Weddings in Alberta recently featured our boudoir work in the premiere issue of their magazine. The article is filled with tips to help you prepare for your boudoir session and know what to expect. You can read the full article here.
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French for a woman’s bedroom or private setting room, boudoir photography is almost as old as the camera itself. Boudoir photography has been popular ever since, featuring women in various tasteful states of undress, becoming more risqué at times (often with major celebrities). Jean Harlow was photographed in the 1920s, and boudoir has remained popular, acting as a major part of the pinup craze in the 1940s and 50s, and is now a rising trend for brides to give their grooms-to-be. TAIT Photography dishes on everything you need to know about boudoir shoots, giving answers to some of your questions! Photos By TAIT Photography
Why is boudoir photography popular for brides?
Being photographed as a bride-to-be is a wonderful time. Near to the wedding, most women are actively working on their physical appearances—making sure she is in-shape and beautiful for the big day. It also helps each woman see herself in a new light, more like the way their loved one sees them, rather than with all the flaws automatically perceived when she looks in the mirror. This is the perfect time to capture yourself at your best. It is a fun, enjoyable experience and definitely should be a reward every bride gives herself for all the hard work with wedding planning. The images you get from the session are a huge self-confidence booster and a gift to yourself as well as your groom. Most women surprise their groom with the photos and I think it’s a fun way to build excitement and anticipation for your walk down the aisle.
What happens at a boudoir Shoot?
At TAIT Photography, our clients come to the studio an hour early to have their hair and makeup done. The professional makeup artist we have on our staff has expertise in doing make-up for the purpose of being photographed, and uses the client’s input on the type of look they want for their shoot. It’s also a nice pampering experience that helps calm the nerves before the photo shoot. After hair and makeup is done, the clients come into the completely private shooting area and the dressing room. I will take a look at all of the outfits the client brings and help them put together their looks if needed. I have a small accessory closet that the women can borrow from to add to their outfits, such as thigh-high stockings, birdcage veils, and heels. A lot of women like to have a few images with only the white sheets and we usually end the session with some “in-between the sheets” types of photos.
Do I have to be sexy or seductive?
Boudoir photos are not only sexy or seductive, they can also be playful and fun. I like to do a combination of expressions in each pose so there are plenty to choose from. Some women think they have to be models or know how to pose already but that is definitely not the case. I fully direct each pose and tell what expressions to give, so the client can just relax and enjoy the experience.
What do I wear?
We recommend that the women bring 3 to 5 outfits, and it is also popular to do the shots in between the sheets in addition to the outfits they bring. Types of clothing that clients bring include lingerie, tight jeans, mini skirts, bikinis, wedding night attire, sexy dresses, and workout outfits. We recommend avoiding clothing with lots of patterns because solid colours are generally the most flattering and photograph best.
What about women that are shy?
Most women I photograph are shy, and everybody is nervous at first. A boudoir session is a lot easier than it seems, and everyone leaves telling me how much fun they had. We usually start with the least revealing outfit first, and once the client is comfortable, continue onto other outfits. If you are comfortable wearing a bathing suit on the beach, then the boudoir session is not much different!
The Details:
Sittings are typically an hour (although several packages are available), and include a lot of proofs to choose from. Women generally bring between 3 to 5 outfits for their shoot. Many outfits are lingerie, but you can bring other items, especially those that are significant to your fiancé such as a sports jersey, button down shirt, or something related to his profession. Albums are the most popular way to give the images. The brides usually select between 10 to 30 of their favorite images to give to their groom in the album. Although many women are surprised at how good the images already look un-retouched, each image ordered is airbrushed and enhanced to look perfect for the album. We retouch the images for things like blemishes, wrinkles and under-eye circles. We also do calendars, canvases, and large prints for those who want a different kind of product to enjoy their images.
What are some special spins that TAIT photography puts on boudoir?
We offer a “Book With a Friend” discount, so if you come into the studio on the same day as a friend, you both get a discount off your session fee. We have session discounts for cancer survivors or those currently undergoing any cancer-related treatment. Each year during Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October, we give away a free photo shoot package to one or more cancer survivors. We also honor our military wives and service-women with discounts on their session, and each year donate a photo session package to a military wife or service woman.
Who are your boudoir photos for?
“
These images are for my fiance. I plan to have him receive his gift on the day of our wedding. I think he will be really surprised and even more anxious to see me. I wish I could see his reaction, but I like the idea of building up the anticipation.” -Tiffany
“The images are for my husband—and he was amazed! His jaw literally dropped on every picture that he saw.” -Carrie
Why did you decide to have a boudoir photography session?
“
I wanted to be able to give my groom-to-be an extra special wedding gift — and one that he would never expect!” -Krystal
How was the experience?
“The experience was much more relaxed than I expected. I especially appreciated Erica’s guidance throughout the shoot as to how to position myself, where to look, etc. It made me confident that she knew exactly what she was doing so I could just relax, follow her instructions, and let her do the work. The studio was a nice private setting that allowed me to feel comfortable in my own skin without worrying about who was going to see me half naked!” -Jessica
