Healing Fresh Wounds and Breaking Self Doubt

My friend Eldika is one such brave woman. She has fought the world all these years and come out stronger after every struggle. The day of our shoot was a hard day for her, no sugar coating it.

I had the great opportunity of photographing Eldika at Seattle Boudoir & Company. I loved her attitude and the results came out fabulous.

Eldika’s Story

Here’s Eldika’s story. She wanted to share it in her own words. You can read what she wrote below!

“Self-confidence has never come easy to me. Let me rephrase that: ACTUAL self-confidence has never come easy to me. I’ve been good at standing proud, sticking up for myself, and being in command. But, until recently, it had not been very honest.

I grew up on the border in El Paso, Texas. As a child, I was considered too black to laugh at jokes spoken in Spanish and too Hispanic for cornrows. As a teen, I was mocked for playing bass in a punk rock band while also maintaining good grades in school. I participated and excelled in swimming. I was a part of a band, theatre, which wasn’t considered very “punk rock.” Later, I put myself through college. And nursing school full-time with some help from my mother and while still working two jobs. I spent years in my late twenties in an abusive, controlling, manipulative relationship. As a result of this toxic relationship, I still struggle with PTSD, depression, and anxiety.

In 2014, when I left my hometown to start fresh, I was exposed to a different type of adversity. I worked in the NICU units. The color of my skin than my nursing ability was the reason parents refused me to care for their children. Feeling rejected for being too black, or not being black enough, or Mexican enough was one part. Not being punk enough, or enough of a girlfriend was another part of the story. My struggles with my weight were also a barrier others used against me.

In spite of it all, I’ve tried to live a genuine life, which now, at 38, I can finally reflect on. Every hardship, strife, and setback.

I can look at myself in the mirror and, for the first time, speak my truth. These things happened, but they don’t define you. Don’t let them consume you. You came out on top. I can now tell myself and actually believe it. I have worked hard on myself and worked hard to achieve my goals. I grow by the day; I am a beautiful work in progress.

Now I embrace everything about me that others were quick to criticize. I speak my broken Spanish, with pride. I wear my crowns (what I like to call my headwraps), with pride. I blast the dopest jams as loud as my stereo allows, with pride. I advocate for my mental health and the mental health of others with no shame- with pride! I strut my stuff both mentally and literally when I walk into work. Because I am confident in my ability to give outstanding care. I spend my free time shaking all this glorious flab in belly dance classes because it feels good. I refuse to allow anyone to take any of this away from me now. I AM ME AND I AM PROUD! And my confidence, genuine and true, builds daily.

However, posing for a boudoir shoot was not something I ever thought I would have the confidence to do. Yet, somehow, I was drawn to it. To say the experience was cathartic is an understatement.

Molly really knew how to spark my confidence. She drew it out which translated into the most beautiful photos. The first time I saw them, I couldn’t believe these photos were of me. I can’t thank her enough for conveying what I feel within me to something others can see.

Before, it was as though the perceptions of others were what defined me. Now that is no longer the case and this shoot really cemented that inner part of me. I share this because I know most of you struggle with pieces of what I’m saying, too. But, know I am here. I am your ally. My mouth is open to share with you. My ears are open to hear from you. My arms are open to embrace you. You are a boss, babe. OWN IT!”

Be Your Own Woman

Thank you so much, Eldika for giving me a chance to photograph the sassy you. I loved our boudoir session as much as you did. I am sure your story will inspire many. It will help them to be proud of themselves and never give up.

I wish all my readers and clients lots of love and confidence. Those who truly see you will love you. Those who don’t, are not worth investing time in. I want everyone to know I see you for the love you have in you. Love one another, stand by your sister with conviction and pride. Embrace the human next to you. Love is infinite and it does not cost you anything. Moreover, the rewards are amazing!

Featured Vendors

Quincee Camille Artistry - Hair and Makeup Instagram @quinceecamilleartistry

THE ULTIMATE BREAK UP CURE: BODY LOVE PROJECT Ms. O

You’ve just had a BREAKUP and everything seems so bitter. Finally it’s over, but something inside you is writhing in pain. You don’t even remember who you were before your EX. Maybe you had been too long into this relationship but things did not work out between you two, or maybe it’s not been so long. Regardless, you are left feeling dazed and confused about who you are now, after this relationship.

