Looks like it is wedding season again! I am getting tons of emails from brides to be from all over the Carolinas. These ladies are presenting their grooms with an amazing gift that will surely knock their socks off. You are looking your best, why not document that?
As far as timing goes, you should really give yourself at least 3-4 weeks before the wedding to book your session. That will give you plenty of time to look through them, decide on your favorites, etc. That will also ensure there is plenty of time for design and ordering of prints, albums and books. We now even have the ability to make a custom boudoir viewfinder with your images, how fun is that?
We also host Bachelorette Boudoir Parties. The studio is instantly transformed into party central and the craziness happens. Multiple hair and makeup artists can be on site and your ipod playlist can pump through the studio. This is a fun and unique way to celebrate!
Here are a few common questions we receive regarding Boudoir Photography:
What should I bring to my boudoir session?
We always encourage clients to bring a good variety of looks. For instance, if you are doing three outfits, bring something black, something white, and something colorful. This will maximize how much variety you receive in your final product. Also consider things that are sporty or fun as opposed to lace and frills. Mix up the tone a bit for greater contrast!
Who does your Hair and Makeup?
In most cases, Kymm McClean of Who’s the Fairest is the go to person for our hair and makeup service. Kymm has done makeup for me hundreds of times and has always come through. She knows exactly what I need from her and the tone I shoot in. If you like the hair and makeup in our gallery, you will like her work.
Should I starve myself before hand?
Please don’t. I would much rather shoot you happy and confident than tired and hungry. Skipping breakfast before the shoot is a bad idea. You will get a real workout as I suggest poses, you will need the energy!
Do you Photoshop?
Yes, of course. Every woman has problem areas she would like fixed. Photoshop is one tool to achieve this. However, through proper posing and lighting you can get most of it done before the picture is even taken!
How long before I can get an appointment?
We can usually fit you in within a couple of weeks, and your images are back typically within a week. If you have ordered an album it can take a few weeks to be delivered from the book maker.
Can I bring a friend?
Absolutely! But, bring the right friend. Bring the friend that encourages you out of your shell. The one you have the most fun with. Past clients who have brought that friend and had an amazing shoot.
Can I bring props?
Sure, if you have a specific idea that revolves around a certain prop, I am sure we can figure something out. Below, the client brought a six pack of her husband’s favorite beer. We worked it into the set and made a great capture!
What needs to be done before your Boudoir Photography session? Well, its really all not that involved, but there are a few things to take note of.
Be sure to stay hydrated. This will give you the best looking skin on camera.
If using our makeup/hair service, be sure to arrive with clean hair and clean face, she will handle the rest.
Wear loose clothing to your shoot! This is so very important. If you wear jeans to your shoot we will end up sitting for half an hour before the skin impressions go away. Warm up pants and a tshirt are best.
Do not starve yourself. A day’s worth of starvation will make little to no difference on camera. I would much rather have you happy and energetic. The lighting will do the rest. 😉
If you are waxing, give yourself couple of days for irritation to go away.
We are excited to announce that we are adding another service region to our Boudoir Photography business! Tampa Boudoir Photography is now booking for the greater Tampa Bay area. Of course, our Charlotte location is busier than ever as well. Book your boudoir photography session today!
Booking a Boudoir session does not necessarily mean you have to break the bank on new lingerie for your photo shoot. Sometimes dressing it down a bit can create a more relaxed, comfortable tone that will add variety to your shoots. Again, its not about your wardrobe, its about YOU. So bring the lace, but also bring some cotton. Its all about variety.
The vast majority of Boudoir photographers are female. There are some very talented ladies across the country doing some fantastic work. Like Christa Meola whose work I admire. And, I imagine, there are a group of clients that would only do boudoir with a female photographer. I completely understand that.
However…
A good portion of my clients specifically tell me they preferred the idea of a guy taking the photos. Why? Because the photos ultimately were for a guy. They felt my images are less “lingerie catalog” and more “mens magazine”. I think that is an accurate description. Honestly, I am not interested in shooting you in a tone that belongs in a department store ad, which, if you take a look around most boudoir falls into that category. I do not take the “shoes on a bed” canned photo. There are plenty of people our there that will do that for you, if that is what you prefer. The internet is full of boudoir photographers who feature pretty pictures of women in lingerie. Thats great, but it’s just not my style.
Boudoir photography does not have to break your bank account. A thousand dollar wardrobe budget sounds amazing, but it is a bit unrealistic in this economy, no? Give me a makeup artist, an hour of your time, and a bed sheet, and we will capture images that will have him flustered for weeks. If you have not noticed yet, I am a minimalist. I want to feature you looking like you never have. Everything else is secondary.
My images not only show how pretty you look, but convey how sexy you feel. They have the “wow” factor. My images are meant to knock a guy’s socks off. I love hearing feedback from wives and girlfriends of their guy’s reactions. It is always positive and once the quality of the images is obvious, the gender of the photographer becomes irrelevant. In fact, I have received cigars and bourbon as thank you gifts from the fellas, which is always appreciated.
In short, find a reputable photographer whose style you feel serves the ultimate purpose of the shoot and go with it, regardless of gender.
Here are some first hand accounts direct from the client’s keyboards…. http://g.co/maps/6wv6
One common mistake Boudoir Photographers make is a lack of personality in their sessions. Sure, you need the moody, sexy, seductive glances and looks. But is that the sum of what men find sexy? Definitely not! Try mixing up your session with something fun. Bring your ipod and playlist, let me pump up the speakers, and get silly. Often times these images are the favorites from the session!
