How to get the most out of your boudoir photoshoot
You did the thing! You booked, you paid, you signed your contract. Now all there is to do is wait... and prepare. But how much preparation is too much? How much prep is too little? What kind of mindset should you be in before your photoshoot? In my experience, I’ve seen it all. And I’m here to help you get the most out of an experience you won’t have every day. From choosing the right outfits, to settling your nerves, to feeling deserving of what you’ll walk away with, I’ll walk you through the best way to get the most out of your Boudoir by Afton photoshoot.
Preparing for a luxury boudoir experience: tips, tricks, and reminders
A boudoir photoshoot isn’t any other photoshoot - there can be a lot involved. And it can easily feel overwhelming! It’s worth it in the end if you can employ some tactics to really lean into the experience and ease up on the gas in some ways. The biggest thing I can’t stress enough is this: You. deserve. to. feel. good. No matter if you’re doing this for yourself or someone else or both, YOU deserve the feelings that can come with a boudoir photoshoot: Empowerment. Reclamation. Confidence. Joy. Bravery. Sexiness. Stepping out of your comfort zone. Beauty. Liberation. Memory making. The power of these emotions are YOURS for the taking. And I’m here to hold your hand however much you need through them. So if you take nothing else from this blog post, let it be this: you DESERVE what you’re coming to me for!
Trust your photographer
It’s so important to remember that while it’s entirely possible you don’t know what you’re doing, I do. Remember you decided against a self-timer on your phone and hired a professional for a reason (though there’s no bigger champion of naked selfies than me!). Trust that I know lighting, I know posing, I know my camera, and I know how to work with folks of all shapes and sizes and from all walks of life. I also have my Yoga Teacher Training certification, which means that not only am I trained in teaching bodies how to pose (that’s what yoga is- Just a series of poses!) but I am also trained in teaching breath and calming techniques, which I employ every single photoshoot to help you look and feel relaxed. Feeling tense? Trust me, I got you. Feeling stiff? Trust me, I got you. Feeling like this pose might look weird when you try it? Trust me, it won’t. I got you.
Prioritize yourself by prioritizing your photoshoot
Self-sabotage is a cruel mistress. Ask yourself: are you standing in your own way when it comes to preparing for your shoot? A great way to move your photoshoot up the priority list is to make a date out of it: for example, set aside a day and time to shop for your looks, either shopping your own closet or going out to the shops by yourself or with a trusted friend. Sanction time to get a facial or massage a day or two before your shoot. And if you’re rocking a budget, make a date out of following a YouTube video for an at-home facial or lymph draining massage. Block out an hour to journal or meditate and set an intention for how you want to feel during and after your shoot. Once you’ve paid your deposit, treat yourself to a mini bottle of bubbly and your favorite sweet to celebrate yourself. You deserve to put yourself first - literally do it by carving out time that no one else can interfere with. Put it on your calendar and mark yourself unavailable to anyone or anything else. Make a date with yourself and keep it!
Your perfect boudoir outfit is the one you love and feel great in
Don’t overthink your outfits. When you book, you’ll receive a comprehensive outfit guide from me and the most important invitation is to remember that it’s just inspiration. I only want to inspire you and get your wheels turning about what’s possible for your photoshoot. When it comes to selecting your outfits, what is paramount is that you feel good in it and that it fits. Try everything on - especially new things you’re purchasing. If you’re shopping online, order things in advance and maybe get a couple size options so you can return what doesn’t fit, especially if you’re hoping to wear lingerie. I promise you, the fit of a garment is going to be important to how that garment feels on you, so make it a priority and you’ll set yourself up for success. You deserve to take your time with selecting your outfit options and you’ll be so glad you did.
Resist the rush and take your time
There is nothing to rush - from picking your date to shopping your looks to the photoshoot itself to selecting your images. Give yourself the gift of time. You deserve to indulge in this experience. It’ll go by faster than you know so really lean in to the process and find presence in every step. You change your own life one moment at a time, but only if you give those moments the breath and presence they deserve. This experience is a gift to yourself and it’s a beautiful one at that - rushing through the process will only add stress and anguish to what is intended to be a powerful, exciting, exhilarating experience.
I’m proud of you for taking this step and my heart wants nothing more than it to be the experience of your dreams- and then some. I’m here for you every step of the way. You’ve already got everything you need and I’m here to remind you of that.