A complete confidence guide to your first boudoir session – From a PNW Boudoir Photographer

How to Find your perfect Photographer-

It’s important to find someone who can capture your beauty and make you feel comfortable during the session. This guide will help you choose the right photographer by providing tips on what to look for, questions to ask, and examples of their work. Most important… always trust your first instinct & Make sure you are comfortable.

Body positive, Female, and LGBTQIA+ groups are most likely to have members with trustworthy recommendations. If that doesn’t yield any results, hop on Instagram and find a boudoir photographer or photographer you love that offers boudoir sessions <3 And if you’re looking for boudoir photography in Oregon, I would absolutely love to work with you or give a recommendation to you of my favorite PNW fellow Photographers!  

Check out their portfolios to see if their work aligns with your vision. Don’t be afraid to ask for references or read reviews from previous clients to get a better idea of their experience working with the photographer.

Keep in mind that a lot of photographers keep boudoir galleries private. If you like their work but don’t see boudoir galleries, I would recommend reaching out to them.

After you find a Photographer-

Location –
Location is totally up to you and will be absolutely perfect no matter where you choose. Whether you pick your favorite studio looking over the city, a cute little Air BnB, outside in the sunshine by a river, or in your home. There is no wrong choice. It is where you are most comfortable and you feel the most beautiful. This is an example of one of the gorgeous women I got to photograph at…. A RACE TRACK! 

There are no wrong questions! –
Don’t be afraid to ask questions! Your photographer should communicate with you several times before the shoot with what to expect the day of. I always recommend scheduling a consultation call to discuss your vision and expectations. No question is too silly or too small! Can I change in private? How accessible is the building? Do you routinely clean the beds and couches? Should I come with my lingerie already on? Can we listen to my favorite playlist while we shoot? These are all questions your photographer can answer BEFORE you step into the studio and into that more vulnerable state. Your photographer should listen to your needs and work with you to create a personalized and comfortable experience.

Remember your “why”-
Why did you book the session in the first place? Truly think about what made you say yes in the first place. Was it to celebrate your body? To feel beautiful? I want you to leave the session with your “why” fulfilled as much as you do, so if you feel that twinge of self-doubt, remind yourself why you took the time to do the shoot in the first place.

Be honest –
If you’re nervous, just say so! During my own boudoir session, I remember the nerves (even as a photographer haha) Sometimes, just naming our fears takes away some of their power. Also, if you don’t like a certain side or feature of your body, remember that this is your session and it’s totally okay to be upfront about your hang-ups.

No one expects you to be an experienced model but we hope you feel like one after your session.

The most common response I get from my boudoir clients is how comfortable I made them feel <3 This is my number one priority throughout your session.

It’s great to look at models or other boudoir photography for inspiration before your session, but it’s also easy to catch a case of comparison-itis and psych yourself out. Remember that your photographer is here to help you through this session!

Be present over perfect –
Worrying about getting the perfect photos is actually the most common way to end up with photos you don’t like and that wasn’t even fun to take! So many of us struggle with perfectionism, but truly, we’re sexiest when we’re not worried about being sexy. When you feel yourself retreating or you feel the nerves come on, start focusing on what’s in front of you. Notice the room, the lights, something you like about your outfit, etc. The more you can tune into the present moment rather than self-assessing, the more confident and natural you’ll feel, which will shine through your photos.

At the end of the day, your Boudoir session should be fun and empowering. So relax, take a breath, and let that goddess out. A phone consult is a good way to get pre-booking jitters at bay. Click the link and let’s chat about YOU and your why.

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