CHOOSING THE RIGHT PHOTOGRAPHER FOR YOUR BOUDOIR OR GLAMOUR PICS
- For this kind of work, you want someone who uses digital and is adept at Photoshop. Models and actresses get lots of
retouching to perfect their looks on every photo shoot, why shouldn't you?
- Choose a photographer who favors simple backgrounds and set-ups. Lots of props and crazy colors only COMPETE with you...,
and shouldn't YOU be the focus of attention?!
- Make sure you can see plenty of the photographer's work, and that he or she shows pics of models with different body types
and “looks”, if possible.
- To help with your self-consciousness, find a female photographer. Some people choose to have a friend take their pics, but
IMO, this is not the best way. Often, it's easier to be comfortable with a stranger when posing in intimate attire, because you
won't have the awkwardness of hanging out with them later knowing they've seen you naked (or half-naked, as the case may
be).
- Pick a photographer whose personality you really like (even if you just talk to them on the phone). Comfort and rapport with the
photographer are very important to getting great sexy shots of you!
YOUR PRE-SHOOT CONSULTATION
- Talk openly with your photographer BEFORE the shoot about just HOW risque you are willing to get in your pics... This avoids
uncomfortable moments during the shoot.
- Let your photographer know about any "trouble-spots" or features about which you are especially self-conscious. This will help
the photographer adjust lighting, posing and wardrobe to maximize your best features, and minimize the things that bother you.
- Discuss your reasons for having the pics done (who they are for, etc.) and what you want the pictures to “say”. Try to define the
“style” you want for your shoot (i.e., Maxim-style, Playboy, Victoria’s Secret, Glamour, or “classic” boudoir). Be sure to tell the
photographer what you DON’T want as well.
- Don’t be afraid to ask questions.
WHAT TO BRING WITH YOU TO YOUR SHOOT
- Bring lots of options for wardrobe to your photo shoot, including shoes. Your photographer should be able to help you pick the
items that will photograph best. You might also try bringing a couple of personal items to be used as props. This can help bring
more of your personality into your photos. For instance, if you like rock music, see if you can get your hands on a guitar. If your
hubby is a sports fan, bring a team jersey, football, golf clubs, whatever. If he's in construction, bring a hard hat and tool belt...
and so on...
- Bring "samples" of the types of shots and poses you would like to try. (Pick photos from magazines or the web and show them to
your photographer so he/she can try to emulate the look you are going for.)
- Bring a nice silky robe to cover yourself between shot set-ups (in case the photographer doesn't provide one).
- Bring makeup and hair styling items of your own for touch-ups. Even if your photographer provides these things, who knows
more about what works for you than you do? Plus, it’s always good to have back-up stuff.
- A glass of wine before a photo shoot can be a good thing for people who are nervous. (not more than one, though, or you could
end up with "sleepy eyes" in your photos.) Bring a small bottle with you and maybe a glass (if your photographer will not be
providing the refreshments)
- Don’t bring friends/husbands with you to the shoot. This will make you more self-conscious, not less. TRUST me. Plus, extra
bodies in the room can make things awkward, logistically. They can get in the way of lights, backdrops, etc.
TIPS FOR LOOKING YOUR BEST FOR YOUR PICS
- If at all possible, please don't come in for your shoot with significant tan lines. They are the most difficult thing to airbrush out,
and they don't photograph well. Either avoid tanning altogether, or tan in the nude in a tanning bed. If you can't do either of the
above, and you feel you MUST be tan, you could try to get a GOOD spray tan. WARNING: I personally detest spray-tans. I have
seen so many horrible spray-tans that make the client looks as though she has some sort of weird skin disease. Pale skin is
FAR better. In fact, most of the reasons people get a tan (to cover stretch marks, spider veins, and cellulite...or for slimming) will
be "fixed" in retouching anyway. Tan lines, or a bad spray-tan are actually MORE DIFFICULT to fix while still achieving a natural-
looking results. If you feel you MUST do it, please don’t get your first-ever spray tan before your shoot. Go to someone you’ve
been to before and trust their work. A bad spray tan can be disastrous!)
- Get your eyebrows waxed (or tweeze them) a couple of days BEFORE your shoot. Well-groomed eyebrows are a must for great
photos, but you don’t want post-waxing redness to be a problem. Give them a couple days to calm down before getting your pics
taken.
- Moisturize your entire body with a light lotion before your shoot. (no body oils, powders, or bronzers, though!)
- If you really want to look like a model, take steps to insure that body hair (anywhere and everywhere) is to a minimum. Choose
your own method, but barer is always better in photographs. Models even shave their arms! (No it does not make the hair grow
in darker - that's an old wives tale.)
