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Real Boudoir

A Valentine’s Day Session Throwback

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A Valetine’s Day Session Throwback

Natalie Ray of Boudoir by Mia is a Las Vegas, Nevada boudoir photographer and is taking us back to a Valetine's Day session! If you haven't done a boudoir session before this is a great idea for a gift for your partner, and this will give you great boudoir photo inspiration! A Valentine's Day Session Throwback

Natalie Ray

of Boudoir by Mia in Las Vegas, Nevada gives us A Valentine’s Day Session Throwback that’s just absolutely gorgeous!

Adalia contacted me about a boudoir shoot as a gift for her fiancée for Valentine’s Day.  We planned a session that was both in studio and on location at a dry lake bed close to Las Vegas!  It was an incredible day, and I think she realized that it was more than just a gift for her fiancée, Joe, but also an amazing gift to herself.

Natalie Ray of Boudoir by Mia is a Las Vegas, Nevada boudoir photographer and is taking us back to a Valetine's Day session! If you haven't done a boudoir session before this is a great idea for a gift for your partner, and this will give you great boudoir photo inspiration! A Valentine's Day Session Throwback
Natalie Ray of Boudoir by Mia is a Las Vegas, Nevada boudoir photographer and is taking us back to a Valetine's Day session! If you haven't done a boudoir session before this is a great idea for a gift for your partner, and this will give you great boudoir photo inspiration! A Valentine's Day Session Throwback

She said: ‘Nat, this day brought me so much emotion.  I never thought I’d feel or look like this again. You have helped empower me and be proud of the hard work I’ve put in and by damn, show it!  I am truly blessed. Thank you for helping me find my inner beauty again.’

 I am so honored to share her story, and to have a job that allows me to give that kind of a gift to the women that trust me to photograph them!

Natalie Ray of Boudoir by Mia is a Las Vegas, Nevada boudoir photographer and is taking us back to a Valetine's Day session! If you haven't done a boudoir session before this is a great idea for a gift for your partner, and this will give you great boudoir photo inspiration! A Valentine's Day Session Throwback

Thank you so much for sharing, Natalie!

Check out more of Natalie’s work right here: boudoirbymiaportrait.com

Want to see more posts from our awesome Boudoir International photographers? Check them out here!

Give Yourself Permission

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Give Yourself Permission

“There is nothing more rare, nor more beautiful, than a woman being unapologetically herself; comfortable in her perfect imperfection. To me, that is the true essence of beauty.” Steve Maraboli
The Boudoir Divas talk about why you should Give Yourself Permission and do a boudoir or photography session. Be unapologetically you, embrace every part of yourself!

If you were to go through every photographer’s page on Boudoir International, you would find one resonating theme:

Every photographer wants to help women see how beautiful they are.
Every photographer wants to help women FEEL as beautiful as they really are.
Every photographer wants their client to love their curves, their dimples, and the beautiful parts of their body that they may not love.
Every photographer wants women to walk away feeling changed and seeing themselves in a different light.

The Boudoir Divas talk about why you should Give Yourself Permission and do a boudoir or photography session. Be unapologetically you, embrace every part of yourself!
The Boudoir Divas talk about why you should Give Yourself Permission and do a boudoir or photography session. Be unapologetically you, embrace every part of yourself!

And yet, another resonating theme
you may hear from other women is,

“I couldn’t.
I can’t.
Maybe when I lose x pounds.
Maybe when I get in shape.”

Ladies, you should jump at the possibility of getting to view yourself in a different light.
Give yourself permission to be pampered, to get dolled up, to have this time focused just on you.
Give yourself permission to love yourself.
Give yourself permission to accept that you have flaws, and to recognize…no one is perfect.

Give yourself permission.

Stop the narrative of too much, too little, add more, add less.
You are perfect.  In this season of life, your body has carried you where you are, and return the favor by embracing it.

Find a photographer who is committed to helping you see beauty that perhaps you may not see, and give yourself an experience of a lifetime! Have fun with it! Show the world (or just yourself!) the beauty in the little quirks, the unique things that make you, YOU!

