7 Questions to ask your Boudoir Photographer | Dallas Boudoir Photography

Picking a boudoir photographer can be a hard task.  When you come across a photographer you want to work with you should have a number of question in line that they should answer for you in the degree you aligned to.  

Today I have a lost of 7 of the most important questions you should ask your boudoir photographer.

1.) Do you have a Boudoir Session Prep Guide?

Most boudoir photographers will have a boudoir prep guide they provide to all their clients.  A boudoir prep guide is designed to help you, physically and mentally prepare for your boudoir session.  For example, in my boudoir guide (which you cand find here), I instruct clients on HOW to plan their session, what they should do about hair and makeup, and what to wear. 

2.) What do I Wear?

I know this questions and all answers to this question can be a tad bit subjective.  This is because not all boudoir locations are the same. With that, not all boudoir photographers are the same as well. What you wear will have a lot to do with the set up the boudoir photographers has and the photographer's personal style.  If your photographer shoots light and bright, pastel colors and lighter colors would be perfect.  If you are doing an outdoor maternity boudoir session then flowy pieces would add to the ambiance of the setting and location.  If the photographer shoots darker than jewel toned to black pieces would be perfect.  I would tend steer way from lacy items and stick to more structured tops and bottoms if I'm shooting inside. 

The key to effective photos is to make sure your outfit matches the tone of the environment.  

3.) Do you Provide Hair and Makeup?

Believe it or not many boudoir photographers do have a hair and makeup artist on staff. Therefore, you should find out up front if  hair and makeup are included in your session.  Picking a boudoir photographer who does not offer this service may be a tad bit more stressful because that's another place (or two) that you have to go to BEFORE you boudoir session even begins.  It would be in my honest opinion that you pick a photographer who does have a hair and makeup on staff.  The less you have to run around before the session the more calm you will be.

4.) Can you Breakdown the Whole Process for Me? Start to finish.

Your photographer should be able to let you know what to expect from the day.  It's really okay to ask for a detailed explanation for what happens once you walk through the door.  This is your time to understand the breakdown and ask any questions that have been lingering in your mind.  Don't be shy here.

5.) How Long does it Take to get My Photos Back?

Of course, this is the question all women want to know.  We want to see the final product and we want to see it now.  Be sure you get this question answered up front.  For example, if you're doing a boudoir session as a wedding present you need to make sure you give you the photographer enough time to get make sure you get everything back in time for your vows.  If you are doing this for a wedding gift make sure you do it at least 3 months before hand.  Why?  I can only speak for myself, but I have a couple of books that are handmade in Italy that take 2 full months to put together before being sent back out to the states.  these books take so long because they are handcrafted.  You also have to give your photographer enough time to cull and retouch all the photos.  

This amount of times really depends on how many photos they need to pull for your set.  The more photos you have the longer this process takes.  

Be sure to let your boudoir photographer know your timeline to ensure that you all know exactly what to expect.

6.) Will you show my photos to anyone? Or will they be published on your site?

Again, this differs from photographer to photographer.  Make sure you get a verbal answer to this and make sure that this is also covered in your contract.  If you don't have this covered in you the contract then the photographer has every single right to publish your photos wherever they want as they are the ones that own the copyright to the photo. 

7.) How Long do you Keep the Photos?

Again, this is something that differs from photographer to photographer.  For each photographer the length of how long they keep the photos goes by on a case by case basis. Some photographers keep photos for up to two years.  Other photographers delete the photos as soon as the order has been pulled.  In boudoir, I know many of photographers delete photos fairly quickly.  Therefore if you are want to get additional photos then make sure you do that within the photographer's guidelines.

Well, I hope this post helped you decide on what you should ask your boudoir photographer.  You will be spending a good amount of money on your session to being educated on the process is really important.  In the comment section below let me know which question is most important to you and why.

CONTACT UP!

If would like to book a boudoir session with us please fill out the form below or go to our contact page and give us a call.  We typically return calls and emails within 24 hours!

How to Style a Badass Boudoir Session | Dallas Boudoir

I feel like every time I shoot a session it's my favorite and having  Ms. M in front of the lens was no exception. 

Ms. M's session kicked ass for a number of reasons. Her hair and makeup were perfect for the location. She listened with the intent to follow, and she trusted my directions to get the perfect poses and looks for each frame. However, the most important thing was that her looks weren't your typical boudoir lingerie pulls. This was a beautifully styled session .

Today we are going to break down each look and why it worked, where the pieces were purchased, and how it was styled.

BOUDOIR SHOULDN'T BREAK THE BANK

Now don't me wrong, I LOVE to shop for lingerie.  It's so much fun! However, after window shopping on Agent Provocateur's website pieces add up pretty quickly and the average woman probably isn't trying to spend $1600 on lingerie.  

