Perfectly Imperfect Birthday Boudoir | New York City Portrait Photographer

I’ve been waiting on writing this blog for so long because I want to honor this woman and her message as best I can. Miss "S" here is yet another reminder of why I chose Boudoir Photography as my career path. She came to me to celebrate her 35th birthday, which I LOVE. Her shoot was easy, breezy, and effortless (well, more effortless for me than for her...she had to do a lot of back arching and even some handstands!) But given her INSANE fitness level (thank you, Cross Fit) she KILLED it the entire time and was an absolute GODDESS in front of the lens. She even had this badass “Perfectly Imperfect” tank made for her shoot as a reminder for herself (how much do you love that??)

But you may not have known all this just from talking to her. You see. I have a very strict “no negative self-talk” rule when we are on set together. Our Brooklyn Boudoir shoot is meant to be a time to CELEBRATE yourself exactly as you are - for you, as much as for anyone else, not for picking yourself apart.

But this wasn’t so easy for Ms. S, in spite of her incredible fitness, gorgeous skin and winning smile.  Which frankly, breaks my heart. Life is short, ladies. So often I look back on photos of myself, remembering how I didn’t feel “camera-ready” or attractive that day and being shocked at how good I actually looked … followed by feeling so SAD that I wasted any time at all even worrying about how I looked at the time. We are so much more than how we look, and it is truly a waste of our time and energy feeling anything but positive living in our own skin. How many of us can’t simply say “Thank you” when given a compliment?? It’s a small but important step to giving yourself a break and being kind to yourself - something we women need to remember to do WAY more often. I find that no matter what our different backgrounds and stories might be, it’s something we all struggle with.

Of course, this is easier said than done. I don’t LOVE everything about my body ALL the time. I have days when I feel uncomfortable with myself. But this is where the courage sets in to take a breath and be kind to myself - to remember that our worth is based on much more than our looks, that our beauty is inside AND out, and that we are allies to our bodies, not enemies.

My mission is to help women follow through on appreciating themselves and their bodies. It’s a decision we need to make every day. We need to have faith in our body because our body shows up for us. So when Ms. S wrote to me after her session, her words about her experience really resonated with me and nearly brought me to tears.

I'm going to stop blabbering because this client's words say more than enough...oh...and then there's the photos! 

In her own, very touching words:

Most days I look in the mirror and criticize every feature of my face - my big nose, my tiny lips, my weird chin; obsess over my body - my butt is too small, my boobs are too small, I’m too muscular, I’m not muscular enough, I’m too skinny...I’m just not attractive...

It’s taken me a long time, 35 years to be exact, to learn to love myself, imperfections and all. While it may sound silly to some, this photo shoot experience has given me such a great sense of empowerment, confidence, and strength. Whenever I am feeling down I simply recall the amazingly fun photo shoot and look at the beautiful photographs and my spirits are instantly lifted. I’ve been having a rough few years in life - lacking self love, self acceptance, struggling to recognize my worth, my internal and external beauty, not valuing the person I am inside and out. Will a photo shoot and beautiful photos solve that, maybe not entirely, but it will always serve as a reminder that I am beautiful, I am fun, I am sexy, I am amazing, I am strong, I am a BADASS. And I thank you, THANK YOU for giving me one of the most amazing experiences of my life at a time I truly needed my spirit to be uplifted. I am forever grateful.

^^^^THIS. THIS is what it is all about. Let this be encouragement for other women who maybe don't ever like photos of themselves. For the women who deem themselves "not photogenic". For the women who need a daily reminder to honor themselves.

So thank you, beautiful, powerful, badass Ms. S, for letting me prove to you that you ARE, in fact, photogenic, sexy, perfectly imperfect and simply AMAZING. I'm overjoyed that I was able to provide her with the experience she needed, on top of an amazing collection of photographs, so she can treasure 35 forever.

Ready to celebrate YOUR Perfectly Imperfect Self? Contact me and let’s chat!

Boudoir is for EVERYBODY | Client Spotlight | Brooklyn Bridal Photography

Since starting my boudoir business, I have always felt very strongly that boudoir is for EVERYBODY. One of the big myths about boudoir is that it’s only for a certain kind of women — one who maybe dresses up or flaunts their sexuality on the daily. The truth is, you needn’t be anything but yourself! Short, tall, thin, less thin, tomboy, glamorous… you deserve to have beautiful images of yourself! This is one of the reasons I don’t shoot “one size fits all” boudoir - I tailor your boudoir session to your style and preferences.

For the women who are out there THINKING about a boudoir shoot but too afraid to pull the trigger because they "want to lose a few more pounds" or whatever the reason may be...I want you to know that there is truly no time like the present. Remove "someday" from your vocabulary. You will NOT regret doing a shoot, but you WILL regret NOT doing a shoot. 

Miss "D" here thinking about booking me for quite awhile. She did her research, took her time, and planned ahead, finally using her upcoming wedding as the impetus for her shoot. She was nervous at first, just like most everyone is… and understandably so! It’s not everyday you have professional photos taken of yourself, much less in various stages of undress.

In her own words:

I had a wonderful experience with Stephanie! I was hesitant to get pictures taken because it I have always felt that my body was not boudoir subject material. However, after doing my research and looking at Stephanie's website and Instagram - I thought her pictures were so beautiful that I had to try. Although this is wedding present for my fiancé, I really wanted to capture myself in this moment of life. Which is what Stephanie is all about and also embraces. I left my photo shoot feeling like a sexual goodness!! Stephanie and her team took such good care of me. I felt calm and comfortable. She extremely encouraging during the shoot, and is constantly checking in that I am good with what is happening and how I am feeling. Looking at the pictures at the reveal, I couldn't believe that was me! I blushed the entire time, but loved what I saw. It was an amazing experience and I am so glad I did it!

A little bit of nervous is to be expected, I get it. Taking your clothes off in front of anybody is probably uncomfortable enough, but to do it in front of...a...CAMERA!?  Again...I REALLY get it!  I want women to come into this experience with more excitement than nervousness and will help you get there if you need some extra time or help getting into that zone.

Sending that first email is the hardest part. It’s a big first step, but once you take it, your nerves will be calmed and I will baby step you through EVERYTHING.  You will do great. Just like Miss "D” did.

Ready to take that first step? Contact me and let’s chat!

When You're Confidant | The Power of a Boudoir Shoot | New York Boudoir Photography

We all want happiness. Even the most seemingly “put-together” women have their own narratives taking place behind the mask that challenges their livelihood. 

When I first started shooting boudoir, I didn’t quite realize the impact it could have on my clients. I loved the idea of working with women, taking beautiful portraits and creating a photography career that didn’t involve weddings or infants. But as I started photographing more women I started to realize the bigger picture in what I was doing. Upon seeing a sneak peak of their session, either on the back of the camera, from the teaser image they get the day after their shoot or at the photo reveal itself, inevitably the woman in front of the lens would say, “Wow! I didn’t know I could look like that!” And THAT is why I shoot boudoir. Because every woman should be able to look at a photo of herself and go wow, that’s really me? And feel GREAT about the fact that, YES! Yes. it. is. 

Boudoir, to me, means confidence and inner beauty. As much as it seems boudoir photography is all about outer appearances, the truth is, it really doesn’t matter what you look like. Boudoir isn’t about being the perfect size, the perfect shape – I mean, what even is that?? It’s about having confidence in yourself. When you have confidence, it oozes out of you. It touches everything you do, and it’s something you can’t fake. This is hard for a lot of people, and leads to excuses like “I’m not thin enough,” “I don’t see myself like this,” “This type of session isn’t for me.” And the personal attacks and excuses go on and on and on…

You have it in you. I know you do because I see it come out during my sessions every single time. Need help getting there? That’s ok! It’s my job to bring that confidence out of you! When you are confident, you are beautiful, stunning, fierce, unstoppable. And really, you could have clothes on and still gain the same experience out of this photo session. What you wear (or don’t wear) doesn’t matter – it’s just the icing on top. What matters is finding it in yourself to feel like you are feminine and ENOUGH.

