  Boudoir photography is a form of intimate portraiture that captures a woman's sensuality, confidence, and beauty. This type of photography has become increasingly popular in recent years, as more women seek to celebrate their bodies and feel good about themselves. Whether it's for a partner, for themselves, or for a special occasion, boudoir photography provides an opportunity for women to empower themselves and embrace their femininity.
Boudoir photography helps women feel confident in their own skin by allowing them to step out of their comfort zones and experiment with their appearance. This can be particularly empowering for women who struggle with body image or self-esteem issues. Boudoir photographers are experts at making their clients feel comfortable, and they often work with women of all shapes, sizes, and ages to help them feel confident and beautiful. Whether it's through lighting, posing, or wardrobe, boudoir photographers work to create images that showcase their clients' best qualities and make them feel confident and gorgeous. Boudoir photography is also a great way for women to celebrate their bodies and embrace their femininity. Women often feel pressured to conform to societal standards of beauty, but boudoir photography provides an opportunity to break free from those constraints and celebrate their unique beauty. This can be especially powerful for women who have recently undergone a major life change, such as pregnancy or a significant weight loss, as boudoir photography can help them celebrate their bodies and feel proud of their accomplishments. In addition to empowering women and helping them feel confident, boudoir photography can also be a wonderful gift for a partner. Many women choose to give boudoir photography as a gift to their significant others, as a way of celebrating their love and connection. These images can be a cherished reminder of a woman's beauty and sensuality, and they can help to rekindle the flame in a long-term relationship. In conclusion, boudoir photography is a powerful tool for empowering women and helping them feel confident in their own skin. Whether it's for themselves, a partner, or as a special celebration, boudoir photography provides an opportunity for women to embrace their femininity and celebrate their bodies. So if you're looking for a way to boost your self-esteem and feel beautiful, consider booking a boudoir photo shoot today!  When you're a boudoir expert, you must be on top of your game. 🎯
That means doing a lot of research and staying current with the latest trends in the industry. It takes a lot of work and dedication to reach the top, and establish yourself as an authority in your field, and even when you reach that point you will have to keep on adapting. Want to know how you get there? 💭 You use the same tools as all of the top experts in your field! Duh! 🙌 Being the best means taking after the BEST and then making it your own, adapting it to your needs. Here is what the top boudoir experts are doing right now that you should use too! 👇 First, we stay up to date on technology. Technology changes and improves so rapidly that unless you keep tabs on any technology that applies to you, you could be missing out on tech that can save you time, money, and make your processes much more efficient. Next, we join circles of people who are doing the same thing we are doing. Why? Because we can all learn and improve from each other. Someone might be newer to the craft, but that can also mean they bring fresh ideas to the table. And some may have been doing it much longer than you and have much more experience and understanding, not to mention a skill set that has been honed over time. There isn’t a person in my industry that doesn’t bring something to the table - it’s just a matter of listening until you find it. Community over competition. Finally, we never stop learning. Whether it is some new idea to try, finding ways to improve, or doing things that inspire out creativity, we find ways to continue to learn so that our work is never stagnate. These things aren’t only good practice for business, but for life. If you’re struggling on applying them, we’re here to help you! Feel free to reach out! What things do YOU do to stay on top of your game?  As a wife and a mother of four, I find it difficult to prioritize ME. I’m constantly making sure my kids have everything they need, that my husband has the support he needs, and that everyone is where they need to be when they need to be there. I make sure they have clothes that fit, that our family has meals planned together, that my kids continue to learn to cook, study, clean, and figure out how to be productive adults. I do all this while also running a business and taking exceptional care of my clients. So, when is it my turn? If you have asked yourself this question, then you are fully aligned with almost every woman who walks into my studio with a desire to reclaim herself. As women, we are raised to be nurturing. We tend to the needs of others. And oddly enough, we feel a certain amount of guilt or shame when we decide we need to be on our own priority list, too. ALL of those feelings are normal, but are they justified? There is a moment when we step back and realize that if WE aren’t meeting our own needs, then