All the items you will see today were purchased from Target,  Forever 21, or came from the client's own collection. I think the most expensive piece was about $20.

Remember,  it's never the price of clothing, it's how you style it.

LOOK 1: Bodysuits for Boudoir

White Bodysuit: $3 Forever 21, 
Cut-off shorts, Heels: Clients previously purchased pieces

Let me be perfectly honest.  I love bodysuits.  They are so fucking sexy.  They are sensual because there's an understated allure about them.  I believe it's because they hide so much but let the right body parts show off.  Bodysuits hug the body and this allows you to appreciate the feminine form.

This bodysuit was purchased brand new from Forever 21 for ONLY $3!  Yes, a Forever 21 was actually closing down for a remodel and they were having a fire sale.  This bodysuit found a new home.  It's very important to make sure you look out for sales to help save you money.  Even without the sale, this body retails for no more than $11.

LOOK 2:  Lace Bralette & High Waisted Black Panties

Lace Bra Top: $16, Forever 21
High Waisted Bottoms: $20, Target

Right after bodysuits my favorite element on lingerie is lace.  Lace is just a classic element that brings a sense of tradition to photos... even in this beautiful blue.  The bra top makes it bit more modern with the straight lines that highlight the breast.  

The bottoms are actually my favorite piece.  I feel like high waisted bottoms don't get enough love.  When not on the body they have a tendency to look like granny panties, but once you put them on they flatten the tummy area to make you look long and lean.  This is perfect for most body types.  It's especially useful when you have a little muffin top going.

Look 3: Lace  Faux Silk Top & High Waisted Floral Bikini Bottoms

Top: $15, Forever 21
Swimsuit Bottoms: $15, Forever 21

I love a good loose top.  Yes, I know boudoir is all about the tight and sexy, but sometimes we just gotta let the girls live!  this is probably my favorite top of all times.  Well, not really but lets got with it for this post.  The top is fun, loose, and allows Ms. M to move around freely.  When you feel free in person you look free in your photos.  

Since we were shooting outside floral was a perfect choice.  The color couldn't have been better since we were shooting in late evening during the summer.

LOOK 4: Nude Bikini Top and Nude Mesh Bikini Bottoms

Tank Top: $15, Forever 21
High Waisted Bikini Bottoms: $15, Forever 21

Another secret I have for beautifully styled boudoir sessions is using swimsuits or bikinis instead of traditional lingerie.  

I KNOW! Who would have thought?!

I find that swimsuits are equally as sexy and lingerie and no one will know the difference anyway.  Furthermore, swimsuits tend to be a bit more fun, edgy, and sexy since they are designed for people to actually see in addition to being functional.  Another advantage of using swimwear instead of traditional lingerie for boudoir session is that the pieces come in more colors.  Having more colors provide more versatility when it comes to styling for a location.

WOW!  I know that was A LOT!  However, I how Ms. M gave you some ah-mazing ideas on how you can plan your own boudoir session.  Just keep in mind that your boudoir session is a reflection of you and your style.  As long as you stay authentic to your aesthetic you will look great.  If you have any questions about styling please contact me.  

In the comment section below please let me know which look was your favorite and why.

CONTACT US!

If would like to book a boudoir session with us please fill out the form below or go to our contact page and give us a call.  We typically return calls and emails within 24 hours!

LA Chronicles: The Sexiest Downtown Los Angeles Boudoir Session, EVER!

I would be a lying if I didn't say that this Downtown LA loft shoot with Kryssi Korleone wasn't my favorite from the whole LA series.  

Kryssi and I actually met through Jazzy.  What's funny is she is actually from Dallas and only lives two miles from me.  I find it ironic that we met 1400 miles away from home.

Jazzy and I love to get better at our craft and we actually had a shoot lined up at El Matador State Beach Park but that didn't pan out because the model cancelled. Desperate to shoot, Jazzy had remembered that one of his friend's client was in LA the same time we were.  His friend linked us up and this is how this love story happened.

Life Hack: Life is What Happens When You're Making Other Plans

When things don't go your way remember that it most likely means that something better is right around the corner.  We can't get hung up on things that don't go the way we planned.  If we do, we might miss the surprise life has in store for us.  Trust in the detours that life gives us.    

When the young woman canceled at the last minute I wasn't even angry.  I'm glad I didn't waste any emotion on that because Jazzy and I got something far better.  In fact, this has been one of my favorite sessions of 2016.  The photos from this LA boudoir session were so revered that I had Endee Magazine reach out to me about publishing the series!

If you would like to purchase the magazine please check out Endee Magazine (here).  

