So You Want to Try a Boudoir Shoot – Here’s What to Expect
I constantly get inquiries from women who are thinking about trying a boudoir session but who are hesitant and unsure of what a boudoir session entails. It can be hard to commit to something you know little to nothing about, especially if it involves taking your clothes off in front of a stranger! So, in this post I’ve addressed some of my most frequently asked questions.
Will we meet beforehand?
Before booking your shoot, we’ll get together, either for coffee or over skype, to talk about your vision for the shoot, when and where it will be, and you’ll have a chance to ask me any questions you might have.
Do I have to get naked?
Some people think “boudoir photography” is synonymous with “nude photos”, but that isn’t always true. You can definitely rock a birthday suit during your session if you feel comfortable enough, but no one is going to tell you to take all your clothes off. Some clients choose to take fully-clothed boudoir photos, some choose to stick with lingerie, and some want to do tasteful nudes. All of the above are perfectly acceptable, and how much you want to take off is completely up to you.
Do I have to know how to pose?
Absolutely not. My job is to know which poses will be most flattering for you, and I’ll walk you through each one. You don’t need to stay up the night before practising poses you found on pinterest, so just focus on getting some beauty sleep, and I’ll handle the rest.
Where will the shoot take place?
It’s up to you! Most clients feel most comfortable in their own home, but if for some reason that isn’t an option, you can choose to take advantage of my studio space, rent a hotel room, or we can discuss some possible outdoor locations.
Do I have to do my own hair and makeup?
I offer three different packages; one includes complimentary hair & makeup done by my stylist, one only includes makeup, and one doesn’t include either. So, depending on which package you choose, you may have to get yourself ready. I always suggest going with one of the packages that include the complimentary makeover, because my professional stylist knows how to get you looking photo-ready, which gives you one less thing to stress about.
Do men ever do boudoir shoots?
It’s definitely less common, but “dudeoir” is a recent trend that seems to be getting more and more popular!
Have you ever had a client cry?
During a session? No. But, there have been times when my clients teared up during their viewing (in a good way), and those moments are what made me fall in love with shooting boudoir.
What do I wear?
Once your shoot has been booked, I’ll send you my style guide to help give you some suggestions and help you identify what clothing items will best fit your vibe.
Every woman has parts of her body that she’s insecure about. Do you Photoshop “flaws” at your clients’ request?
While I personally believe in embracing and loving every part of your body, many of these so-called “flaws” can be corrected by strategic posing and/or lighting, but Photoshop is always an additional option that I’m willing to utilize upon request.
What do I have to do before the session?
The day of the session, you’ll want to:
– Shave any areas that you want to look tidy.
– Apply moisturing lotion on your arms, legs, feet, etc.
– Avoid eating any heavy meals so you won’t be bloated.
– Stay hydrated.
– Wear loose clothes. We don’t want any unnecessary marks on your body, so you may even want to avoid wearing a bra before the shoot (or, just wear a sports bra).
– I recommend having your makeup done by my stylist, in which case, you’ll want to wash your face beforehand and apply some non-tinted moisturizer.
So, hopefully you found this post informative and feel a little more confident going into your first boudoir session! If there’s anything else you’d like to know, feel free to leave a comment!
xoxo, Nena