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OWN Boudoir Blog

This boudoir blog details up-to-date information, boudoir sessions, boudoir tips, and photography insights from OWN boudoir studio. This blog is the best place to find current boudoir work, travel dates, product descriptions, and internal musings! Can't get enough of this boudoir blog? Check out my Instagram! It's full of new boudoir sessions and photography.

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When you see yourself as you've never seen yourself before... | Atlanta Boudoir Client interview

Sometimes even boudoir veterans get nervous. Hell, I’ve seen some of my clients 5 or 6 times and the nerves are still around. Boudoir photography is my JOB and I get nervous getting in front of the camera for my boudoir sessions. Nerves don’t always go away with experience, but as you’ll read in this client interview they definitely disappear throughout the session and evolve into excitement, appreciation, and confidence toward who you are! 

I loved reading through her responses and reaction to her boudoir session with me. When we were planning her session I knew that we would hit it off creatively. She already knew the gist of how a boudoir session operates, and so the majority of our planning was selecting the style of imagery (and a wardrobe that would compliment that style). Hearing how much her husband loved the images was amazing, but really the best part was having HER love all that we created. 

Read on to experience what she did in her own words,

Sarah

 

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

        Im 31 years old. When I was 14 I was all over the place with my music! HA! I loved me some Usher! I would jam out all the time to, You Remind Me, You Got It Bad, pretty much all the songs on that 8701 album! Music was so good during that time, I also jammed out Ja Rule! Jennifer Lopez, the Moulin Rouge soundtrack, Missy Elliot, Nickelback, gosh I could go on!

2) What does a typical day look like for you?

        Well, I stopped working in my career about 5 years ago to help my husband. I have a degree in Health and Science with concentration in Radiology so I used to work in hospitals and clinics taking x-rays. Currently, I am the marketing director for our businesses and also accounting manager.

3) What prompted you to consider booking a boudoir session?

        I guess sometimes you just get a wild hair and feel the need for some sexual pics! HA! Really it had been over 6 years since my first boudoir shoot! My husband encouraged me a lot to do it, not only for him but for myself. Since my last shoot I felt like I had grown and molded into this new person and wanted to tap into what that person had become.

4) Fears and hesitations are super common when it comes to boudoir. What fears or hestiations (if any!!) did you have before your boudoir session?

        I guess since this was my second shoot I didn't have any fear or hesitations about doing it. Thank God! My first shoot I was so nervous and had no fucking clue what I was doing, however, now that I have had a session with you I feel like the photographer could have done a way better job making me feel comfortable and guiding me into poses etc. This time around if I was concerned with anything it was making sure I was expressing my sexiality in the manner I envisioned. Picking the clothes, scenes, etc. Once I got all my outfits I cleared my head and went  into this shoot with a different mindset which allowed me to just have fun and forget about what I had on and how my body looked and hair etc. Sarah you really are so much fun to work with and you have this way about you that makes it feel like we've known each other forever. Your guidance through the poses were amazing, you knew how to help move me to positions that complimented my body and face. The pictures you took were the prettiest I've ever felt, and I think as women we are our own worst critics and are so damn hard on ourselves, but I can truly say that I liked all the pictures you took and never felt so sexy! My husband is in love with them!

 

5) Thank you so much for choosing OWN!! What was it about OWN boudoir that made you choose us?

        As I was researching photographers, for over a year i'll add, I was most captivated by the way you used the lighting. I was drawn to the dark lighting and thought it was so hot! I also loved that you did different styles of boudoir and could really just make it custom to what you want.

 

6) How was the actual session different from what you expected?

        The session blew my mind! I had no idea it was going to be so badass! I felt so comfortable with you and had the most fun! I honestly can't wait to come back and do another one!

 

7) What was your favorite part of the entire experience?

        Wow, so I feel like the experience takes you through a roller coaster of feelings. I mean who doesn't like getting their hair and makeup done! That was awesome!  I also feel like that is a great time to get to know each other and chat(maybe have some champs :) I will say that during the shoot I had this feeling of calmness come over my body which allowed me to just go with flow and allowed my body to just do whatever it felt doing, that was an amazing feeling. It's hard to be stark naked and feel that way, lol. Then once the shoot was over waiting for the images is so hard! But def worth the wait! I was blown away by the images and so was anyone that saw them! I swear I looked at them a thousand time and still look back at them!

