BOUDOIR PREP GUIDE
It’s the little things that we do to try to improve our beauty that throw it off in these sessions. A spray tan could make the images orange. Chipped nail polish from three weeks ago can be a distraction. Facial peels can make our skin dry and flaky. New products could cause a rash. So let’s talk about how to prepare for this session, so what we put into preparation is worth it!
Roadmap to your boudoir session
Get a spray tan 5ish days before session, if you would like. Anything closer than a week out can make your skin look orange and can also rub off on my furniture at the studio. Body Glow is where I recommend, they do an excellent job. If you schedule with them, it can be 2-3 days before your session. Spray tan FULLY nude if you choose to get one so there are not weird tan lines! Make sure to mention you are doing a boudoir session with Boudoir Photograph MN and get 35% off your spray tan!
Don't tan in a tanning bed or outside for at least 7 days before, we do not want burnt skin either! If there are dramatic tan lines, or a poor spay tan that requires extra editing there will be an added fee of $20/image.
Moisturize, everywhere and often. Body, feet, face, hair. Everywhere.
Stretch! I’m going to have you in some positions that’ll be a little tough, and it makes them much easier if you have been stretching leading up to the session, especially your back.
Pick out lingerie and other clothing.
Bring a nude and black panty you feel good in.
Cozy sweaters, robes, body suits, jumpsuits, heels, thigh-high’s, or jewelry... pick things that feel like you.
Schedule yourself a mani/pedi 1-3 days before session if you’d like. Feel free to do them at home yourself too, just try to pick neutral colors!
1-2 weeks prior to your session
THE DAY BEFORE
Hydrate! Drink more water than you normally do. Avoid alcohol, caffeine and sugar, as they aide in water retention. Keep stretching!! Pack all the items you want to bring, and double check! Get a good nights sleep. Be mindful of what you eat, avoid foods you know cause gas/tummy aches.
The morning of, Finally!
Eat a light healthy breakfast, and hydrate!
I will have water and some healthy snacks for you at the session. Feel free to to bring your own if you have dietary restrictions or preferences! Do not use any oil-based moisturizers the day of.
HAIR & MAKEUP
If you’re doing your own, come with your makeup applied, but bring it for touch up to the session! If you’re having it professionally done, come with a clean face with just a light moisturizer (no SPF) and lip balm! Come with clean and dry hair, and have it down if you can (or jut not kinked from a pony).
Arrive on time for scheduled hair and makeup.
pro tips
No deodorant - none! We don’t want stains/marks on anything or white chalky pits. Do not wear undergarments to session; we want to avoid any skin marks and lines. Wear loose clothing. Arrive on time. Please, don’t bring anyone to the session unless you’ve talked to me first (unless, of course, it is a couples session).
I like to think of it as enhancing, not changing. If you're looking to have body photoshopping, I'm not the right photographer. I'll do minor skin smoothing, color edits, remove blemishes, and a few other relatively minor edits - but my goal is when you look back on these images they represent the authentic you.
01.
What is your editing style?
Depending on if I have another session booked after yours, yes. It's best if you are thinking you may want more time, to let me know as soon as you are able to!
02.
Can I extend the session on the day of?
If you buy digitals, you get the print releases as well! I can not guarantee prints if you print through a lab that is not through me. Each print lab is different, and I have my images with labs I have not collaborated with. If you print elsewhere, know I am not responsible for any print or quality issues. If you do print through me, I guarantee satisfaction and will reprint if there are any issues free of charge.
03.
Do I have to order prints through you?
These sessions are about embracing, learning to love {or maybe like, accept) our bodies how they are now. If we can’t be happy in our bodies until XYZ happens, what happens when our body changes back? These sessions are meant to help empower us even if we see imperfections or things to change because that will always be the case. The journey of loving our bodies is evolving so why not learn to love your body before you feel it’s ‘worthy’…. Because it is and you are worthy now.
04.
WHAT IF I THINK I NEED TO LOSE WEIGHT?
Welcome to the damn club. I promise I’ll be more awkward and weird than you! Haha! These sessions are so fun and not at all stressful. Most people find after the first ten minutes or so if being in front of the camera they have all their nerves out. But if you’re an awkward person, awkward might be captured and SHOULD BE because that you!
05.
WHAT IF I AM SUPER NERVOUS AND AWKWARD?
Everyone seems to be their worst critic when it comes to pictures. Boudoir and having my couch you is different because when have you ever had your photo taken in this way? I’m sure there will be pictures at your reveal where you’ll be like “meh not my fave” and we move on…. But overall it’s my job to capture the true you, in a flattering way. I’m good at my job, so get out of that damn head of yours and trust the process!!
06.
WHAT IF I’M NOT AT ALL PHOTOGENIC?
Perfect! Because you’re not any other person, so I hope you don’t look like anyone else. This is about capturing you, not some glorified version that the social media world or Victoria's Secret says you should look like to be worthy of having beautiful, empowering, and sexy pictures taken of yourself. Have you heard “Fuck their beauty standards!” Yeah. That.