Ms. T., whose images you see here, was one of my favorite sessions from last year. This amazing business woman almost had to reschedule because — and get this — she is a motorcycle racer amongst many other things and had a spill a week before her shoot. She was scraped up but, as she was traveling in from Texas, and that she is a super badass, we went ahead with her session as planned, working around her injuries.

You would think that being such a beautiful woman and #badassfeminist she would have all the confidence in the world. But the cover is not always the book. Like so many of us, she had her own struggles with self-acceptence, and I’m just so so happy I could be a part of her journey towards loving herself just as she is.

Ms. T said:

Just WOW. I can’t express what a gift you’ve given me. As someone that’s struggled with a lifetime of negative self talk, convinced I’m always going to be either too much or not enough, to finally exhale and have the opportunity to see myself with a fresh perspective through your lens and be proud of who and what I see…

And it goes beyond just the gorgeous images — it’s the experience you create from start to finish that’s helped me learn to celebrate myself and simply be comfortable in my own skin. Thank you for the confidence to finally own my value, my worth and to know that I am enough.

^^^^ THIS! This is the reason why I LOVE being a boudoir photographer. Women need more love and self respect in this world. Many of us feel the need to compare and judge ourselves based on other people’s “highlight reels.” We go to the grocery store and don’t share a smile with the people we pass. We don’t compliment the woman with the nice shoes or who looks like they did their hair extra nice today. Why?

Boudoir to me is extending my light and my confidence to others. I have the skills and the means to show women they are beautiful. I have the courage to give them an experience unlike any other. That’s why I became a boudoir photographer – to extend compassion instead of comparison and to show you the truth about yourself: that you are enough.

So if you’re feeling like a boudoir session ISN’T for you — be assured that each session in our studio is unique and all about you! Show a little, show a lot -- but either way, I believe that every woman deserves to see how beautiful, sexy and unique they truly are. Every body is beautiful and you should be comfortable in your own skin regardless of where you are in your journey in life.

XOXO, Stephanie

Ready to find YOUR confidence? Contact me and let’s chat!



Elise Joan | Client Spotlight | Destination Boudoir Photography

If you don't follow Elise Joan on Instagram, you must go and do so immediately. A beautiful and charismatic yogi and lifestyle coach, her feed is flooding with the most breathtaking organic images of her in practice, in stunning location around the world over along with the most thoughtful and insightful captions. Her stories share amazing lifestyle tips, incredible travel photography (most recently she’s been in Croatia), with occasional cameos by her handsome husband and adorable dog. I assure you, you'll see this feed and go researching yoga classes in your city and then make your friends take them with you. So inspiring and goals AF. 

Elise Joan has been a satellite friend of mine for nearly 20 years. I say “satalite” because there were only a few months at a time that she & I were living in the same city, and so our visits over the years have been few and far between. Even so, time and distance have barely affected our friendship — even after years of being out of touch we can chat over Skype for an hour as if no time has gone by at all. Originally from New York, Elise now lives and teaches in Los Angeles, but travels quite often. So I was thrilled when on my last trip to LA we were finally able to connect.

In a city flooded with yogis, Elise truly stands out. She’s obviously beautiful with an infectious smile and some inspiring travels under her belt. But it’s really much more than that. The magic in Elise’s teachings is that she makes yoga & healthy lifestyles choices seem easy and accessible to anyone, even the most intimidated beginner (raises hand). When you speak with her, you really believe that she’s seeing you, your challenges, what makes you tick. No stranger to life’s challenges herself, she’s honest, open and all about creating a life you are happy with — one that lets you be your best, most authentic self, to help you reach our full potential in life, not just in the yoga studio. And so, our goals for our clients (and women everywhere!) are really very similar.

When I visited her this past March, we almost didn’t get around to shooting because we spent so much time talking! I had thought we would capture her in her yoga practice, but then we realized, she’s captured herself like that so often… we wanted to capture something different. Being in her own home, we created images that feel intimate, quiet, and personal.

Elise said:

Stephanie gently guided me and directed me to bring out my own inner confidence and created a beautiful image showing he complex juxtaposition of my feminine curves and my strength. I felt comfortable, confident and feminine!

Her advise to anyone considering their own boudoir shoot?

Be yourself!! Loose your inhibitions and channel your inner goddess!! I recommend a quick grounding meditation before beginning your shoot to really get rooted in what you want to create and share!

You can find Elise’s workouts at Beach Body on Demand, and come January she will be expanding her classes to a Barre Class (which is very much up my ally, I can’t wait for it!!)

Infinite thanks to Elise for sharing her words, her home, her skills and her beauty with me and the rest of the world. I continue to be so so grateful for the amazing things my camera allows me to be a part of. 

Namaste. ;)

xoxo, Stephanie

Ready to be YOUR best self? Contact me and let’s chat!

Come As You Are | Natural Beauty Bridal Boudoir | Brooklyn Portrait Photographer

I’ve talked a lot recently about natural beauty, and not necessarily *needing a makeover before your boudoir shoot. This modern and untraditional bridal boudoir session is the perfect example of how beautifully this can work, even in a boudoir photoshoot setting.

Ms. S is a dancer amongst other things. She’s a natural beauty who doesn’t wear much, if any, makeup in her “real” life. So when she contacted me about a shoot for her soon to be husband as a wedding day gift, her one concern was looking too made up and not herself.

Ladies, this is no problem whatsoever! As I’ve said before, the most important thing to me is that you are looking and feeling like your best YOU. Not like “her” (whoever she is) but like YOU. Makeovers are fun, getting primped up is fun, and sometimes playing dress up is fun — I totally get that and am all for it. But sometimes — scratch that, MOST OF THE TIME — being yourself is the most satisfying and most beautiful you there is.

I loved how Ms. S. knew herself and her style and opted out of the hair and makeup chair. She came to her shoot completely au natural and it completely works for her casual, just-woke-up like this, cool girl vibe. I never thought Chuck Taylors could look so sexy and yet, here she is rocking them! In fact some of these images are some of my most commented on and repined from my Pinterest pages, I think because they are unique, honest and really tell a story about the woman wearing them.

And ultimately, isn’t this what we we all want? To be seen as ourselves, and have our stories heard?

In her own words, Ms. S said:

Out of any wedding related thing I've done in the last year (including looking for and buying my wedding dress) this was the absolute my favorite experience. Stephanie is super talented and a pleasure to be around. I felt like she really took the time to get a feel for who I was and catered the shoot to that. It's nice when people recognize your individuality! The final products absolutely embraced my personality and style. Also...it was just totally fun!

I will never put you in heels if you don’t own a pair of heels that make you feel good. I don’t put crazy long eyelashes on you unless you love that look. We can capture your beauty in ANY state of dress or undress as long as it’s how you feel best about yourself. Yes, I’ll direct you and I’ll even push you to the go a little bit out of your comfort zone — but only as far as you are excited to go. I have a sixth sense when it comes to women and their feelings. If you are excited to try some artistic nudes but nervous to go there I am great about capturing a few in the most comfortable and easy way. And if you want to stay in your jeans the whole time, we can absolutely make that work as well (see photos here as proof).