Maybe you walked away because there was nothing left for you in this relationship and you needed more purpose in life. Maybe toxicity festered between the two of you and every night you tried to mend your broken soul. Whatever the reason be, your ex is now gone, you need your identity back — and in a bold way. A boudoir shoot gives you just that!

Heal Yourself With Boudoir Like Ms. O

Several years ago, I myself emerged out of a really long marriage that was riddled with toxic behavior. I slept on my stomach with one hand covering my breasts and the other hand between my thighs. I slept like that for several years before the end. I slept like that because I didn’t trust the person I shared a bed with at night. It took a good 3 months after we split and I had my own place for me to relax that behavior.

Fast forward 3 years. I went on a weekend retreat with one of my dearest friends — Ms. O, who had very recently emerged out of a toxic long relationship. She kept her secrets to herself and denied the reality of what was really going on as well. I told Ms. O, she needed to shed it all and own it. We walked in the woods, me with the camera and her with just a blanket and pair of boots all in the middle of November. No makeup, no fancy lingerie, just a woman with her rose-printed amazing boots, a blanket, her body, and the perseverance to move forward. It was vulnerable and empowering at the same time.

Ms. O did this shoot and felt the cold winter breeze between her legs and it kissed her all over. She walked away feeling the power and love that she always had, but now she was centered and grounded with that. ALLOW YOURSELF THE CHANCE AND YOU CAN FEEL THE LOVE TOO.

Shed Your Inhibitions And Rock It

You’ve sobbed and cried to every BFF you’ve had since the 5th grade and now you want to claim your power back. A Boudoir Shoot empowers you. It gives your ego a much-needed confidence to slay the day. You are much more than your ex. You will walk with your head held high and feel like the million-dollar fighter you are!

Book us here and put your crown back on with Seattle Boudoir & Co. Give yourself the self-care you deserve. That is the ultimate revenge for the relationship that left you in the dust. To see more of our work you can look up our Facebook and Instagram. We are also available on Pinterest.

5 BEST NAIL COLORS FOR BOUDOIR SESSIONS

When you book a boudoir shoot with us at the Seattle Boudoir & Co., we are sure you would want to look your best from head to toe. You have your designer lingerie ready and your sassy attitude on point, but what about your nails?

Though I want this session to be about you and not your nails, manicured nails will only add to the beauty to your boudoir photos. Dark nail polish can look dirty and be distracting in photographs. So, choose the best one to look your best. Here are my top five choices for your nails.

My Top Five Choices For Nails

French Manicure

This is such a classic look. You can’t go wrong with a classic french manicure. It goes with everything! It can be finished with a clear polish to add a hint of shine under the lights. Nude nail polish is also a neutral and subtle choice that is ideal for boudoir shoots.

Any Soft Pink

If your goal is a soft and dreamy photoshoot, shades of light pink will be your go-to choice. Light pink won’t jump out in contrast and remains neutral in all light. My personal favorite soft pink is Bubble Bath by OPI

Golds and Silvers

Gold and Silvers are a great way to bring bling without being overstated. Glittery nails are perfect for a more playful or glamorous photoshoot. I love gold sparkles around the holidays.

Red

Red is a classic bold color that is a great choice for a retro or edgy look. Red tends to pop quite vividly in photos. So, if you are wearing white or pastels, it will act as an eye-catching contrast and will definitely suit your inner wild.

Natural Look

Maybe you are not into manicures at all and you want a natural look, which is totally fine. You can still get a manicure with clear gel. Your nails will be shaped, buffed, edges filed and cuticles removed.

Nails Do Matter

I would suggest you to stay away from black, almost black, and electric or fluorescent colors. While they are fun, they are the least versatile. I want you to have two or three cohesive looks, so pick something that will look good with all your outfits. Consider the colors that you normally wear, the outfits you have chosen, and then think of a color that will be cohesive with all of them.

Let’s say you have a white lacy teddy, a purple velvet bodysuit and a black leather jacket with black bra and black boots. If you pick something dark it might go well with the black and even the purple, but might throw off the soft and elegant vibe of white. Pick any of the options above and it would flow well throughout all sets.

