If you’ve been doing your research around boudoir photoshoots, you’ve likely landed upon photos of other women, and seen beauty, femininity, and sensuality in all of them. You’ve been captivated by the story in each shot, and you’ve admired the tasteful way these intimate moments have been captured.

And yet, there’s still something holding you back from going ahead with your own intimate photoshoot: the insecurities you have about your perceived flaws.

But here’s the thing. All of those women in those photos are just like you. They have bits they would never normally put on show; they have creases and scars, they have parts they wish were smoother or smaller.

But you didn’t notice those ‘flaws’, did you? That’s because flaws don’t exist with Milk Intimates Photography. Boudoir photography is all about celebrating yourself and capturing you just as you are – in a way that makes you feel proud.

As your boudoir photographer, I do everything I can to make sure that it’s a comfortable experience for you. But confidence needs to come from within – so, here are four tips for allowing yourself to drop your guard and let go of insecurities before your photoshoot.

1. First remember that none of us are perfect

I’ve seen a lot of bodies in my time as a boudoir photographer, and let me tell you one thing I know to be true; cellulite and stretch marks don’t discriminate! Even the most in-shape bodies can come with these completely natural changes. If you have areas you are particularly conscious of, let your photographer know before the shoot, so we can help to pose you in ways that lessen the attention to those areas. Do remember though, that it’s often our imperfections that make us uniquely and interestingly ‘us’.

And, of course, just like for the models on the magazine covers, small Photoshop edits can come in handy if there is something in your final images that you still feel uncomfortable about.

2. Sexiness is an inside job

No matter your age, weight or shape, every woman has an innate sensuality within her – and it’s this energy that makes someone sexy, not their physical appearance. Feeling sexy starts with your state of mind, but there are some things you can do to help you ‘step into’ that sexy energy. Put on your favourite fragrance, wear your ‘good’ lingerie, get your hair done, straighten up your posture, and give your body some love – whether that’s endorphin-boosting exercise, a massage or even just paying extra attention to yourself as your apply moisturiser or lotion each morning. Showing your body the love and attention it deserves reminds you that it’s beautiful and amazing just the way it is.

3. Make friends with the mirror

Have you heard of mirror work? It might feel a little cringe to begin with, but stick with it. All you need to do is sit yourself in front of a mirror, look yourself deep in the eye, and say positive affirmations to yourself – out loud. “I love you”, “You are so beautiful”, and “You are worthy” are all good places to start. You may want to create your own personal mantra – something like “I am a beautiful, empowered woman” – whatever resonates with you. Make a habit of doing your mirror work every day, and you’ll soon notice a shift in how you feel about yourself and feel more ready than ever to get in front of the camera.

4. Choose an outfit that compliments your curves

One of the quickest ways to feel good about yourself is to put on an outfit that complements your body shape and your complexion. Get some help from a lingerie stylist or an in-store stylist if you feel like you could do with some help finding the right outfit. The right outfit changes the way you feel about yourself, how you carry yourself, and how confident you feel about posing in different positions.

Well-chosen outfits can also help hide those bits that you’d rather not draw attention to. As a photographer, we’re well practiced in careful placement of garments so that it shows just the right amount of allure, without making you feel uncomfortable.

It’s not uncommon to feel self-critical, but do remember that the boudoir studio is a safe and private space where we want you to feel completely comfortable to be yourself. Rest assured that no one is seeking out flaws or imperfections.

I’ve built a career taking photos that show women just how beautiful and amazing they really are, and I know you’ll leave with boudoir photos you feel proud of too.

Feeling ready to get glam? Let’s make it happen! Get in touch to book your own boudoir or glamour photo shoot with me.

Whatever the reason, take the time to find the perfect boudoir photographer for you. I’ve been a boudoir photographer for over three years and a professional photographer for over six years. There is no perfect photographer, but there is a perfect photographer for YOU.

Here are some guidelines that are important to follow when beginning your search for your boudoir experience.

1. Find a boudoir photographer’s work that you love

Find photos that you like and invest in a photographer’s work you love. It’s incredibly hard to replicate someone else’s work; a photographer’s style is subject to their lens, creative space, effects, and creative ability.

Replicating another boudoir photographer’s style will leave you disappointed. The female form is unique to you, so it’s always best to discuss your ideas and look at your reference images with the photographer so everyone is on the same page.

2. Always check their reviews

Take time to read reviews by checking their Facebook and Google business pages. Quite often this can give you enough of a push to book your boudoir experience and understand a bit about how the photographer works.

3. Make sure you are comfortable with your photographer before you book

We like to have a chat over the phone first, making sure we’re all on the same page with expectations (this is paramount). Meeting at the photographer’s studio is a great way to make sure you feel relaxed and make it easy to discuss all ideas. It also gives you the opportunity to see all the boudoir photographer’s products and full pricing information.

