I’ve asked my personal makeup artists, Angela Morris Makeup to come up with a few tips and tricks on how to prepare for your boudoir session, and she killed it! There are so many great tips and tricks on how to make sure you have a successful boudoir session, and even more tips over on Angela’s blog! Definitely go check out her full blog post after your read through here!
Here we go!!
ONE. Be Mindful of the Little Details.
Your hair stylist and makeup artist will take care of your hair and makeup, but boudoir photos turn out their best when clients do some pampering a few days prior to their session. A fresh manicure and pedicure or neatly trimmed, clean nails that are free of chipped polish are the most common example, but others include shaving or waxing to your comfort level, a root touch-up if you color your hair, moisturized arms and legs… even a spray tan or a facial can be part of your preparation. It’s about what feels right to you, so some, all or none of these could be what makes you feel ready to step in front of the camera.
THREE. Get a Good Night’s Sleep (and remember to hydrate)!
There are no two greater skincare products than sleep and plenty of water. The night before your boudoir session, limit alcohol (nobody feels sexy when they’re hungover!), drink lots of water, try to get 8 hours of restful sleep, and have a light but satisfying meal before you arrive. Remember that boudoir sessions aren’t just posing for pictures but an act of self-love and self-care, and the more you approach it as kindness to yourself, the more you’ll enjoy the process from start to finish. This starts before you even enter the studio.
FIVE. … And On That Note, Ditch The Shame!
There is absolutely no shame in bringing up your feelings, asking for privacy while you change, or requesting some encouragement to feel your best during your session. Boudoir professionals are not there to criticize, judge or “fix” you; in fact, many of us involved with boudoir photography fell in love with the art form because it helped us feel empowered and we want others to experience that too. Boudoir is supportive, empowering, and about embracing who you are.
SIX. Prepare To Be Pampered!
You should arrive to your boudoir session with clean, COMPLETELY dry hair and a clean, moisturized face that is free from any makeup whatsoever. Coming with wet hair or residual makeup on from the night before (or makeup on because it feels odd to not put it on in the morning) can delay your session and cut into the time allotted to have photos taken. Boudoir sessions are typically kept on a firm timeline, so making sure your hair and face are prepped to be made camera-ready keeps you on-schedule, relaxed and able to fully enjoy your experience.
SEVEN. Let Your Skin Breathe.
A lot of the clothes we wear each day leave marks on our skin that will show up in photos. Wearing loose-fitting, comfortable clothing and removing things like your watch or that ponytail holder on your wrist help make your photos flawless. Other things that leave marks on skin are bras, panties, socks, jeans and elastic on leggings. Wearing a big t-shirt, a casual cotton dress or drawstring pants is a big help too. Then, you can be totally comfortable during your hair and makeup, and save the more close-fitting clothing for when you’re in front of the camera.
EIGHT. Take a Deep Breath.
It is normal to be nervous if you‘ve never done a boudoir session before. What’s important is to enjoy the process and have fun! Boudoir photographers are great at directing and guiding you through the process, which goes faster than you think! And don’t worry- for most people, it takes a few practice shots to get comfortable. Feel free to ask questions, pitch ideas to your photographer if they pop into your head, laugh, smile, and take deep breaths to reset yourself if you find yourself holding your breath.
– Angela Morris
Make sure to read the FULL blog post HERE on Angela’s blog!
Thanks for reading!
xoxo
-Brianna?
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