who is? And that realization is what makes most of us finally add ourselves to the list of people we love, nurture, and support. There should be no guilt or shame in investing in YOU. It is often the first step towards feeling powerful again. Your very soul finally puts its foot down and says, “I matter, too.” So how does this relate to the boudoir photography experience? Think about it… you spend a day one-on-one with someone who is listening to you and is a professional at their craft, so you know you’re going to love the outcome. You get glammed up and see yourself at your best, which invokes a power in knowing you can level up your vibe any time YOU choose. You trust someone to capture and showcase the very best of YOU. You spend money on YOU, and this time it’s not a new appliance to make taking care of everyone else a little easier – it’s truly something that makes you (and your significant other, if you have one), excited! While it is truly an investment, it is also a once in a lifetime experience that helps most women to change the way the view themselves. Will 2023 be the year you invest in yourself?  This is Maria and she has Type 1 Diabetes I met Maria when she came in to the studio to model for me on a completely different project. At one point, when I was posing her, I noticed a patch of sorts and asked her about it. She explained that it checked her blood sugar and then showed me the rest of her gear. I thought it was great that it kept everything in check and asked her if she wanted it left in the pictures or edited out, explaining that it might not show regardless. She was gracious about it and told me that I could edit it out if I didn't want it in the pictures, but that she preferred to leave it in to help normalize not hiding it. I was totally in! Then she explained that November was Diabetes Awareness Month (the modeling session was in October). She explained that blue was the awareness color and I had an idea! I asked if she would like to take a few pictures to showcase what she had JUST explained to me: that she is not hiding it and that she wants others with the same situation to feel comfortable when they see it, too. So that was what we did. When I asked Maria if she would be willing to share her story, her answer was a resounding YES!  Maria is the type of person who isn't afraid to be herself. She brings energy into a room and carries herself with confidence. She is vibrant and self-assured and someone who everyone should want to know. I am proud to share her story. Maria's Story My name is Maria Perez and I’m a Type 1 Diabetic. I was diagnosed at 8 years old. Which means I’m 27 and I’ve been a diabetic for 19 years. In the grand scheme of things my diagnosis story feels dramatic, but at the end of the day it’s sadly routine for thousands of kids. One day I was feeling super sick after being sick for about a week. I remember drinking almost a gallon of water by noon. My mom took me to the doctor, we were instructed to quickly go to the ER, and I stayed for two weeks. Those two weeks were filled with me coming to terms with my own mortality, having to have the lab check my blood sugar because it was too high for the meters, worrying about school, and wondering how I was going to do everything at home. At 8. For me my eating habits, food aversions, and reactions to certain foods are normal. My biggest issue with Diabetes has been the way other people view it and react to it. So thanks to Lori I want to share some things.
I currently use a Dexcom CGM and a Tandem TSlim x2 insulin pump. When I first started using diabetes management devices I would try to hide them as much as possible. From: putting my pump site in places that weren’t always comfortable, turning alarm sounds down or completely off, always wearing long sleeves and long pants, and more. I’m finally at the point where I’m not making myself uncomfortable for the comfort of others. It’s okay to take up space. It’s okay to be different. And it’s okay to have a chronic illness. During a shoot with Lori she asked me if I wanted her to photoshop my devices out and my immediate response was no and to blurt out that November is diabetes awareness month. So that’s why I’m here. Diabetes isn’t a dirty word. It isn’t shameful to be sick. It’s okay to ask for food to be made differently or to remove things in order to be full and okay. My devices are why I’m alive. The days that I’m tired and don’t want to deal with being sick I’m still getting my medicine and I know my blood sugar. I’ve learned to give myself grace, understanding, and to be the adult I wish I had as a child-teen-and young adult. I try to wear my devices in visible places as much as possible. I try to answer questions as quickly as possible. I try to be welcoming to make sure no one has their thought of being shameful reinforced. Parents, teachers, anyone know the signs of diabetes and when to take your loved one to the doctor for an actual exam. https://www.jdrf.org/t1d-resources/about/symptoms/   Confidence is everything. Some women May appear average, but carry themselves boldly and with confidence, while others might be absolutely stunning and incredibly intelligent, but lack confidence. I'm willing to bet you already know which one will be the most successful in life and love.