We shot this boudoir series in a Downtown Los Angeles loft located next to the Walt Disney Concert Hall.  The looks actually came from Kryssi's own fashion line!  I would post a link but her site isn't live yet.  However, once it's live I will share with you guys.  

Boudoir Pro Tip: Don't Stick to Just Lingerie!

I want to express how I love that two of the three looks Kryssi is rocking were done in a dress or a skirt.  When you are doing a boudoir session remember that you are not limited to just lace numbers from Victoria's Secret's or Yandy.com.  Venture out and add sexy dresses.  I typically find that bodycon and wrap dresses look the best on the feminine form.  

I hope you guys enjoyed this sexy series story from Kryssi Korleone and the please check out our Joshua Tree boudoir session and our LACMA Night Boudoir session.  Shooting boudoir in LA was a dream come true. I thoroughly enjoyed Los Angeles and I cannot wait to go back again in 2017.  Please look out for a travel announcement in the first quarter of the new year.

In the comment section below please let me know which one the three outfits featured you like the best.  

CONTACT US!

If would like to book a boudoir session with us please fill out the form below or go to our contact page and give us a call.  We typically return calls and emails within 24 hours!

LA Chronicles: An Awesome Boudoir Session at LACMA

The LA County Museum of Art (LACMA) has been on my travel bucket list for years. I have always seen Wendy and WongFu Productions here and I knew I just wanted to go and shoot here.  Never in a million years did I think I was going to do boudoir here.  

What an incredible session it was!

We shot an incredible dancer named Shala here.  In fact, you may recognize her because she starred in a Superbowl commercial this year (Superbowl 50) alongside Arnold Schwanagger for Mobile Strike.  Check out the video here.

Shala isn't a fighter, she's actually a badass dancer based out of the UK.  It was by coincidence we were both in LA at the same time.  It was an honor to get to shoot this awesome artist.

Tips for Shooting a Night Boudoir Session at LACMA

1.) Be Confident

Boudoir can be super intimidating if you allow it to be.  It doesn't make it any easier when you are shooting your session outside when there are tons of people around.  Therefore you need to silence all your insecurities, listen to your photographer, and just own the moment.  In a matter of time everyone else will disappear around you.

2.) Wear Light Colors

There is a lot of light out there and wearing light clothes will really pop against the darkness.  

3.) Be Polite

It doesn't matter what time of day it is... there will be a lot of people at LACMA.  We shot this session around 1AM on Sunday morning and , while it doesn't look like it, there were a TON of people around.  Therefore we had to ask people to move.  People typically respond well to you if you are polite.  Plus, after everyone saw Shala dance they were super inclined to move to see her move.

To learn more about how awesome LACMA is please check them out here!

Have you guys ever considered an outside session?  If so, where would you shoot? 

CONTACT US!

7 Ways to Prepare for a Boudoir Session in Joshua Tree

Every Thursday this month (except for Thanksgiving) I will be posting about our LA adventures.  I'm baffled how it has been 6 months and I haven't shared these photos before.  In our first post of the series, I wanted to go into detail about our Joshua Tree photos.  More specifically, I wanted to use this pre-post of these series on things you should be prepared for when shooting boudoir in Joshua Tree.

1.) Leave an Hour Earlier than Planned

LA TRAFFIC IS NOT AN EXAGGERATION.  Let me repeat!  LA TRAFFIC IS NOT AN EXAGGERATION.  I have driven through Austin, Dallas, Las Vegas, and Atlanta but Los Angeles traffic takes the bloody cake!  The place you could be going to might be 3 miles away but it's going to take you 30 minutes to get there.  Therefore, if you are looking to move around LA then leave an hour ahead of the time you THINK you should be leaving.  
 
Driving to Joshua Tree took us an additional hour because of the immense traffic in Los Angelos.  It's not like there was an accident or anything.  It's just the nature of the traffic beast in this city.  It doesn't help when you're shooting in natural light.  

As you know when you are shooting with natural light you are fighting against time, SO LEAVE EARLY!  

Believe me when I say just leave an hour earlier.  
Trust me.  You'll be thanking us.

2.) Check the Weather & Bring Warm Clothes

Yes, I know.  Not all deserts are warm.  This is elementary school knowledge.  Being the adults we are we should have known better.  I knew we had fucked up when we pull into Joshua Tree and everyone was wearing coats, beanies, and scarves.  Jazzy and I looked at each other in terror as we saw people passing us all bundled up.  

I had no sleeves and no jacket. Ms. M was in cut off shorts and a tank top.  Jazzy only wore a thin jacket.  In our defense, LA was almost 80 degrees when we left for Joshua Tree.  Therefore it never occurred to us to check the weather in Joshua Tree.  Had I done that I would have known it was in the high 40's.  

