How to Prepare for Your Boudoir Session
the free little guideHellzz yes!!
Here are some of the special goods that I ONLY offer to my clients!!
The ultimate boudoir guide to help you prep for your session that I have cut down into a little bits and pieces for you! Can’t give away all the goods… you know.
I put together my ultimate boudoir guide a couple years ago when I knew I needed to help prepare each and everyone of my clients for their session. Typing out everything I wanted them to do, to think about and to try leading up to their session was beginning to be A LOT of writing via email. Who want’s to read paragraphs in an email anyways… I know I don’t. Plus who the hell has time to do that for each client? I know I didn’t! So I thought of creating the ULTIMATE boudoir guide. Any questions I have ever heard or received from past clients went into account when making my guide. I also thought about myself and if I was doing this for the first time, or with a new photographer, what would I want to know?
So I worked tirelessly to make this guide this lovely and beautiful beacon of educating knowledge and love and I am proud to say that I tend to receive ZERO questions via email about session prep after I book. Why? Because EVERYTHING in answered in this guide. I should really call it a bible or something, there is a lot in there.
It’s peace of mind for me and I can spend my work days doing more productive things like emailing and editing while knowing that all of my clients are getting the same thorough rundown of everything boudoir photoshoot! Being prepared for these types of sessions are a must and some planning does have to happen. I try to make everything as easy as possible for my clients before, during and after sessions so they only thing they have to worry about are their pre-shoot jitters and just showin up!
So my little gift you and anyone out there thinking about doing boudoir, but is scared as hell about the process and don’t know where to begin… Here is a partial boudoir guide that can give you a little more of an idea about what it’s like to work with me and do boudoir! And of course, if you do decide to work with me, you WILL be receiving my whole guide in all it’s glory!
What's your vibe, whats the aesthetic, I don't know- how do we do this?!
Step one- deep breath!
You got this, I know the very beginning can seem daunting, but once you find out what you are envisioning and can put a name/style to your overall wedding vibe, planning will fill itself out nicely! For some out there, I know you have your Pinterest boards that you have had since probably long before you even met your partner! You may have more of an idea of what you are looking for style wise, activity wise, photo wise, decor wise etc. I bet you'll find some more tips and tricks in here to help you round out your perfect day with the best and the most fun things to do! However- if you are just now thinking what the hell do I even want this wedding to look like, help, please, I am at square one, in fact, I'm at the ground level- save me. I got you! Here are some simple, easy questions you can ask yourselves that will help you start you process in figuring out your vibe!
1. How did you two meet? Are there any big significances in your lives or how you met, or how you got engaged, that mean a great deal to the two of you? Is the desert special to your heart because it's where you fell in love or shared your first kiss? Could be a theme or could be your wedding location even!
2. What are YOU about? At the end of the day, this is YOUR party, have fun with it and set up some of your dream elements in your big day! You both love EDC? Make it a rave wedding! You love the outdoors? Go get married at a private campsite with your guests! You love your city and where you live surrounded by your community, get married in your backyard or your local wedding venue in the city!
3. What's your wardrobe look like? Kind of a funny question.. But if you love flannel, beanies and long walks on misty beaches, then I could see you getting married at some log cabin with deep green and purple colors, with river rocks in center pieces and ferns decorating the alter. You a more chic and fashion forward shop at Zara and Express kind of vibe, then I could see you getting married in the city or at a winery with lots of candles, white florals, black and white and simple designs.
Some other tips and tricks here to help you figure out the design, the vibe , the feel you are narrowing down for you wedding.
- Create a Pinterest board! Look through all your photos you pinned, find the similarities and start to name some ideas, colors, shapes, designs etc. that you seem to be drawn to.
- Look through my blog posts and some other wedding blogs or other photographers to visually get a look at what some other couples have created for their day. It's okay to take inspiration and leave what you don't vibe with.
- If you already have your location or venue booked, look at other peoples wedding who have also had their wedding there, see what they did in the same space you'll be at!
- Take notes at upcoming wedding your or friends attend! There are more new and great ideas happening everyday when people plan their weddings. The more new stuff you see, the more inspired you can get to start to plan your own!
VENDOR RECOMMONDATIONS LIST
HAIR AND MAKEUP
- Seattle Beauty Boss www.seattlebeautyboss.com
-Skagit Bridal Hair and Makeup www.skagitbridalhairandmakeup.com
-Coco The Love Team www.theloveteammakeupandhair/coco
-Mobile Makeup By TT www.mobilemakeupbytt.com
FLORALS
- Villanelle Floral www.villanellefloral.com
-Little Joy Fluers www.littlejoyfleurs.com
PLANNING / COORDINATING
Eleven Events
CAKE / DESSERTS
A trans and LGBTQ supportive underwear company! You won’t find too much lingerie here, but the amount of adorable matching undies and bras is amazing. Think about it Napoleon Dynamite had an underwear line… FOR EVERYONE <3
RINGS
Nordys has actually been worn by quite a few of my past babes! Great, comfy underwear for a more natural look with a surprisingly great lingerie section!
