Boudoir Photography Tips: Embrace Confidence and Style
Expert Boudoir Photography Tips for a Confident Photoshoot
Hello gorgeous Diva reading this!
You are either on this blog because you have already booked a Boudoir Photoshoot, or because you’re thinking about it. In either case, I have something you NEED to know.
Ready?
YOU ARE READY FOR THIS. Okay?
We’ve been creating bespoke luxury Boudoir Experiences for women for coming up to 20 years now and almost every day we hear from someone that they feel so nervous they don’t feel they can do it. You can.
The nerves are supposed to be there! In fact, they are essential. I’ll delve into this more later but I just wanted you to know that before you read the other tips. As long as you give yourself that permission to have fun and go for it, you’ll be great 💖
Do something nice after your Boudoir experience!
You will be on Cloud Nine after your experience (trust us!). Plus, your make-up and hair will be professionally done! So why not make the most of it and go for a nice dinner, or a glass of wine after your experience? We’re in Bath which is a beautiful, historic destination. Lots of Divas (especially if they are travelling from far) choose to make a trip of it and book a hotel in Bath, which just makes it that extra bit special! We have a blog of recommended hotels you can look at here. We’re also all locals so we can give you tips for places to go for food and drink! For example, why not go to Vino Vino for a glass of wine after your experience? It has a beautiful outdoor terrace and, on hot days, it feels like hanging out in a European square! Or you could go to Solina if you wanted a delicious pasta dish, right in front of the river and near Pultney Street!
Coming down on your own for your experience? Don’t worry - so do a lot of Divas! Maybe it could be fun to go do something by yourself?
Or, if you need to get back home, why not book something special in your hometown?
Either way, your boudoir experience is the perfect chance to do something a bit out of the ordinary.
2. Connected to the above point… why not bring a fancy change of clothes for after your shoot?
Let me paint a picture. We ask you to arrive in floaty clothes, ideally with no bra, so you don’t leave a strap mark on your skin. But, after your photoshoot, you are feeling good. I mean, really good. A vixen, in fact. Your hair and make-up is done. You have exciting plans for after… The world is your oyster. But, oops, you’re still in your nervous floaty outfit from earlier in the day before you released your inner Diva.
SO… why not bring a fun outfit to change into after your experience? How about that dress you always say you’re going to wear and never do? Or that fun top you never get a chance to don? You get the picture!
3. We don’t recommend wearing open-toed shoes
If your favourite pair of shoes are open-toed, ignore us. This is about what YOU feel good in. We only say this because open toed shoes can often cause your toes to bunch up which can be noticeable in photos!
4. Make time for your Discovery Calls. NO multi-tasking!
Before your experience, we create guided discovery calls for you. On these calls, we help you start leaving behind any negative self-talk, and start uncovering the confident you. Through guided confidence exercises, we will help you start lighting that spark of self-belief. Or, if that spark is already there, we will take that time to celebrate you - and acknowledge the awesome human you are.
But, we cannot do that if you are doing the call whilst perusing the aisle of Sainsburys.
We totally understand that life can be so busy. Women juggle about a million plates at any given time. But this is exactly why it is SO important you take time for these calls.
On our side, we can’t design and create a bespoke Boudoir experience for you if we don’t know you. And, on your side, if you can’t find 20 minutes of uninterrupted time in your schedule… maybe that tells you that it is time you carved out more time for yo!
The calls are as integral as the photoshoot itself, so please commit to them! They will be a huge part of helping you relax and lean into the day, and allowing the experience to have a long-term benefit to your confidence.
5. Think about what artwork you are drawn to in advance
How we approach artwork is all about long-term benefit. We don’t want you to walk away with a “few photos” which you look at every few years when you remember they exist. We want to create you a bespoke piece of Art, that you see EVERY day. And EVERY day it injects a sense of self-worth into your day, helping you see yourself and your body through a powerful lens; something that helps you start the day with a voice that says “I can do anything I put my mind to.” So, the more you think about it before, the more we can do that for you!
DO NOT PANIC. We know that for a lot of you, you can’t make any decisions before you see the photos. That is so okay, and so expected.
BUT… All we’re saying is ask yourself this: IF there was a photo of me that made me feel so unbelievably amazing, IF there was something that helped me see myself as a beautiful, sexy woman who can take on the world… where in my home would I want to display that?
Of course, we’ll help you explore that on the calls and talk you through the artwork options too but just make sure to peruse our brochure and to walk around your house asking yourself that question. You’ll also receive emails, and have our website, to look at all the options!