So if you are considering a boudoir session — for yourself or as a gift to a loved one, my advise is: don’t get caught up in what you think it “should” look like. Find a photographer who’s style you love and jives with your own, and just be yourself. So come as you are! Get glammed up or not, wear lingerie or not. Because you are truly never as beautiful as you are when you’re just being yourself.

xoxo, Stephanie

Ready to express YOUR individuality with a boudoir shoot? Let’s chat!

Let's Talk Photoshop | Brooklyn Boudoir Photographer | Frequently Asked Questions

AFTER >> BEFORE

Oh Photoshop. I love a love/hate relationship with you. Ever since the infamous Britney Spears album cover & Candies Ads (where they dramatically changed the shape of her body), it’s been a hot & touchy subject.

When it comes to photoshop, I stick to my gut (no pun intended). In general my photoshop style is very natural. So while i will make the skin look it's best, I’ll keep the "Photoshop" action minimal.  I rely on my strategic poses, lighting and angles to accentuate the positive and play down "problem" areas . I WILL edit out minor blemishes/skin flaws as well as simple things like under-eye circles and small scars if requested. My main rule of thumb is, if it’s permanent, it stays. This includes tattoos.

Many women ask about the retouching of stretch marks. While I firmly believe that your stretch marks are a part of your story and therefore are beautiful, I also understand many women’s aversion to their own. Our standard skin smoothing process will fade the appearance of stretch marks, but if you want them to be removed completely, or left 100% alone please be sure to tell me at your photo shoot. It’s all about your personal preferences.

So how does this all translate to your photos? Here are 2 examples so you can see my step-by-step Photoshopping process.

Example 1 is a self-portrait I recently took — it’s more of a beauty than a boudoir image. The crop is kind of boring so the first thing I’ll do is crop the image for a more pleasing look.

Next, I’ll zoom in to the face to remove any blemishes, bumps, stray hairs, etc. I luckily was having a pretty good skin day that day so there’s not that much to remove, but there are some red bumps, and I do have a few beauty marks that read as blemishes in photos, so I removed those too.

Before Blemish Removal

After blemish removal

Next I’ll smooth out undereye circles and even out skin texture and tone, as well as add sharpness to the eyes. The image is definitely starting to look more polished, but not plastic-y.

After skin-evening and under-eye circle removal. I may have gone slightly overboard here for the sake of illustration (and maybe some vanity on my part) #keepingitreal.

Next I’ll check out the body to tweak a few things that are bugging me out. The strange bump on my wrist, for example needed to go! I also lowered the neckline of the jumpsuit a touch to add some more skin, tightened the underside of my chin a touch and plumped up my hair, particularly around the part at the top. Little things like this make the body look better without changing the shape of the body at all!

Finally I’ll add some grain, contrast and darken the background a bit so that the subject stands out even more. And there you have it! The finished product. Not super different than the original, just a bit more polished overall. The side by side at the top of this blog page shows you the 2 images next to each other.

The finished image.

Next, here is a boudoir self portrait so I can illustrate how I might tweak a body. Once again, the goal is to get as much as possible right in camera and not depend on photoshop. The light and then pose are key to this photo working and being flattering to the body.

The image as it came out of the camera.

There are just a few things I would tweak here: the bumps along the back from the bodysuit bunching up are bothering me, so I will smooth those out. Clients are often shocked to hear that when I do smoothing like this, or like a a tight bra strap digging into a shoulder, I actually PLUMP the skin that’s being pinched, as opposed to slim the rest of the body to meet it. I also flattened the tummy a touch, as if I was inhaling at the moment the shutter snapped, and smoothed the texture at the top of my bent leg. The final step is to convert to black and white and adjust the tones until I’m happy with the final image — blowing out the background so that the focus was on the body and not the building was one thing that was important here.

The finished product

So there you have it! With just a few touches we keep you looking like you on your most polished, well-rested, “skinny” day. The most important thing when it comes to photoshop is that you are comfortable with the approach. Some women want to look “flawless,” others want to embrace their so-called flaws and celebrate themselves just as they are. Most women fall someplace in the middle, just like I do. I don’t want to create an illusion of perfection (perfection = boring in my eyes) but I don’t want a zit or a bunchy top to distract you from seeing your true beauty. We’ll always talk about your preferences ahead of time, which I’ll address accordingly when editing.

What are your thoughts on photoshop/facetune and similar retouching programs? I’d love to hear in the comments below.

xoxo, Stephanie

Have another question about Photoshop? I’m happy to answer it! Contact me here or send me an email and I’ll be in touch.

Embracing Your Sexy | Brooklyn Boudoir Photographer | Client Spotlight

One story I often hear from my clients is that they often feel cute or maybe even "pretty", but hardly ever sexy. That's one of the curses of being female - we don't see our potential. We put ourselves in "cute" boxes and when someone suggests that we are sexy, we laugh it off. No way. Me? Nope. 

One of my biggest strengths is showing women how strong & sexy they are. I want them to embrace themselves as powerful and, GASP, sexual beings. It's much easier for us to grasp the concept that we are hard workers, decent moms, devoted wives. But the sexy thing is harder for us to recognize. 

But I promise, if you come in for a Brooklyn Boudoir experience, I'll show you. The shoot won't feel like you're trying too hard to be someone else. In fact, you may even think "There's NO WAY this photo is sexy!" or "There's NO WAY I'm doing this right."  The magic of it is that I'm about to show each client her sexy AF self and they don't even expect it.

Ms. C here is one such example. She came in for an anniversary gift for her husband but learned the real gift was to herself. In her own words:

Stephanie made me feel absolutely comfortable and CONFIDENT the entire day. I would recommend Stephanie to anyone! Having my hair and makeup done, being styled and taught how to pose was such a fun experience. I absolutely LOVE how my photos came out too. It's a great boost to your confidence and makes you feel sexy as hell.

I think so many people book boudoir experiences with me thinking "Well, I'm not going to look as amazing as the other women on her website, but if I can walk away with one good picture of myself I'll be happy." And those are the clients that are absolutely awestruck by the images in front of them at their photo reveal.  In fact, my favorite part of our our reveal was when Ms. C turned to me, smiling and said, “this is fuuuuun.”

Yes. Yes it is. ;)

So how do I do it? When I look at my clients — and all women, really - I see so much more than their looks. It’s true that I believe all women are beautiful, but what I also see is the story of a woman who is complicated, brave, strong and interesting, a woman who deserves to have enough confidence to unapologetically love and accept herself as she is. Just like you do. So don’t worry — I won’t force you into someone else’s definition of “sexy.” We will embrace YOUR kind of sexy.

xoxo, Stephanie

Ready to see yourself the same way I see you? Let’s chat!

The Mental Equivalent of Losing 10 Pounds | Client Raves | The Brooklyn Boudoir Photoshoot Experience

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Ahh, this beautiful and special woman. Where do I begin?

I have mentioned to some of you that I was recently interviewed for a documentary exploring motherhood and the workplace, an important topic that is close to my heart in it’s own right. It’s going to be a fantastic film, I’m so proud to be a part of it and I’ll keep everyone posted on it’s release, probably sometime next year. Aside from our interview, the filmmaker wanted to capture a photoshoot with me. I didn’t feel right asking a client to be filmed during our session, because your comfort and privacy is my utmost priority. But, we also wanted to capture the real vibe of a Brooklyn Boudoir shoot — as opposed to a shoot with a model — to accurately show the process and show how transformative it can be for a woman. And so, the filmmaker asked a friend of hers, who had been toying with the idea of boudoir shoot, if she would be willing to have her shoot recorded for the documentary.

So as you can imagine, this wasn’t a completely traditional shoot as there were 2 additional people in the room and TWO cameras on Ms. H. We were under time constraints but I still wanted to give Ms. H as close to the Brooklyn Boudoir experience that I could given the unusual circumstances. She handled it like a champ, and within just a few minutes, BOTH of us forgot there was a camera on us!

