Frequently Asked Questions

Most women have never been professionally photographed (much less in her skivvies!), so naturally there are a lot of questions.  Here are some of the most common questions I get asked.

What is boudoir photography?

Boudoir photography is the art of tastefully capturing images with an air of sexiness.  It generally involves a certain level of undress (either lingerie, loungewear, other intimate apparel, or nothing at all).  My style of boudoir photography is a bit more impressionistic than others -- I mostly use natural light to create artful, intimate portraits of women that are meant to embrace your sexuality, independence, femininity, and capture your personality.  While I will pose you throughout your shoot, you will not look stiff or overly posed for a result that is a little more raw, real, and candid than other boudoir photography you may have seen out there.  

Why boudoir?

A boudoir photography session is about feeling beautiful and empowered.  It's about feeling great in your own skin and in who you are as a woman.  Sometimes it's also about seeing yourself through the eyes of someone who appreciates and celebrates the beauty and spirit of women (*clears throat... that would be me). In the words of Dita Von Tease: It's not about seducing men, it's about embracing womanhood.  Feeling beautiful never goes out of style. Read more about the importance of feeling sexy in this blog post.

I see you also offer "Beauty" photography -- what's the difference?

Beauty portraiture is a bit more polished, demure, with a finished "fine art" look and feel.  This is a great option for a woman who wants images for personal branding, images that are wall-worthy, or for women who may be a bit intimidated by the idea of baring all for a boudoir session. Wardrobe for a beauty session can be a ball gown, little black dress, a lace bodysuit, fabric draping, a white shirt, or even nudity.  Beauty portraits always contain the full face and at least the shoulders up.

Why should I choose Brooklyn Boudoir for my boudoir, beauty, branding, or maternity shoot?

It's important that you find a boudoir photographer whose style you love, and who you connect with.  I’ve been told that there’s something different about my work, and I think what it boils down to is this: I am a woman, photographing other women, for women.  I'm a mom, I live the daily New York grind, I'm trying to maintain my relationship, my home, my business, my family... and I am tired a lot of the time from juggling all of that.  I GET IT. I want to give you an escape from YOUR daily grind and ultimately want to make my clients look amazing, FEEL amazing, and help them realize that they ARE amazing.  The studio is a woman-only zone and I strictly prohibit negative self-talk to create a safe, positive vibe. We feed off the positive energy together and you will walk out of your shoot walking six inches taller than you did when you arrived. Read more about my boudoir philosophy on the blog here and read more about the Brooklyn Boudoir Experience here.

How far in advance should I book my shoot?

I recommend that women have their shoot date scheduled at least 2 months prior to needing the finished product in-hand. Your photo reveal appointment will be approximately 2-3 weeks after your photo session, and your finished product (depending on what you order) will arrive between 2 and 4 weeks after that.  Also, being a one-woman show, I tend to book up very quickly and relatively far in advance. For weekday availability, you should email me to schedule at least two months in advance. Fridays & Saturdays are the most popular time slots and book up the quickest (since you'll be all glammed up you can make a night of it) and often book out 3-4 months in advance. So, DON'T WAIT to email me!  It's never to early to get on my schedule.

I'm not photogenic -- can I do this?

ABSOLUTELY!!  First of all, "being photogenic" is kind of a myth!  Need proof?  Take a selfie of yourself with the camera down in your lap.  Horrible, right?  Then take a selfie with the camera slightly above eyeline, tilted down to you, with your head tilted towards a window.  MUCH better, no?  EVERYONE can take a beautiful photo, and it's my job to do just that for you.  I use lighting, lenses and camera angles to create ultra-flattering images of women -- women of any age, any body type, any level of comfort in front of the camera. You don't have to know what you are doing in the slightest. I will direct you every step of the way, from helping you prepare for your boudoir shoot with wardrobe and grooming tips, to posing every inch of you, to coaching your breathing through the session. You just need to show up and TRUST ME. 

What do your packages include?  How much should I expect to spend?

The basic boudoir experience session fee is $699. This includes dry hair styling and makeup with lashes (if desired), a 1.5 hour photo shoot with me at my Bushwick studio, retouching of all your images, and an in-person or zoom photo viewing for you to order photo products a la carte. Discounted packages are offered & encouraged -- these packages are thoughtfully built on our clients most frequent purchases.  Clients are almost always shocked at how many photos they cannot live without from their session and booking one of our inclusive packages is the best way to maximize your investment. After all is said and done, clients tend to spend $3300 on average for their session and the photo products they desire.  Be sure to email me at stephanie@brooklynboudoir.com to get a full list of our packages and a la carte pricing. 

What will I wear?

