Some Frequently Asked Questions
Who’s taking the pictures?
Myself, Darren will be the one taking the pictures. I realize that having a male photographer in this genre can seem a bit intimidating to some clients, however, I’m an experienced photographer with a hard-earned reputation for being highly professional. I work extremely hard at making you feel as comfortable as possible during any session.
As well, I always prefer to meet with potential clients when at all possible before a session (or even if you are considering one) to discuss any questions or concerns and give us a chance to get to know each other. The more comfortable we are when working together, the better the photos will turn out.
Why would I want a boudoir or pin-up session?
The possible reasons are limitless. Some ladies do it for themselves, to boost their confidence, or just to feel beautiful. Some do it to celebrate reaching a certain age or losing a few pounds. Others will do it as a surprise for a partner on a birthday, anniversary, Valentine’s day, Christmas etc. Others do it, well, just because – Bucket List 🙂 !
Am I not too old/young/little/big for this?
Everyone is always their own worst critic. It’s human nature to focus on what we perceive to be the flaws in ourselves, but that doesn’t mean that we are flawed or that others see us the way we see ourselves! We should all be given the chance to feel beautiful, and have a reminder that we really are. A boudoir or pin-up session can be just the reminder you need to boost your confidence and feel great about yourself.
Where would the session take place
Pin-up sessions are almost always done in my home studio. Boudoir sessions can be done in the home based studio as well, but there are other options. We can also do the session in your own home, where you already feel comfortable. Alternately you can book a room at a local hotel. We can even do them outside in a field or forest….Whichever you choose, it should have lots of natural light, and a decent amount of room.
Do you have outfits or do I bring my own?
You will need to provide your own outfits. I do however have several accessories for pin-ups as well as some aprons you can wear as an outfit.
Do my images get posted online?
During our pre-session consultation we will discuss which, if any, permissions you grant me to use your images. The release you will sign lets you specify whether I can (or cannot) use any images showing your face, as well as where I can use them. All the images you see on our pages are posted with consent of the client.
Do I need to hire a hair/make-up person?
While having your hair and make-up professionally done is not required, it is highly recommended! It’s really up to you to decide if you want to go all out and make the most of your session. You may want to visit your hair / make-up salon before coming to see us or we can get in touch with our people to try and co-ordinate something for you. (Subject to an additional charge)
Can I bring someone to the session with me?
Yes, of course! You can bring a friend to help out with your wardrobe changes, make up, moral support, etc. I do ask that spouses do not come to the session as it can have an effect on your mood and consequently your images during the session. Please be aware that guests cannot come into the studio area as it tends to hurt the flow of the session and overall ends up with worse quality photos
Can I have a glass of wine to calm my nerves?
Yes, if it helps, you can! You can even bring a drink along with you if you’re doing a session away from home. All that I ask is that you don’t overdo it, and if you have somewhere to go after the session, make sure you have someone to drive you there!
Yay, I’m Booked ! Now What Do I Need to Know?
Before the Session
There are a few things to remember before coming to your session to ensure the best possible results. Most ladies are nervous at first, and this is quite normal. I will help you relax and have you posing like a pro in no time. We will go over many of these things with you during a pre-session consult, however this list serves as a handy reminder.
- First and foremost, groom yourself like you’re going on your honeymoon. This includes shaving, wax what needs waxing, tweeze, trim, etc. Also, don’t forget to touch up your roots! It’s the little details that add up to help create the perfect images so don’t forget them!
- Get your nails done! Get them trimmed and painted on both hands and feet. If you really dislike using polish at least do a clear coat on all your nails.
- Drink lots of water – for a couple days before and on the day of your session. Water helps moisturize your skin from the inside and will really get you looking your best.
- Get lots of rest before your session. I promise, you will be plenty tired after the session with the stretching required for posing.
- Wash your hair the day before the session for best results if having it styled for the session.
- If you are having your make-up done (at least if you have booked with one of the stylists I bring into the studio) try to arrive with a clean, well moisturized face. If at all possible, arrive with no make-up on.
- If you want to wear a garter belt and stockings, get quality stockings. You want to make sure (especially with black) that they stretch nice and evenly to avoid dark spots by your feet. With garters, the best is to try and find stockings that don’t have the elastic stay up tops if at all possible.