Turns out, Ms. H really needed this. She had recently had a few surgeries that left her feel less than her best. She was in that NYC apartment limbo with half her stuff in storage… she really needed a day to just pamper herself.

Despite the limited time frame, we shot 3 looks with some slight variations. The first was a classic Calvin Klein sporty look (with and without cozy sweater), the second a more feminine pink & black set, and hen the real piece de la resistance was her 3rd look - an amazing vintage denim jacket with nothing but her Calvins on underneath. When she walked out of the dressing room in this 3nd look… well, even the filmmaker said she could feel the confidence oozing out of her friend. It was true — she was beaming and I could tell that she was feeling like her best, most authentic self.

Now, i don't normally show clients too many sneak peaks durning the shoot — I like for there to be an element of surprise at the reveal — but I am SO TICKLED that someone was able to capture Ms. H when I showed her a quick back of the camera shot. When I say she freaked out… she actually exclaimed, “THAT’S what guys get to see when the F*CK me???” PAHAHAHAHA I died laughing a that one. It’s not about the boys, but also yes. Yes, that IS what they get to see and LUCKY THEM.

Said Ms. H. about her experience:

From your first email to me detailing what to expect in the shoot, I felt like I was in excellent hands. I felt completely comfortable, free and sexy and that is 100% due to the easy-going, professional, warm and FUN atmosphere you create. I am not usually comfortable in front of the camera but you made it easy. 

I appreciated that the shoot felt tailored to me—you were able to pick up on the particular brand of "sexy" I was going for, that felt authentic to me, and both the shoot and the photos reflect that. I felt like ME—just the best, sexiest version of me. 

I especially loved the direction you provided. It really helps take any pressure off. Then, once I was really in the moment, the spontaneity as we both came up with ideas was great too. Just all around an incredible experience. As I told my sister after the fact, "I felt so fantastic afterward, it was like the mental equivalent of losing 10 pounds." This was the best damn way to kick off 2019 and I can't wait to do it again!

Her advise for other women?

“Just trust Stephanie! She knows what she's doing and she has thought. Of. EVERYTHING. It is everything you could want out of the experience: fun, relaxing, gratifying, rejuvenating, self-connecting, and yes, so sexy. Don’t get too hung up on bringing clothing that is "traditionally" sexy, unless that's what you find sexy as well. Bring outfits that you feel good in and that fit your personality. It will show in your photos, like it did in mine.

Thank you, Ms. H . for trusting me with your photoshoot experience, for stepping outside your comfort zone with me and for bringing such amazing energy to our shoot that we could both let loose, be ourselves and capture some amazing photos of you. I also can’t wait til next time!!

xoxo, Stephanie

Need an end of winter pick me up? Send me a note and let’s chat!

Everyone is Nervous at First | Brooklyn Boudoir Photography | Client Spotlight

This gem....THIS gem of a woman! We had been in "talks" about a boudoir experience for some time. Eventually, Ms. S pulled the trigger before her wedding as a gift to her new husband and herself. She had such a cool demeanor about her and a great attitude despite her nerves. in fact, even though she told me several times that she was nervous, you never would have known it once she walked through the doors of the shoot.

Said Ms. S:

I had a very smooth, positive, fun experience and I'm very glad I decided to book this. While I was super nervous to do it I felt very mentally prepared the day of.

This comment made me chuckle because 100% of my clients are nervous about their boudoir experience in the days leading up to it. Of course you are! You are about to have your photo taken, which many people already feel uncomfortable doing, much less in your underwear! But trust me when I say, we’ve got you covered! My hair and makeup artists are great about putting you at ease — you get to sit, relax and get pampered by a professional for an hour which will definitely start to settle your nerves. And then I take over. And I REALLY take over. There isn't much of a chance for you to feel unsure about what you're doing because I tell you EXACTLY what I want you to do. And I show you. All you really have to do is be there with me, and follow along! 

Also, I help you prepare, in all the ways you will need, mentally and otherwise! We can chat on the phone or Skype before your session to get to know each other better. I send you prep guide with tips on skin care, wardrobe, dos & don’t, how to cultivate sensuality in phones (and in life!) … whatever you want to talk about before hand, I am there for you and will guide you before, during and after your shoot in getting the best images for YOU.

And about those nerves: within the first 10 clicks of my shutter, I witness my clients transition from deer in headlights to a state of relief, and soon after, to a woman who is having SO much fun and is SO at ease that she forgets that she's not wearing much. Truly - no exaggeration!  We talk, we laugh, you might wonder how I am getting anything that looks sexy because the experience really isn’t a “sexy” one. It’s much more like 2 girlfriends handing out/a therapy session than anything else.

I don’t mean to be flip about this. I know that you probably have a hard time standing in front of the mirror naked and REALLY taking a good look at yourself. I know that you cringe every time you lean forward and see what gravity does to your boobs and belly. I know that, because I experience it myself. And I know that most of my clients do as well. We're women, and unfortunately that's pretty typical for us. 

Know that I take all of this into consideration. Even if I don't see the flaws on your body that you do, I know that insecurities exist. I don't write them off as my client just being "blinded by insecurities." 

But here’s the thing: I am REALLY good at making people feel comfortable. Really comfortable. Like "oh, I forgot I was in my birthday suit" comfortable.  Second to that, I understand women's bodies and their insecurities. I know how to pose women of all shapes and sizes. I know how to use light strategically to make you look your absolute best. 

Also know that I'm not a stranger. From the second you send me that first e-mail that starts with "I can't believe I'm finally emailing you about this....", we are friends. I care about you, I take my job as your photographer very seriously and I will want to stay in touch with you long after I’ve delivered your album. I can’t help it. I love my clients, take interest in them, and that doesn’t just disappear after your shoot.

So, thank you to Miss S for being a firecracker during her photo session, for overcoming her nerves, for delighting me with stories of her wedding & wedding gift and for allowing me to share her photos. And also for telling me there was a “Hamilton” app which lets you enter the lottery by cell phone - genius!! (What can I say, the musical theatre geek in me will never die).

xoxo, Stephanie

Nervous to reach out? Let’s chat and let me put your mind at ease.

What If...? | Artistic Bridal Boudoir | Brooklyn Boudoir Photographer

I have been waiting a few months to share these amazing images with you! Ms. H is a POWER.HOUSE. She is an actress, dancer and currently works in the fitness industry, so needless to say she is very body aware and knows how to move. It isn’t even fair for me to take full credit for these photos because she brought SO MUCH to the table — she SERVED it with the looks, was willing to take some risks and most of all trusted me to do my thing. The results were nothing short of magical.

This is a woman you can’t help but want to be around. She’s real. She’ll tell it like it is. She’s sexy without trying. She has freckles and she loves them. She’s charismatic and she’ll kick your ass in a workout (I speak from experience here, holy hell we worked out together and for a week afterwards every step I took was pain). She’s got a passion for life, for love, she’s got a tough “New York woman” energy with a soft side… which is how I like to think of myself.

Ms. H just got married this past month. The STYLE of this couple. NYC meets Nashville: edgy yet somehow still traditional, stars everywhere, the most gorgeous flowers, and a couple who are so clearly into each other you can’t help but want to fall in love. I’m SURE their wedding will end up in the pages of a glossy magazine — and I am so pleased I got to be a small part of their incredible day. We captured a few more traditionally bridal looks with a veil, and then went more artistic & raw with some portraits on black, a shower set and some of my favorite “in the sheets” shots ever. I love how much variety we captured and how we illustrated the different sides of her personality.

