly bits and beautiful side creases. That said, I know women well enough ( me included ) to be realistic and understand that many women struggle with self love (some days we think better then others ) and no matter how much I tell them they are beautiful, they wish they would have lost just a few more pounds before their session. If that is you, I can assure you, that this isn’t my first first time behind the camera. The majority of the women that come in to see me are working on loving themselves, but struggle. They don’t approve of the size of their thighs their belly pooch, their dimples. I take moments’ feelings very seriously and never want to make anyone uncomfortable. While this is a body positive experience, I will also light and pose you in the most flattering possible way while I photograph you from the best possible angles.

    I’ve spent years photographing all kinds of people, all extraordinary in their own way. I’ve learned all the tricks and continue to learn to ensure that I am featuring the attributes that women most love about themselves, while paying special care to downplay areas of concern. While i’m going to make it my very best effort to change your mind on what you consider to be your “flaws”, I don’t expect every woman to be ready for that yet.

SO, one more time LOUDER

FOR THOSE IN THE BACK!

you are AMAZING today

Not 15 lbs from now, not post-plastic surgery,

you are AMAZING today

AND I CAN’T WAIT TO SHOW YOU!

WHAT TO EXPECT

 

a couple of days before your shoot,

can expect to get a confirmation from me, making sure we are on the same page about your makeup start time, shoot start and end time, and locations.. and I’ll also ask if you have any last minute questions!

on the day of your shoot,

your hair and makeup will be done by a member of our glam squad unless you’ve requested a natural beauty shoot. You should have your face clean and moisturize , and your hair dry and ready to be heat styled when you arrive. Make sure to wear loose-fitting clothing or lightweight robe while getting makeup done and let us know in advance if you have any skin allergies at all. While you’re getting lovely, I will take a peek at your wardrobe selections and start putting together looks so we can hit the ground running when you’re done with hair and makeup. Once you’re done with makeup, you can get into your first look and throw a robe on over it.

once the shoot begins,

You can expect me to give you tons of encouragement and direction. I will not expect you to super model pose throughout your shoot. I will show you what to do, and encourage improvising whenever you feel comfortable. I will say things to elicit laughter whenever possible, too… so be prepared (or, actually, don’t it’s better that way.)

The poses generally aren’t very comfortable and your shoot will give you more of a workout than you anticipate. But I assure you, I know what I’m doing. Get a good stretch in the morning of your session, and the evening after your session. A couple of ibuprofen might need to happen for those lower back aches, but it will all be worth it!

your shoot time

will fly by. That’s a good thing!! That means it wasn’t awkward or boring. Just the right amount of fun! We do run a tight ship in regard to our schedule, so you’ll most definitely be out on time but never early.

At the end of your shoot,

we will help you pack up your things, we’ll get you scheduled for your photo reveal appointment so you know exactly when you’ll be seeing your images, and we’ll also give you a high five because, GIRL, you rocked it.

Within 3 weeks

of your shoot, you will have your photo reveal appointment with me so that you can see all of your proofs and order anything you’d like. You should be prepared to place your full order on the day of your photo reveal and ordering appointment. Most clients find themselves upgrading their album and adding images, and also purchasing a piece or three of wall art.

at your photo reveal

appointment, we’ll relax on the couch and show a slide show of some of the highlight images from your session before diving into viewing your entire collection of images. You’ll have the opportunity to flip through our beautiful album options and see all of our other available products. We know you’re going to love your images, and these reveal appointments are so much fun. We can’t wait to share your photos with you!

Within 1 month

of your photo reveal appointment, all of your purchased products are ready for pickup, or with your tracking number if you live out of the area and we are shipping to you.

within 6 months

of your reveal appointment, you’ll want to do this again, Trust us ;) Existing clients get dibs on photo shoot time slots because we believe in special treatment.