I’m lucky enough to have an incredible studio manager, Caity, who takes care of booking clients and sending them all the information they will need to prepare for their session. If my clients don’t have specific questions for me or don’t need to have a zoom meet and greet, sometimes that means my first touchpoint with my client is when I’m reviewing their pre-session questionnaire. The questionnaire helps me prepare for their session by asking questions like how they want their hair and makeup styled, if they have any specific editing requests, and what they want to highlight during their boudoir session.
I also ask about why they wanted to do a session. I love reading these answers. Sometimes they are only a few words about wanting a birthday gift for their partner, or they can be a few paragraphs explaining what has lead them to seeking me out. When I have clients spilling their heart out to me, I don’t take that lightly. I know a boudoir photoshoot can make you feel vulnerable and naked in a very literal and figurative sense. I’m always so humbled by the lives my clients have lived. Their struggles and triumphs often lead them to wanting an experience that helps ground them and bring them back into their bodies.
When I was reading Amanda’s questionnaire, I could tell she had been thinking a lot about her session. She had really great, in-depth answers for how she wanted her hair and makeup done. She let us know what kind of vibe she was interested in and what she was nervous about. She also shared that she had recent health issues that caused her to neglect her self care and her relationship. I could relate.
Her number one priority was to reclaim the love for herself in her body as it is right now.
I loved that. Such a simple, short sentence with so many layers.
When she arrived for her session, she was nervous, but excited. She wanted a makeup look inspired by “90's makeup looks like Pam Anderson and Claudia Schiffer”. We were obviously all very excited by that. I grew up in the 90’s so that style is so nostalgic to me!
As I sat in the dressing room while she got her hair and makeup done, we all laughed and swapped stories of our lives. She was so warm and funny.
Once she saw her final look and agreed that it was perfect, it was my turn! Even through the initial nerves, she was a dream to photograph. She was so open to my ideas and all the crazy poses I put her in. She told me that she trusted me even though the poses probably felt strange.
I’m going to disagree with her here. She never seemed like an asshole! I loved her immediately.
She also brought in a special bottle of whiskey that she wanted to use as a prop. The only thing was, she didn’t want to open it. But I reeeeally wanted to have her pour it on herself because, well…I’m a boudoir photographer and I knew it would look incredible. My assistant, Nikki, got to work to create a concoction that would mimic the expensive whiskey that I wasn’t allowed to use, haha.
I remember walking out to the kitchen, seeing a cup on the table with what I thought was the whiskey and thinking, “Oh, shit, we weren’t supposed to open it!”
Turns out, Nikki is a genius and mixed some coffee grounds into water to create the perfect whiskey imitation. That meant I could get the shot I wanted! YAY.
We also did some gorgeous looks of her looking like a straight up GODDESS in a soaked, sheer cloth. A super fun, creative, lovely session all around.
As we hugged and said our goodbyes, I couldn't wait to hop on my computer to upload her session and get started editing.
Her ordering appointment finally arrived and we were both so excited to go through and pick favorites. She loved her photos and picked an album with a red snakeskin cover. Drool worthy.
Amanda - you were such a gem to work with. Thank you so much for coming in and trusting me with this unique experience!
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