This Boudoir Session Details and FAQ is a quick guide of what to expect during your boudoir session, what to bring, and what to wear. Please click on each heading to see more information.
When should I schedule my boudoir session?
It is never too early to schedule your boudoir session. If you need your album or other products by a certain date, it is best to contact us as early as 4 months prior to that date. The earlier the better so you can secure a date for your boudoir session. I only take a few boudoir sessions a month to allow for very customized sessions and attention to detail, so if you secure your date early, you can be certain that you will receive your products in time for your event!
What should I bring to my boudoir session?
Your boudoir session includes styling, use of the studio’s wardrobe, and the use of my studio for 2-2.5 hours. It also includes unlimited outfit changes and hair & makeup touch ups during the entire session. I have several lingerie pieces, wraps, bodysuits, lace dresses, as well as tulle dresses in all different colors that you may use as part of your wardrobe but I do recommend going to a lingerie store to get fitted and start trying on things that you feel would flatter your body shape.
Please bring your favorite lingerie pieces such as a bustier, teddy, slips, romper, (beware of satin or shiny finishes, and bright neon colors as lingerie with those materials and colors do not look good in camera. I do love black and I do love color too! Blues, Teals, greens, dusty pinks, etc. Anything that complements your skin tone will look fabulous)
Thigh high stockings – I prefer the ones with lace at the top (If wearing a garter belt, please bring in thigh highs that do not have the silicone stay ups as they are more difficult to clip.)
Matching lacy bras and underwear (lacy boy shorts, lacy thongs)
Nude bra and underwear or thongs (seamless if possible)
Plain white, black, navy, grey tank tops if you have them
Favorite jeans
Low cut bodysuits
Leather jackets
Loose T-shirts or sweatshirts so you can drop one side down to reveal a shoulder
Simple Heels or Plain Pumps (nudes, black, etc) Please try not to bring heels with straps that tie at the ankles as they tend to shorten the length of your legs.
Your favorite dresses, shirts, skirts, shorts, pants, etc.
Is Hair and Makeup included?
Your boudoir session includes 1.5-2 hours of custom hair and makeup by my hair and makeup artist team, Nicole Moeser (https://www.instagram.com/makeupbynicolemoeser) and includes hair & makeup touch ups during the entire session. I want to provide an experience that makes you feel beautiful and pampered, and images that will help you appreciate the true beauty you possess! Tips for the hair & makeup artist is not necessary but is always greatly appreciated.
The makeup artist just handed me a mirror – I feel like I have A LOT of makeup on. Am I going to look like myself?
Don’t worry! It looks like a lot of makeup in person but it will look just right in-camera. Keep the mirror at least three feet away from you when you look at your makeup – the camera will never be closer than that – and remember that some of the makeup naturally “falls away” in the natural light, studio lighting, and during the processing and retouching of your images.
However, we want you to be happy, so speak up if you want to make an adjustment. The makeup artist is happy to talk with you about making any adjustments to the makeup after you’ve had some time to get used to it.
How long will the session take?
Makeup and hair usually takes 1.5-2 hours. The photographic session usually takes 2-2.5 hours. Plan to be here for 3.5-4.5 hours.
I don’t know how to pose. Will you help me?
Of course! Posing is my specialty. The ladies that you see on my website are not models. They were all styled and posed by me. During your session, I will tell you exactly what to do, where to place your hands, where to look, and what to do. It may feel awkward at first but trust me, the results always come out looking amazing.
I have cellulite, stretch marks, and acne. Can you edit that out?
In most cases, yes. Removal of acne, acne scarring, stretch marks, and cellulite is part of the retouching process. I do some slimming as part of my editing process as well but my goal at every session is not to make you look drastically different than if I were to see you in person. My goal is to make you look and feel more glamorous, make you feel even more beautiful and I can say with confidence that every woman who has left my sessions have left loving themselves even more than when they came in. For that reason alone, I do not do any drastic changes to your body shape or coloring with photoshop. Most everything I do is with proper lighting and posing. So just trust us and have fun! If there is something you feel self-conscious about, we can use poses and lighting to emphasize your best features instead. If you have severe cellulite or acne, I may not be able to retouch it all out. If you’d like a personalized consultation to discuss it, just let me know.
I am older or not as thin as the ladies on your website. Should I still book a session?
This is the BEST time to do your session! When you aren’t feeling 100% about your body. Trust me, I did my boudoir session a few months back, and I was the heaviest I’ve ever been, and the photos came back and I fell in love with myself and my image again. My body was my own, and I learned to love it again after seeing the STUNNING photographs of myself!!! We will show you how BEAUTIFUL you are. I have women always say “let me lose weight first” and guess what? I never hear from them again, until many years later they call me so disappointed that they never did a session. The time is now… Wardrobe is key!! With the proper wardrobe, you are giving your photographer the ability to pose you any way they would like. By posing you properly, we will always make you look as good as you look in real life, if not better! And do yourself a favor – Get yourself measured!! Most women are wearing the wrong bra size. The proper bra size makes you look firmer, trimmer and way hotter. (Oh and PS… your period isn’t an excuse to cancel a shoot – a little bloat doesn’t really show on camera.)
When will I see my session images? How long does it take to get everything back?
Immediately following your boudoir session, you will be able to view and order your favorite images and products. This is when you will be making your payment for the collection in full or creating a payment plan.
If you purchased digital files, they will be made available to you 2-4 weeks after full payment via instant download.
If you’ve purchased other items like an album, canvas, metal wall art, or prints, we will go over your order together and you will see a proof of the item before it goes out to be created and delivered to you. A week to two weeks later your gorgeous purchases will arrive at your doorstep.
Do you offer a payment plan?
I do offer a payment plan that extends the payment window between 2-12 months. Please talk with me about a payment plan if you’re interested in setting it up. No final digital files or A La Carte items are provided without full payment.
How much is a custom boudoir photography session with SugaShoc Photography?
Thank you for inquiring! Please click here for details on session fees and contact me to inquire about my collections. I look forward to hearing from you.