You may want something more discreet, in which case we have our albums and treasure boxes too! The key is just that you end up with something that you SEE, so it can act as a physical affirmation for you.
Also, please do take a time to look at our prices and our artwork. We design to the person in front of us - and everyone has a different budget - just be aware that, despite what your anxieties may say now, you will want every photo!! We have various artworks that start from £250, and we offer payment plans so it is flexible! We will always encourage you to go for what suits you, this is just to say that you make your experience, and your artwork, a whole lot more amazing by looking into what we offer before you come in 💖
6. Harness the nerves, don’t spiral!
Almost everyone has a “what am I doing, should I cancel?” moment. It’s almost part of Boudoir Bingo! You may have voices that say “I’m not ready” because of xyz - maybe you tell yourself you’re not confident enough, you’re too busy, now isn’t a good time etc.
The nerves are not a bad sign, actually, they are essential. We don’t want you to feel like you’re popping into Tesco for a food shop. You are MEANT to feel like you are pushing yourself out of your comfort zone because that is how your confidence grows. That is part of what makes this experience is so impactful. So, lean into the nerves, allow them to be there, and do it anyway!
7.Now is not the time to start fake-tanning.
Do not worry if you think you look pale! That is totally fine. It can be a lot more distracting if you end up a bit patchy.
It’s really not the end of the world if you have a fake tan disaster but I think we’ve all, at least once, had a moment of attempting a “tan” and waking up with orange hands and feet. So, if you’re not used to doing it, this is not the time to start!
8. Bring the daring outfit!
You will bring in two outfits for your photoshoot. One can be your safety net… but option two has to be the outfit that makes you go. “I CANNOT BELIEVE I AM GOING TO WEAR THAT” - in a good way!
So many Divas tell us that if they were more confident they would wear what they really wanted. That they would stop hiding and wearing baggy clothes. So, this is where we start!!
This is the outfit that says to you, NO MORE HIDING. You are going to put on that damn outfit, and strut your stuff, and be the main character of your life. Because you can! And you deserve to.
Trust us, you will so surprise yourself with the confidence you find, so make sure to bring it in.
Also, “daring” means something different for everyone. It is absolutely fine if what feels bold and amazing to you is different to someone else’s definition!! You do you!
9. Avoid tan lines! Sunbathe naked if you must!
We’re entering summer which means the season of bikini tan lines. It's so okay if you do burn; we’ll make it work! But if you can avoid it, it’s better. So stay in the shade a bit more, slather on that PDF, sunbathe naked!! Why not, hey?
10. It is OKAY - GOOD, even - that your Boudoir experience is a day all about you
We beg, give yourself permission to have the day all about you. Don’t take work calls. Or organise work meetings in between your photoshoot and Design Consultation. Even better, turn your phone off!
In the same vein, don’t give yourself an impossible deadline to go pick the kids up, or agree to a duty that you don’t really have time for.
We say this with so much sympathy that it can feel impossible to do that sometimes, especially if you’re a Mum to a new baby or toddler but, you need time for you. It is just 5 hours out of 365 days. 5 hours that can replenish and reinvigorate you.
So, I know it can be hard, but if possible ask someone to pick up the kids. Or tell work you’re busy. Create those boundaries!!
And, if after you have tried, you still need do the school pick-up or something else, that is so fine. We understand life happens. We will still make sure that you have the best time with us every second you are in our company. It’s more about the permission you give yourself than anything else!
In fact, that is the note I want to end on…
The mindset you go into this with will be so powerful. Even if you do not feel confident, tell yourself - I CAN feel confident.
Tell yourself, I AM GOING TO GIVE THIS EVERYTHING I HAVE GOT TODAY.
Tell yourself, it is GOOD that I am doing something for myself today.
Because all of these things are true.
Even if you have faced crippling self-doubt for a long time, you still have the power to change that. Within all of us, there is a confident, self-assured version of ourselves - and she deserves to be believed in. Don’t deny her existence. Don’t hide her away. She is here. You are HER!
And you deserve to follow up on the things you want to do, and to do fun things like Boudoir experiences because it makes you feel good. So, you go into your day knowing that, and, we promise you, the best experience ever.
Who knows? It may just be the first day of the rest of your life.
If you’re feeling curious, or just have a few questions about how a Divas Boudoir Experience works, why not book a call with one of the team? You can do that here.