If you are not used to getting your nails done this will be a nice treat. Be sure to get them done about 2-3 days before your session. You want the redness around your cuticles to subside but you don't want any wear on the polish to occur so 2-3 days is a good time. Personally, I rarely get a manicure. Instead, I opt for the shellac or gel and I know it will hold the longest. You too can try this.

Once you are done beautifying your nails, just sit back and relax. Stay calm and reserve that energy for an exciting boudoir session. To be ready with some poses, you can look up our Instagram and Facebook.

DESIGNER LINGERIE— IS IT WORTH IT?

When booking us for a boudoir photography session at Seattle Boudoir & Co., you might want to shop some of your own lingerie. But many of us have never felt the need to buy designer lingerie or undergarments before this, so it is quite likely that you might get confused about the brands and the fits. Moreover, you might be unsure if designer lingerie is worth spending your money on.

As a boudoir photographer, who has bought lots of designer lingerie for her Clients Wardrobe at Seattle Boudoir & Co. and seen them adorning it in hundreds of her sessions, I can say without any hesitation that DESIGNER LINGERIE IS TOTALLY WORTH IT.

GET FITTED AT A BOUTIQUE

If you have never invested in designer lingerie, I would suggest starting small. If you have never had a good quality bra, I suggest going to a boutique and being fitted. From personal experience — being fitted into the right size after being in the wrong size my whole life really changed my perspective and my posture. You will learn a lot about your body and feel much more confident about yourself. All of a sudden you would realize that good lingerie would fit better.

I learned that many designer lingerie is offered according to bra sizes as opposed to XS-XL. Designer lingerie is made differently keeping all body shapes in mind. It can be custom-made and would justify all the money you spend on it.

Have a look at some of my favorite designer lingerie brands!

MY FAVORITE 5 DESIGNER LINGERIE BRANDS

1. BORDELLE

My favorite and most amazing line of designer lingerie is Bordelle. I drool a little and fantasize about it. You can try a few pieces of this line.

This is an expensive option so sometimes I prefer indulging in my other favorites which are a little more economic.

2. ADINA REAY

Adina Reay has a wonderful selection for the busty topped women. One day I saw the most beautiful teddy by her and it was my mission to have it. It was still a bit on the indulgent side. After a great hunt I found one on sale. It was worth the wait.

3. FLEUR DU MAL

Fleur du Mal is my other favorite line. I love the colors they offer in their designer pieces.

4. HONEY BIRDETTE

Another amazing site with high-quality lingerie, accessories, and toys is Honey Birdette. They also offer some daring accessories... Wink Wink.

5. PLAYFUL PROMISES

If you are looking for a variety of high-end lingerie lines with a vintage feel hop over to Playful promises. Playful promises offers luxury lingerie in plus sizes. Gabi Fresh in collaboration with playful promises, is another fantastic designer line for all the curvy gals.

BUY IN ADVANCE

Once you have decided to buy designer lingerie for yourself before your boudoir shoot with us, make sure to plan in advance, leaving you with enough time for shipping. You are not going to get a 2 day delivery on these, so plan for up to six weeks.

If you don’t have that time then hop over to my other blog — Last-Minute Boudoir Solutions. Also, if you are in Seattle and would like to stop by a boutique that offers some of the lines mentioned above I highly recommend stopping by Bellefleur Lingerie Boutique.

Featured Vendors

Bordelle

Adina Reay

Fleur Du Mal

Honey Birdette

Playful Promises

Bellefleur Lingerie Boutique

LAST MINUTE BOUDOIR SOLUTIONS

Did your Boudoir Photography session just sneak up on you? Wasn’t it just last week you booked it? Oh wait, or was it 12 weeks ago? Yes, time flies! The sweet piece you ordered from Playful Promises will not make it in time and you don’t have the time to make it to the mall. Even Victoria’s Secret will not ship in time.

DON’T PANIC AND TAKE A DEEP BREATH! We at Seattle Boudoir & Co., have you covered. I love to solve your last-minute problems. Having been a wedding photographer for 15 years, I had to be resourceful and think of quick solutions for last-minute challenges. The practice continues even with my boudoir session clients.

So here I am going to give you some last-minute boudoir solutions.

