Just be YOU!
Soooo you're interested in booking or have just recently booked a boudoir session - how exciting!! I've created this guide in hopes of answering any questions you might have! If you don't find your questions answered here, please reach out to me - I'd be happy to discuss any questions or concerns!
I admit that it might be nerve wracking to remove the barriers of both clothing and emotions, but I promise it will be worth it.
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I'm so excited to be a part of a personal discovery for you - one you may not realize yet! My heart is to empower women and capture them in a true genuine/raw way. I want you to leave the session feeling like your pictures truly represent YOU.
FIVE PREP TIPS FOR A FLAWLESS BOUDOIR EXPERIENCE
Preparing for an experience like boudoir can seem like such a daunting, overwhelming task (the butterflies are totally normal!) How are you supposed to know what outfits to purchase, grooming do and don’ts, if it's appropriate to just pack your whole life into a suitcase and bring it ALL along... It’s enough to keep anyone up at night, but no worries babe—I’ve compiled some helpful tips to take with you on your prep journey so that your boudoir experience is absolutely flawless!
1. Neutral Nails and Hair Care
When it comes to that beautiful mane on the top of your head, I urge you not to switch it up right before your shoot. If you have long hair, don’t get crazy and chop it into a bob one week from your experience. If you’ve been blonde your whole life, don’t add pink streaks. Point here being, keep yourself recognizable. Get a fresh color (if you do it regularly) and cut about 1.5 weeks before the session. For your nails and toes, I encourage you to get pampered and go for a mani/pedi about 2-3 days before shoot day. Stick with neutral nail colors: nude, french tip, slate gray, black, etc. Avoid busy patterns, designs, crystals, etc. All of those will distract from the subject I most want to focus on…YOU!
2. AVOID SPRAY TANS!
This one is in all caps, sister! If you are Snow White’s sister like me, it’s very tempting to go out in search of some bronze goodness, but trust me when I say: even with professional application, spray tans can turn out too orange or too splotchy. It is not difficult to botch a spray tan! Most photographers (raising my hand high over here!) consider a poor spray tan an extensive edit to fix. Because I have so much else to focus on with the editing side of things, spray tans (or real tans) are not something I fix. Girlfriend, your natural skin tone will still be 100% gorgeous in photos! Oh, and while we are on the subject of skin, be VERY careful in the sun leading up to your boudoir experience--tan lines are not so flattering in photos!
3. Water, Stretch, Repeat
About two weeks from your appointment, you will want to refrain from alcohol, sugary drinks, and soda, and start fueling your body with TONS of water! Water has so many amazing benefits to include glowing skin, reduced bloat, and helps to battle breakouts (because stress nerves are a real thing and can affect your skin). You will want to start a routine of stretching before bed, because boudoir sessions are serious workouts! Target your lower back and neck specifically. Boudoir shoots are more physically taxing than you may think--lots of arching, breathing, and holding poses so you’ll want to be as flexible as you can be when you arrive.
4. Bring V A R I E T Y in Your Outfits
I always encourage my clients to bring more options than just lingerie. A closet raid is the perfect source for other unique looks! I suggest bringing your fave cozy sweater, a tank, loose white tee, body chains, trench coats, swimsuits, scarves, leg warmers, cut up jeans/Daisy Duke shorts, or whatever you have that makes you feel you can slay the universe. Do not limit yourself to whatever Victoria’s Secret has to offer! There are so many options that can be incredibly sexy! Pack different colors, textures, and types of clothing!
5. Hair/Makeup Prep
It is so helpful to the artist(s) that will be doing your hair/makeup to have an idea of how you would like to see yourself. You should always have a say in how your hair/makeup looks. Bring pictures of makeup you like, or even your favorite selfie, so that they get an idea of the amount of makeup you are comfortable with. Come prepared to communicate what you are/aren’t envisioning. If you don’t speak up and give a bit of direction, they may complete a look that you aren’t in love with. You are investing in this experience which is about you, so make sure you head into your shoot with a look you are happy with!
No matter what happens, if you book with a boudoir photographer that you trust and allow yourself to go ALL IN with the experience, you are going to love the results! Remember, this is FUN--so relax, surrender to the process, and know that you absolutely deserve to feel absolutely BEAUTIFUL!
You freakin rock.
-Megan.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What EXACTLY is Boudoir Photography?
If you're working with me, boudoir is a path to empowerment. It's a stepping stone - or the destination - on a journey of loving yourself and realizing your own beauty. It's the process of shedding your insecurities, like you would shed clothing, allowing you to feel sexy in YOUR body and mind. Keep in mind I do offer indoor or outdoor!
Should I (or I Want To) wait until I: "Lose some weight" "Get rid of stretchmarks" OR "I'm too shy" "I don't think I'm pretty enough" "I'm too fat/skinny" "My butt is too small/big/etc"
YOU ARE ENOUGH. I mean, I can empathize with some of the above sentiments...I think a LOT of people can. But here's the thing - this is about LOVING YOURSELF. This is about seeing how beautiful you are as a WHOLE, instead of focusing on a couple of things you might not be crazy about today. You don't have to be a certain shape, a certain size, or a certain age to be confident and beautiful.
How soon will I have my images?
It typically takes between 3-5 weeks for your images to be completed and ready for your image reveal. Any products you order can take an additional 2-4 weeks for me to receive, so I recommend that you schedule your session at least 4-6 weeks ahead of when you'd like to have them so we have plenty of time to choose your favorite images and items!
I don't know how to do the sexy poses like the women in your portfolio - what do I do?!
Don't worry about that! I will direct and pose you from head to toes, moving and positioning your hair, hands, arms, legs, hips, booty, feet, and everything else we need to get that perfect image. Don't know how to get that sultry look on your face? I handle that, too!
Am I required to be NAKED?!
Only if you want to! But you most certainly do NOT have to do anything you're not completely comfortable with doing. Want to shoot in a sweater and tall socks? I can make that look sexy. Want to go all out? The nudity photographed in a boudoir photography session is provocative, sensual, and tasteful and oftentimes people who didn't think they'd want to shoot nude find that their favorite images are the ones where they bare all and really showcase their natural beauty. Wherever your comfort level lies in-between, I am confident that you will find yourself beautifully captured!
Will my images be on your website and social media?
Again, only if you want them to be. The majority of the clients I shoot don't think they will want any of their images shared but once they see their images, they want to show the world! However, you are NOT required to share your images. This is YOUR session and these are YOUR images, so you determine the level of privacy you are most comfortable with.
What should I wear? I don't own any lingerie.
I'm happy to share a Lingerie Guide with you that will help you shop for items that are best for your body type. The guide is there to provide a general idea of what you might look for, but if you find something you absolutely love and it fits you appropriately, I'm VERY excited to see it! I DO request that you bring at least 2-3 outfits. I'm happy to provide insight and suggestions for attire any time you need - just send me an email with your questions!
AND NOW...THE EXPERIENCE
Once you've booked your session and submitted payment for your Session Retainer, you will receive a questionnaire and Lingerie Guide to help us both plan your session. Along with this session prep guide, these three items are especially important to ensure that your session is amazing flawless!
Please contact me to book or schedule your complimentary consultation phone call.