Hey Pretty Lady!
Here’s a quick guide to help you feel super prepared for our time together. It includes information on what to expect, some tips on how to prepare, and some reassurances that you’re going to kill it, I just know it.
I know, it’s nerve wracking just booking the session. I’ve been there...multiple times. And you know what? I still get nervous when I go in for boudoir pictures, even after doing it so many times and having full faith in the photographers that I work with. I’m confident that I’m beautiful even though I don’t have a six-pack or a tan or the perfect hairday - hardly ever. But I still get a little nervous. So to all of you who take the step, I’m so very proud of your bravery and I hope to be able to calm your nerves the best that I can.
Hair & Makeup
Our stylists are trained in accentuating your features, plus you’ll get a little bit of pampering to help you feel glamourous before we even start! Their expertise greatly increases the value of your experience, you’ll feel even more beautiful and the images will show that confidence!
The day of your shoot, you will be pampered in the studio so we don’t have to worry about wind or rain. Your stylist will discuss makeup colors and styles based on your personal style and wardrobe. You may of course bring inspiration images or a photograph of you where you feel so amazingly beautiful. Our artists all know the makeup and hair techniques for the lighting and retouching techniques I use.
Planning your Outfits
Are you looking in your closet and thinking, “Oh my. What should I wear?” You’re not the only one! It’s perfectly normal to be nervous and not 100 percent confident in what to select initially. Don’t worry though, because below are just a few suggestions and you should walk away with a pretty good understanding of what options are available to you!
We have a fabulous lingerie selection in the studio ranging from size extra small to 3X including lingerie, robes and even shoes and jewelry. Everything in our studio selection was hand selected specifically with boudoir sessions in mind and is free to supplement your wardrobe.
If you have lots of ideas and outfits and are having trouble narrowing it down, we recommend that you bring a suitcase full of stuff! ...what?! Yes, I’m not joking! We recommend that you bring lots of things when you arrive and we can help you narrow them down once you arrive for your shoot.
Remember, you should feel beautiful and sexy and, above all else, confident in your selection!
1. Lingerie : well, this is pretty broad right? There is a wide selection and we love it all.
• Nighty
• Corset & Panty
• Cute Bra & Panty Set
• Body suits
2. Casual, Over-sized Shirts, Dresses and Jeans : Whatever makes you feel the most comfortable.
• Over-sized sweaters
• Over-sized jersey (maybe your mans!)
• Over-sized shirts
• Blue jeans
• Button down men’s shirt
• Dresses
3. Implied Nudity : This can be super tasteful and you in fact don’t have to be nude to do it.
• You could use a blanket or sheet to cover up
• Or it could be an image from the back. The options are endless.
4. Accessories : Don’t forget your jewelry and shoes
• A special necklace that your someone special got for you
• Your wedding day heels
5. Props : Make it personal. Is your partner a cop? Fireman? In the military? Bring their gear. Into handcuffs? Great! Bring them. Getting married? Bring your veil, garter and wedding shoes if you have them. We want these pictures to be specific to you, and only you. Some more options include:
• Your man’s favorite shirt
• A t-shirt from your favorite band
How To Get Ready
So, you’ve booked a Boudoir Session - I’m so excited! So, now that you’ve paid your retainer and you’re on the calendar, now what? Here are some tips to make sure that your session is a success:
1. Start drinking water now... and lots of it...well hydrated skin shoots beautifully!
2. Don’t go changing your skin regime or beauty products now. The last thing you need is a break out for your session.
3. Moisturize, moisturize and moisturize again. At least a week out begin developing a routine.
4. Try not to wear anything en route to the shoot that will leave marks due to tightness. For example, a pony tail holder on your wrist or tight pants.
5. Make sure you arrive to the studio ready to go, whether you have chosen to make use of our professional hair and makeup services or if you have chosen to do it yourself.
6. Nails: It is highly encouraged that they be treated & painted nicely as they will be visible in images.
7. Waxing: If you’re going to wax make sure it is well in advance; waxing can leave redness and splotches. Make sure you’ve done it before you hit the tanning bed too.
8. Tanning: If you are not accustomed and have not developed a routine with spray tanning, this is not the time to try it out for the first time. Although they have developed leaps and bounds, you can still come out looking less than ideal. If you’re going to tan, avoid tan lines when you can.
9. Whiten those teeth. Get them professionally whitened or use over the counter products like Crest White Strips.
10. Exfoliate before you shave.
11. Make yourself a pinterest board and show it to me on the day of the shoot or send it before so I can get an idea of your style and what you like best.
12. Practice some poses and your sexy face in the mirror. By having practiced, you gain confidence in yourself and you look more natural doing it. It feels silly, but trust me.
13. Please don’t bring children to the shoot. Feel free to bring a friend if it makes you feel more comfortable. Your friend must be over 18, and must agree not to interfere in the shoot. Also, please no cameras or cell phone pictures while the session is in progress.
14. Stretch. You’ll thank me later. Boudoir Photography is like yoga, but sexier. There is a lot of back arching and plank type posing and we don’t want to hurt any muscles.
15. Don’t get too hung up on always looking at the camera - just have fun! Most of the best images I capture are of the REAL you, having fun! I’ll walk you through some poses. My goal is make you look the most beautiful you’ve ever seen yourself and walk out of the session feeling like a DIVA!