When you do to a photography session, you are choosing to love your body and accept every story that your body has to tell!

The Boudoir Divas talk about why you should Give Yourself Permission and do a boudoir or photography session. Be unapologetically you, embrace every part of yourself!

We have said it before! Life is short…do the photo shoot.

 

Want to find a boudoir photographer in your city? Start your search here!

Real Boudoir | Bridal Boudoir| Dallas Maternity Boudoir

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Dallas Maternity Boudoir

Shea Mayberry of Shea Mayberry Photography in Dallas Texas Boudoir and Photography shares an intimate maternity session. dallas maternity boudoir

Shea of Shea Mayberry Photography in Dallas, Texas

shows the magic of maternity boudoir

This maternity boudoir session features Jessica, a wonderful newborn photographer located in Dallas.  While Jessica was pregnant, she came to Shea to document her surrogate pregnancy. Every pregnancy is amazing, but this pregnancy was special because she was carrying twins. Isn’t that just beautiful!

Shea Mayberry of Shea Mayberry Photography in Dallas Texas Boudoir and Photography shares an intimate maternity session. dallas maternity boudoir
Shea Mayberry of Shea Mayberry Photography in Dallas Texas Boudoir and Photography shares an intimate maternity session. dallas maternity boudoir

Now, Jessica is married, and she and her wife have just had THEIR OWN twin babies!! Shea and Jessica wanted to document and celebrate this time while she was growing these two sweet babies. Her beautiful, serene photoshoot was made even more exquisite with her lingerie by Agent Provocateur.

“I love maternity boudoir so much! This is such a special time in a woman’s life. A time like no other, full of anticipation and wonder. Maternity boudoir portraits are so intimate because they celebrate that already growing bond just between mother and child.” – Shea

Are you a mom-to-be? Maternity boudoir is a the ultimate way to capture the intimacy of pregnancy, and cherish the time of you and your little! A timeless gift.

Find a photographer in your city today!

Shea, thank you so much sharing this intimate maternity session!!

Want to see more posts from our awesome Boudoir International photographers? Check them out here!

The Mind-Block | Crystal Beckwith | New York Boudoir

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The Mind-block That Keeps You from Doing Boudoir

Crystal Beckwith of CRBoudoir in Vernon, New York. New York Boudoir and Photography. The Mind-block that keeps you from doing boudoir

Crystal of CRBoudoir in Vernon, New York walks us through the Mind-block that keeps you from doing Boudoir

I can’t do this

I don’t look like those girls

I don’t have enough confidence to do that

I could never do that

I wish I was brave enough

These are all things that women have said to me when they’ve seen my boudoir images. There is an underlying little monster hiding in each of those answers. That monster is fear. The biggest mind-block that I have seen in nearly every objection is the fear to step outside of you comfort zone. 

Crystal Beckwith of CRBoudoir in Vernon, New York. New York Boudoir and Photography. The Mind-block that keeps you from doing boudoir
Crystal Beckwith of CRBoudoir in Vernon, New York. New York Boudoir and Photography. The Mind-block that keeps you from doing boudoir

It’s called a comfort zone for a reason, it feels good there; it’s warm, natural and safe. The problem is everything stays the same within that safe bubble, growth cannot happen within a comfort zone. If you want more, if you want better, if you want different, you HAVE to push yourself outside of your zone.

I tell women that you do not have to have confidence to book a boudoir session, it’s not a requirement. The one thing you need to have to book a boudoir session is a moment of bravery. Bravery is required to look your fear in the face and say I deserve MORE than this. Bravery is required to step outside of comfortable. Bravery is pushing fear out of the way and taking a leap into an incredible freefall of growth. It only takes one small moment of bravery.

I know that the thought of being vulnerable in front of someone you’ve just met scares the life out of you. I want to think about how you will feel walking out of your session feeling like a bombshell, feeling like you just looked fear in the face and saying I WON, feeling like you have found the person you thought you lost!