Said Ms. H about her Brooklyn Boudoir Experience:

I am so blown away. I've had my picture taken a good bit, so while I've never done a boudoir shoot, I'm comfortable in front of a camera and had a pretty good idea of what results I could expect. I have NEVER seen myself like this on film. Sometimes, I'll get dressed up to go somewhere and look in the mirror and be like "damn girl you look good!" but then I see a picture of the same night and it makes my heart sink. Do I have an elevated opinion of myself? Is my mirror broken? Which one is really me? Which version are other people seeing? Working with you made me realize that it comes down to the person behind the camera caring as much about me as I do, or probably even more. Working in the fitness industry I take a lot of care to make it less about physical results and more about empowering women. But, at the end of the day, it's a physical result driven business. It's always about progress and the next step. What can we improve, what can get even better? This was the first time I've been able to stop and, in your words "be where I am now". 

These are easily my favorite pictures of myself I've ever seen and I'm so happy I have these images to capture and celebrate this phase of my life. I felt so cared for and celebrated.

These words meant to much to me, because (and this is somethingI hope this comes through in my blogs, my newsletter, and my instagram — and is worth repeating here): I care about you. We may be strangers at first, but we will get to know each other, we will likely become fast friends, I will want to know your story, your “why,” hear all about the crazy things happening in your world, and will be following along your wedding photos just like I did with Ms. H here. I care! Everyone comes to a boudoir session for a different reason. Sometimes you just want pretty images of yourself, often times it’s something deeper than that. Whatever your reason, I want to honor it, and celebrate YOU and through the process, my clients and I often make real connections with each other!

Her advise for other women who are thinking of having a shoot of their own? “Do it and go for it. Push yourself as far as you can. If you don't like the result, nobody ever has to see those shots! But if you don't do it, you'll always wonder "what if."

^^^^^^ THIS! Personally, one of my biggest fears is looking back on life and wondering “what if…” Back in my dating days, I used to go out with pretty much everybody who asked (insert joke here). I always felt like there was nothing to lose - if I didn’t like the guy, at worst it would be a funny story to tell my friends (and let me tell you there are some REALLY funny stories). Saying YES can lead to some great adventures - and also some bad ones, sure. However, I really do believe that people rarely regret the things they go for, the things they say YES to. So much more common seems to be regret over saying no. Did I go on some really bad dates by saying yes? Ummm, you have no idea (i.e.: strong YES!) But was it really so bad?? Nah…and I have to believe if I hadn’t gone out with Barbara Streisand’s nephew (true story) I would have wondered “what if” I had.

Anyhow, I digress, as I sit here thinking of all the bad dates of my past, lol. My point is, there are a lot of excuses you can think of NOT to have a boudoir shoot. But who wants to look back and think, “if only I had done it before I had kids” or “i wish I had been able to appreciate myself earlier in life.” I wish I had learned to appreciate myself and my body earlier in life, but it’s never too late to start saying YES. It’snever too late to start appreciating yourself and loving yourself. You don’t have to be perfect - you just have to be YOU. (And by the way, you ARE perfect, and I am happy to be the one to remind you of that).

OK, this blog post is much more rambling and tangental that I intended it to be, what can I say, Ms. H and her wedding brought out a lot of feelings in me.

Love you guys - my readers, my clients, my women, my muses, my friends.

xoxo, Stephanie

Wondering “what if” YOU had a boudoir shoot? Shoot me an email and let’s chat!!

The Sexiest Thing You Can Wear | What to wear to your boudoir shoot | Brooklyn Boudoir Studio

One of the most common questions I get from soon to be clients is - what should I wear?? A lot people stress about the right outfit for their boudoir shoot, and I’m here to tell you, you NEED NOT WORRY. Once you book your session I will send you a very detailed prep guide to help you decide what to wear, and I’m always available to talk through your wardrobe options before your shoot. I’m also working on a blog post (coming soon) about boudoir wardrobe that you already have in your closet. But beyond those things, I’m going to tell you the secret to a great boudoir shoot — are you ready for it, ladies?? The sexiest thing you can wear for your boudoir shoot isn't lingerie, your beau's favorite shirt, or nothing at all. The answer is: YOUR BEAUTIFUL SMILE.  

Yes, that's right.  I said it. It is OK to smile/laugh in your boudoir photos!  Not only is it OK, but a full-forced laugh while you're sprawled out on your bed, in my opinion, is insanely sexy. To me, there is nothing more attractive than a woman who loves life and feels good enough about herself to bust out into laughter while in her lingerie.  ADDITIONALLY, it's probably going to be a lot easier for you to burst into laughter during your shoot than it will be for you to sport a sultry "come hither" look.  So no worries, and let yourself have fun (and show it!)

Now, a confession: I don't actually encourage my clients to smile for their photos. I DO want the smile, but when it happens, I want it to be genuine. I don't want it to be posed, staged, or faked. Fake smiles are surely NOT sexy to me. I want actual emotion.  And yes, a lot of your images will be more “serious” faced … but I have tricks to bring our some genuine laughter, and when it happens … magic.

Some of my favorite boudoir shoot moments came from my clients rolling into a fit of laughter after I ask them to give themselves a “sexy hug” (yes, it comes out as lame on set as it does on the page). Sometimes that laugh happens because I say an incredibly immature word hoping to elicit emotion (you'll know it when you hear it, and it works every time.)  Sometimes, I don't have to do anything at all, and you just laugh because you're feeling a little nervous. That's ok, too! There is nothing like some giggles to get the nerves out! No matter how we get it, I love it, and you will too, and so will anyone you show the photos to.  Seeing a person laugh is like looking through a window to their soul. And here’s the other thing — I’m often laughing with you so the photos aren’t always perfect — they might be off kilter or * slightly * out of focus. But I don’t care, because the moment was real, beautiful and perfectly imperfect just like you are.

SO, yes, the sexy face has it's time and place in boudoir, BUT ALSO, if you are lying there being photographed and you have the urge to laugh uncontrollably...don't fight it.  I want to capture you & all sides of your personality — sexy, funny, passionate, bold, tame — WHATEVER it is that makes you feel like your most authentic self, we will capture it!

xoxo, Stephanie

Ready to capture yourself smiling and feeling great? Contact me and let’s chat!

Four Reasons You SHOULDN'T Have a Boudoir Shoot right now (spoiler alert: you actually should) | Brooklyn Boudoir Photographer

People have a lot of preconceived notions about boudoir photography. Things like who might have one, how that person might be, the reason one might have one, etc. Many women are curious about it, but not many believe it’s for them. Well, I’m here to tell you that boudoir is for everyone! Here are the top 4 reasons why people have felt that a boudoir session is totally not for them, and why they are wrong (if I don’t say so myself) ;)

1. “I would love to do a boudoir session! I just have to lose these last 15 pounds first…”

She almost cancelled because she didn’t feel “camera ready”… and ended up buying nearly life-size prints of her images!

First of all, I guarantee that you don’t really need to lose 15 pounds. And if you actually do, Girl (not to get too real on you), but how long have you been working on losing those last 15 pounds for?! I have been saying that I was going to start working out really hard and losing the cellulite on my legs since the eighth grade, no joke (it’s still there and I’m turning 40 this year). Let’s be honest, those “last 15” are less of an actual weight loss goal and more of an excuse not to put yourself out there. It’s a self-esteem thing. Believe it or not, a boudoir shoot can actually help you overcome your insecurities. But here’s the thing about a good boudoir photographer: The single most important goal of the session is to create photos that are YOU. 15 pounds plus or minus don’t definite who you are, and they are not going to be the focus of your images. Good boudoir photographers know how to pose you, use shadows, light, and good editing to create photos that you can’t help but find yourself being (maybe surprisingly) in love with. Boudoir is for EVERY body. So seize the day! You can always come back for another photoshoot when you lose the 15 pounds.

