What is THE boudoir EXPERIENCE?
If you ask me, this experience is the best way to say "I'm beautiful!"
There are many interpretations of this type of photography , but the fundamentals should be the same for all: letting you shine your beautiful in the best light possible.
Who is THE BOUDOIR EXPERIENCE for?
It's for every women who wants a little sparkle in their lives, play dress up for a day and get pampered by professionals who make her look her best for the photos. You can be married or engaged wanting a nice present to your partner, or a girl who just worked her butt off for a few months at bootcamp to get into shape, or the one who's enjoying single life but need s a little confidence boost.
How far in advance should I book my session?
If you have a set date (e.g.: wedding day, anniversary or birthday) by which you need the final product(s) I recommend you to book a session at least 2 months in advance. If your chosen collection doesn’t include an album 1 month in advance can work, but if you are even slightly undecided on whether you’ll upgrade to an album or not I’d recommend giving more time so the album production time can be accounted for and you’ll receive your beautiful book in time for your special date.
How long will my session last?
Depending on the collection you choose to book, your shoot will go for up to 2hrs. Hair, makeup and the styling session is an additional 1.5-2hrs.I recommend you allocate at least 3.5hrs for your shoot, add a little more just in case we run overtime. And why not plan a nice dinner or drinks night out with your friends or partner once you’re already dolled up? ;)
Where will it be?
My boudoir shoots take place in gorgeous hotel rooms in the centre of the cities I offer sessions in. I have carefully selected some lovely places, with rooms that align with my style of photography and gives the perfect surrounding for the feel of my images.
I have four girlfriends interested in doing a boudoir session.
Do you offer boudoir parties?
Everything is doable with some organization skills :)
As long as we can pick a date when all of you are ready to shoot we can certainly organize a boudoir party for you.
If I host a party, do I get a discount for being the hostess?
YES! You will get 10% off plus a FREE UPGRADE to the next collection up.
If I have a boudoir party, are the shoots still private or will everyone be watching?
I like to keep my shoots very private not only because more we are limited to space but also to make YOU the most comfortable possible. I understand that if you’ve never done a professional photo shoot before, this experience can make you nervous and the last thing you need is an audience watching you posing.
All the other girls are prepped in a separate area/room so your shoot remains your experience alone.
Is there an option for a female photographer if I’m uncomfortable shooting with a man?
You are in luck! I’m the only photographer here who shoots and I’m a woman so that’s your only option :)
What do I need to bring?
I used to offer some wardrobe pieces but as 99% of my clients like to bring their own outfits (and an excuse to go shopping for some new pieces) I don’t have this option anymore.
Please bring your selected outfit pieces and your favourite matching high heels (black and/or nude is best)
Will I be completely nude?
This is 100% up to you. You’ll show as much skin as you feel comfortable with. There’s absolutely no pressure whatsoever for you to get naked. I personally believe in the “less is more’ approach but also find white sheet (when the client is nude but covered tastefully with a white sheet) sets very beautiful.
We’ll discuss all these details before your shoot.
What happens if I’m extremely uncomfortable on the day of the session?
The hair+makeup artist and I will make sure you are not feeling uncomfortable. One of the reasons why I prefer hair+makeup done on location is so you have time to ease into the situation and can build rapport with us. We’ll do everything to make you feel comfortable and we’ve yet to have met with a woman who didn’t feel ready to rock after being prettied up.
What should I do to prepare for the session?
After booking your shoot you’ll receive a questionnaire to fill out so you and I can have a clear vision of what sort of images you’d like to receive. 2 weeks before your shoot you’ll also receive an email packed with info on how to prepare yourself, your skin and body for the shoot. Nothing too extreme, more like a few pointers to help you feel 100% prepared for the day.
What comes with the packages?
Depending on your chosen Collection you’ll receive a number of digital, fully retouched images and if you’ve booked the Fabulous or Bombshell collection you’ll also receive a genuine leather album with your chosen images in it.
The digital files will be downloadable at your end so you can get prints if you like, or if you are after professional prints we can organize that for you too for an added cost.
Will these images be posted online or any social networks?
NO!
Unless clients sign a model release we are not allowed to showcase them. All the images you see on my social media, in my marketing or on my website are clients who kindly gave me permission to have their photos displayed. I’m always grateful for the generosity of clients signing a model release but it’s certainly not a must as I understand that some women have sensitive jobs or would like to keep their images private.