What would telling fear off do for you? What would happen if you finally believed your husband when he tells you that you’re gorgeous, because you have seen it with your own two eyes? How would being full of pride and confidence in yourself effect your parenting? What would it be like to walk in a dressing room and not be filled with DREAD over what you’re about to put on?

I’m here to tell you that every.single.woman that walks in my studio is worried about a part of themselves. When they walk out of my studio the last thing on their mind is their stretch marks or cellulite, or the number on their clothes. They are walking out of my studio thinking about how they still HAVE it! What would it mean to you to have all of that?

I can help you, love. You just need to be brave enough to let me!

Ready for your moment of bravery? Find a photographer in your city today!

Crystal, this is so powerful.  So many women struggle with fear, self-doubt, insecurity – but they are not alone!  Boudoir is life-changing, if you’re willing to take the moment of bravery! Thank you for sharing!

Want to see more posts from our awesome Boudoir International photographers? Check them out here!

Editorial Boudoir | Modern Glamour | Under the Influence: Using Pinterest

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Under the Influence:
Using Pinterest

modern glamour boston boudoir

Allana Taranto of Modern Glamour  in Boston, MA
is sharing with us how you can use Pinterest to maximize your boudoir shoot!

With less time in my life, I find myself going down the Pinterest rabbit hole with less frequency than I used to.  However, when I can, I like to scroll through my own boards, remembering what I pinned, and discovering new pins others have added to my arsenal of inspirational images.

Here’s an example of an image that I found and pinned to my Boudoir Inspiration: Glamazon board.   A bridal boudoir client came in last weekend and brought in a pair of gorgeous high waisted black lace knickers. This image immediately came to mind.

I didn’t want to create a duplicate, or clone, of course.  But it was the seed of an idea.

The original pin is a page from an old issue of Marie Claire.
Not sure how to hunt down the photographer for proper attribution as I can’t make out the year of the issue.

modern glamour boston boudoir
modern glamour boston boudoir

This was my take on the idea.  Instead of layers of jewelry and pattern, we sent simple with just black lace and the one important piece of jewelry – the engagement ring.  I’ve been finding it a fun challenge to incorporate the engagement ring in bridal boudoir in creative ways.  

There are so many different ways to look and feel beautiful; to be outrageously sexy.

Pinterest is an elegant (and addictive) tool for visual organizing. When planning a boudoir session, you can use it to find and assemble images, wardrobe and quotes and women that inspire you.  There are so many different ways to look and feel beautiful; to be outrageously sexy. Pinterest can help you edit all those ideas down to the right ones for you.  When a client shares an inspiration board with me before the boudoir session, I can immediately understand what kind of boudoir shoot she is planning and hoping for.  Then, using that board as a launch point, we can create her dream shoot together.

I’ve started a few boards – a few (of the many) archetypes of female beauty.  You can use any of these Boudoir Style Inspiration boards as a beginning, or if you are inspired you create, name and build  your own boudoir inspiration board.

Here are a few tips as your use Pinterest to plan your boudoir shoot:

1. DISCOVER THE STYLE OF BOUDOIR YOU LOVE

Pinterest, and the internet as a whole, is a great place to start doing research.  There are many types of boudoir. Pinup, glamour, fitness, etc.  What feels right for you?  Then find a photographer whose work reflects that style.  You might not initially have the right vocabulary for what you are looking for, but you will know it when you see it.

modern glamour boston boudoir
modern glamour boston boudoir

2. ORGANIZE WARDROBE FOR YOUR BOUDOIR SHOOT

Wardrobe for boudoir shoots goes way beyond bras and underwear.  There’s shapewear, sleepwear, corsets, boy shorts, slips, robes, bodysuits, hosiery – the list can go on.  Search for styles and options that reveal the parts you love about your body.   My board Operation: Lingerie (the colon here is critical, it’s not lingerie for operations!) is the main Modern Glamour Pinterest board for beautiful things that you can wear for a boudoir photography shoot.

