When your husband wants to show your boudoir photos off to every house guest then you KNOW your session was a hit. 

Meeting and photographing this lovely woman was such a wonderful whirlwind! When she called me a couple of months ago we spoke and booked her session in a matter of hours. A couple of weeks later we had her boudoir session AND her prints completed. She's a woman that knows what she wants and is one of the most decisive people that I've ever met! Because of that, I am so honored that she chose me as her boudoir photographer. We spent her shoot talking with wine and snacks, and even made the wine a prop (as you can see)! We spent her viewing session in silent shock as we went through each individual image. I'm so glad that her decision to give her husband boudoir images turned into a decision to do something for HER, too!

 

Read on, and enjoy (maybe with a glass of wine),

Sarah

1) How old are you... or if you prefer, who were you listening to at age 14 :)?

30

2) What do you do for a living?

Sales manager

3) What/who made you decide to book a boudoir session?

It's something that I've wanted to do for a few years and you / your website seemed more legitimate (and not cheesy) in comparison to a few others.  

4) Did you have any obstacles or fears about boudoir?

Shockingly, not really. 

5) Why did you choose OWN? 

Your website and the photos were both professional, tasteful and sexy as opposed to cheesy, cheap, and 'trying to hard'.

6) How was the actual session different from what you expected (if at all)?

I didn't realize you'd give me feedback on my outfit choices, which I appreciated since I had ZERO idea what would look good vs photograph well. I LOVED the fact that we had some wine and snacks just to chill me out. Despite knowing I'd taking these photos, its helpful to have liquid courage.  

7) What was your favorite part of the entire experience? (priming, the shoot, seeing images, giving the images..etc)

Hating the priming lol The most memorable was seeing the images and thinking WOW that's me?!. I also of course really LOVED giving the photos to my husband since he was taken a back and genuinely surprised (it's difficult to keep secrets from him). I also really loved taking the photos. I don't take professional photos often so that in it of itself was a special treat. But in order, Seeing the photos for the first time, then giving the photos to the hubs, and then taking the photos.

8) How has the response been to your images?

WoW! Matt tries to show everyone that comes to our house at least 1-2 of the photos.

9) What is your advice for women interested in such a session?

Do it sooner than later. Your body is beautiful so show it off!

10) Did anything change about the way you see your own beauty as a result of this session?

I feel more confidant.

Sometimes the process of having your boudoir session is just as important as the resulting images. Yes, you look beautiful. Yes, the angles and lighting and champagne were ALL a big fan of you. However, sometimes it's the process itself that means the most. 

 

Reading through the words of my clients is one of my favorite things to do. While we get to talk and connect at your session, reading what clients have intentionally put on to paper (or...you know, a virtual paper) is incredibly special to me. Those words are chosen, thought about, and given to me. They create thoughts of joy, excitement, criticisms, nervousness, revelry, and humor!

Receiving the "client interview" back (which is what we call it here at the studio since we are soooo creative) is exciting because we get to read through intentional thoughts. The "client interview" is exciting for YOU guys, as clients and potential clients, because you have the ability to listen to someone else's experience and possibly find a commonality, ever how small, that speaks to you.

This current interview is full of a very real approach to the process behind her booking a boudoir session with OWN (and at all!). She is amazing, and I'm so lucky to have been able to be the catalyst to her finding the "beautiful person [that] has been lurking underneath".

1) How old are you... or if you prefer, who were you listening to at age 14 :)?

42. I'm less embarrassed by my age than what I was listening to at age 14. :)

2) What do you do for a living?

I'm a freelance writer and Pilates teacher.

3) What/who made you decide to book a boudoir session?

I've probably been wanting to book a session for at least five years, maybe more. I have Pinterest boards dedicated to it. I just never knew who to go to or had the confidence to go for it. A friend of mine booked a session for her 40th and shared a couple of her photos, so I decided to book a session for myself. Having a mutual friend recommend services was key.

4) Did you have any obstacles or fears about boudoir?

I grew up doing choir and theatre and work in fitness, so had no issues about my body or being in front of something else half naked. My main concern was about posing, and the photos not looking contrived or silly or unnatural. But Sarah's directions were so precise, everything felt natural and easy and comfortable.

5) Why did you choose OWN? 

A personal recommendation from a friend, plus the message of body acceptance--more than acceptance really. Celebration. Of embracing who and where you are right now. That sense of empowerment plus the stunning images really sold me.

6) How was the actual session different from what you expected (if at all)?

Posing was hard! At least holding the poses. It was kind of like being in a yoga class, but in lingerie. Also, I'm surprised I managed to look so sexy when I was really laughing the whole time!

7) What was your favorite part of the entire experience? (priming, the shoot, seeing images, giving the images..etc)

Actually, the shoot itself. It was so fun and empowering. I had the best time. Even seeing the preview of the shots was enough for me. I loved the final images, but for me, embracing the process was the height of my experience.

8) How has the response been to your images?

Well, they were my most liked photos on Instagram in 2017! Hahaha. Some people said that they thought it was an ad when they were scrolling through. Mostly, it made me want to put on lingerie, drink champagne, have my hair and makeup done, and take sexy photos every day!

9) What is your advice for women interested in such a session?

Go for it! Don't wait until you feel you've lost those last five pounds. Embrace who you are right now. Or as I say, now that I'm in my 40s, you're never going to be as young and hot as you are right this very moment! But really, it was a super empowering and confidence boosting experience I think everyone should embrace.

10) Did anything change about the way you see your own beauty as a result of this session?

For sure. I have struggled with disordered eating most of my life. I teach fitness and am a fairly competitive runner and STILL find ways to beat myself up or bash my appearance almost daily. Seeing myself from afar--through the lens of another, literally--made me realize that beauty and confidence aren't about the size of your jeans or your age or the number on the scale. Beauty is confidence and embracing who and where you are in the moment. And yes, it was nice to have someone do my hair and makeup and shoot my best angles, but that beautiful person has always been lurking there underneath. I just needed to find her.