Who else will have access to these images (e.g. editors, album designers)?
Only me and the album printing company (or the pro lab if you order prints) - album files are deleted off the album company’s website after album successfully created and delivered to you.
Should I go tanning before my session?
Preferably no. Self tanning and spray tans cause extra effort in editing if the color didn’t turn out natural enough on your skin. If you must do it (because you are doing a trial before your wedding for example) try to go for a lighter color, nothing to drastically different to your own skin color.
Should I be waxed before my session?
If you shave, do it the day before your shoot, in order to give your skin a chance to recover. If you do it yourself, follow the main rules of depilation to avoid irritation and ingrown hair:
- Cleanse your skin and exfoliate before waxing
- Do not stretch your skin when waxing
- Do not apply too much pressure when shaving or using wax
- Do not run the shaver over one and the same spot several times or you can create irritated spots.
- If you are getting your waxing done in a salon give a few days to your skin to recover.
If it helps, can I bring any alcohol?
No, you don’t need to worry about that. You’ll be offered a glass of champagne and that’s usually all the clients need to get more relaxed.
If the session at a hotel, then who is responsible for the cost? Or is that cost incorporated into the package amount?
My Collection pricing is created as an all inclusive package to allow for costs like the hair and makeup artist and hotel room. No surprises :)
If it’s in the package, do I have to use the provided professional hair and makeup artist, or can I have my hair and makeup done prior to the session?
Hair and makeup is included in every Collection and I use professionals who know exactly how to prepare my clients for a photo shoot. It’s a little different to have makeup for a night out to being photoshoot ready.
Because I want to make sure that your experience is what I promised I prefer to use artists who regularly work with me. That said, if you have a specific style of hair or makeup that you’d like the artist to use as a direction of your makeup please feel free to share it with us. We want you to be 100% happy with how you look on the day.
How do I go about securing my session?
To secure your spot we need to pick a date for your shoot. Sessions start either at 7am or 2pm - due to hotel checkin and checkout times flexibility with time is limited, sorry.
Once we locked in your session, you can secure it with a non-refundable $300 deposit. This amount goes towards your session fee but if you cancel your session you lose it. As I have to book the hotel and artist for the session date your deposit is to secure these.
What happens if I'm / you’re sick or are unable to shoot the session on the scheduled day?
I understand that the unexpected can happen, that’s just part of life. If you need to reschedule you have 2 weeks before your shoot to do so. Depending on the hotel’s refund/change policy the date change might attract a small extra fee. This is only charged if the hotel charge it on the original booking.
If I would get sick unexpectedly and can't make it to the session, your shoot will be rescheduled for the next available dat that it convenient for you - no loss of deposit of course!
Can my friend come along?
If you feel more comfortable with one of your friends there while you are getting ready, she/he is more than welcome to join us for hair+makeup but your shoot is a private event and no one is allowed to be there other than you and I to ensure you are 100% comfortable and not distracted.
How will I know how to pose?
Before your shoot I’ll share my Pinterest inspiration board with you and I will also ask you to collect some images for inspiration so you can practice at home in front of the mirror. Yes, you heard it right :) Your pre-homework is to practice, practice, practice.
Don’t worry, I don’t expect you to move like a supermodel, I just want you to be more familiar with the movements of your body and know what you find most flattering for YOU.
I’ll be coaching you on the day so you are in good hands, but like with everything in like: practice makes perfect! :)
How many outfit changes can I have?
Depending on your chosen Collection, you can have 2, 3 or 4 outfit changes. Slight changes like pairing your lingerie set with a robe and getting photos in both variations still counts as 1 set.
I really don’t like “X” about me, can we shoot around it?
Sure we can! :) You might just change your mind about that body part of yours by the end of your shoot ;)
I’m a plus size woman, is boudoir still something I should consider?
ABSOLUTELY! I believe that beauty comes in all shapes and sizes, you don't need to be a size zero, 6ft tall supermodel type to have a boudoir session; this experience is for ALL women and I would love to have you front of my camera!
How long have you been shooting boudoir?
I fell in love with boudoir in 2011 and I started my business in 2013.
I’m doing this for my husband, but I’m not comfortable with some of the poses I see online…
That’s totally fine! We’ll only do poses you feel confident with. No one looks good in a pose they feel uncomfortable in so we definitely don’t want unflattering images of you.
Can this session be done at my house?