- To look your best, get plenty of rest the night before your shoot, and avoid overindulging in food or drink. Eat something light on
the day of your shoot.
- Don’t wear tight-fitting clothes or undergarments on the day of your shoot. These leave unsightly body lines that can stay with
you for hours!
- Come with a clean, bare face - Natalie will be doing your makeup for your photo shoot! Natalie has 14 years of experience as a
professional makeup artist. If you are worried about looking too "made-up", don't be. Natalie knows how to create a beautiful
subtle look, or a high-polish, maximum glamour look---whatever it is that will make YOU feel your most beautiful! Either way,
though, please don't miss out on the opportunity to have your professional makeup application. Even if you are great at doing
your own makeup, makeup for photos is not necessarily the same as “every day” or even “special occasion” makeup. Leave it to
a professional who is both your photographer AND your makeup artist. If you choose a different photographer (but why would
you do that?) who does not do makeup (or provide a makeup artist), then consider getting professionally made up before your
session.
- Practice posing and facial expressions in a mirror starting a few days before your shoot. Don't worry - Natalie will direct your
posing during the shoot. But the process will be so much easier and more fun if you take a little time beforehand to learn what
makes you look best, and get more comfortable with your sexy side. Chin out, shoulders back, suck it in, smile with your eyes,
and elongate the neck and torso - four things to remember in posing for every shot!
- Think happy, sexy, pleasant thoughts during your shoot. Your mood will absolutely come through on camera. An “I know
something you don’t know” smile is very sexy!
SOME SIMPLE BUT SEXY WARDROBE IDEAS
- A plain white tank top and white cotton undies (maybe even mens briefs) is simple and versatile, but very sexy!
- A nice matching lacy bra and panty set in any color is great. Again, simple but sexy!
- Kick it up a notch with thigh-high stockings, with or without a garter belt. ) fishnets especially rock!
- A nice-fitting pair of jeans is always hot!
- Knee-high or thigh-high boots can be incredibly sexy, as are classic stilettos or strappy sandals
- Fishnet stockings, teddies, babydoll negligees, silky robes, sheer nighties
- Boy shorts and a baby-tee
- The classic "little black dress" or gauzy white "flowy" dress
- Long strands of beads/pearls, gold or silver belly chains/belts
- Swimwear
- Nothing but body paint
- A nude body draped with satin sheets, tulle, or other fabric
- Classic "little black dress" (maybe hiked up the leg and falling off one shoulder)
SOME FUN “THEME” WARDROBE IDEAS
- Cheerleader
- Naughty school girl
- Sexy construction worker (tool belt, hard hat, and a drill)
- Naughty nurse or devilish doctor
- A spandex dress with clear platform “stripper” shoes
- Sexy cop (or other uniformed officer)
- Hot for teacher (also known as the naughty librarian)
- Desperate Housewife---Apron, pearls, and high heels
- Leather clad biker babe
- Man’s shirt, tie, vest, hat, etc.
- Football jersey & football
- Your nude body, strategically covered with flowers or rose petals
- Wedding dress (or just the garter and veil)
- Cowgirl (cowboy hat, boots, and cut-off jean shorts)
- Farmer’s daughter (overalls, pig-tail braids, and nothing else)
- Daddy’s little girl (with pigtails and a teddy bear and lollipop)
- Seasonal themes (witch for Halloween, Santa hat & mistletoe for Christmas, flag for Independence Day, etc. )
- Old-Hollywood screen siren (think Marilyn Monroe)
- “Vargas Girl” style 40s-50s pin up
- Genie in a bottle (or Bellydancer)
- Mermaid, Hula Dancer, Flapper, Gangster, etc. (Halloween costume shops are great for this kind of thing)
PROP IDEAS
- Hats
- Scarves, belts, feather boas
- Musical instruments
- Sports equipment/uniforms
- Hobby paraphernalia
- Fetish goods (latex, handcuffs, leather, chains, etc.)
- Christmas lights
- Colored ribbons and/or bows
- Balloons & streamers for a birthday
- Food props (fake or real): cupcakes, birthday cake, cookies, chocolates, strawberries, cotton candy, lollipops)
- A sexy friend (for the truly adventurous at heart!)
LINKS FOR SEXY WARDOBE
retro/pinup styles:
pinupgirlclothing.com
dollhousebettie.com
secretsinlace.com
contemporary styles:
lingeriediva.com
fredericks.com
victoriassecret.com
yandy.com
costumes:
buycostumes.com
zoogster.com
Due to the nature of intimate attire and differences in sizing (and in what flatters different body types), we highly recommend bringing
your own clothing. However, we do have quite a few items here in the studio as well. Click here to see a list of props and wardrobe we
already have in the studio.
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