GET YOUR LACY LINGERIE FROM HERE

You are running short of time but still want to buy something of your own, then I have some really useful links for you. I am sure you will find something here to suit your taste.

Here we go!

Order this Bodysuit Teddy from Amazon. I am sure you’ll love it. This lacy number suits all body types and looks good on almost everyone. You can get one of the colors in just a couple of days or sooner. Make sure you select a color that is prime. All colors are not classified under prime

Get this Long Lace Robe for yourself. This great piece complements almost everything.

You can buy this Velvet Teddy Bodysuit. It has a great sweetheart line. You can get it in a color of your choice. It is also available in animal prints.

This package of Fishnet Stockings can change your boudoir game, because they will add to your sassy attitude and make you look sensual as ever.

DIG THROUGH YOUR CLOSET

Maybe you are indecisive about what to buy or you just do not want to hurry in spending money and buying something at the last minute. Give us a BIG SMILE because we have a solution for you too.

Just dig through your closet!

Do you have a long white button-down? Or maybe your spouse has one which you can grab. You can even borrow it from a friend. This is always a great idea for a very classic shot.

Do you have any bodysuits at all? They don’t have to be lingerie, but just need to be form-fitting.

What about a blazer and a hat? As a boudoir photographer, I can assure you, this combination is quite saucy.

You can just make a quick visit to Target and pick up a pair of no seam nude-colored thongs. They work great for boudoir shoots.

USE OUR AMAZING CLIENT WARDROBE

You do not need to worry or think about canceling your session just because you couldn’t arrange for some good lingerie. WE ARE HERE TO YOUR RESCUE! You can simply pick up an outfit of your choice from our Client Wardrobe before the shoot. But, do let me know before your session so that I can make sure that your size is fully stocked at the studio.

We have solutions to all of your problems. So chin up ladies! Get ready for a great, sensual photoshoot with us. To get good ideas on posing, you can follow us on our Instagram and Pinterest.

Featured Vendors

Playful Promises

Victoria’s Secret

Amazon

Target

LINGERIE OUT OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE? HERE’S WHAT TO WEAR INSTEAD

You have been wanting to get a boudoir photography session done for yourself, but what takes you two steps back is the idea of having to wear lingerie. It’s simply is out of your comfort zone and a big no-no for you.

If that is the case, then we have GOOD NEWS for you! There’s no rule stating you need to wear lingerie for your boudoir session. You have the option of ‘Just the Sheets’ or a ‘White Sheet Session’.

WE HELP YOU PICK MOST FLATTERING OUTFITS

Believe it or not, a lot of women who walk through our doors at the Seattle Boudoir & Co. have never worn lingerie. Some women have, but there are many who straight up say, "I have never worn anything like this before and would never wear this at home." That’s absolutely fine!

For those, who are not used to wearing lingerie, I am here to help! If you want to try out the Client Wardrobe or take my styling advice, I am very familiar with the different body shapes/types and can guide you towards pieces that are going to fit and flatter you the best. When it comes to choosing the pieces you want to wear for your shoot, I will help pick out the best options for you as well.

In the end, every single one of our clients ends up absolutely falling in love with the way they look in our pieces. Just as they should! During your boudoir session, we always set aside about 30-45 minutes for you to try on and select your wardrobe. I have key pieces in every size, and I stock a variety of styles and colors in each size. All of my clients receive a copy of the Wardrobe Guide prior to their session with shopping tips and suggestions.

If you'd like to explore purchasing your own wardrobe, I would say, lingerie shopping can be very overwhelming and frankly deflating for a newbie. We say skip it for your first session, and stick to using the Client Wardrobe! We do suggest you screenshot some of the images you find on our Facebook/Instagram or our website of outfits you like so that I can pull similar items for you on your session day.

WHITE SHEETS ARE ALL YOU NEED

The majority of the images portray women in lingerie, but please don't think for one second that you have to wear that for your session too. We have had lots of women bring in what we consider an 'Out of the Box' wardrobe for their shoots.

Other options include, ‘Just the Sheets’ or ‘White Sheet Session’. In these sessions, you use sheets to cover yourself in various ways. It is simple and elegant. You can wear simple undergarments, just bottoms, or nothing at all. This is a comfy option for you. Imagine lying comfortably on a mattress, covered in a white sheet, while we photograph you.