We do not understand how dynamic we actually are. This can be applied not only to looks, but to emotions, intelligence, creativity, and more areas of our being. Sometimes all we need is to see ourselves differently. To see ourselves through someone else's eyes. To see ourselves through the eyes of someone who has made it their life's work to showcase the best in people. For many women, a boudoir photography session is the first time they have had a professional photographer focused solely on them. Many are mothers and when they get family pictures, their goal is to get the best pictures they can of their entire family, and to make sure their kids are smiling, and to make sure the group photo looks amazing. The photographer has a big job just trying to organize everyone and try to make sure everyone is looking the same direction. There is no way to singularly focus on Mom. And often the only pictures we see of ourselves are the ones someone took candidly, or maybe even posed, but from a terrible angle. And we see this and we believe it's true. It's not. It's half truths. The truth is, we are made up of all of the bad pictures and all of the amazing pictures and all of the average pictures. Our overall picture is the blending of all of those. But if you've never had the amazing picture, you're going to believe way less of yourself, because it waters down the median and gives it a negative bias. We have to be able to see the beautiful sides of ourselves. We have to know that we can bring it when we want to. We have to have something to light that fire. That ignites that confidence. Something needs to kick it off. And for many, a boudoir session is exactly that.   Why should you do a boudoir session? Boudoir is all about finding your best self. As women, we often only see ourselves from one angle, and it's usually our worst angle. But what would it be like to see yourself from someone else's eyes? Someone who only wants to see the most beautiful things about you? and wants you to see those things too? The truth is, you’re beautiful, and you deserve to see it. So this month, I invite you to an experiment. The next time you look in the mirror, instead of seeing what you don’t like, see what you love. Find something to love, and see the beauty in it. It’s a small, simple practice that can have a big effect on your mindset. I can’t tell you how many women I’ve worked with who have had a boudoir session and it changed the way they see themselves. They started to take better care of themselves and see themselves as worthwhile, of deserving love, of acceptance. The other thing that a boudoir shoot can do is fill a woman’s own memory bank with images that she can look back on and enjoy, to remind herself of times in her life when she felt the sexiest, to remind herself that she can be that person again. It’s a mind-shift. Empowering women to celebrate their bodies and what makes them unique. It can go a long way in helping women look forward to the future and BE CONFIDENT.   Boudoir photography, the art of photographing women in lingerie or nude, may seem like something reserved only for celebrities and famous models, but that’s not true at all. As a professional service, from hair and makeup to step-by-step posing instruction, boudoir photography has become something that anyone can do to feel empowered and sexy. Let’s take a look at how you can get started with your own boudoir session and why it’s just as powerful an expression of self-love as it is a gift to your significant other. What Is Boudoir Photography? Boudoir photography is a type of portrait photography designed to capture, in a fashion or glamourous way, images of a person who wishes to portray their sensuality and sexuality. Boudoir photographs are typically a mix of full-body shots and close-ups and may include nudity, by request.  Who Should Consider Getting It Done? You don't need an excuse to spice things up with sexy photos. That’s right: Boudoir photography isn’t just for brides-to-be! If you have a special event coming up—like a birthday or anniversary—and want to give your significant other something different, boudoir photos are an excellent gift idea. It's also a power move! Remind YOURSELF that you can bring the sexy whenever you please. See yourself through eyes that are not your own. Feel confident knowing that you can "bring it" whenever you choose. What To Expect During An Intimate Photoshoot A lot of ladies are intimidated by boudoir photography. There’s no reason to be, though! During an intimate photoshoot, you should expect nothing but fun and sensuality. You’ll have an opportunity to feel empowered while doing something daringly sexy. Whether or not you choose to share your images with anyone else is entirely up to you. That’s what makes it so special: it’s all about YOU.   Many people don’t know where to start or what to ask when it comes to booking a boudoir session. While I cannot answer this question for other photographers, it is a question I answer daily for my own studio. The first question I ask when someone inquires is when they will need their album in their hands. Timeline is important. From the date of your session to the time you have it in your hands can easily be up to six weeks. For this, and many other reasons, it is best to plan ahead. And more time is always better. After you choose a date and book your session, it’s time to start planning. There are things you’ll want to do ahead of time. For instance, you may wish to shop for the perfect lingerie or outfits. While you WILL have access to my boudoir closet, fit is never a guarantee. And at a minimum, you’ll want to have sexy, supportive bras and panties. Getting just the right gear sometimes takes weeks, especially if you’re ordering online. You’ll also want to make appointments to get your hair and nails done. You don’t want to do your hair too close to your session date. On the other hand, you’ll want your nails as fresh as possible. The same goes for lash extensions (please note, we do not offer false lashes if you have lash extensions). Bikini waxing? You’ll want to give that a couple days to calm