Whatever you feel great in!  Most clients opt for some form of lingerie: a bra and panty set, bodysuit, corset, silk robe, stockings, your partner’s favorite work shirt, or nothing at all!  Whatever you opt for, it will turn out fabulous, so don't stress too much about wardrobe.  The most important thing is that you feel beautiful and comfortable.  In a 1.5 hour photo session, we will have time for up to 3 “looks” or outfits.  Once you've completed the booking process with me, you will receive a detailed guide that will help you with preparations and wardrobe considerations, including my favorite places to shop.  I’m also happy to consult with you before your shoot if you have any questions. Check out my blog and my Pinterest Page for some more suggestions.

Do you supply the wardrobe for my shoot?

While I have a few accessories on hand, such as scarves, sheer fabrics, white sheets and some lacy robes, I find that most women feel most comfortable in their own lingerie. For hygienic reasons, as well as the comfort of my clients, I ask that you bring your own wardrobe to your shoot.  You can check out some wardrobe ideas on my Pinterest page, and we will talk about wardrobe during our pre-shoot consultations.

Do I have to be nude?

No!  Being sexy does not require nudity. You choose how risqué you want your images to be whether you want to be fully clothed, partially clothed, implied nude, or nude.  Being photographed nude can be an empowering and exhilarating experience, so I encourage you to go as far as you are comfortable with, and maybe even step out of your comfort zone a little. Whatever you decide, your boundaries will always be respected.  

What if I want to get a little more risqué than the photos I see on your website?

Get it, girl!  I showcase only the most tasteful and reserved images on my website for the privacy of my clients, but I also capture images that are more provocative. I am NOT a Penthouse-type photographer so if you are looking for crotch shots or explicitly sexual photography, I'm not the right photographer for you.   

What if I don't know how to pose?

No worries!  I will coach you the entire time on how to position your body, what to do with your hands, and where to look for your most flattering angles.

Where will our photo session take place?

Your shoot will take place at my studio in Bushwick, Brooklyn. We’ve got polished concrete floors, floor to ceiling windows and gorgeous light. Some clients like being photographed in their homes, which lends a sense of intimacy and comfort to the shoot (not to mention having ALL your wardrobe right there with us), or in their hotel room if they are coming in from out of town. I am open to these options as well, for a small additional fee.  

Do you travel for shoots?

I absolutely LOVE to travel and am available for local or international shoots. Be sure to follow me on Instagram because I'll post when and where I'm traveling, so you'll know if I'll be in your area available to shoot!  If you're bringing me to you, I ask that you cover my flight, a 2 night stay, and any location rental fees if applicable.

Do you provide a hair & makeup artist?  

Yes! Every Brooklyn Boudoir Experience includes professional dry hair styling and makeup application. Taking an hour for professional hair and makeup is a great way for us to ease into the shoot. We will talk before hand about the type of makeup you are looking for, but in general we like to use a light touch - glowy skin, some subtle shimmer or smoke for the eye, natural lashes, a subtle flush and your lip color pumped up a notch. It’s about you looking effortlessly sexy and about these photos feeling modern in 20 years time, so we generally shy away from trends, heavy “wedding day” type makeup or anything too glam. I believe women are most beautiful when they look like themselves.  The hair and makeup artist will leave once you are happy with your look to give us the most privacy.

Can I bring a friend?

Yes! You are welcome to bring one female friend to your portrait session for support & encouragement.  I do ask that your friend not interfere with the shooting process (directing your posing, shooting over my shoulder, touching up your hair in between shots, etc.) as this becomes distracting for all of us.  Want to do one better than having a friend there for moral support?  Why don't you book your shoots back to back so you can both enjoy the experience together!  I also offer group sessions for two or more women -- we put on some music, pop a bottle of champagne and have some fun taking photos.  It makes for an amazing bachelorette, birthday party or girl-night out. Please note that no men are permitted on set while we are shooting. This is a firm policy.  

I'm a private person -- will my images appear on the internet?

I respect & appreciate the privacy concerns of all my clients.  I, of course, would LOVE to use images from our session together to show other women your amazing photos!  HOWEVER, I also completely understand if you or your significant other might be uncomfortable to share them, and so I will only use your images (on my blog, social media or promotional materials) with your permission. It’s completely your choice and is not required. Many clients are so proud of their images that they give me full discretion to choose images for my portfolio, some clients prefer that only anonymous images be put in my gallery, some clients prefer to choose the images that are posted, and other clients are comfortable with anything being posted, as long as it’s after a certain date (after they gift the images).  Just let me know where you stand on the topic and I will honor your wishes. If you do allow your photos to be published, be assured that the usage will always be tasteful.  Your real name will NEVER be used and I will NEVER tag you on Facebook/Twitter/Instagram.  I am always happy to sign NDA's should you need one from me because of your profession or public visibility. 