Bring a jacket (denim, leather or blazer), a white button-down, tie, suspenders, short shorts, ripped up jeans, tank tops, slouchy sweater, or absolutely nothing at all. Whatever you feel best in, we will photograph you wearing.

Now that the doubt about lingerie is out, book us right away and get set for a great boudoir session with us!

Featured Vendors

Hair and Makeup Artists

Kat St John Kelsey Rae Knoll

Jessica Rockwell

10 Reasons you don't need a partner to do a Boudoir Session

Do you want to have a boudoir photography session but are hesitant because you're single? There is simply NO REASON for you to hold back. It is a common misconception that you need to have a partner to do a boudoir photography session which is not the case.

A boudoir session is a great opportunity for women to display their confidence while exploring their sensuality in an intimate setting. The most beneficial aspect of a boudoir shoot is what you get out of it — high self-worth and increased love for yourself. It truly is the best thing you can do for yourself.

There is nothing wrong with owning a photo of yourself that screams how utterly gorgeous you are. And there is absolutely nothing wrong with indulging in yourself.

We at Seattle Boudoir and Company can give you not just one but 10 reasons to get a boudoir photography session done and treat YOURSELF!

10 REASONS FOR WOMEN TO HAVE A BOUDOIR SESSION

It’s Your Birthday or Anniversary

Gift gorgeous photographs of you to yourself on your birthday. If you have a partner or spouse waiting to celebrate an anniversary with you soon, get this session done and gift your sensual best to them in photographs.

You Have The Courage FINALLY!

You’ve been telling yourself for years that you should get one boudoir shoot done, but never had the courage until NOW. Let your body express your courage in an edgy yet beautiful way.

You Lost Or Gained Weight

This is a great time to celebrate your new form. Embracing your curves and feeling comfortable with yourself, you can just go ahead and rock it.

You Broke Up With Your Partner

Breakups are tough and have a way or making of making you feel terrible. But you need a reminder that you are amazing! Chuck out those feelings of abandonment and embrace your vulnerability and femininity in the most raw and natural state.

You Love To Play Dress-Up

You already enjoy to dress-up differently and admire your beautiful self. This shoot can give you a lot of satisfaction and happiness.

You Have Reached a Goal In Life

You had set a goal for yourself in life and have finally achieved it. You are oozing out confidence and feel proud of your capabilities. Celebrate this feat and convert your confidence into a beautiful photographic memory.

You Are Busy With Job and Don’t Get To Dress-Up

You have a job at hand and a mundane routine. Your life is getting boring and you don’t get to dress up much. Spice up your life and get all that energy back. A boudoir shoot will fill you with enthusiasm and excitement to quench that thirst.

You’ve Forgotten Doing Something For Yourself

You’ve been busy keeping others happy but have forgotten the last time you did something for yourself. Do yourself a favor! Awaken your inner diva and be the sensual goddess you are. Celebrate yourself through a boudoir shoot.

You Have No Reason Other Than You Want To

You have already set your heart on this path and are ready to take the road ahead. We are happy and will ensure you get the best of you in your photographs.

You

There are so many reasons to experience a boudoir session even if you are single. The most important reason should be focused on you. When you lift up your soul, you present yourself in a whole different way. Let go of the guilt and embrace your beautiful self!

GET READY TO ROCK A BOUDOIR SESSION WITH US

I am sure, by now, you have made up your mind to get a boudoir photography session done for yourself. You can book us here to get your best photographs ever. You can also follow us on Instagram and Pinterest, to see more of our work.

Featured Vendors

Hair and Makeup by Kat St John, Kelsey Rae Knoll and Jessica Rockwell

Outdoor Boudoir Sessions for Social Distancing

The past month has been difficult for all of us due to the lockdown in view of COVID-19. Just when we were bidding goodbye to the winters, we were told that we would need to stay indoors and practice social distancing to fight this Corona monster. However, we at Seattle Boudoir & Co. are positive that this threat will be over soon and we will all see each other once again.

We have enjoyed the company of our clients thoroughly in the past and are waiting for many fun boudoir photography sessions with them once the lockdown is lifted. And all this while keeping social distancing in mind.

