I have just launched a new luxury boudoir brand for women called MUSE. All KHS Boudoir will be under MUSE going forward. Please head to the new website to find out more!
Boudoir Shoot Reviews
‘If you’re thinking about doing a boudoir shoot with Kate, do it, absolutely do it’
I had been wanting to book in for a boudoir photoshoot for a while, and with my husbands 30th Birthday approaching I decided that now would be the time, what a perfect gift for the man that has everything! I had researched boudoir photographers and came across Kate’s website, and I am so glad that I did. I embraced the nervousness and emailed her immediately!
The day of the photoshoot had arrived, I got ready, left instructions with my mum for my two boys and set off for the day. It was the first day that I had left my second baby boy since he was born. Whilst I had initially thought that I was doing this for my husbands 30th birthday gift, this was as much a gift to me as well as him. After having two children in 2 years and suffering from severe post-natal depression after the birth of my second son, this boudoir photoshoot was about me reclaiming my body back for myself, this was a celebration of what my body and my mind had accomplished in that time.
I arrived at Kate’s beautiful home and told her that I was so nervous, she made me a cup of tea and we went up and had a chat about what I wanted to get out of the shoot, she made me feel completely at ease and as I started to tell her my story we started to break down a lot of the barriers that I had put up, the result was (If I can say so myself) beautiful. I felt like the old me again (She was in there after all!) I felt empowered and proud, I am absolutely over the moon with my pictures, they serve as a reminder that I am a strong, beautiful woman even when I am covered in baby vomit half the time! And when I have my down days, which I inevitably do, I get to look at my pictures and remember that I’m strong and I’ve got this.
If you’re thinking about doing a boudoir shoot with Kate, do it, absolutely do it. This is so much more than just a photoshoot, this was an enlightening experience for me, one that I will never forget. Thank you Kate, for helping me get back to me again! And of course, hubby will be pleased too!
‘I got all of this and so much more’
“Before I came I was looking for something to boost my self worth after a pretty difficult personal time and find that part of me that believed in me. I wanted something to look at daily that would keep reminding me who I was. I actually got all of that and so much more. What I didn’t expect was the huge boost to my confidence and self esteem. I don’t think I could have done anything else that would have done the same in such a short space of time. It quite literally reset my clock and I haven’t looked back since!”
It’s done more for my confidence than anything else in the past 10 years’
“I surprised myself about how much I enjoyed the shoot itself and without a doubt it’s done more for my confidence than anything else in the past 10 years. I think every woman should do a boudoir shoot but make sure it is with a top boudoir photographer like Kate!”
‘In fact it’s probably the best therapy you never even knew you needed.’
I chose to do a boudoir shoot with Kate not only because I wanted some beautiful photographs of myself, but also because so many women who had done one talked about how self-empowering and confidence-boosting it was. In fact it’s probably the best therapy you never even knew you needed.
I wasn’t celebrating a milestone birthday or wedding or divorce even – a boudoir shoot was just something I really wanted to do. It was choosing to do something for me that made me feel happy, beautiful and – trust the French to have the best expression for it – “bien dans sa peau”.
What else would I like to have known before the shoot? A couple of practical things. Firstly hair and makeup: I would 100% invest in having someone do this for you. You’ll probably be feeling a bit jittery on the day so let someone else look after you and work their magic. Lovely Caroline from Powder & Glow did mine and she was wonderful. Boudoir makeup is different to the makeup most of us might wear every day: Caroline is an expert and will get it spot on – trust her, false eyelashes and all. Secondly, location. When I was first thinking about the session, I was planning to book a fancy hotel suite but I am so glad I didn’t! Kate’s house – and the rooms she has set up – are the perfect backdrop. It’s honestly not worth the hassle of going somewhere else.
For me, boudoir photography has meant that I can summon up a mental image of myself looking and feeling my absolute best and channel it to situations where I need that energy. You don’t need a “reason” to do it. Go with an open mind, have fun and enjoy it!
‘She understands what women want’
Kate is able to achieve, with just the press of a shutter, a kind of magic with her images. But it’s more than just craft, she understands what women want, how they want to feel in the images – as if she is looking into you. It’s an incredible talent and gift and she is without doubt one of the best boudoir photographers in the UK.