WEDDING DRESS
The sexiest lingerie catering to womxn size 10 and above! The amount of sexy and adorable things on this site is insane! The prefect place for a perfect fit for curvy gals!
SEATTLE VENUES
A slight step up from Victoria’s Secret, with even more ‘Wow!!’ and even more ‘Bam!!’ The goods are real good over at Honey Birdette!
BELLINGHAM VENUES
As always, Queen V never fails and always has some of the most beautiful lingerie. The only thing with VS, is they definitely cater to one type of body size.
CATERING
The creme de la creme of lingerie besides an expensive boutique store probably in Paris somewhere. It’s got the down payment of a small used car price, but the wow factor of an expensive penthouse owner in Manhattan. It oozes sexual goddess.
SHOP LOCAL! If these recommendations above are booked or located too far away, shop small and look around online and on social media for some local vendors. You can also ask friends, family or co-workers who have recently gotten married too!
Outdoor Sessions
Yes, you will be cold. Will it be worth doing this over a studio, you outdoor lover you? Yes, Yes it will.
On the morning of your session, make sure you arrive in preferably something that will not leave lines on your body, or wear baggy clothes! No jeans or tight socks! Keep it loosey goosey. If you also own a robe, kimono, or a large blanket that can cover your entire body, bring it! Robes are the best because you can easily throw them on quickly if we have some people stumble upon us. Anything to cover your shoulders to at least your knees will do, for those just in case situations. Also, make sure you bring some shoes that you will easily be able to slip on and off. Take into consideration that your feet might be a little wet, sandy or dirty as well! Leather boots or tennis shoes won’t really do. If you have some slide on shoes or sandals, those would be best! #bringyourcrocs
If you hired a hair and makeup artist though Kendra K, you will meet at a discussed location for you to get dolled up, then head out to the outdoor location! Location can either be at your place, my place or a beauty studio.
A nice outdoor bag that you don't also mind to get dirty possibly to hold all your outfits and things!
How to Beauty Prep
1 week until shoot
If you plan on doing any waxing, sugaring, lazering or whatever people do these days, definitely get it done at least 5 days before your shoot to avoid any redness or irritation on your skin. Same with facials! Make sure you get them done 4-5 days before your session to avoid red/splotchy skin! And I will continue to say this, but I still HIGHLY encourage you to just show up as you are if you want to as well. I think a lot of us think that the standard for boudoir has to be lots of makeup, shaved legs, hairless pits.. etc etc. Boudoir is just being you in your body and not complying to anyones body standards.
A mani/pedi goes a long way! Your hands and feet will be photographed, so pretty nails or at least really clean/clear nails will make your photos looks so much better. You don’t have to get them done, you can always do them yourself!
If you plan to get any touchups done, do it! Hair trim, getting your roots colored, or even de-stressing with a massage etc. Looking your best/feeling your best is going to come across the best! And if you we're planning on changing your look soon, maybe now is the time and then you'll photos of the new you boo.
I highly recommend staying out of the sun immediately leading up to your session! A nice tan is great for boudoir photos, but red and potentially splotchy burnt skin ain’t gonna look cute! Make sure you are using plenty of sunscreen if you will be out in the sun before your session and whatever you do, DO NOT SPAY TAN UNLESS YOU ARTIST KNOWS WHAT THEY'RE DOING! The coloring in some sprays can be very thick and patchy all over your skin and me, myself and my camera will be getting up close and personal with your skin. I also notice vastly different color tints in arms vs. hands vs.face. However! If you need a good spray tan that is KK approved, go to Lauren of Seattle Beauty Boss.
All natural body prep ideas
Oils! The absolute best beauty hack there is. I personally drench my face and body in oils after I get out of the shower. If you want to show up with your skin extra plump and hydreated! My favorites are Castor oil for literally everywhere, jojoba oil for face and skin, coconut oil for hair and mouth health and a oil cleanser for extra clean and glowing skin!
Rice water, diluted- no joke! One day, my plan is to save rice water in the gallons every time I make a single 1 cup of rice. When you strain your rice water, they say to strain 2-3 times before cooking. Now, save your rice water. The first round of rice water, add more to that batch to dilute it. Then strain more and save more. The rice water should look cloudy not totally clear to see all the way through the water, but almost. Before I do my skin routine post shower, I spray this all over. I find the best way to use it is to drench it all over your head and body as the last water wash in your shower. Leaves your skin smooth and hair shining!