down if your skin is prone to redness. If you’re getting lip injections, you’ll want to do that several months before your session to give it all time to settle. A lot goes in to preparing for your session, and it’s rare that we have any last minute dates available. So again… if you’re wanting your album in time for something (birthday, holiday, anniversary, etc), you’ll want to book a session date in advance. Once you book, you’ll start getting emails to help you prepare for your session: from tips on the best lingerie to flatter your frame, to suggestions on nail color. These are just guides, of course – you can OWN your session and do it however you like! To book your session, you must pay the session fee. It is the retainer and reserves the date so that you know that YOUR date is being held for YOU. The session fee covers the shoot itself, hair, makeup, lashes, and studio time. You come back about two weeks after your session for a viewing and ordering appointment. It is at this time that you will see your retouched images and make your selections. This is when you will decide on how many images you want, what size album, wall art, if desired, etc. Once your order is placed, it can take up to four weeks for it to arrive from our professional lab. Smaller albums tend to arrive in less than two weeks. Larger albums with upgrades take longer, as does wall art. Many clients opt for a date that is months from the time they call to book. This gives them time to start paying towards their order. Yes, we offer pre-payment plans. The beauty of a prepayment plan is that you have print credit at your ordering appointment. You also receive a 10% bonus on all prepayments. At your ordering appointment, we take cash (and offer a 5% cash discount), checks, all major credit cards, and also offer interest-free payment plans. If you opt for a payment plan, your order will not be available until you have finished the payment plan. So, if you’re considering booking a boudoir session, that’s the process! And if you ever have questions, simply reach out via email, text, or phone.   When clients call to book a boudoir session, some of their biggest concerns are about what they DON'T know how to do. I hear it all:
It’s okay. Seriously. This is what I do and I’m here for YOU. Your session comes with complimentary hair, makeup, and lashes. If you wish to do your own, you may. You simply arrive ready. But why not sit back and enjoy the entire service? And as far as posing goes, I will teach you all you need to know. Few women walk in knowing how to pose for boudoir photography. I will walk you through absolutely everything and I will even do most of the poses first to show you what you’ll be doing and what it should look like. You will walk away having learned new tricks! And when you book your session, I will send you several emails to help you prepare for your session. One of those is how best to flatter your frame. It really does help when selecting lingerie. And then… bring everything. Together we will go through all that you brought and figure out which pieces will work best for the pictures. And if we need MORE, I have an entire boudoir closet to which you will have access. I have sizes from xs to 6x. Nothing is a guaranteed fit, so it’s best to bring your own pieces that fit YOU well and reflect your desired outcome. But as long as you bring a minimum of a sexy, supportive black bra and panty, we can make most things work! And if you have other concerns, feel free to reach out. I’m happy to answer any questions and help you figure out how to get exactly what you want from your session. Happy Planning!  Think about the most beautiful woman you know. You want to know a secret? She has “that one thing” that makes her feel insecure. That makes her feel dissatisfied. That makes her somehow feel “less than.” It seems to be universal. I’ve worked with so many women and that is one of the things they all have in common. As it turns out – SURPRISE – not one of us is perfect. Who knew? No matter how perfect someone appears, they are having an internal battle with that “one thing.” My point in telling you this? YOU are not alone. And NO ONE is perfect. And we CANNOT fixate on our flaws. The more time we spend thinking about the things we don’t love about the way we look, the less time we get to spend celebrating the things about us that are BEAUTIFUL!  And maybe you have way more things that one than you are unhappy about. That’s okay. Most of us do. The point is not to focus on them. Focus on your beauty, instead. Because we all also have at least that ONE THING about us that gets compliments, that we feel good about… that thing that is worthy of celebration!
Maybe it’s your eyes. Your nose. Your lips. Your jawline. Your collarbone. Your tummy. Your hips. Your shape. Your chest. Your hair. Your legs. Your shoulders. Your back. Your muscles. Your eyebrows. I could go on… Having trouble finding it? Reach out to a friend. But seriously, ladies… celebrate the beauty and accept the flaws. You don’t have to love them, but once you accept them, you can move on to the celebration of YOU. And THAT is my favorite thing about boudoir photography… the celebration of you. The finding the beautiful things and showing them off. The PROVING (and I mean that) that you have those things. Some women come to me and they already know it – then we have fun showcasing it together. Others come in hoping I can help them find it. Spoiler alert. I can. But even if you’re not looking for boudoir pictures… as a matter of self-care, please look at yourself and accept any and all of those “one things” that make you feel insecure. You don’t have to love them, but please accept them. Then start really checking yourself out like the beautiful pieces of a complete puzzle and find all the beauty. Fixate on it. Celebrate the things God decided would be YOU. And if you decide you need help with that, I’m here for you. |
AuthorLori Stead has been a professional photographer for over a decade and LOVES the celebration of the female form. Archives
February 2023
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