 

8) How has the response been to your images?

        Well anyone who saw the images their minds were blown! I have a girlfriend who is a professional photographer and was blown away at the lighting and images.

 

9) What is your advice (other than JUST DO IT!) that you have for other women interested in a boudoir session?

        Oh gosh I wish every woman would do this atleast once in their life. I swear you get this feeling of empowerment that just feels so damn good. Yes, having this done for your significant other is probably what initiates wanting the shoot done, however, that completely changes once you are in the moment and you have your images. Hell, I look back at my images still and think,  damn thats me! It's the right thing to do, so just think of all the positivity that can come from it and don't let the negatives over power because I promise once your done it'll be the right decision.

 

10) What has changed about the way you see your OWN beauty?

        CONFIDENCE!!! It's so important to believe in yourself. We are capable of so many amazing things in our life and all of its controlled by our mindset. If we have a negative mindset or surround ourselves with negative people we will start to become negative as well. Once I cleared out all the negative people and things in my life I became so much more confident in myself which allowed me to be a better person on the inside. I feel like you have to love yourself first before loving someone else. I chose to start believing in myself and being confident in my decisions which led me to feel a different kind of pretty.

A great alternative to lingerie... | Atlanta Boudoir Photographer

Is a closet full of traditional lingerie really necessary for your boudoir session? 

Once you start planning your boudoir session you of course start gathering a selection of images and outfits that serve as inspiration for your session. If you're looking for garter belts (and gator belts, and monte carlos, and el dorados... sorry, I went off into an Outkast tangent, It's my Atlanta raising coming out), lace push-up bras, frilly thongs, etc then you won't have a hard time at all finding wardrobe inspiration for your boudoir session. 

Well, what if you're not exactly a lace push-up bra kind of person? Where do you find inspiration for your boudoir session when you don't love any of the 'typical' wardrobe choices that are available? 

So many of our clients aren't into 'typical' lingerie but will still bring it in because they don't know what else to bring. I'm all for bringing items that are out of your comfort zone (hello pearl thong!!), but there's no need to bring items in because you feel like you HAVE to. 

 

Here is a great example of shapewear being used during a boudoir session! 

 

Here are some ideas for alternatives to your typical lingerie options, and we've worked with all of these during boudoir sessions so we support these choices 100%!

1) Shapewear- This can seem like an odd idea, shapewear isn't exactly known for being photogenic, in fact the whole point is for it to make something ELSE look photogenic. However, lately there has been a trend in shapewear where the designers are adding a bit of personality to an otherwise boring (but highly effective) undergarment. The bonus? Shapewear SHAPES you and so it is great for nipping and tucking in certain bits that you may want concealed. 

Check out this amazing option from SPANX

2)  Sleepshirts- While traditionally worn with pants (and not the first item you consider when you're planning your boudoir session), we're going to forgo the pants for this style and just use the shirt! Sleepshirts tend to be a little baggier and feature buttons all of the way down (or at least halfway). The amazing thing about sleep shirts is that we can 'sex it up' by unbuttoning the shirts, pulling the hem up the thigh, taking the collar off of the shoulder (with fully button-down versions), etc. Fabric is super important with sleep shirts, so go for thinner fabrics that form to the body and avoid super thick plaid that doesn't move. I'd also avoid crazy patterns like tiny sleeping rubber duckies :) 

Check out this beautiful option (and I love the fabric!)

3) Classic Blazer and Trouser/Skirt look- Cue the 'sexy Lawyer', or literally any profession :) I love love love this look and we get it a LOT in studio. Since blazers and trousers/high waisted skirt are typically already fitted and tailored to your body shape they automatically photograph really well. Simply remove the shirt from underneath your blazer and you've made your work outfit boudoir-ready. If you don't want to go topless underneath the blazer (or don't want to wear a blazer at all!) then try adding a simple bra or a bodysuit. This look is powerful and sexy and a great alternative to the traditional boudoir wardrobe. 

Check out this two-piece set from ASOS (just imagine it without a shirt!)

There you have a few great alternatives for the traditional boudoir wardrobe of lingerie and pearls. A few other alternatives? Sweatpants, big cardigans, and of course NUDE!