How much are sessions?
Session fees are $480. A session retainer of $100 is required to book your shoot. Payment plans are always an option… don’t be afraid to ask!
Is hair and makeup included?
It is! Hair and makeup is such an important part of your shoot, that it is now included in each shoot (not applicable with previously booked shoots). The time spent in the chair being pampered by my stylists is considered part of the experience. While the price of hair and makeup is included in your shoot, for tax purposes (gotta love Uncle Sam), you will pay a portion of your session fees to the hair and makeup artists the day of your shoot.
All that said, I do understand that my clients might feel more comfortable doing hair and makeup on their own or with their preferred stylist. Sessions not requiring hair and makeup are $80 off. Those sessions are held on Wednesday mornings.
Can I bring hair extensions?
If they are already in your hair, generally yes. Please let me know ahead of time, so I can alert the hair stylist. On busy days, hair extensions might not be allowed. If you are going to use hair extensions, talk to your stylist or salon and find ‘real hair’ hair extensions.
Will my fingers and toes show?
Yes! Go get that mani/pedi. Or just take off all chipped polish.
Should I get a tan before my shoot?
This is a personal preference. However, as the photographer, my choice is lovely creamy skin. Not orange or overly tanned skin. It simply doesn’t photograph well. I’ve also had spray tans rub off onto my white furniture and bedding. Not a fan! If you absolutely feel you must have some color before your shoot, I highly recommend Blondie’s Tan & Spa in Columbus.
When do you have sessions?
Sessions with hair and makeup are held in studio Monday mornings starting at 9:30am. Sessions without hair and makeup are held in studio Wednesday mornings starting at 10am. The studio is not open on the weekends with the exception of special events.
Where are sessions held?
Sessions are held in our beautiful natural light studio in downtown Columbus, Indiana. The studio address is 422 1/2 5th Street, Columbus, IN 47201. It’s in the Irwin Building with the big bay windows behind the Old National Bank. Second door from the left.
What if I cannot keep my appointment?
Things happen. I get it. With a limited availability in scheduling boudoir shoots, reschedules wreak havoc on my calendar. Before booking and taking a space on my calendar, I ask that you are 100% vested in your boudoir shoot. It is a commitment for both of us. For that reason, I charge a retainer for your spot. That retainer is non-refundable. However, it can be used to change your appointment time to one other date. After the first rescheduled appointment, a new retainer fee will be required to reschedule.
The cancellation policy is different for special events. Please refer to the session agreement for that policy.
Do you edit the photos?
Yes of course! As a professional photographer, I do not want my unfinished work floating around the world. If an image is unedited, it is unfinished!
How do you edit boudoir photos?
Obviously there is more skin to edit in a boudoir image. In a finished image, I do skin smoothing (but you will not have plastic skin) and remove stretch marks/blemishes. I encourage you to communicate your desired level of retouching.
Can you give me bigger boobs or a smaller booty in your magical Photoshop?
Technically, yes! Will I? Nope! I strive to make your body look amazing just the way it is before I even snap the photo. Here’s the thing, I LOATHE editing images. So I will keep shooting the same pose until I get exactly what I’m looking for instead of fixing it in Photoshop. Besides, while you might think you want me to Photoshop you into the perfect body, you really don’t. You will look at your images and see that you are not really you. I want you to love YOU.
Do you have outfits for me to choose from?
Because we welcome women of all shapes and sizes in our studio, we do not have a selection of lingerie or clothing for you to choose from. At this time, clients are required to bring all outfits with them. That said, there are heels in nude, black, or red all in a size 9. There are also pearls and masks that clients are welcome to use. We also have a plain white sheet that would make a perfect outfit.
How many outfits can I wear?
In a typical session, we use one – three outfits. (some special offers will have an outfit maximum of one outfit)
But, I really want to make a calendar and have 12 different outfits!?
Trust me when I say – NO you don’t. Boudoir sessions are a workout in and of themselves. Changing outfits every few minutes will not yield very good results. Three outfits are the max for your comfort level and to keep our session flowing smoothly.
What kind of outfits should I bring?
Lingerie is the obvious choice, but not everyone wears it or even likes it! We want to show off your body in a boudoir session. In order to do that, proper attire is needed. Clothing/lingerie should be form fitted. Loose and baggy clothing only adds extra bulk to your body in camera. That is NOT the look we are going for! A good, supportive black bra and panties can go a long way in a boudoir session. Bodysuits are amazing for boudoir sessions (check out the bodysuits at American Apparel).
You should attempt to make your boudoir session be representative of you. Do you have a favorite sports team? Maybe a women’s cut tee or jersey – a man’s tee or jersey could be too big on you and not show off those curves! Do you ride Harleys? Maybe a Harley tank top and black panties. Do you love to read? Why not bring one of your favorite books and some cute glasses? Sweaters can be so pretty in a boudoir session.
If I buy lingerie, what should I buy?
First of all, be prepared to spend a little money. Good quality lingerie does wonders for a woman’s body. While poorly made cheap lingerie can be ill fitting and make you feel uncomfortable. Read below for an in depth lingerie discussion.
Bras: The MOST important thing about bras, is that you should wear the proper size. You should be fitted every so often to make sure that you’re wearing the right size. Especially after periods of weight loss or gain, such as after having a baby.