3. SHARE YOUR BOARD WITH YOUR PHOTOGRAPHER

Pinterest, as a tool, is great for mapping out your inspirations.  Often, when looking at a client’s board, I can see what style of shoot she wants.  From there, I can choose what backgrounds, and props we need to make that dream shoot happen.  As visual artists, photographers can read and translate in words and into the shoot itself what a client is looking for.

Most of my clients get an album with their boudoir session. An album, which by it’s nature is narrative, is the perfect place for a story to unfold.  In a story there’s a beginning, middle and and end. That means we want to create a variety in wardrobe, lighting and backgrounds. Is there a story behind the images that can emerge when they are in a sequence?  

modern glamour boston boudoir

Remember:

We won’t create an exact replica of another photographer’s image. And we don’t want to. Your shoot is about you.  We will use your Pinterest board as a seed of inspiration to make our own amazing images.

The whole boudoir experience is a process of accepting and loving yourself.

You can read the original blog post on Allana’s website here.

Allana, thank you so much for sharing your insight into utilizing Pinterest, and also allowing use to see some of your work!  We absolutely love using Pinterest as well, not only to showcase our current lingerie wardrobes to our client, but to also encourage them to gain inspiration for their shoots – you can check our our boards right here!   It is so important to remember Pinterest is just a tool, not a standard! You are your own unique beauty, rock it!

Want to see other boudoir posts?  Check them out here!

Caitlyn Nicole Photography Raleigh North Carolina

Real Boudoir | Caitlyn Nicole Photography | Raleigh, North Carolina

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Strength, empowerment, class, & a little badass.
That is exactly what Caitlyn Nicole Photography from Raleigh, North Carolina
gives us in this session!

 

Caitlyn White is a lifestyle, boudoir, & wedding photographer based in Raleigh, North Carolina.

In addition to being a photographer, she is also a wife & mom,
while managing an incredible business in which she focuses on empowering women.
She believes that every client who comes into her life has a story to tell, & Caitlyn is honored to share a small part of it.
In this particular session, Caitlyn shares Sabrina’s story!

Raleigh North Carolina Boudoir Raleigh North Carolina Boudoir
Caitlyn had initially met Sabrina through Krav Maga – Sabrina was first Caitlyn’s student & then became an instructor herself.
Through this route, both Caitlyn & Sabrina were catalysts for empowering others & embracing inner strength.
When Sabrina responded to Caitlyn’s model call for a boudoir shoot, Caitlyn could not have been more excited!
Caitlyn always includes a bottle of her clients’ favorite wine or a pack of beer/cider.
Her goal with boudoir is to showcase your personality and strength.
Sabrina was classy, sultry, & brought almost a royalty to her sexiness.  She told Caitlyn that she felt the most sexy when she had her batman socks on, her favorite flannel, & a glass of wine.

"I loved her session so much. She was one of my first clients and believed in my vision 150%. Sabrina literally brought a mini wardrobe and absolutely rocked everything from lingerie and lipstick to yoga, baseball cap and her favorite plaid."

Caitlyn

Raleigh North Carolina Boudoir
Raleigh North Carolina Boudoir

Caitlyn’s greatest passion is helping others feel confident, especially women. Boudoir is an art, & every piece of you only enhances the beautiful masterpiece that is you. When you work with Caitlyn, you’re investing in her to capture your beauty with stunning images of real emotion in an intimate & vulnerable setting. As a lifestyle boudoir photographer, she doesn’t just provide a service – she creates an experience.

