You are thinking about maybe having your intimate photos taken, but not sure yet. But you are still curious about how it works, and more importantly, how do YOU prepare for the photo session. AWESOME!! You came to the right place, let's talk photo session prep! This list is not all inclusive and may vary from photographer to photographer, but these are the top 8 tips I give to all of my boudoir photography clients to help them prepare for their photo sessions! 1. You want to be sure that you have gone over all of your clothing options with your photographer.  They will be able to help guide you on what are amazing styles for your body type as well as what colors are most flattering for your skin tone, eye and hair color.  The best piece of advice I give my clients on selecting outfits for their session is this - not everything needs to be "naughty".  You don't need to have all lingerie to create an amazing look for your images.  Try oversized, off the shoulder sweaters, boy shorts and a fitted tee, or your favorite crop top.  Regardless of what you do opt to wear, try to select several different style items.  For example, don't bring in 3 different corsets with the same cut or 2 blouses with the same neckline!!  Change it up, look for variety in what you wear and there will be that much more of a difference in your final images. 2. When considering whether or not to have your hair and makeup professionally done for your photo session or, to do it yourself, I always recommend opting for the professional stylist.  Here's why: makeup is done very different for photography than it is on a normal day of wear.  Your photo session could be scheduled for 10 am and your stylist knows that your makeup should really make it appear as though you're ready for a late night out. Photographs tend to make a person seem a little washed out, so you want to be sure to be wearing enough and contoured properly in order to make your features glow!! Your photographer may or may not offer a professional stylist on hand for you, but you can always have it done on your way to your photo shoot.  Here at Feel Beautiful Photography, we always have a stylist on hand and ready for you, so that when you arrive at your photo shoot, the pampering begins when you walk in the door!  If you do have your hair and makeup done for your session, remember to arrive with a clean face and clean, dry hair!! 3.Your natural skin tone is always best!!  For the love of all that is holy, please don't use those self bronzing creams, they almost always leave streaks or, even worse, cause you to be mistaken for an Oompa Loompa at Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory!!  I usually recommend you stay out of the sun, use plenty of sunblock when going outside.  Try to avoid tan lines whenever possible and more so than anything, avoid getting burned!  Bright red burns, peeling skin and severe tan lines are not something that a photographer truly enjoys editing since it is quite tedious work, and most photographers will typically charge an extra fee for this extent of editing.   4. Something very important that a lot of women tend to overlook is the importance of keeping yourself hydrated!!  The days

leading up to and the morning of your session, make sure to drink plenty of water!!  When you are taking in enough fluids, it's reflected in your skin!  When you are properly hydrated, your skin will have a natural glow, you won't have dried out areas that you feel you need to keep moisturized.  The fluids will help keep your natural elasticity and you won't look drawn or washed out in your images. Don't worry about feeling like you look bloated...make sure to have a good meal for breakfast the day of your session and hydrate well!!!! 5. Get plenty of rest!!!!  I know I'm not typically one to talk since I'm very nocturnal and consider myself lucky if I get 5 hours of sleep a night!! But, the consequences of sleep deprivation far outweigh the benefit of having a few extra hours of "you" time at night.  You do not want to appear exhausted with puffy, red eyes for your images!  You want to make sure that you are well rested, that you have a healthy look around your eyes!  Yes, you will likely be having your makeup done professionally for your photos, but no amount of makeup can cover up tired, swollen eyes.  So, get at least 7 hours rest the night before your session, and, if you have time the morning of, and notice you have some morning baggies, you can try a few of the home remedies to help you out.  Try cucumber slices or an ice cold spoon...these can work great!!  Just remember to do this a few hours before your session so that you don't have irritated or red skin under your eyes for your session! 6. Shoes!!! Ohhh shoes!!! During my own sessions, I have my girls walk around barefoot because I want them to be as comfortable as possible. But when it's time to put them on, I will let them know!!  The best thing I can recommend when it comes to shoes is this... the higher the heel the better!!  Remember, you don't have to walk in them, they're there just for appeal!  When you have a really tall, thin heel, it gives a lengthening and slandering effect to your legs.  Try to avoid short heels whenever possible.  Some photographers will also recommend against ankle straps, but, I just LOVE them....so I'll always have you opt for ankle straps over pumps!  Sexyyy!!! 7. So you've got the who, what, where and when...but don't forget about the WHY.  Have a CLEAR idea in your head about WHY you want to do an intimate shoot.  Is it a gift for your partner?  Is it just for YOU? Knowing exactly why you're doing this shoot will not only accomplish getting your end result but it will also help guide you in the HOW part of your session!!   How do you want to dress? How do you want to do your hair and makeup? How do you want to display the images you receive?  Have a clear goal in mind, whether it's a birthday gift for your husband or because you want to have amazing photos to look back on when you're 90, know your goal and you and your photographer will make it achievable!! Though do keep in mind, that even if you are doing the session for somebody, you are ALWAYS doing it for yourself. So don't go to far in getting the images that he might like, make sure to get a few that YOU will love too. 8. Finally, just RELAX!! You know that you've finally gotten up the nerve to have your photos taken, you've found a photographer who you feel extremely comfortable with and you clicked well with.  So, remember to just breathe and let them guide you on every step of the way!!  Your photographer should have already talked with you prior to your session to make sure that you are comfortable with them, discussed all the great things they're going to do for you, how they're going to direct you from head to toe and probably made you laugh by explaining how they are at a point in life where they grunt every time they try to get up from demonstrating poses!  You chose your photographer for a reason, whether it's their consistently beautiful work that you have been following, or their ability to relate to you in a way that made you feel like you were a best friend and not a stranger.  So, let them do their job and make you feel like a Goddess for a day.  Breathe, relax, forget the world for a few hours and have the best time being a gorgeous, seductive woman that you are!!!!