2. “Boudoir is always so sexy and I’m THE LEAST SEXY PERSON I KNOW!”

She’s a mom of 2, and claims she isn’t sexy.

Yes, boudoir photography is “sexy” but that’s because women — all women — are inherently sexy. Even you! Don’t feel like a sex goddess?? Totally fine! “Sexy” is about a lot more than pouty lips and bedroom eyes. I never want my clients to feel like they are dressing up as someone else, so we will celebrate what is sexy about you — quirks, laughter, silliness… it’s all sexy to me. Overall, my style is more “effortless cool girl, I just woke up like this” sexy without trying too hard. I once heard the phrase, “Imperfect works” and I think about that all the time in my art. I LOVE imperfections. They are what make you unique, and in this time of social media influencers, to me there’s nothing sexier than someone who isn’t like everyone else. So bring everything that is YOU to your shoot, take a deep breath, and allow yourself to be led by your photographer. Like I said in #1, I will pose you, direct you, and inspire you in such a way that you will be giving all of the facial expressions and body language we need for a badass shoot. You may not even realize it! All you need to do is be yourself, have an open mind and trust me and the rest will unfold beautifully!

3. “I don’t have any reason to have boudoir photos… it’s not like anyone but me is going to see them anyway.”

She flew to NYC and did it for herself!

Great, who better to celebrate you than you?? Single, married, divorced, widowed, doesn’t matter. There’s many amazing occasions in which a boudoir photo shoot would be perfect for you… even if you never take home one photograph. I of course, encourage you to take lots of photographs and firmly believe that every woman should have a casually displayed photograph of themselves looking their very best somewhere in their home. Believe me when I tell you that you will feel amazing every time you see that photo. You can be fully dressed, you can be anonymous so no one else needs to know it’s you, but you will love it and be so happy to have it. As we get older, we as women tend to put our energy towards others more than ourselves — we have our jobs, our significant others, our families, and five million other responsibilities that we take care of before ourselves. People are demanding of our time and are needing our energy almost 24/7, so it’s no wonder that while we’re busy making it our business to be interested in everyone else, that we end up forgetting to make time to stay interested in ourselves! To me one of the the beautiful things about boudoir photography is that it allows you a unique experience to see yourself with curious eyes again, and that is an invaluable gift to a woman who hasn’t been engaged with herself for a long time now. So by all means, take the photos and keep them to yourself if you want to… though I feel pretty confident that once your get your photos, you’ll find that you won’t want to keep them to yourself!

4. “Boudoir photography seems like a waste of money.”

Valuing YOURSELF is priceless.

Sure, I get that… and so is going out to eat, going to concerts, buying yet another pair of nude pumps that look almost exactly like the other 5 pair of nude pumps you already have, and so is paying for a Spotify account when the free version will do just fine! New Yorkers of ALL people recognize the value in things that seem otherwise expensive, otherwise we wouldn’t live in New York (am I right?) I wrote a whole blog post about the value of a boudoir shoot — check it out here, and realize above all, YOU ARE WORTH IT. And of course, I realize a boudoir photoshoot is a luxury experience, so if it still feels out of reach, save for it the same way you would anything you want but feels out of reach. I’ve had clients book their session nearly a year in advance so we could arrange a payment plan (which we can) and so they could budget accordingly.

Boudoir photography is not only for people who have disposable income, have perfect bodies, have a significant other to gift it to, or for those that are super confident in front of a camera. It’s literally for everyone…. including you! Be prepared to have some fun and to realize that so many of our limitations are really only rooted in self-doubt. You are a brave and beautiful person. We all see that, but now it’s time for you to see it too!

Let's talk about Money (eek!) | Your Investment | NYC Boudoir Photographer

Let’s talk about money.  Yikes!  Something important but often awkward to discuss.  But I’m not scuured (ok, I’m a little scuuured, I’m an artist not an accountant after all!) ;) 

After over three years — which is an unheard of amount of time in photograhy world — I will be raising my prices on January 1.  Don’t worry — any session booked before Jan 1 will still receive the 2018 prices, even if the shoot is happening next year, so if you’ve been thinking of having a shoot and need an excuse to go for it, this would be a great time to take the plunge!

Some women experience a little bit of sticker shock when they see the price tag of a photoshoot.  And it’s true — like any luxury purchase, a boudoir photoshoot experience is a substantial investment.  When looking for a boudoir photographer — or any signifigant purchase for that matter — price will, of course, be one of the deciding factors.  But I hope you don’t let it be the ONLY factor.  There is a big difference between cost and value, and it’s the VALUE of a boudoir session that makes it worth the cost. The most important thing is that you find a photographer that you connect with, who’s style you love, and who you can see going back to again and again.  Because as amazing as a boudoir session can be — a BAD boudoir experience can be HORRIBLE.  (Believe me, I’ve had one, which is one of the reasons why I decided to become a boudoir photographer — so I could give my clients a better experience than I had!! But that’s a whole other story… )  

To me, something is “expensive” if the cost is greater than the value I find in it. This is different for everyone. I would gladly spend money on a travel, for example. Even if my credit card that month might make me want to cry, I know if 5 years time, I won’t remember the credit card bill, but I WILL remember the adventures, the experiences, the food... Others might prefer to spend their money on a designer purse, or a car that they love. Things that are worth the investiment are things that you will LOVE every time you see, use or think about.  Something that takes you back to a fanastic day or time in your life.  Memories.  What most people don't anticipate is that, unlike a designer handbag, gorgeous heels, or even a glamorous getaway, I PROMISE YOU: 

This experience is worth it.  Some women even tell me that it’s life-changing.  The  pampering you’ll get in the hair and makeup chair… the rush you’ll get when you’re in the groove of your shoot feeling like a supermodel, the badassedness you’ll feel after your shoot, like you can conquer anything, AND THEN being able to see the images day after day reminding yourself of all those feelings again and again.

I’m not a “cheap” photographer.  I don’t hold sales per se.  Raising my prices is not something I take lightly and not something that is randomly assigned.  The price of a boudoir session is the price for a reason and I think you’ll see, as my previous clients can attest to, that the experience is absolutely, 100% worth it. Because at Brooklyn Boudoir, you will receive the utmost customer service — personalized attention so that we get to know each other, so that you feel comfortable enough to let your true self shine though while I’m photographing you. I spend time getting to know you and tailoring your shoot to your style and tastes. You’ll get top quality hair and makeup by some fabulous film and TV artists, who make the day feel like a bunch of girlfriends hanging out. By the time we are shooting, you’ll forget all about the fact that you’re in your skivvies and have the.best.time. I have yet to have a client who hasn’t felt this way, so if you trust me and trust the process, I can promise that you will become a convert. After the experience of feeling like a rock star, you’ll receive your fine art products, which have been skillfully & subtly retouched to look like you on your best, most well-rested day, AND get a few surprises and treats along the way.

So just like any large expense, my advise for those who want to do a boudoir session but can’t afford it right now is to save up for it, just as you would a vacation or a designer bag you’ve had your eye on.  Don’t take the decision lightly.  Follow along on the blog and the newsletter to learn more about me, see more of my work, read about past client experiences… I want to be sure you are 100% comfortable with your expereince and that you walk away ectatic.  THAT is my goal — to give you an amazing experience and make you feel like a million dollars with the images we create together.

Boudoir Photography is about loving yourself, being fearless and embracing who you are. It’s about giving you the confidence you deserve.  It’s about surprising yourself, being bold, and trying something new. And THAT, to me, is priceless.