I shoot in hotels because I know everything is ready for us to do your session. I don’t want you to stress about anything - especially not tidying your home for a shoot so I don’t offer boudoir sessions in client’s homes.
What other locations options do we have?
I offer boudoir sessions in Adelaide (where I live), Melbourne and Sydney (where I used to live and started my business) but occasionally I have overseas sessions but these are seasonal.
I don’t have any ultra-sexy lingerie, what else could I wear?
One of my favourite looks is a 1 piece bodysuit. It is so damn sexy and if you are not comfortable with showing too much skin, this could be a great option for you.
Once you book I also send you some recommendations on where to shop.
Can I incorporate my partner’s favorite sports team?
Of course you can! It’s been done before and I love it when women think outside of the box to create a gift that truly reflects on who it was done for :)
I wanted to give my partner this as a present, but don’t want loose prints, what products do you suggest?
An album for sure! The albums I offer are black genuine leather books and they come is a box which not only protects your book but also keeps it more discreet.
In your professional opinion, how much time do you think is needed for the session?
I usually allow 30 minutes per set. This is a good amount of time to get plenty of great shots with different poses and angles. That said, I don’t have a stopwatch to stop me if I feel we should spend more time on one of your sets. Equally, if we both feel we got enough shots of a certain set and you are ready to move to the next we can be a little faster, but on average it’s 30 minutes per set.
If you do post “sneak-peaks” online on your social network site, do you have to post mine?
Only if you are comfortable with it. The choice is yours so please let us know what you allow the hair+makeup stylist to post on the day (or after).
I prefer black & white images. Will you edit them in color and black & white?
As you can see on my website portfolio I edit some photos in black and white but certainly not all of them Images are edited in a style I see best fit for the mood of the photograph, but there will definitely be some black and whites.
Is there an extra fee for creative edits?
This depends on the certain request. All your selected images will be professionally retouched of course and that’s included in the fee you pay.
How many photos do you typically take during the session?
A LOT! :)
However I cull the images and select the best ones for you to see as proofs.
How many photos will I receive?
Depending on your chosen collection it is 10, 20 or 30 and you always have the option to either purchase extra images or upgrade your Collection.
Do you offer professional retouching (e.g. Slimming down body, skin imperfection removal, stretch mark removal)?
I do believe that any boudoir photographer should shoot their clients in the most flattering poses and I don’t slim down my clients or remove stretch marks as I think it’s everyone’s personal choice.
On occasion my clients might as for a little skin roll to be smoothed but I try to keep everyone look as they are - you should be in love with yourself as you are, and that’s not only the way you look.
If you request anything extra to be done, we can discuss options and the amount of work in post-production that may attract extra charge.
If you happen to have the unwanted pimple on the day, or a small bruise on your leg I will remove these during the initial post production process.
Do you use flash at your sessions?
I use studio lights at every session. I love to be able to control the light and my style is a bit more moody however we always start with some natural light shots to have a mix of images for you to choose from.
Do you have any options to shoot outdoors?
No, I don’t offer outdoor boudoir session, sorry.
What do your boudoir products look like?
You can find images of the albums on this website under “Collections”.
Should you like to see more images please get in touch.
Do you have any samples of your boudoir sessions?
Yes, you can see them on this website, under “Portfolio”.
Do you have any samples of a boudoir session with a plus size woman?
The “Portfolio” section shows some of my past curvy clients.
Can the albums you offer be customized?
If you prefer a certain order of the images that can certainly be discussed, there are also other leather color options but the default album is black.
If we end up needing more time on the day of the session, can it be added on then?
Yes! I always allow extra time in case we go overtime.
Do you bring an assistant with you?
No. I like to keep my sessions as private and intimate for my clients as possible.
How much do boudoir sessions end up costing?
It depends on your chosen Collection. Please get in touch if you’d like to see the package pricing.
Do you offer a video option for the boudoir session?
As the space is limited, no, I don’t.
What type of payments do you accept?
Bank Transfer and PayPal (PayPal fee is added)
Do you offer payment plans?
Typically the session fee is paid as follows:
$300 - non-refundable deposit to lock in your shoot date
Payment 1 - half of the remaining session fee half way between the day you book and the day of your shoot
Payment 2 - the remaining session fee on the week of your session.
If you'd like to break up your payments in smaller increments this can be organized, just keep in mind that your session fee must be fully paid by the day of your shoot.