‘I am completely in love with them all. ‘
‘How could a photo shoot change your life?’
Almost a year ago, I experienced something that was altogether mind-altering and life-changing. I got in contact with Kate after searching for female boudoir photographers near me (although Steeple Claydon is very much NOT near me!). I had wanted to do a pre-wedding shoot but my wedding dress had not been ready in time and I thought, why not still look into wedding boudoir as an anniversary present? The more I read through Kate’s website the more I felt this ‘pull’, so I emailed her. We ended up chatting on the phone and she described, as best as is possible to put into words, how a boudoir shoot is so much more than just posing in lingerie for a loved one. You might ask, how could a photo shoot change your life? But honestly, I had no idea of the emotion and mental realisation that would evolve through this process.
‘The change in her self-belief is truly remarkable’
We still talk about our day with you and the change in her self-belief is truly remarkable and keeps getting better. You have a rare talent. Thank you!
‘A most wonderful memory that I will cherish for the rest of my life’
‘I will treasure the memory of our day today’
Just wanted to say a BIG Thank-you for your time, patience and energy today. I had an absolute blast, and felt fantastic. You have a great way to put people at ease. I love what you achieved to make me look and feel really special. It was a real treat.
My boudoir pictures still blow me away … It is redefining how I think of myself.
I will treasure the memory of our day today as one of my special adventures. Thank-you for making it so.
‘For the first time in 14 years, my wife now understands exactly how I see her body’
“My wife has always been beautiful to me but I have learned over the years that how women see their bodies and how men view them are two very different things. The revelation through the boudoir experience, is that for the first time in 14 years, my wife now understands exactly how I see her body. The impact this realisation has had on her has been very liberating and the photos which are tasteful, natural and in my view stunning, are an added bonus”
‘Watching my partner’s reaction was gold. He was gazing like a child in a candy store for the first time.’
I went with Kate because her work looked sexy and classy and she had a perfectly styled home studio so I didn’t have to organise a shooting location.
‘Thank you, thank you, thank you’
“Two months on and I am still smiling every time I think about my pictures. And of course seeing my beautiful frame in the bedroom reminds me how I can look on the days that I don’t feel quite so gorgeous. Just wanted to let you know that I am back out on the dating scene again – my confidence has improved so dramatically and I am looking forward to what lies ahead for the first time in years. Thank you, thank you, thank you”
I cannot believe how incredible you have made me feel looking at these photos and how my confidence has lifted!
I just wanted to email to say a huge thank you to both of you for how amazing you made the shoot feel this week. You were both so warm and welcoming and I have honestly never felt so at ease going into a nerve wracking experience!
Caroline the make up is beautiful in the photos and I really feel like you’ve captured me as my usual self so thank you so much! You are so talented and such a lovely person who really made me feel so special for the shoot so thank you again!
Wow!!!! Never in my life have I seen pics of myself I have loved!!
The day after the shoot:
I wanted to write to thank you both for a truly fabulous day yesterday. I had an absolute blast and a very very large part of that was be sure you two were just so utterly wonderful. I felt instantly at home and genuinely enjoyed every moment, which I completely didn’t expect. At all.
As someone who spends a great deal of time looking after other people, to feel so wonderfully looked after by you two amazing women was utterly blissful, and I would pay to do it all again tomorrow, picture or no pictures!!
It also always amazes me, watching people who are very very skilled at something, doing what they do, and I did that yesterday, you are both so talented, it was a joy to watch and be part of.
The way you make people feel is very very special and I am delighted to have had the chance to experience it, and I still get the fun of the pics to anticipate.
Keep doing this, you have created something very wonderful.
The day she received her boudoir gallery:
Wow!!!! Never in my life have I seen pics of myself I have loved!! I love love love some of these. Even my bum!! He will love the ones I give him, but more importantly, I see myself and like myself. I am somewhat overwhelmed. Thank you xxx
‘I want to do it again’
“At the grand age of 43 it was something that I had never thought of until I met you, and my first thoughts were if I don’t do it now I never will. I wanted to remember my figure as it is now as its only going to get worse the older I get. I have lots of pictures of me with clothes on but never imagined that I would take my clothes off and have stunning pictures taken, I thought it was something that only super models did. It made me feel very special, sexy, womanly, really confident and also to love my body which like most girls we have hang ups. But now I feel so much more relaxed and happy at the way I look.