Make sure you are drinking plenty of water leading up to your shoot! Water does incredible things for your skin, overall complexion and hair. If you want to go above and beyond, maybe even cut out alcohol too because as well all know, that stuff just does weird things to your whole body including abnormal bloating.
Gua Sha!!! Look up video tutorials on this and what will work best for you and your face! You know the saying everything heads south, as you get older, including your face (which we love, yay aging) But if your someone like me who holds a lot of tensions and puffiness in my face, this tool has been a godsent. Use with oil, best Gua Sha's are stainless steel. Less than $10 most places!
How to Mentally Prep
I know this can be a scary thing.
You’re nervous, you may of never done boudoir before and you have no idea how you’ll feel the day of. Well let me tell you, you are going to be a-okay I PROMISE! (Trust me, I have a very good track record with breaking nerves instantly) But what will also help is to remind yourself that everyone is deserving of photos like this. Everyone at every age! You ARE worthy. You have a body at the end of the day and that body is worth showing off, period, always, doesn’t matter what you look like.
You have already made the incredible decision to do this. You have paid your session fee, you are half way there and you know in your heart of hearts that you have hired one of the best boudoir photographers for YOU. Not only am I going to take amazing photos of you, but I will also leave you feeling empowered during and after your session. Your pre-session nerves will be out the door almost instantly and you will have the most fun and relaxing time at your session.
Leading up to the big day, pump yourself up! Listen to your favorite music, watch your favorite shows, go to dinner with your girlfriends and have them pump you up! Do the things that are fun for you as much as you can leading up to your session. If you want to eat cake and ice cream the night before because its your favorite, do it. Or if you wanna eat McDonalds on the couch and watch New Girl, do it. Indulge in all things that you love and things that make you, you! Don’t worry about anything else other than making yourself happy. You’ll notice you will arrive to your session already feeling confident and ready because you have been living your truth leading up to this!
If you are having any negative self doubts about your physical body, GET THOSE THOUGHTS OUT. Scroll through my instagram, see all the beautiful types of bodies and humans I have worked with and know everyone looks amazing in their photos because everyone is amazing in their body, including you. Then hop off social media, because it's toxic and read a good book. I know a lot of us have years and decades of rewiring the stories we have with our bodies. It’s not easy to just think more positively about your body, I get that. But look… you have already made the decision to do this session. Know that you are already there to loving you body even more. Send love to the parts that are hard right now and in no time you will be sending those same part much more love after you session. Something I say to myself in my head a lot is, “don’t let your brain go there.”
This is all about you and you showing up as authentically you as you can. Be king to yourself, love yourself, do things things that make you feel like you, your photos will thank you later. If you ever start to feel the nerves creep in and need some encouragement, reach out to me and I will talk you right our of it. Or my personal favorite, sit on the floor and take huge deep breaths in and out until you feel less anxious <—- always works.
Make sure you take care of your outfits leading up to the shoot. Make sure they’re nice and clean and ironed or steamed if they need it and if you want it. Preferably have them hanging up to avoid any lines or creases before you put them on, especially silk! HANG THAT ISH UP! Make sure the tags are removed, and get you and all your props and outfits all ready to go!
FAQS
WHERE YOU AT GIRL?!
Bellingham! I love the great PNW and getting naked in the forest is my specialty! I currently rent a lovely studio space for sessions in Bellingham if indoor is more your thing. I of course too, will travel to Seattle for sessions as well. I obviously travel wheerver too. Planes and trains are great!
HOW DO I KNOW YOU’RE GOING TO TAKE BADASS PHOTOS OF ME? I’M NOT PHOTOGENIC, WHAT DO I DO?!
DO MY PHOTOS HAVE TO BE SHARED? MY GRANDMA IS ON INSTAGRAM..
DO I NEED TO GET MY HAIR AND MAKEUP DONE FOR MY SESSION?
HOW DO I GET MY IMAGES BACK?
I will send you an online gallery and downloadable link via Pixiset of your high-resolution images anywhere between 3-5 weeks after your session day! A quicker turn around time can definitely be arranged and purchase or prints and albums can also be made!
* Currently I am in the process of changing over my entire system. I will no longer be just a digital photographer but I will also be offering print and album sales with every boudoir/dudeoir/couples session. Average investment for products, images and session fee is around $2,400-$3,500. Interest free payment plans will be offered and you can pay off your art work for up to 6 whole months! You even get your prints/albums while you are still paying off your pieces. I can't wait to start offering what you all have been wanting, beautiful crafted after work of your beautiful self. These photos sure a shit don’t belong in the computer and your cell phone.*