Not all bras are good for each body. I actually don’t always suggest a push-up bra! *gasp* While a push-up can be great for everyday wear (if you’re into that sort of thing), a lot of times the cups are so huge that they sit far below your breasts and make your breasts look like they are sagging – especially true for larger breasted women. Also, strapless bras rarely work well for a boudoir session.
A demi-cup or balconette bra is actually preferred. The cups on these bras cover the bottom portion of your breast, giving them the illusion of being fuller.
Panties: Just like bras, not all panties are good for each body! While your man might prefer a thong, they can make your booty look a lot larger than it actually is (however, sometimes that is ok!). Boyshorts and bikini cut bottoms are generally more conservative and less revealing – again, sometimes that’s perfectly fine.
The winner for most body types is: CHEEKIES. These panties offer more coverage than a thong, but less than a bikini cut or boyshort. Cheekies leave the bottom portion of your booty exposed and allow for killer booty shots.
Again, fit is key! If your panties are too big, they will be saggy in the booty (um, NOPE). If your panties are too small, they will cut into your skin and cause bulges or a muffin top.
Talking about panty fit… If your belly is hanging over the top of your waistband, your panties are either too small or too low cut. Look for a size bigger or a higher waisted pair. Bigger panties are making a comeback and actually photograph so much better than teeny tiny panties.
Corsets & Bustiers:
Corsets are by far the most popular lingerie item brought into the studio. A good quality corset can cinch inches off your waist. Corsets have lacing in the back to help cinch the waist. When buying a corset, keep the length in mind. While a corset can cinch in your waist, it can also push your stomach down and out! When wearing a corset, if you are concerned with your tummy coming out, slip on a high waisted pair of panties in a matching color (or black) before donning your corset.
Bustiers are often times confused with a corset. Bustiers are designed to boost the breasts with the bra that is built in. Bustiers will have hook and eye closures – like a bra. While a bustier will cover your stomach, it will not offer the support in your stomach like a corset.
Teddies: Teddies are an all-in-one universally flattering lingerie piece that resembles a one piece bathing suit. Teddies are generally a little more dainty than a bathing suit, though! Most teddies are lace or sheer. Look for a teddie that has cups built in for breast support. Avoid thong teddies (see the panties section above).
Shape Wear: We’ve come a long way since the girdle of your momma’s day! While long uncomfortable tight shorts come to mind when thinking of shape wear, the reality is that you can actually find some really pretty pieces that would work beautifully for a boudoir session. Look for one piece shape wear pieces that resemble a one piece bathing suit. Some of them have cups built in. Others you can wear your own bra! Black is best with shape wear.
Slips: Slips have also come a long way! You can find skin tight slips with beautiful detailing. Some even have garters attached that you can hook into thigh highs. Slips will give you more coverage – especially in the mid-section.
Thigh Highs: There are two types of thigh highs. Those that work well. And those that don’t! Avoid thigh highs with the rubber backing. They will not work well if you choose to wear garters with them. They also tend to cut into your thighs giving your thigh a muffin top.
Are there outfit choices to avoid?
Yes! While babydolls are cute, they hide your body. We want to show off your shape! Shiny/satin material should be avoided. Stay away from neon colors. Hot pink just might be your most favorite color in the entire planet, but it simply does not photograph well. Likewise, red doesn’t always photograph well. If you’re choosing a red outfit, try to go with a darker red. White is also a color that should be avoided – it rarely photographs well. Try ivory or cream instead. Another lingerie piece to avoid, is the trendy apron style slip (commonly found at Victoria’s Secret). It can make your mid-section look much larger than it is.
Where do you suggest I buy my outfits?
First and foremost, because I am a small business – patron your LOCAL boutiques! From there, I suggest: Victoria’s Secret, Frederick’s of Hollywood (love love love their Hollywood Dream Collection corsets), Torrid, Hips & Curves, Forever 21, Lane Bryant, American Apparel, Target, Kohl’s, JC Penney…
I’ve even had some definitely cute pieces brought in from Walmart.
Can I bring my husband/boyfriend/fiance?
Men are not allowed in the studio during boudoir shoots. It is a fun girls day only event.
Can I have a couple’s session with my husband/boyfriend/fiance/girlfriend?
At this time, I do not shoot couple’s boudoir sessions.
Can I bring my best friend?
It is usually best to come to your boudoir session alone. While you might think you want the support of your best friend, friends can make you more nervous than you actually are. Unless your friend is also having a boudoir session done on the same day as you, you would be better off to come alone. That said, I get it. We’re girls. We can’t even go to the bathroom alone! Your female friend is welcome, but might be asked to wait in another room while we are shooting. I do prefer to only have myself and my client in the room while we are working.
Can I bring in guns?
At this time, guns are not permitted in studio.
Can I bring props or do you have any?
Truthfully, I would prefer you didn’t. I would much rather your shoot be entirely about you. Small props are permitted and we will try our best to make a tasteful image with them.
Can I bring in my pet?
Animals are not allowed in the studio.
What happens after my session?
If your session fees included digital images, you will be sent a link to download those images within 2-4 weeks. If your session fee did not include digital images, you will be sent a link to view your proofs or we will get together to view proofs within 2-4 weeks.
Can I order an album, prints, canvas, etc?
Absolutely! You will be shown the beautiful album and book options at your shoot.