Journal

The Biggest Mistakes People Make Before Their Boudoir Session 

Trust me — I totally understand that baring all (quite literally) in front of a stranger is not exactly the easiest thing to do. You’re putting yourself out there, and you have every single reason to feel a little bit nervous or unsure about what to expect. I promise you, though, that I’m going to make sure that you don’t just look amazing in your boudoir images, but that you feel amazing before, during, and after the session. 

To help ensure things go smoothly at your upcoming boudoir session, I thought it’d be helpful to share some of the biggest mistakes that clients make so that you can avoid them: 

Getting Drunk: A little bubbly is a nice touch, but it can sometimes be easy to go too far when you’re caught up in nerves. Remind yourself what your alcohol limits are — something only you know! — and stick to them. And here in PA I can’t serve you, so you gotta bring it on your own and you have to know your limits and you have to know I am capping you at two glasses. WHY? Because your heavy lazy eyes don’t read as sexy to the camera. Your skin will flush and while a good pink cheek is lovely, a hives situation on your chest is a nightmare I don’t care to pay extra to have retouched out.

Not Eating the Day Of: I’ve seen this happen a few times. It’s an honest mistake, but it’s also one that sets you up for a lackluster shoot. You need sustenance to keep your mental and physical energies up, so don’t starve yourself the day of (or in the days leading up to) the shoot. Eat colorful, whole foods in moderation. LISTEN! I reserve the right to END your session if you can’t follow simple directions because you refuse to eat or drink before your session in an effort to appear as flat as possible. I GET IT! I DO I DO! But believe it or not, if you’ve not eaten you can’t hear me and you can comprehend what I’ve asked you to do. if you can’t follow and be coached because your brain is busy trying to figure out where the fuck the famine came from, I could very well ask you to go home. Couple some booze on a totally empty stomach and you’ve just wasted your money and my time. (Yes, I sound like an asshole but I am the expert and you chose me because I know how to make your session fire as hell, let’s not blow it because we are afraid of a banana.)

Obsessing Over Others’ Boudoir Images: It’s OK to find a little inspiration on the web, but don’t let yourself fall down a dark hole of self-comparison. I think it’s best to come into a shoot without a ton of others’ images swimming around in your head. You’ll feel better, trust me! I think its rad as hell when you have MY work as inspiration as something you’d like to recreate for yourself but let’s not compare ourselves to anyone else.

Engaging Negative / Apologetic Self-Talk: This happens almost without fail during every session, and it’s always a bit of a bummer to hear a client talk badly about themselves. It could be something as simple as “I’m sorry I didn’t get something that fits perfectly!” or “Can you make me look skinnier?” or “I hate my thighs!” I know that we live in a world that makes us focus on our self-perceived flaws, but I challenge you to only think and utter affirmative words before, during, and after your session. Here is the deal. Everyone has something. I want you to feel comfortable with me so I am not going to be the toxicity police by any means but if you come in and delivery an itemized list of what you think is wrong with you, your wardrobe, your reason for doing this, blah blah blah…you will have set yourself up for failure and you’ve basically dared me to prove you wrong. But I can’t. If you come in with an open mind, we are for sure going to change your relationship with your body but not you’re not willing to be challenged.

There is no right or wrong way for you to have a boudoir photoshoot experience with The GFE Boudoir but there are some ways that make it more difficult for both you and I. I am your BEST resource. You don’t know what to expect and I’ve been doing this for years and years. My inbox is always open. Im always running my mouth on IG. There is a private facebook group with a ton of past clients who are willing to give you a hand!!