What is it like to have a boudoir shoot?

Many women are intrigued by the idea of having a boudoir photo shoot but have no real sense of what the experience is actually like.

I do find it hard to get across in writing what a special thing a boudoir shoot can and should be.  I have always said that I believe it is something that every woman should do at least once in her life because I see the women who book boudoir photography so positively transformed by the experience.

The reasons that women book a boudoir shoot vary from:

• Bridal Boudoir in order to give their groom a wedding gift
• To celebrate key birthdays – turning 30, 40, 50, 60!
• Weight loss
• Illness – particularly recovering from something like breast cancer or post natal depression
• Self esteem issues  due to a relationship ending or surviving the first few years of motherhood.
• Because you deserve it.

Whatever the reason behind booking the boudoir shoot the experience should be the same.  I want it to be a day dedicated to YOU, a day of being spoilt, pampered and celebrated. A day that is fun, liberating and one that will stay with you for a very long time.

The environment or location where the boudoir shoot takes place is VERY important and has a big influence on the final feel of the images – I want my work to look like luxury boudoir photography: stylish, editorial, beautiful and artistic.   It is also very important because it will affect how you feel – you need to feel safe, relaxed and able to be yourself which is why I choose to shoot from my home in North Bucks.   Have a look at this blog post which is dedicated to how to style your boudoir shoot and shows you the rooms and props that I use for my boudoir sessions. 

We begin the day by looking at what lingerie, shoes etc you have brought with you and discuss ‘looks’ and what order we will shoot everything.  If there is a bridal boudoir element to the shoot we tend to begin with this as the imagery is often soft and sensual and make up is generally light and natural.

I strongly recommend that women opt to have professional hair and make up on the day of the boudoir shoot.  It really helps you look and feel your best and is the perfect way to calm nerves and anxiety about the shoot because you will be pampered and beautified for at least 1.5 hours before we begin.

Once we start the boudoir shoot I will discuss the importance of trust.   It is essential that you hand over control to me and trust that I will make sure you look your very best from the angle that I am shooting from.  You will pleased to hear that I will direct you entirely – encouraging genuine expression and posing your body for the most beautiful and flattering results. I don’t expect you to know what to do!

We normally shoot for around 3 hours and in between you will be changing outfits, accessories and having your hair and make-up retouched or adjusted accordingly.   All in all you tend to be with me and the hair and make-up artist between about 9.30 and 3.30. A day dedicated solely to you.

About a year ago I decided it would be helpful to produce a ‘behind the scenes of a boudoir shoot’ video and many clients who have booked said it really helped them make the decision to go for it.  The video is at the end of the post – but first I wanted to also include some of the messages that I am sent the evening or morning after the boudoir shoot – to say thank you for the experience and to let me know how the shoot felt.  You can read more boudoir shoot testimonials on my boudoir page here and view my boudoir gallery here.

Boudoir Shoot Reviews – How it feels to have a boudoir 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!!…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.”  

S.D. – booked a boudoir shoot following weight loss surgery.

“Thank you so much for everything today. Whether I did or didn’t look it (and I know you’ll say I did!), I felt beautiful today and just so very comfortable in my own body.  I didn’t want to leave! On talking to my sister and friend they both seem very interested in a boudoir shoot now”.  

G.D – booked a boudoir shoot after her wedding to include some bridal boudoir photography.

“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!”   

L.C – booked a boudoir shoot after as part of her recovery from post-natal depression.

“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”.

E.P – booked a boudoir shoot after significant weight loss.

Behind the Scenes Video of a Boudoir Shoot with Kate Hopewell-Smith.

Click on the full screen button so you can watch it properly! Boudoir Hair and Make Up – Caroline from Powder and Glow