8 things you may not have known about Boudoir
8 things you may not know about boudoir.
We just landed in Gainesville Florida and are so excited to be photographing the beautiful people of North Central Florida! So it’s the perfect time to introduce everyone to stuff they might not know about boudoir. So here we go!
1) Did you know that I never ever show images unless my client okay's it for public use? I have many sessions that no one will ever see. Privacy is so important to those who want it when it comes to boudoir. I have some clients who want to share on social media and I have some people only show their close friends and then I have some clients who never share with anyone. It’s okay to feel it out as you go through the boudoir process too.
2) You don't have to know what to do during the session. So many people are nervous about a session because they think they will need to know what to do during the shoot. Nope. I walk you through all posing step by step. I am skilled in posing direction and am constantly investing in continuing education to perfect my craft.
3) Sessions are not sexual. I know it's hard to imagine because the photos end up looking hot af. But really you will be feeling confident and comfortable, but not sexual. There really isn't anything sexy about the session itself. I will never pressure you to wear less during your session. Your modesty level is completely up to you. If you want to wear your lingerie the entire time, that is fine with me and if you want to do topless or nudes that is fine with me too. It's whatever you are comfortable with.
4) Everyone is nervous. Even the most skilled model often feels nervous before a shoot. It's completely normal. I used to get nervous too before sessions because I was nervous about my own ability to produce top tier images for every session. But those nerves for me are now gone. I am confident in my ability to always produce top tier work now. But for my clients, I know the nervousness that you are feeling. I also know from doing this for so long that the nervousness will subside within the first 5 mins of posing. After doing something that scares you or makes you feel nervous you end up feeling empowered by facing those fears and doing something awesome.
5) Boudoir sessions with me are just you, me and my camera in my studio that is one room. My hair and makeup artist is there in the beginning to glam you up, but then she leaves. Some people have told me that they thought there would be big lights everywhere and equipment everywhere and that it would feel more like they are in front of all this overwhelming gadgets. No way. I don't need all of that stuff. I like to keep it simple and use natural light. Since it’s always changing it helps me to stay creative.
6) "I could never looks like the girls in your photographs" -- yes, you can, and you will. We lie to ourselves all the time. Mostly because we aren't capable of seeing ourselves like others see us. But so many of my clients think that this could never be a photo of them. And often when they see the finished images of themselves I hear them say “wow, that’s me? I can’t believe that’s me.” Believe it hunny, that’s you and you are a Siren. Always have been, always will be, you just needed to see it to believe it. It doesn't matter your size, age, race, gender- I got you. You will look like a million bucks because I am really good at my job and I have the years of reviews and reputation to back that up. You are going to look your best.
7) “I want boudoir photos done but I don’t know what I would do with the photos after”. First of all boudoir is just as much about the experience as it is about the actual photos. It is taking time for yourself, working on how you view yourself, fun, and empowering. It’s taking the time to glam up and strip down. My husband used to work in an old folks home for years when he was younger and he said all the old ladies only had one photo and one photo only in their room and it was always an old framed photo of themselves when they were younger. Celebrate your youth no matter how old you are. Do badass things that surprise yourself so you can look back and smile. As for the photos, I deliver them in several ways. Digitals which can be saved to your computer, back up drives and even come with a free app for your phone. Albums, hand made luxury albums that come in a pretty matching box. You can keep them on your shelf or hidden away. Which ever you prefer. But I have so many clients who say “I still take out my photos and look at them all of the time”. Why? Because it makes them feel good all over again. Then there is of course, wall art. Some people want a whole wall, some people want just one image over their bed or in their master bathroom. You have to remember that this is more than just photos, we are creating personalized art together.
8) “I thought that I couldn’t do it because of my _____ (enter in an insecurity like belly fat, teeth, nose, small breasts, etc).” We all need to do a better job of loving ourselves, including our stomachs for everything that they are and everything that they do. So many people have big beautiful stomachs and their photos turn out just as hot as someone with a six pack. Boudoir is start of the process of self acceptance. It’s about seeing the beauty in yourself, right now, as you are. If you have a tummy, a chipped tooth, a big nose, small breasts, big hips - it doesn’t matter. You are worthy of having your photograph taken. You are worthy of feeling sexy. I only had one client ever who didn’t like her photos and she said to me “ I could look at the photos and I knew that they were good, as in you did your job, but when I looked at them I didn’t like what I saw reflecting back at me.” It took her a year and she went back and viewed the photos again and it finally clicked and she LOVES them now. It takes time for some people. For some people they are struggling with the aging process. But that’s the thing, you will never be this young again. And you are still worthy even if you’re 90 years old.
I hope you enjoyed these and maybe even learned something. If you are in Gainesville or willing to travel to Gainesville to shoot with me please email me at Laura@LauraBeckPhotography.com. If you have any other preconceived notions about boudoir or questions please drop them in the comment section so I can address them!