As we slowly open our doors again for interesting and edgy boudoir shoots, we will be able to do these sessions while practicing social distancing.

How? The answer to this — the great outdoors. I know of many outdoor locations that are quiet, not crowded and suitable for our shoot. Outdoor sessions are a great way to make sure that we maintain the advised 6ft distance between us.

Here are five reasons why an outdoor boudoir session could be just the thing you need during the COVID-19 crisis.

OUTDOOR BOUDOIR SESSIONS ARE GREAT FOR SOCIAL DISTANCING

1. Let the Sun Light Up Your Shoot

In photography, Sunlight or direct daylight can be fun to play with. When doing a Boudoir shoot, it can totally change the mood of your pictures and help me accentuate your lovely natural form. With summers approaching, getting an outdoor shoot done is a great way to celebrate this season of sun.

2. Experiment With The Non-Traditional

If you have already had a traditional boudoir session, this one will be a lot different as you get to make your favorite outdoor place a part of your session. There won’t be any studio, no walls and lesser inanimate things around you. The greens, a waterbody or a hillock will make your photographs much more interesting.

3. Pick Outfits Of Your Choice

For an outdoor Boudoir shoot, you don't have to wear lingerie if you don't want to. A bikini or a swimsuit would work just equally well. You can sport your favorite swimsuit or bikini, wrap or a cover-up. Any outfit will do but don’t forget to wear your confidence.

4. Distance Won’t Kill The Fun

As all of us are aware of the importance of social distancing in these times, we will keep our word and do the needful. But will that kill the fun? No, not at all! We will keep our social distance and still have the best experience of a boudoir session.

5. Relax As You Soak Up Nature

A little walk through the woods or on the beach is relaxing and adding art to it will make it all the more amazing. So, you can just take little breaks for a walk or even just sit and relax, making a better connection with the inner you.

READY FOR YOUR OUTDOOR BOUDOIR SESSION?

I love shooting in the studio, but with my experience in wedding photography, shooting tons of engagement sessions and weddings, I am no stranger to the sun. I very well know what time of the day we need to shoot for the most amazing light.

So, get ready for a unique, interesting and fun outdoor boudoir photography session. You can book us here, if you haven’t already. You can also follow us on Instagram and Facebook.

Featured Vendors

Hair and Makeup

Marcella Instagram @marcellamagnifique_makeup

Mirrored top piece @feathersofartemis

Models and Clients shout outs Beverly Ckh, Jessica Kilpatrick, Ozzy Wheeler, Elisha Joy

Top five tips for every boudoir session

Getting a boudoir photography session done for yourself might not be an easy decision for some — just the idea can be intimidating. But, It’s definitely so much more than just intimate photos and it can do wonders for your self-image.

The truth is, boudoir photography is all about creating comfort in your own skin, loving your natural form, highlighting your beauty and letting go of your perceived flaws. The two biggest takeaways I see from my boudoir photography sessions are a boosted confidence and body positivity. These photos can also be used as a way to document how great you look and feel about yourself at this given time.

Having shot several such sessions over the years, I would say a boudoir photography session is for everybody.

So, once you have decided to go ahead and book your session, you might want to go over a few tips to help you thrive during the shoot. I always want to make sure my clients are fully prepared when they walk through the door for their first boudoir photography shoot with me at the Seattle Boudoir & Co. Here are my top five tips that we give every client before their session with me.

FIVE TIPS FOR EVERY BOUDOIR PHOTOGRAPHY SHOOT

1. Don’t Forget to Stretch

You may think this sounds funny, but boudoir photography can be kind of a workout, and I may move your body in ways you haven’t before. I call it boudoir yoga.

Stretching before will definitely make a difference, even if you are already really active and fit! I promise you, even physical fitness trainers have commented on how challenging some of these poses can be. Focus on stretching your neck, back, shoulders, and practice pointing (and holding) your toes/feet. Arch your back and pull up your core. Kneel, dip rear into a mid squat while toes pointed, core in, back curved and hold that for 2 minutes. Trust me! This boudoir yoga is going to help you pose like a pro in your photographs. Here is a great article about some simple stretching you can do.

2. Drink Tons of Water

It's important to stay hydrated, especially on the day of your shoot! Drinking plenty of water leading up to your session helps clear up your skin and helps flush out any belly bloat. It will also help prevent cramps during some of the posing on the day of your shoot! So ladies, drink up and make your skin shine.

