BOUDOIR FAQ

What should I wear? 
A great question! Lingerie is always the first thing people think of and can be very fun for this type of shoot. I especially love bodysuits. They work on nearly every body type and are so fun in photos! While you can certainly purchase some fun, new lingerie for this shoot, I bet you have plenty of pieces in your closet right now that you can use, too. For example: a simple sleep shirt or men’s dress shirt can be AMAZING in photos. I generally recommend finding something that runs large on you so we can drape it around your shoulders. A silky kimono robe can also be a beautiful accessory or outfit for your session. A fun leather jacket or blazer paired with a bra/underwear set is also an easy, unexpected look.

Do I need to know how to pose?
Absolutely not! I want to make this experience as easy as possible for you. When you arrive to your boudoir session, all you need to do is bring yourself and your outfits and I will guide you through the rest. I will direct you into each pose and will make sure you are looking flawless. Half the time, I’ll get into the poses myself to demonstrate. 

How far in advance do I need to book my photo shoot?
If you have a deadline for the finished product, I usually recommend booking about 2-3 months ahead of time. Because I work with a lot of brides, this is important to make sure any gifts you purchase from your session arrive in time for your wedding weekend. If you have no deadline, you can schedule your session at your leisure. 

I’d love to work with you! How do I book?
Amazing! Email me at ashley@artistrieco.com and we’ll schedule a time to chat and review package options. I have 3 set boudoir packages, but am happy to customize them to make sure it’s a perfect fit for you. From there, I require a 50% deposit to book your appointment. The remaining 50% is typically due 2 weeks before your shoot date. 

What’s it like to work with you behind the scenes?
While boudoir photos can be perceived as serious and sultry, behind the scenes with me is a lot of laughter, joking around, Beyonce playlists, grapefruit mimosas, and having fun. A boudoir session is a unique experience and I don’t want you to feel like it has to be super serious or that you can’t be yourself. Truthfully, I love seeing smiles and laughter in your final photos, so if I do my job right, you’ll be feeling right at home in front of the camera. And you should know this now: I’ll most likely reference the “draw me like one of your French girls” pose from Titanic. Don’t say I didn’t warn you. 

How much should I expect to spend?
Most of my boudoir clients come to me looking for an all-inclusive experience. This means a city chic loft space setting, on-site hair and makeup services, a 1-2 hour photo shoot, and a beautifully bound album. Based on this, my clients typically spend around $2,000 on their boudoir experience. If you feel like I’d be a good fit for you but are unsure about the cost, please reach out to me and we can discuss payment plan options. I typically require a 50% deposit with the remaining balance due 2 weeks prior to your shoot date. If you require an alternative arrangement, I’ll be happy to send you 2-3 personalized payment options. 

What’s your policy on retouching?
I will fully edit your boudoir photos before you even see them. My editing process includes common corrections like white balance, contrast, exposure, and everything you see that gives my photos a warm, dreamy look to them. This also includes black and white conversions done to a select few for extra drama (I’m such a sucker for a moody black and white!). My editing process also includes light retouching when needed on your skin. For example: I’ll remove any blemishes and unwanted marks, brighten up under eye circles, smooth out tan lines if needed, etc. 99% of the time, my clients are happy with exactly how they see their photos for the first time. If you do have additional editing requests, we’ll discuss those during the boudoir reveal and I’ll be happy to accommodate you. Because I’m very pro body positivity, I never alter you or your shape to look anything other than your beautiful self. I don’t treat boudoir as a “transformation”. There are no extreme before and afters. When you see your edited photos, I want you to still see yourself and your natural beauty.

How will I see my photos for the first time?
About 2-3 weeks after your boudoir session, you’ll see your photos for the first time during our Photo Reveal appointment. This can be done in person or virtually, depending on what works best for you. I’ll have a fun presentation prepared, including a special slideshow of my favorite photos from your session. From there, we’ll go through your complete collection and I’ll help you narrow down your favorites for whatever albums and wall art pieces you have purchased. Typically we’ll place all product orders by the end of this appointment.

What products are available for purchase?
I offer an array of printed options to display your favorite boudoir photos beautifully. My most popular option is a boudoir album that includes 20 photos from your session. This ends up being a perfect size for most clients. That being said, I also offer smaller albums, larger albums, photo folios and wall art with options for every budget.

What do I need to do to prepare for this experience?
Before your session, I’d love for you to create a mood board (Pinterest works great for this!) for your boudoir photos. Your mood board can include boudoir photos you love, outfit and styling ideas, inspirational words, and anything that matches your preferred aesthetic. This will help me understand your vision before we begin taking photos. Beyond that, I recommend that you stay very hydrated the days leading up to your session. Boudoir is all about the skin and you’ll want your skin looking it’s best. The more hydrated you are, the more soft and dewy your skin will look. I’m also a big fan of the hydrafacial! Avoid eating salty, sugary foods along with alcohol a few days before your session to help prevent blemishes. Arrive to your session well rested. A full night of sleep does wonders to the skin. And don't forget to moisturize your skin. ;) 

Can I bring a friend?
Yes, if you feel like you need a little extra moral support, you are welcomed to bring 1 friend. All I ask is that your friend doesn’t interfere with the shoot in any way. 

Will you use my images in your portfolio?
I would LOVE to share your photos as a part of my portfolio! That being said, I will only share images from your boudoir session with your permission. After your photo reveal appointment, I’ll send you a follow up form where you can indicate your preferred level of privacy over your photos. Some women prefer to keep their photos completely private and in those instances, their photos will never see the light of day. Others are okay with me sharing anything that keeps their identity anonymous (basically anything that doesn’t clearly show her face). Many of my clients are thrilled for me to share any of their photos. I take this as a huge compliment because not only do they love their photos, but they want them to be shared with the world. Ultimately, the choice is yours.