Welcome Beautiful!

I’m so excited and honoured that you have chosen me to photograph you.

A boudoir shoot is a sacred experience and ensuring you feel safe and you have a beautiful experience is so important to me.  If there’s anything I can do to help you have an amazing experience before, during and after the shoot, please let me know!

I cannot wait to get to know you and photograph you.

I created this prep guide to help you feel grounded and ready to connect with yourself during the shoot.  After reading this, you will know how to prepare yourself so that there is no stress or anything forgotten on the day of the shoot.

Let’s get started.

1. Outfit selection

Start thinking about what you would like to wear for your shoot.

We’ve already determined the style of shoot you connect to most.  I have created a Pinterest mood board to help you decide which colours and wardrobe ideas you are drawn to. 

Things to consider:

• What is your personal “boudoir” style or vibe (feminine, sexy, cute, simple, embellished, colourful, neutrals)?

• If you’re not sure, consider what colours or textures do you feel best in/are you drawn to, what pieces you feel most excited about wearing (i.e. lace, cotton, bra/panty set, slip, romper, strappy light dress, white shirt, or nothing at all)?

• What feelings would you like your images to emote (sensuality, mystical, sexy, innocent, raw, mysterious, heart-centred, confident, empowered)?

Tip: Do not select something you really want to wear but won’t feel comfortable in, or that is not the right size.  Your discomfort will show in your photos.

To Do:  Join the Pinterest Board I’ve set up for you (I’ve sent the link to you by email) and we can collaborate together on inspo pictures and ideas. 

To Do:  Feel free to send me pictures of your possible choices by email (hello@essenceportraits.ca) or text.

To Do:  Select a few outfit options based on the above and we can go through them the day of the shoot.

To Do:  Think about any accessories you might like to style your look with.  Do you love earrings that stand out?  Delicate necklace?  No jewelry at all? 

Don’t: Stay away from neon colours and very busy prints – they tend to not photograph well and can create colour cast (shade) on your skin.

2. Face and Body Care Prep

Believe it or not, this is an important part of prepping for your shoot!  You may want to arrange to have your hair and makeup done, you may prefer to take care of your own, or you might choose to wear no make up at all.  Regardless, there are little things that you can and should do to prepare beforehand, such as:

Lips – nothing worse than chapped lips the day of your shoot.  You can do a “gentle” lip scrub the day before to get rid of any dead skin.  You can buy one at places like Shoppers, Sephora, or Body Shop, or you can do your own using a little bit of sugar and coconut oil.  Click here for some DIY recipes and keep in mind any allergies you might have. After exfoliation and before bed, put on a layer of Vaseline or your favourite beeswax lip balm to protect your lips and lock in the moisture you gave them doing the exfoliation.

Face – you can also do a light exfoliation on your face a couple days before the shoot. Some people go for facials, but it’s not necessary.  Just remember to never try anything new leading up to your shoot.  You don’t know if you’ll have an allergic reaction to a product you haven’t tried before.  Most importantly, ensure you are well moisturized the night before and the day of your shoot, before you apply any makeup.

Facial Hair – waxing or plucking a couple days before is best if you’re going to do it.  Don’t wax (plucking is ok) too close to the day of the shoot to prevent any redness or swelling.  On the day of the shoot, groom your eyebrows, using an eyebrow brush, regardless of whether you wear makeup or not.  If you’re going makeup free, you can think about using a clear eyebrow gel, which will hold your eyebrows in place during the shoot.

Nails – some of you will decide to go all out and get your nails done for the shoot.  If you aren’t that girl, you can give yourself a mini hand treatment, again using gentle exfoliation techniques and ensuring your nails are clipped and clean before the shoot.  Also ensure to moisturize your hands the night before and the day of the shoot!  We will be doing some features shots, which could include close ups of your hands, so having manicured nails is important.

Makeup - My general tip is this:  come as your best self!  If you normally wear a full face of makeup, then go for it, and maybe a little extra (i.e. false lashes).  If you don’t normally wear makeup, but want to, try a light “no makeup makeup look”, that enhances your features, but doesn’t change you (you will likely hate an overmade look and not recognize yourself). If you’re doing your own makeup, try your look on a couple days before the shoot. If you prefer to have your make up done, remember to book in advance! Sephora is a well-known and affordable place to book.

And by all means, if you don’t want to wear any makeup, come as you are, and you will photograph beautifully!

Hair - Again, the general theme here is, don’t do anything you’ve never done before or that doesn’t really reflect who you are in this moment.  If your inside voice is saying “you should really cut bangs for your shoot”, don’t listen! My photographs are about authentic connection and your true self and I want you to come as YOU, not someone you’re dressing up as, because YOU are beautiful.

HYDRATION is KEY!

The more hydrated we are, the healthier and vibrant we look!  Please make a point of drinking water/non-caffeinated beverages both the day before and the day of the shoot.

Also try to avoid alcohol the day before and the day of your shoot. It can cause redness and puffiness.

Things to bring/pack the night before:

• lip balm, gloss

• moisturizer, hand cream

• water

• snack (e.g., protein/granola bar) just in case you get a little hungry

• floss picks

• Makeup for touch ups (if wearing)

• hair brush/comb

• a robe for you to wear when not being photographed

Key takeaways:

• Hydration, moisturizing and grooming are important! The little details can matter and also, there’s nothing like glowing skin in a photo!

• Don’t try new things today!  Any day but the day of your shoot!

• Enhance natural you!  You are beautiful as you are.

• If there’s anything you’re not sure about – don’t hesitate to reach out!  I’m here to help you feel your best before, during and after the shoot!

3. Night Before Shoot

Of course you want to do your best to ensure you get a good night’s rest, despite the excitement or any anxiety you might have. Some tried and true tips are:

• No liquids 2 hours before bed

• No phones in bed

• Nervous system reset techniques (eye yoga, box breathing, etc.)

• Double check alarm

• Fresh bedding and cozy pjs

I find packing everything I need the night before helps my busy brain rest at night.  Make sure you have a bag packed with the list of items I suggested in the Prep Guide, along with anything else you might want to bring.

Maybe the MOST important tip I can share is:

Have an open mind and trust the process!!  Learning to let go and be free is one of the greatest gifts you can give to yourself.  Taking a chance and letting someone take charge and seeing beautiful results is an amazing lesson in all areas of life.

See you at the studio!
Carol