Looking for lingerie?
Flirt Boutique
Fredericks of Hollywood
Victoria’s Secret
Torrid
Hips & Curves
Her Room
Lingerie Diva
Yandy
Goose Berry Intimates
Modcloth
Bella Bella Boutique
Ami Club Wear
Adore Me
Morgan Lane
Net-A-Porter
Glamorose
Agent Provocateur
True & Co.
Nasty Gal
Felina USA
Unlucky Lingerie
Top Hatter DOT com
La Perla
What Kate Did
Burn It Down Clothing
H&M
Lace.com
BlushLingerie.com
asos.com
Tips for Posing
If you haven’t done something like this before; that’s OK. Don’t worry! I’m there to help ease you into it. Not everyone is a natural in front of the camera. But I’ve done this a few times, and I’ve developed my own methods of placing a client at ease. But, let’s be honest, the more comfortable you feel, the more natural and honest your captured expressions will be.
I have photographed hundreds of boudoir sessions with overjoyed customers and I know exactly how to pose you down to your fingertips! You don’t need to worry about a thing, you just need to simply show up for your session. I promise to keep it as painless as possible.
I will ensure that you are always posed in the most flattering ways and under the most flattering lighting. During your shoot I will ask you to do simple things such as “bring that shoulder towards me, look down toward your shoulder, now look up at me with your eyes, etc.” Super simple and you don’t need to do anything to prepare. Just remember
1. Feel Beautiful
You should feel beautiful in your wardrobe selection. Stick to what you know or what you feel gorgeous in! Remember, you’re not limited to what you see in this guide. Bring what you feel sexy and confident in! And if all else fails, we will have a white sheet session (they’re my favorite).
2. Have Fun
Come ready to have a great time! This day is all about you so we want for you to let loose and have a great time. The more fun you have, the better the images are.
3. Music
It sets the mood; so let me know what you like to customize this shoot. My go-to is 90s music.
4. Adult Beverages
You may bring a small bottle of wine or your favorite adult beverage if you’re feeling extra nervous (and are over 21). Too much might give you “drunk eyes” so please know your limits.
5. Don’t forget your positive attitude!
If you bring a positive attitude and a smile then you can’t go wrong.
Retouching
You can rest at ease knowing that we’ve been in the boudoir business for over 10 years and our customers love how we do this! They love it because we are not heavy handed. We are not going for a plastic skin look. We are simply removing those unwanted blemishes and smoothing the sides, and leaving the image looking like your beautiful self!
Don’t spend a lot of time fretting about freckles or that pesky five pounds none of us can ever seem to shake. Focus on your favorite qualities and play to your strengths. Live in the present. Don’t regret not doing this 10 pounds ago or 5 years ago. You’re beautiful now and always.
How often is the focus on only you? If you feel sexy and confident, you’ll look sexy and confident! Be that fierce warrior that I know you are! Above all, we want for you to have a good time. Let lose, don’t fret, relax and enjoy a day that is all about YOU! You deserve it, and we are so happy that you chose to let us help you with this wonderful experience.
Timeline
Keep in mind that prints and albums take time to create and they often influence when your shoot should happen. We suggest that you shoot at least 3 months before you need your album or prints to ensure that they are here and perfect in plenty of time.
Day of the shoot:
Allow at least 2.5 hours from the time that your shoot is scheduled to the time that you leave. This will include changing time, discussing your vision and shooting. I will go through the outfits you brought and help you narrow them down if need be. In addition I will also help you with any wardrobe questions and help you add any accessories from our collection.
We’ll coach you on exactly where to look, when to smile, etc. You’ll never wonder, “where should my hand be, does my face look good, or am I doing this right?” We’re super clear on exactly what to do and we’ll even get on the bed and pose with you along the way so that you can be confident in knowing how amazing you look! Our goal is for you to leave feeling the most beautiful you’ve ever felt and for you to have a spring in your step.
Immediately after your Shoot:
Leave us a review on Facebook! Simply search for Katie Larrington Boudoir Photography and leave us a review there, we totally appreciate it! We also have a VIP group on facebook where we post fun games, lift each other up, and have testimonials. Search for Katie Larrington VIP Boudoir Group to be added and then add all your friends (ladies only)!
Next, you’ll receive an email with 5 or so sneak peek images. This is to keep that confidence high going and leave you SUPER excited for the rest to come.
2 Weeks Later:
You will receive another link to your gallery with instructions on downloading them. Please remember to download them as the link to your gallery does expire after 30 days. You may print directly to my professional lab straight through the gallery. The email will also have a link to our after sessions questionnaire where you can tell us how we did and how we can improve in the future. It is also where you let us know which - if any - images are safe to share.
Spread the word! Leave us a Facebook or google review, post a “safe” image on your personal social media, add your friends to our VIP group. Help us grow our tribe, we love meeting new people.
Sharing Images:
We want you to know that you have 100 percent control over whether or not you allow us to share your photos online. We use the images on our website, facebook and instagram. We also use them in our marketing material.
If you chose to let us share your photos so other ladies can see how empowering and amazing this experience is, thank you! If you choose to keep your photos private for yourself and your partner, that’s ok too! You can also pick and choose what to share. Sometimes ladies want only things without their face shared, others pick 5-10 of their favorites and keep the rest private. Whatever it is, the choice is yours and we’ll always respect your wishes.