Ladies, we spend a lot of money in our lives on a lot of things, but let me tell you: investing in yourself is everything. I believe you are worth it, and I think you’ll see once you have a Brooklyn Boudour experience you will believe you are worth it as well.

Ready to get your shoot on? Send me a message and I’ll give you all the details!

xoxo, Stephanie



The Best Birthday Present for Yourself | Client Spotlight | Brooklyn Boudoir

When I first started shooting boudoir, most women came to me looking for a gift for a loved one — an upcoming wedding, an anniversary, valentine’s day, etc. Over the years, I noticed women starting to come to me “just because” they wanted to do something special for themselves, and I must say, I LOVE that! Gone are the days that you need an excuse to have a boudoir experience! Even if you are planning on gifting some photos to your partner, I think many women now also see the value in having a boudoir shoot for themselves.

Ms. A is one such woman. She found me through another client and was thrilled to hear she was having a shoot to celebrate her 40th birthday. Yes, you read that correctly. This stunner is actually 40 — in fact her shoot was the day before her actual fortieth birthday. She’s a mom of 2 AND runs her own business. Talk about GOALS.

Says Ms. A: As a gift to myself for my 40th birthday, I went way out of my comfort zone and did a boudoir photo shoot.  I'm feeling pretty brave and bad-ass (and vulnerable, too!).  I know I will love looking back on these photos and knowing this body birthed two babies and has been around 40 years.  The experience was incredible and the photos are amazing - Stephanie has a wonderful eye and is so helpful with giving direction during the shoot. I want all my friends to do it now!

As a woman who is turning 40 soon, I applaud Ms. A and her bad-assness. Age is just a number, friends. Don’t forget it. Your only limitations are your own insecurities.

Coincidentally, her album arrived the day before her husband’s birthday, so while the experience and photos are ultimately for her, I have a feeling HE got to enjoy them a bit as well. WIN - WIN!

xoxo, Stephanie

Have a big birthday coming up & want to celebrate YOUR badass self? Let’s chat!

NonTraditional Bridal Boudoir | Client Spotlight | Brooklyn Boudoir Photographer

Bridal Boudoir has been a growing trend over the past few years. I LOVE photographing a soon-to-be bride (and love it even more when she decides to keep her images for herself as opposed to her groom… it happens often!) While I love photographing a beautiful, gauzy veil, you need not dress all in white for your bridal boudoir session!

Ms A, here, was such a lovely client to work with. She intended to gift her finance with her boudoir album but didn’t feel the need to overdo the “bridal” theme. She rocked a black jumpsuit, which is personally one of my favorite looks, and her insanely gorgeous wedding shoes — I mean, check those babies out! FIERCE. And fierce is exactly how her images came out. Like most women, she was nervous, but trusting, and she rocked her photoshoot. I was super excited to share the finished product with her and hear about how her groom loved his gift.

I loved the experience!! I felt comfortable and Stephanie checked on me often. The photos look insanely amazing and even though some poses felt weird, they look phenomenal. — Ms. A

Thank you, Ms A for trusting me with the process, for your kind words during and afterwards.

Ready for YOUR non-traditional bridal boudoir shoot? It’s never too early to start planning! Send me a note and let’s get you on the calendar!

xoxo, Stephanie

How to Prepare for Your Boudoir Shoot | New York City Boudoir photographer

Should you get your bikini waxed?  Is tanning a "yay" or a "nay"?  Not sure what to bring? 

These are just a few questions my clients wonder about in the weeks or days leading up to their boudoir photo shoot. As your boudoir photographer, it's my job to be sure I've answered as many questions as possible before you even ask them!  In the efforts to help you better understand what preparing for a boudoir photo shoot entails, here is a small excerpt of tips I offer my clients in my “Boudoir Prep Guide” that I send prior to their boudoir session.

One Week Before

If you wax, do so a good five days before your session to avoid red bumps and irritation.

Get a mani and pedi if that's your style.  Polish-free nails are absolutely ok too, but chipped polish will bug us both, and is tough to fix in photoshop.  Clean, neat nails, whether manicured or not, are key. 

Drink plenty of water so that you are hydrated. This will ensure your skin is luminous. Contrary to popular belief, drinking lots of water also helps to minimizing bloating.

Another way to minimize bloating is to cut back on salty and fried foods, alcohol (sorry to say!) and anything that might make you gassy.

Pin some of your favorite boudoir shots and poses on Pinterest & send them my way. The idea isn't to duplicate the exact photos but it will give me a good feel for what you like (and we can always try to get close to the inspiration). Follow me on Pinterest @brooklynboudoir and we can even create a "secret" mood board together.

Please don’t go tanning ESPECIALLY if you don't normally tan!  Tan lines and burns do not translate well on camera, nor does burned skin. To that end, please do NOT spray tan either! It can come out blotchy  or orange in photos, and might rub off on your clothes, or the bedding.  Not a good look.  You don't need a tan to look great!

Plan to bring a neutral colored panty, a black one and at least one thong with you to your boudoir session. Depending on the shot (and your comfort level) your panties may be showing in your photos… so leave the panties that you’ve had for the past 20 years with the overstretched elastic waist at home 😉

One Day Before

Moisturize and shave - Unless you’re going for that au naturel look, which is totally fine by me! However, if that’s not the style you’re looking for, please do remember to shave and moisturize prior to the session.  A few stray hairs can be removed here and there but we don't want to rely on that.

Get plenty of sleep!  Easier said than done, I know!  But do your best to get some rest so you look and feel your best.

The Day Of Your Session

Please don’t wash your hair the day of the session.  Even refrain from using dry shampoo. Freshly washed hair isn’t as easy to work with for our stylist, and we want to assist them in creating your fabulous look!  That said, greasy hair isn't good either!  "One day" hair is ideal for hair styling. 

Moisturize!  You should arrive with your face washed, makeup free and well moisturized.  Your should moisturize your body as well.  You don't need anything fancy -- classic Jergins or even coconut oil works great!

Aim to show up 10 minutes prior to your scheduled appointment.  There's nothing like showing up late, being frazzled and feeling stressed to ruin your day.  Subways run late, ubers bail, life happens!  Planning to show up earlier than planned with help you feel relaxed and start the session off right.  

Wear loose-fitting clothing like yoga pants, leggings, or a jumpsuit to your shoot. Don’t wear anything tight-fitting that will leave red marks on your body (such as skinny jeans or fishnets). Wear a loose-fitting shirt and either a sports bra, tank with a built-in bra or no bra at all! The goal is to avoid red marks or indentations on the skin. 

Wear clear deodorant (or no deodorant… I won’t judge). You don’t want white getting on your clothes or having those white deodorant bits in your underarms.

Eat something light. I know it’s hard when you want to feel your slimmest but being hungry during your session will not be fun.  Without a small meal, you'll feel low energy which will make you look & feel tired. You will also tire out faster and crash by the end of your session. A boudoir session can feel like hard work if you’ve never done one before! You need to eat something, even if it’s just an energy bar.

Stretch!  Sounds crazy but some of the poses can be challenging.  It's almost akin to a workout!  Many of my clients tell me they are sore the next day!  So your shoot is a good excuse for skipping the gym that day

Put yourself outside of your comfort zone. Many people plan to be entirely covered up during their session, and that’s totally okay if you want to go that route!  But once the session gets going, many ladies start to have fun and get a little more daring! It’s all up to you how much you want to show.  I highly recommend pushing your comfort level because there is no one to judge you and this could be a once in a lifetime experience for you.  Remember, this session is for you and about you. So regardless of how much you decide to show or not show, it’s all about creating fun, sexy, and classy photos.  Many times the magic happens when you let your guard down and let all those pesky insecurities go.