                                  Raleigh North Carolina Boudoir Raleigh North Carolina Boudoir

"I first met Caity as my Krav Maga instructor and I remember thinking, wow she is badass. Through the years, I've had the honor to get to know her and she is thoughtful, incredibly talented in multiple facets and still one of the most badass people I know. She has taken exquisite action shots of me during Krav Maga tests, and I am so thankful of her capturing special moments that I get to keep forever. Most recently, she helped me check off one of my bucket list items, but something I was nervous to do. We had a boudoir photoshoot. The entire process from initial contact to the end product was an unforgettable and beautiful experience. Before the shoot, we communicated what I was looking for and she asked for my favorite beer or wine. The day of the shoot, she was prepared with everything including my favorite wine to put the cherry on top. Boudoir for me is an elegant photoshoot that captures the human body in an artistic way and the personality of the model. It is pivotal to be able trust your photographer to capture the essence of who you are in this intimate setting. I've never had so much fun during a photoshoot and the time flew by! She gave excellent direction, very open to my ideas and we had a fun conversation the entire time. Caity made me feel like a rockstar leaving the shoot and I was so excited to see the end product. She had a quick turnaround and sent me the gallery of photos the next day, and there wasn't a single photo I didn't love. Every photo captured was what I was looking for. If you've ever given even the slightest thought of a boudoir shoot, it is empowering and fun that captures the strength and beauty of your body and you. Caity is ridiculously talented and professional. I highly recommend her for your next photoshoot."

Are you interested in seeing other Real Boudoir posts?  Check them out here!

Real Boudoir | Nikki Watarz Photography| Miami, Florida

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“A day I’ll never forget and the pictures that make me feel so many positive emotions. I must say you blew me away!! I’m so glad I took the risk.”
Nikki Watarz Photography

Nikki Watarz began her career in photography over 10 years ago. Once she discovered boudoir she knew she wanted it to be her specialty. She is known for not only taking beautiful photos, but for making you feel special during your sessions.  Women are sometimes not comfortable with sharing their photos as a part of photographer’s portfolio, so Nikki had a model call!  It’s crucial for photographers to have photos to share, but also so important to maintain privacy with their clients, and so a model makes a happy medium!

Deidra Amber was thrilled to model for me because she herself is trying to become a model. This was a perfect opportunity for Deidra to put herself out there, while simultaneously building her portfolio. I can say that she had so many positive things to say and she felt amazing during and after the session.

For me, being a boudoir photographer is so rewarding because I get to be a part of such a positive experience. I am the type of person who loves to see others happy and this allows me to be a part of their happiness and excitement. I’m all about women supporting women, empowering women and being body positive, which as a woman I know can something hard we face.

One of Nikki’s favorite quotes, is from a different client, & sums up exactly how she feels about Boudoir –
“A boudoir shoot isn’t just for gorgeous photos, It’s a decision to say, I am beautiful. A new chapter in your life that says I love who I am.”

Miami Boudoir Miami Boudoir

"Thank you Nikki, you were so kind and welcoming. It was beyond a fun experience for me!! A day I'll never forget, and the pictures that make me feel so many positive emotions. I must say you blew me away!! I can't stop blushing. My boyfriend says he loves them!!! I'm literally fainting right now!! Nikkiii I can't take it anymore, they're so beautiful and soft. This is what I've always dreamed of. I'm so glad I took the risk. Working with you was such an honor. Thank you so much for bringing out a different side of me."

Deidra

Are you interested in seeing other Real Boudoir posts?  Check them out here!

How do you choose your boudoir photographer?

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So you’ve been toying with the idea of a boudoir shoot…
pinned a few photos on one of your “secret Pinterest boards”…
and  maybe you’ve even checked some of the boudoir photographers in your area!
But how do you choose the right boudoir photographer?

I mean, really – they’re all photographing women in lingerie, and what’s the difference anyways?  Here are a few questions you may want to ask yourself before you book your photographer:

  1. Do you LOVE their work?

It’s pretty simple; the photographer has to have that little “something something” difference that just grabs you and makes you want to see more of their work. Check their website, Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest for more of their work so you can really get an idea of their style.  The website is usually just a snippet of what they do.  The more recent images or special project photos will be on their social media!

  1. Do you feel you CONNECTED with the photographer?

This is more important than money or location!

Do they have a story about them on their site? Do see any photos of them? Any videos? Maybe behind the scenes footage? Do they talk to YOU with their messages of their online presenceYou will be in your lingerie, in front of a camera…surely you want to feel like the person who is shooting you is more like a new friend than just a photographer.

  1. What do you GET for your money?

This can be the most confusing part of the process.

