Prepping for Boudoir: No Rules, Just Real Talk
For some people, a lot might go into preparing for their boudoir shoot. And for others, not a lot. Like your shoot, it should be a very personal and individual choice.
when you first inquire with me
the day of
weeks before
mood boards
that’s me
When you first inquire with me I like to have a video call with you, so we can meet effectively face to face
What this helps do is break down that barrier of feeling like you're going into a really awkward first date.
Imagine just showing up to this experience that you've probably never done before, and you're about to get most of your clothes off for this stranger who's going to tell you to get into these really awkward positions and take photos of you.
I don't think that's a really comfortable position to be in! And so I think it’s really important to break down that first barrier for you by at least having some sort of face to face, initially with a video call, so you can see that I'm just a goofy idiot who likes to swear a lot and I know - I know because everyone has told me - that you will feel at ease pretty quickly.
Plus you might get to see one of my cats saunter into the video. Probably Jetty as Charlie will be yapping at the pigeons.
In that call I'll tell you what you do and don't need to prepare for - ultimately, it's really personal to you.
Some ideas for the day of your shoot
When I did a boudoir shoot for myself (and I've done a few), with the most recent one I did, I did some power lifting in the morning, because nothing makes me feel like I can take on the world than lifting some heavy fucking weights.
My powerlifting morning boudoir shoot
by Nakita Fox photography
another boudoir shot
by Tracey D’Arcy-Wright photography
When I am lifting, I do not look at myself in the mirror and think, “ew.” When I am lifting really heavy weights, I am a badass.
So I encourage you to do what makes you feel amazing the morning of your shoot.
For others, it might be a big sleep in (and trust me, I did that too). For someone else, it might be yoga. For someone else, it might be hanging out with their dog. For someone else, it might be a run. For someone else, it might be a big eggs bene, (and that was probably me too), and that's just the morning of your shoot, but let's take a few steps backwards.
What other preparations do you might want to do?
Well, again, entirely personal. You might want to get bits and bobs waxed or not waxed. A Poledoir, I do not care what body hair you do and don't want to get removed, because that is entirely personal and up to you. I do not do heavy post processing when it comes to skin retouching. Sure, there's always the pesky pimple that pops up overnight, or the bruise when we walked into the door (*raise your hand*)
so when it comes to body hair, if you are a proud non shaver or a lazy non shaver like me, then I'm not gonna pressure you to do that.
The only thing that I insist on is for you to have your nails done.
Either nothing or a fresh set. I have press on nails in the studio if you need.
Because nothing looks more manky than three weeks of nail polish regrowth. And also by nothing, I mean at least have evenly cut and filed nails - because if you've got beautifully done makeup and hair and these nasty nails, including toenails it just really is a weird juxtaposition in your photos. And I am not photoshopping that. I'm not doing it.
So that is the prep I would tell you to do.
Also STAY OUT OF THE SUN. I will be so mad at you for your tan lines and sun burn. Yes I am looking at you Miki ;)
A few weeks before your shoot, we get to meet face to face, so you can try the lingerie that I have in the client wardrobe. We don't do this on the day, and the reason for that is because it actually takes quite a lot of time. While it’s a fun experience, we do it a few weeks prior because if we did it on the day we start racing the clock, you get sweaty, you get flustered, we start chasing the sun, and it's just not fun.
Got a cool idea? Bring it!
Some people also like to come to their shoot with a mood board, and I love it! I've had a few people who have come to me and be like, I want to do exactly this theme. I had one woman who wanted to pose with her Dungeons and Dragons dice and book, and that was really fun. So she prepared by having a few shots in mind, and obviously brought all of her things.
The DM rolls for initiative