MOST IMPORTANTLY – Relax and take a deep breath! It’s okay to feel a little nervous before your session but please don’t worry – you are in good hands!

A boudoir session is unlike any photo shoot you have ever done before and it does require a little bit of preparation!  My goal is to ensure that you feel great, look great and that you fall in love with yourself in the process.  Hopefully this post helps you feel more confident about preparing for your shoot and ease any doubts you may have, and this is just a small portion of it.  Don't worry -- I got you! 

Prior Clients -- what advise do you have for those about to have a boudoir shoot?  I'd love to hear in the comments below!  

Never had a session, and feeling more confident about one?  Contact me below and I can answer any other questions you may have!

xoxo, Stephanie

Cute to Sexy | New York Boudoir Photography

"I have always considered myself 'cute', but I never would have described myself as sexy." 

Ahhh yes. I've heard it a hundred times before...the ol' "I'm really not "sexy."

What most people don't realize is that "sexy" doesn't have much to do with appearance. It's about the way you carry yourself. It's about confidence. It's that feeling you get when you know you're amazing.

Ms. J came to me with a few different wardrobe options, one of which had been gifted to her by her hubs.  It was a a garter belt and thigh high set, and there was something almost "Kiss of the Spider Woman" about it (I am exposing my musical theatre geekdom now). She never wore it, and i could tell she felt not quite herself in it. Usually, if you don't feel comfortable in the wardrobe I would say don't wear it, but she looked SO.DAMN.GOOD in it I couldn't resist snapping a few shots.  We laughed about it, and said that if she didn't love the images in the end, she didn't have to keep them.  But guess what?  The images were AMAZING and were some of her favorites!

That's the thing about stepping out of your comfort zone -- you never know where it will take you!  And would could be more exciting that that?  With me directing your poses, facial expressions, and encouraging you the entire time, you are guaranteed to feel SEXY through the whole process. Especially seeing your photos. 

“To me, sexy is the confident energy a person produces. Sexy is the comfortable feeling of being who you are. Sexy is not just having beautiful lips, legs, and arms. It is beyond that. Sexy is soul.”

— Karina Smirnoff

It was an absolute pleasure to show Miss J just how sexy she is.

I'm so grateful for clients like Miss J that can come into the studio, trust me to do what I do best, and who finally get to see the SEXY in there. Because the more you experience, the more you can carry that confidence, that SEXY with you every single day. 

xoxo, Stephanie

Ready to take it from Cute to Sexy?  Do it for YOU & drop me a line! 

Boudoir + Body Image | The Effervescent Ms. L | Brooklyn Boudoir Photographer

I've been holding onto these photos for quite some time, partly because I've been crazy busy these past few months, and partly because I really want to do this woman justice.  She has an important story to tell, and we had a really special connection, so I really wanted this blog post to be RIGHT. 

I think many of you will identify with Ms. L's story. So often we hear about plus-sized women who are having a hard time feeling comfortable in their own skin. The less-told story is that of the thin girl who ALSO struggles to feel good about her body.  Body dysmorphia has nothing to do with how you actually look -- in fact, people who struggle deeply with their looks often CAN'T see themselves as they really are.  So when a thin woman is judged by her size and shape, told to "eat a sandwich," told that her insecurities are ridiculous, that she should be grateful to have such a tiny frame... frankly, it's hella disrespectful.  We have no idea what other women are dealing with on the inside, and any comments about another person's body, unless it's "you are so strong & beautiful" are in my opinion, unwelcome and unnecessary.  

OK, rant over (for now).  

Ms. L is absolutely beautiful, sassy, outgoing and real... she is the woman you could become instant best friends with (like I did).  You would never peg her for someone who struggled with her looks, but like so many of us, Ms. L has struggled with body issues.  She wanted to have a boudoir shoot to challenge her negative thoughts and try to gain more appreciation of her body, and I am so, SO honored I was able to be a part of that journey with her. 

In her words:

This was by far the most incredible, empowering experience I have been through and one that holds the most special place in my heart in NYC. To not only feel comfortable in my own skin, when most times I do not, but to form a friendship through this photo shoot truly means the world to me. Life is too short, though all the negativity and anxieties in life, it is so necessary to have a positive outlet. Going through this experience with Stephanie leaves me speechless in the best way possible.  I LOVED receiving the "teaser" photo within 1 day of the shoot. I actually had tears because it was so beautiful, and it made me view myself a way I have never viewed myself before. 

PHEW. Are YOU misty-eyed?!  I am. 

I'm no psychologist, but while it may seem counter-intuative to have a boudoir shoot when you're not feeling the best about your body, I would say it's actually the PERFECT time to reset your thoughts, shake things up and give yourself permission to feel GREAT about yourself.  I'm not saying you will be cured of all that ails you.  But I can promise you that you'll walk away from a shoot with a new pep in your step and appreciation for your own fierceness.  By seeing yourself through my lens, my hope is that you will be able to see yourself more clearly and understand your true beauty.   

I'll be writing more about tackling your insecurities through boudoir in other posts.  In the meantime, the moral of the story is, OWN IT. Celebrate yourself.  YOU DESERVE IT.  Ms. L did....and as you can see the results were S T U N N I N G. 

xoxo, Stephanie

Ready to lose the negative self-talk and see yourself in a whole new light?  Email me at stephanie@brooklynboudoir.com or hit me up here.  

Smart, Sporty & Sexy | NYC Valentine's Day Boudoir Photoshoot

The email, phone & text correspondence leading up to Miss W's boudoir experience told me that we were going to have a fabulous time way before we even met.  She wanted to gift her husband a sexy valentine's day present and had a myriad of amazing wardrobe options she wanted to capture herself in.  

She was so excited, and attitude is EVERYTHING when it comes to making the absolute most of your shoot.   I knew well before meeting her that we were going to make some magic together.  We had our location booked, wardrobe selected aaaaannnnd... then a few days before our session she got the flu. UGH. 

Fortunately we were able to reschedule her boudoir shoot for a few weeks later, but not in time for her album to arrive before V-Day.  So instead, we gifted him a little teaser on Valentine's Day and gave him the full album a few weeks later.  Miss K videoed him opening his gift, and trust me when I say his reaction was PRICELESS -- surprised, intrigued, delighted, not to mention in awe of his smokin' hot wife and her stealthy moves keeping the photoshoot a secret from him.  I love that I got to see that - it kept me smiling for days.  

This woman was so awesome, we had an absolute blast, and I'm obsessed with her final images. They show off her personality and her other... ahem... assets so well.  Here's what Miss W had to say about her photo session:

I was made to feel comfortable right away, like I was speaking to an old friend. You were honest and so helpful with the direction of the shoot and were so open to all the ideas that I had. I didn't feel shy and it was an amazing experience to see my ideas combined with your artful eye in the final photos. Even if you don't have a boyfriend or husband you should do this as it was such an amazing and empowering experience. I can't explain the excitement that I had between my reveal and when I finally was able to share my photos with my husband (obviously he loved them as well). I also was so happy to share his reaction with you as you were such an integral part in keeping this a special secret for him. This became something for my husband and something for me... a chance to encapsulate me now - a me that I am proud of (not to be mushy lol). The advice would give another woman is I let go and just relish the moment. 

My heart is bursting. What a sweetheart (not to mention a BABE!). She was lovely inside and out and it was an absolute honor to work with her to capture her femininity, her personality, and her badassness. Thank you, Miss W, for joining the Brooklyn Boudoir club. I adore you.  

xoxo, Stephanie

It's never too early to start planning for NEXT Valentine's Day ;)  Contact me to plan your shoot!