I loved the shopping trips that I went on and it made me experiment with underwear that I would never ever look at. It was a huge build up to the day with you and I loved every minute. Being so pampered with hair, makeup and having you take the most gorgeous images of me was incredible – I want to do it again. I really think that every girl should have boudoir taken at some point in their life and at the age I am now is even more important as after having children you do feel a bit like you have had your good days and its all down hill from now on. I don’t feel like that any more”
‘I actually sobbed my way through the gallery of pictures because I couldn’t believe (& still can’t!) that these were all of me!!! They are amazing!!’
Well – one week on since clicking ’My Boudoir Session Link’ & I am still looking at my photo gallery at the girl in the pictures & still not quite believing they are all of me!
From the initial Gift Voucher given to me as a Christmas present from my husband through to the actual day of my shoot – I had worked myself up, lost a bit of weight, gained a bit of weight, lost it again. I contacted Kate who re-assured me from day dot that everything would be fine & that it was natural to be anxious. I think the fear of not knowing what to expect was more worrying than the actual experience itself! And boy was she right!!
On my photoshoot day – I woke up feeling once again anxious & excited about the day ahead. I drove through the beautiful countryside to Kate’s home & the sun was shining – it was perfect!
Kate greeted me on the doorstep along with Caroline the make-up artist. I felt as if I knew them both already & they both put me at ease after my journey. We chatted casually & Kate asked me what I wanted from the shoot. The whole experience was booked by my husband in order to try to make me feel more comfortable in my own skin as I have for many years fallen out of love with myself & although I come across as a happy-go-lucky kind of girl – deep down I struggle with my demons & have various hang-ups over various parts of my body.
Kate & Caroline both assured me that the day would be wonderful & a chance for me to be pampered & dress up & be the start of a process that will prove to myself that I am as beautiful as my husband constantly keeps telling me.
The day went so quickly & both Kate & Caroline were fantastic throughout – guiding me & re-assuring me the whole time. It was fun & I enjoyed the day – going home on a high. I kept my outfit choices & type of poses a secret from my husband as I didn’t want to give anything away – wanting him to wait to see the photos for himself.
Leading up to ‘Photo Day’ I worrying that I wasn’t going to like what I saw. However – after plucking up the courage to click the link – I sat in shock. I actually sobbed my way through the gallery of pictures because I couldn’t believe (& still can’t!) that these were all of me!!! They are amazing!! I look at them & smile as they take me back to that day – a day of nerves, excitement, tears & laughter. What an amazing experience!
How I didn’t send the link to my husband all day – i’ll never know – but on the evening when he returned from work – we sat together & to watch his face light up was a memory I will treasure forever. Safe to say – he loved my pictures & he even shed a tear or two as he is so proud of me for going through with it. He is hoping that now I see what he sees & that I really don’t have anything to worry about.
I will get there – I’m sure – I just need to keep looking at these beautiful photos as a reminder that ’This Is Me!!!!’ I actually didn’t think I’d want to show anyone – but I feel so proud of them – I almost want to show the world!!! But I won’t – they are very special to both me & my husband. I’ve shown close family members & a few friends – who are all impressed and say why did I ever worry & that I look beautiful & have an amazing figure. Compliments I often find hard to take on board.
I cannot thank both Kate, Caroline & of course my husband enough for this whole experience – it was just amazing.
“I know how amazing you look but Kate just showed you what I see”
Been lost for words, half way through I just started crying I was so happy with them. David is going to love them Kate.
At first it started off as something for David’s birthday, but I feel like I have gained more from it on a personal level and the whole experience has given me something I will always cherish. I have never liked a picture of myself looking at a camera and my goodness feels like you captured my soul looking right at the lenses I look beautiful so thank you.
(Following David receiving his gift)
I think you just earnt me about ten years of brownie points!
What can I say David was absolutely blown away by the photos he can’t stop looking at them. He said it was a birthday to remember and commented that “I know how amazing you look but Kate just showed you what I see”. He would show me bits on the photos I had no idea he liked about my body.
Honestly can’t thank you enough. x