Undressing a Boudoir Session
- Practical tips to book a gorgeous photo sesh!
If you’ve ever considered having a boudoir photoshoot, you may have found yourself overwhelmed with questions. We’ve caught up with some Huntsville parents and photographers to see what you can expect from that special photography session before it’s even booked.
What is Boudoir?
A photo session that features intimate and romantic poses, boudoir can be enjoyed solely by the subject or shared with a significant other.
Kymbil Presley of Presley Images has spent time on both sides of the camera for boudoir sessions. The mom of two says boudoir is a way to see yourself in a new perspective.
“So to me, boudoir is a style of photography that encompasses our most raw and intimate beauty. In portraits that we see in magazines boudoir is photoshopped and what society thinks beauty is supposed to be, but to me, boudoir is your own self and your own beauty and just capturing that in a more intimate way,” Presley says.
What to Expect from Your Boudoir Session
As the client, you’re in the driver’s seat for your sessions. Although first time nerves and jitters can be expected, a boudoir session should always be a safe and comfortable environment to be yourself.
Although some photographers offer client closets or outfits, the wardrobe choice comes down to the client’s own comfort level and can range from cute and flirty to bold and sexy.
What to look for in a Boudoir Photographer
Sarah B. also shared her boudoir experience with Rocket City Mom. After an unsuccessful first session, she says her best advice would be to look at a potential photographer’s portfolio.
“The second time around, I found a photographer whom I loved. I admired her work, it was a very diverse group of women in her boudoir portfolio, and I read enough about her to kind of know that we would vibe. That experience was FANTASTIC, as was the quality of the photos at the end. I signed away all use of those photos because I LOVED HOW I LOOKED!”
Missy Brooks, a professional local photographer at Brooks Photography knows how important finding the perfect photographer fit for you can be. “A good boudoir session with a good photographer can be awesome and empowering!”
Tips for Selecting the Right Boudoir Photographer
- View any potential photographer’s portfolio to see if their style complements your own.
- Ask about their approach to security and how they handle the images once they are done with the photoshoot.
- Check with friends that have had boudoir sessions – word of mouth can be a great guide.
- Ask about what editing techniques the photographer uses and their policy on Photoshop.
- Discuss your comfort levels and make sure that the photographer is on the same page.
Looking and Feeling Your Best
Although first timers may find the prospect daunting, Angel Renee with Flashdoll Photography says a good photographer will always offer direction and help their clients warm up.
I talk to my clients the entire time as far as coaching them on how to pose. When they come into a session I am like ‘I got you’. I show them the back of the camera as I go and once I show them the camera they are like ‘Oh that’s me!’ If you need help with how to place your hands or how to do your facial expressions, I coach you the entire time.” Renee says.
Presley says her own boudoir experiences have been amazing, especially postpartum. She says after the birth of her second child, boudoir was a fun way to revamp her self-confidence.
That was a point that I was really feeling down on myself. I am someone that preaches body positivity but I just was not feeling that same love for myself. I went and I saw Angel, she was offering some Victorian vampire sessions which was a super fun style of boudoir. After you see the photos it’s like something changes and you see yourself through a different lens and see how beautiful you actually are in your own natural way. The mirror is the biggest liar,” Presley says.
Editor’s Note: This article was hotly debated among our editorial staff with all three of us having widely varying thoughts on the subject. So much so that we thought it would be fun to gauge our readers just because 🙂 We’ll be sure to share the results once we have enough responses. To take this survey on a mobile device click here.
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