3. Arrive with a Clean Face and Clean, yesterday’s Dry Hair

It's very important to show up on the day of your shoot with yesterday’s clean, blow-dried hair and a clean face. You can put moisturizer on if you wish but other than that my Professional Hair and Makeup artist will do the rest! You will look nothing less than a professional model, we promise!

4. Practice the Poses

Seriously! If you're following along on my Instagram or Facebook Group, practice some of the poses if you want! Occasionally, we do Facebook Lives in our private Facebook Group. You can totally follow along with the posing as we go and be the sensual goddess that you are!

5. Self Care After

Take some Tylenol or ibuprofen before bed after your shoot and soak in a hot bath. Trust us on this one! You WILL be sore the next day! This will help with some muscle inflammation. Take a good rest and get ready to witness the amazing results of your boudoir shoot only to realize that it was worth all that effort you put in.

I hope you found these tips helpful, especially for those of you who have an upcoming Boudoir Session booked with us! We can't wait to see you. And I can't wait to get those of you who haven't pulled the trigger yet into our studio for a session!

Personal Note:

From being in the wedding industry as a wedding photographer for 14 years, many of these tips are applicable there as well. When I started to transition into boudoir as my primary genre a few years ago, I added the stretching and practicing poses because boudoir is such a workout! So follow these five tips and I’m sure your next boudoir photography will be a success!

You might have noticed not one of my tips here included shopping for lingerie. I do recommend you shop for lingerie, and I have some great tips for what to wear and where to find it. I even have a blog where to get stuff in pinch. Also when you book your session, you will get lots of pointers on what to bring.

Ready to learn more? Set a quick 15 minute chat with me on how I can help you prepare for your session. Click here to schedule a 15 min chat ;)

Brave, bold and beautiful - learning the art of empowerment through connecting with your body

Confessionals of a Lingerie Addict

Confessionals of a Lingerie Addict

Brave, bold and beautiful - learning the art of empowerment through connecting with your body

On a path to self love and body acceptance after falling into bad habits from the pandemic. Now is a time of regrowth and learning to feel good again.

Confessionals of a Lingerie Addict

Featured Vendors

Make Up Artists

Tracey Saunders

Kelsey Hayes Instagram @renderingbeauty

Quincee Camille Instagram @quinceecamilleartistry

Jessica Rockwell Instagram @jessica.rockwell

Bold & Edgy Boudoir Photography | Ms. K

Boudoir photography can take be personalized to reflect any style or personality. Recently, I had the pleasure of photographing the stunning Ms. K. Ms. K’s edgy boudoir session was truly one of a kind. I really enjoyed working with her to create this wild studio boudoir photography session!

Bold, Edgy Boudoir Photography

Ms. K wanted to create a boudoir session that reflected her personality. I love how she has such a strong, bad-ass energy and personality while still being so romantic and seductive. She brought her pet snake with her, a gorgeous python. It was amazing to be able to have her snake in her shoot. He added such a bold element to the entire photoshoot. Her short, stylish hairdo really set the stage for an edgy, bold look. She also had some amazing jewelry pieces that really were so unique. I loved showcasing the necklaces. They were truly one of a kind.

Boudoir on the Wild Side

The snake was not always cooperating, but he was always content. Mainly, when we wanted him to do something, he would just tuck himself away in the dark corner of her folded knee. He just wanted to go to sleep! Trust in knowing that this animal is very well cared for. Ms. K is a professional, very capable of owning and caring for this animal. Before I allow any exotic animals into a boudoir photoshoot, I must ensure for the animal’s safety and temperament. I need to know that the animal is well-cared for, and I also need to verify that being in the photo studio with the different lights and sounds won’t stress them out.

During the photo session, the well-being of the animal is just as important as my model! At any point, if the animal is exhausted or overwhelmed, then they can be done. I do have quite a bit of animal handling and care myself. I feel very comfortable with most all animals. If you are interested in incorporating an animal in your shoot, I am open to it. Contact me to tell me about how we can create a customized boudoir session to reflect your style and personality!

Hair & Makeup by Kat St John with Paper Dolls NW