The first rule of all travel is to check the weather.  We did not do this.

3.) Bring your Own Set-up Station

Joshua Tree is not only a park, it's a national park.  The keyword is "National"... NOT "Park".  In my mind parks have benches.  We had made plans to use the benches at this park.  We would have used these bench for Jazzy to do makeup and a place for me to sit and clean my lenses.  None of this happened.  NONE. OF. IT!  

There was not a bench here.  There was not a bench there.  There was not a bench anywhere!  

Jazzy had to do Ms. M's make-up in the back of our hatchback in the freakin' cold!  I cannot make this up. I'm so happy I have pictures of this.  Therefore, when coming to Joshua Tree make sure you have a portable makeup station where your client can sit when needed.

4.) Do Hair & Makeup BEFORE you get to the Park

Going back to point three there aren't any benches (or at least we didn't come across any) so it is my suggestion that you don't do hair and makeup while at the park.  Again, please see point three.

5.) Plan your Session around the Sunset.  

Once golden hour hits the sun sets pretty quickly so it's very important you are efficient with your time.  This actually goes back to point number one.  Make sure you leave an hour earlier than planned because the traffic can be crazy.  This will also ensure you have enough time to get all your looks in and find a great secluded area without the need to rush.  

Also, make sure you find out exactly what time the sun sets on your day of your shoot.  My favorite place to research sunrise and sunset is at the site Time and Date. 

6.) Bring an Extra Person with You

I can't stress this point enough.  After doing makeup in the cold for an hour Jazzy was through.  I wish I had an assistant with me to help with a reflector and holding equipment.   When in dusty areas I hate putting my camera down and having an extra set of hands would have been more efficient.

7.) Separate & Organize Outfits before Getting There

This particular day we did not organize the clothes in specific bags.  This caused us to lose some time shuffling through everything looking for particular items.  Even when we found them they required to be cut off from certain types of packaging but none of us has scissors.  So make sure everything is packed into individual bags and make sure everything is readily available to be put on right then.  If I had to make a point 8 it would be to bring scissors.

I hope these 7 tips help you prepare for a boudoir session in the dessert.  Of all the points highlighted which one brought you the most enlightenment?

Contact Us!

If would like to book a boudoir session with us please fill out the form below or go to our contact page and give us a call.  We typically return calls and emails within 24 hours!

The Art of Allowing Yourself to Live | Dallas Boudoir

For a long time, I was missing something in my photos.  Yes, many of them were technically correct, the editing was perfect, and I was getting the posing down for my clients... but there was just SOMETHING missing in them.  The draw-in factor if you will.  After meeting Denise Birdsong of Modern Love Photography two years ago I knew exactly what it was.  

I was missing the emotional factor.

Art makes you feel something.  

It wasn't until recently that I really felt like my photos moved people.

Anyone can take a decent looking photo.  I mean, how many beautiful sunset photos have we all seen?  It's not just a sunset that draws you in, it's the power of a beautiful sunset after a hard day that draws you in.  It's the fact that no matter what you create in this world God's art will always be best. It's the emotion that the image evokes that stays with you.  When emotion evokes something from the viewer that's when you know you have an epic photo.

The most memorable pieces of art communicate feelings.

The main difference with Wonderland Boudoir compared to many boudoir studios is the fact that we aim to produce evocative photos.  We want you to give yourself permission to own you.  When shooting, we go on a journey of feeling sexy, confident, loving yourself, and much more.  This is what separates us from everyone else.
  
When a session is booked with Wonderland Boudoir we want our clients' photos to feel like a piece of art.  When they see themselves we want them to feel beautiful, sexy, and confident.  We want them to know they are actually the woman they always dreamt they could be.  
At Wonderland Boudoir we are offering you the time and space to be unapologetically yourself.  We provide an opportunity to cast away all the restrictions society has placed up.  We want you to go there with yourself.  We want you to own YOUR beauty.  

You may not look like Chanel Iman, Karlie Kloss, or Kendell Jenner... but guess what?  You weren't meant to either.  You guys don't have the same journey.  Therefore stop comparing yourselves to them. 

Own this journey.  Own your path.  Create magic.  Create art with us at Wonderland Boudoir.  Give yourself full permission to give us all your emotion.  Give us your anger, happiness, sweetness, and coyness.  Share all that with us to make sure you get the most out of your photos.

Don't know how to do that?  Don't worry. That is were come in.  I will help coach you through it so you can get the art that you have always dreamt off.  Give yourself permission to live.  

This is your opportunity to create a memorable piece of art. Take advantage of it.