4. Check if  the boudoir photographer has included makeup & hair styling in their session fee

If not, that’s another expense you 100% have to do professionally. Not getting this right can lead to all sorts of disappointment; we certainly don’t advise finding the cheapest artist for this. Milk Intimates Photography’s session fees have our preferred makeup artist’s fees included.

5. Do they respond quickly?

A glamour photographer that promptly responds to your booking is a great sign, this already indicates that they will be easy to deal with throughout your session. Most women haven’t experienced a boudoir photoshoot before, so to know that you can count on your boudoir photographer will make the whole process much, much easier.

6. Remember more is not always better

We’ve always been about quality over quantity. You don’t need thirty average pictures with five different outfits. Having 10-20 unique images in an album or book is a special memento. Have you considered framing one of the best photographs for the wall? Whatever you do, make sure you think about what you are actually doing with the photos, this is the best part!

7. Discuss your timeline For Getting Your Boudoir Photos Back

Quite often a boudoir photo shoot will be a gift, so make sure you have contacted us well in advance to let us know this. Understanding your timeframe will allow us to schedule enough time for post-production and to supply the finished boudoir photographs in time.

Hopefully, this blog post has helped you understand how to best select your glamour and boudoir photographer. Milk Intimates travels to Auckland Christchurch and Wellington, Contact us to find out more.

Book your Boudoir & Glamour Photography Session

Please contact us today, and we will discuss your New Zealand glamour photo shoot in either Auckland, Wellington or Christchurch.

Milk Intimates Photography has a team of professional hair and makeup artists who will pamper you, their job is to make you look and feel like you’re a goddess. Whatever look you’re after, our talented team are highly skilled and take the time to achieve the look you want. Asking a friend to do it won’t achieve the look we need for your boudoir photoshoots, it must be done professionally by an artist that’s worked in this industry.

Tip #2 BRING A VARIETY OF LINGERIE

Make sure you’ve collected a few garments that make you feel comfortable, lacy lingerie sets, oversized shirt and bodysuit, all of these depend on the look you’re after. Or maybe you want to buy something extra special for your boudoir shoot? Whatever you select, just make sure they all fit you nicely.

TIP #3 GET ENOUGH SLEEP

I know there will probably be a lot of nerves and excitement leading up to your shoot. But do try and get a good night’s sleep prior to your glamour photo shoot. Being sleep deprived can lead to you feeling and looking not as great as you’d like to. So try and get whatever amount of sleep your body needs to have you feeling well rested.

TIP #4 READ REVIEWS AND FIND OUT PRICING UP FRONT BEFORE YOU SELECT A BOUDOIR/ GLAMOUR PHOTOGRAPHER

Go for a glamour photographer’s work you love and trust. Entrusting a mediocre photographer that you’re hoping can understand your vision and style simply won’t work. With photography you pay for what you get, there is a huge amount of work that goes into boudoir photography, the post production can take weeks. Check their google reviews, invest in quality not quantity. If it means saving up or finance, that is a good thing, most photographers have finance options to select from.

TIP #5 LOCATION LOCATION LOCATION

Locations that are unique will add to the creative look of the glamour portraits and boudoir photoshoots, we’re after places that aren’t crowded by people and haven’t been photographed a million times before. If you’re after the beach look, this needs to be done an hour before sunset. We can easily do the glamour photoshoot in your home, as long as it’s set up with enough light, make sure you’ve done your research so the setting is right.

TIP #6 IF YOU’RE GOING TO TAN, TRY THE TAN FIRST SO YOU AREN’T GREEN OR GET BAD TAN LINES

Please please please trial your tan out first, and get this done professionally, no point in risking a quick day before tan with a therapist you’ve never used. This may leave you really upset with the quality and then it’s up to me to fix in photoshop, (this isn’t easy) Ideally having your tan 2-3 days prior to your boudoir shoot is best.

TIP #7 DON’T BRING ALONG AN AUDIENCE

It can be very distracting during a photoshoot when there is an audience, there is usually limited space and having another person in the room can affect lighting also.

I find that clients don’t allow themselves to let go enough or enjoy the experience when there are others present. There is a lot of time and trust spent before and during your session so you feel completely comfortable with your photographer.

TIP #8 DO TELL ME ALL THE PHOTOS YOU’D LOVE TO ACHIEVE

This is important so we’re on the same wavelength so I know all the different types of shots you like and the look you want to try.

TIP #9 DO START ON COLLAGEN BEFORE YOUR SESSION

Collagen is an amazing all rounder, you’ll notice your skin is soft and clear, I highly recommend the ‘’Two Islands’’ Beauty collagen powder, your skin will be glowing after a couple of weeks. Consult your Doctor if pregnant first.

TIP #10 DO RELAX

This is the big one… relax and have fun! Sip on some champagne, be pampered, and leave with a whole new level of confidence. Boudoir photoshoots are all about you – this is your day to enjoy. Feel free to bring along your own music playlist if you really want to set the mood for the day too!