There are several other ways we protect your privacy & images in this digital age.  All images are retouched in-house; we do NOT send your images off to an outsourced editing company, leaving them vulnerable to being stolen. We also do not email your images to you or create an online gallery of them -- you will see your images in person directly from my hard drive during your in-person photo viewing.  If you are coming in from out of town to shoot with me and an in-person viewing is not possible, we will make other accommodations for a long distance viewing. 

I'm pregnant - when is the best time to schedule a maternity portrait session?

You'll want to come in when you are fully showing and still feeling sexy and strong.  This will vary between different women of course.  I find there is a sweet spot between 28-35 weeks, when the tummy is nice and round, but before labor is imminent.  I've had expenctant mothers give birth the day before their session was scheduled so we want to avoid that!  

Do you shoot boudoir videos?

Yes! Boudoir videos are becoming more and more popular and are available as an add-on to any boudoir shoot. You can check out my Youtube channel for some examples of what we do, or scroll to the bottom of this page for a sample. Just like your photoshoot, you don’t need to do anything to prepare other than just showing up - I will direct you every step of the way!

I'm ready to book a shoot -- what happens next?

Shoot me an email and we'll find a date that works for us both.  I'll send you pricing and package information so you can chose the boudoir experience that works best for you.  I require a 50% deposit to secure your date.  Once booked, I'll send you lots of information about how to prepare and what to expect, AND give you some homework ;)  We'll discuss your style, personality, hair & makeup, and the mood you want to convey.   On the day of your shoot, we'll spend about 2 hours together so we can get comfortable, have fun & take our time styling your photographs.  My shooting style is low-key & relaxed - it really feels like 2 girlfriends having fun.  I'll coach you every step of the way from what to wear, how to pose, where to look and so on.  Before you leave, we'll choose a date for an in person photo reveal, usually about 2-3 weeks after your shoot, where we go through your session and discuss the products you'd like to order. And I'm always available to answer any questions you may have.  You can read more about what a Brooklyn Boudoir Shoot entails here.

What can I do with my boudoir images?

I am a firm believer that the EXPERIENCE of your boudoir shoot is as valuable as the products we create with them afterwards.  The experience is really for YOU and gift-giving is just a bonus.  That said, I LOVE a beautiful album - it's an excellent choice for memorializing yourself and casually displaying a good amount of photos of you looking your very best.  A 2-image folio is a discreet & tasteful choice for your bedside table.   More abstract shots make fantastic fine art pieces that you can display -- it can be your secret (or not!)  that the model in photographs is you!  Or hell, let EVERYONE know it's you!  There's nothing better than a casually displayed piece of art of you looking your very best.

How many photos will I get?

The finished product is typically a variety of about 70 images with a natural retouch (no “special effects” other than black and white).  I include "detail" shots such as legs, tush, breasts, back and shoulders, lips, as well as full body scapes and portraits that includes your face. 

When do I get to see my images?

Two to three weeks after your shoot we will meet for a private viewing & ordering session either in person or over zoom to look over your gallery of images. Once you have selected your favorites, I will design your order.  Turnaround time for albums products is normally about 4-6 weeks, so keep this in mind if you plan on gifting images for a specific event.  Rush orders are sometimes possible when discussed ahead of time. 

Will you retouch my photos?

Yes, light retouching is included in all portrait sessions.  The goal is not to change your looks or body shape, but to minimize blemishes, under-eye circles, scars, stretch marks, or any other artifacts on your skin that may bother you.  I rely on strategic posing and angles to accentuate the positive play down "problem" areas.  As far as stretch marks go, most women have them, and most of the time, my skin-smoothing editing technique will buff them out. If you would like to request extensive editing, we can quote that on a per-image basis at your photo reveal appointment after you've seen your images with our standard retouch on them.  But overall, don't worry - I will work with what you’ve got and prove to you that you are beautiful just as you are.  I do all the retouching myself, to respect your privacy.

Do you photograph men?

No.  I specialize in photographing women and do not photograph men or couples. 

I have my period - can I still have my boudoir shoot?

OF COURSE! It won’t affect the way I photograph you or your finished product at all. If you are still concerned Thinx makes some great underwear made to be worn while on your period. They are a great brand with a great message and surprisingly fashionable designs.

Can you retouch out tan lines?

Every summer I get tons of messages about this. Tan lines are notoriously difficult to retouch away, but it’s not impossible. It all depends on where they are, how intense they are and if there is any cross over with your hair or lingerie in the shot. So the short story is: it’s better if you don’t have tan lines, but if you do, don’t panic and we will address the retouching needs on a case by case basis.

What if I need to reschedule?

To book your session I require a 50% deposit.  This deposit is non-refundable, but it can be transferred to another date for no additional fee.  I ask that if you do need to cancel or reschedule, you allow 48 hours advance notice as a courtesy when possible.  Cancellations within 48 hours are subject and multiple reschedules are subject to a fee.

How do I book a session?

Email me here to start the conversation and learn more.  I look forward to hearing from you!