There are so many different pricing structures by studios – because what works for me, may not work for another photographer. We all have a different goal in the business regarding quantity of shoot!

Make sure you check what is included in the initial price you pay! It might be a small amount of money but don’t get too excited because you will more than likely only get your photographer’s time and talent and MAYBE one print. Check individual product prices when you see small sitting fees; it will save you some not so nice financial surprises.

I hope this helps and you will find your dream photographer!

Stay Beautiful,

–AgiM

AgiM Boudoir Photography
Agi M is a Hungarian-Australian girl living in Adelaide, South Australia.
She founded AgiM Photography while living in Sydney because she felt it was the best way to give women the power of confidence,
and to leave them with something that has a lifelong positive effect on them rather than just pretty photographs.

Would you like to be featured on the Boudoir International blog?  Sign up today to become a part of Boudoir International – it’s excellent way to get recognition and referrals!  Once you’re a member, we would love to be able to feature one of your favorite sessions, or if you have any tips or tricks you like to share with your clients!

Are you interested in seeing other Real Boudoir posts?  Check them out here!

Real Boudoir | The Magnolia House Studio | Virginia Beach, Virginia

By | Lingerie & Styling, Real Boudoir | No Comments

When Shawn from The Magnolia House Studio sent us this session,
we knew that it absolutely had to be featured.

The Magnolia House Studio The Magnolia House Studio

It was Shawn’s favorite Virginia Beach Boudoir session of the year, unique in that it features another local photographer!
Shawn specializes in Virginia Beach Boudoir photography for women, & is passionate about helping women
find their inner beauty & light, as is obvious through her work!

The Magnolia House Studio
The Magnolia House Studio The Magnolia House Studio

“Her smile & sunny personality really showed through in her photos. It was honestly her personality that was the inspiration. Her smile & laugh carried the entire session.  She is a beauty inside & out, so sweet, thoughtful & happy.
She really made it easy for me!”
– Shawn

In addition, Shawn’s client was pleased with not only the results, but loved her entire experience from beginning to end! 

“Since the minute I contacted Shawn about doing the shoot I was super nervous & excited! Since having two kids, I had a million concerns about how I would look & what to wear. Shawn knew exactly all the right things to say. She was AMAZING! She made me feel like a supermodel & gave me confidence. Most importantly, I felt very comfortable. I could tell as soon as I arrived at her beautiful studio that this is something she loves to do & is very passionate about. The experience was so much fun. I am obsessed with every single image & so is my husband! ”


The Magnolia House Studio
The Magnolia House Studio
The Magnolia House Studio The Magnolia House Studio The Magnolia House Studio

Thank you so much for sharing this, Shawn. Boudoir photography is meant to help women find the beauty in every stage of life, & you clearly did that by erasing your client’s concerns & as a result, captured a breathtaking session!  A huge thanks to your client for sharing with us as well –  her beauty & strength will therefore empower many other women, including moms!

Check out more Real Boudoir posts here!

Real Boudoir | The Beauty & Boudoir Studio in Longmont Colorado

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The Beauty & Boudoir Studio in Longmont Colorado
We bring you this “Real Boudoir” submission from Lanett Franko of The Beauty & Boudoir Studio in Longmont, Colorado. This bridal session was with Haley who came to me wanting to do a session as a gift to herself as well as her fiance.  She wanted a classic bridal session and confidence proved to be the sexiest outfit she displayed.  Hair/makeup – In studio stylist hair/makeup Monica Martinez.
While there are so many reasons to get a boudoir photo shoot done, we think one of the most special reasons has to be bride doing this for her groom (and herself of course). This just seems to be one of the most sought after gifts when it comes to wedding planning and preparation. And it’s so fun for us boudoir photographers to photograph! The bride’s anticipation is infectious! And she brings so many sentimental items to use for the shoot as well, it makes it all that much more meaningful.
Get excited and inspired for your bridal boudoir shoot with all the ideas on Pinterest!
And photographers here on Boudoir International, don’t forget to send us your Real Boudoir submissions to info@theboudoirdivas.com as well!!