- For Pin-up sessions, it is all in the facial expressions! This is where you get to show off some personality. What do you want to show for your “pin-up personality”. Are you smoldering and sexy? Cute and playful? Figure it out and spend some real time in front of the mirror finding out what expressions are best for you. Do what comes comfortably and most natural and your pictures will show that. Don’t worry, I will be guiding you through the poses and expressions, but a little practice before hand adds that extra comfort level and helps create even more stunning images!
- While you’re working on those “ooohh” and ahhh” facial expressions, practice poses you’ve seen in classic pin-ups, or modern pin-up photos you admire. Again we will fine tune the poses in studio, but if you have some faves and already have an idea on how to do it you will find the session more fun plus it will show in the results.
- Take some time to think about and let me know what you see as your biggest assets and problem areas. It helps me choose poses and angles to hide what you don’t like, and show off what you do.
- All our Boudoir and Pin-up photos receive some re-touch work. Pin-ups have quite extensive work done to them to achieve our signature look. Let me know about any moles, birthmarks, scars that you are self conscious about. Some people consider a mole a “beauty mark” and others consider it a “flaw”, so let me know what you want wiped out in Photoshop.
- Understand that you “Get What You Pay For”. If you want good, professional-looking images, expect to pay a professional that has proven results and not a “Craigs-lister” that does a session with disc for $50, though I am sure that this is something you have already realized :). Just as important though, the same thing is true for make-up and hair. I can refer / provide someone who knows how to prep you for these sessions. If you choose to use your own, take the time to find a good hair and makeup artist that can take care of you with the specifics of this session in mind. Bad styling can hinder the outcome of your photos.
- Feel free to bring a loaded MP3 player with all of your favorite songs. I will gladly play it during your session. It will help you relax and have more fun.
- Be on time, but not more than 15 min early. Many days I have a tight shooting schedule. By arriving late, you are cheating yourself out of time. By arriving early, you are cheating someone else.
- During a Pin-up Session, don’t be afraid to be overly dramatic and really ham it up. Those over the top “cheesy” ones are very often the best. Again, I will guide you on this.
- If you have a double chin that you are concerned about, practice posing while keeping your tongue firmly glued to the roof of your mouth. This will slim your face, and cut down on the double chin.
- High heels with a minimum height of 3″ are recommended – they create fantastic curves on your calves and great shape for the buttocks.
- When selecting your wardrobe for the session, make sure you have a matching set of lingerie that fits well. Try on what you are bringing ahead of time. It is no fun when someone shows up with things they haven’t worn in years, or brand new stuff they haven’t worn before — and get all dressed up — just to hate the way the clothing fits them.
- For boudoir sessions, feel free to bring any props you want in the session. Toys, cuffs, whips, or things like tool belts, guitars, guns (not loaded 😉 ) I’ve seen it all and will gladly photograph what you want.
On the Day
One of the most important things to remember on the day is not to wear tight clothing before the session – this includes bra straps if you will be wearing something that is strapless. This will leave pressure indents and marks on your skin that will show badly in photographs. While some can be removed after the fact, some just can’t!
Trust your photographer. I love what I do and take great pride in my work. Relax and let me use my experience and training to give you the best possible images from your session. Have fun, you will end up with stunning images that you and your loved one will cherish for years.
What to Bring
Brings LOTS of outfits. Remember to bring accessories, heels and stilettos (clean the bottoms!), stockings, jewellery, etc. Bring more than you think you will need. It’s always better to have things that don’t get used than to be thinking, “I wish I’d brought …”.
Along with a selection of lingerie and underwear, consider a crisp white men’s shirt for some classic images, or a babydoll nightie for a more flirty look. Corsets and boots can bring a ‘dangerous’ look to images. Everyday clothing, such as t-shirts, short shorts, or your favourite jeans can look cute or sexy when photographed well. Loose knit sweaters can work well too – just letting a little bit show through 🙂
After the Session
We will set up an appointment for your proof viewing and ordering usually within 1-2 weeks after the session. At that time we will review the images together to select those for albums, prints, etc. Once we have selections, we can go over any final retouching needing to be done to remove blemishes etc, and your products will go into production. All my print products are handled by pro labs. Remember – albums and prints take a couple of weeks to produce, so if you’re booking the session to make a gift, book early to avoid missing the date.