Ms. J's Boudoir Experience

Ms. J came to me wanting to plan a session for her future hubby to be as a wedding gift. Her session was amazing! You can see the confidence just radiating out of her. Continue reading to get a first hand look at her experience!

What made you decide on doing a boudoir session? 

I had been considering doing a boudoir session as a wedding gift for my fiancé, but I was on the fence for months. I was worried it would feel too exhibitionist, and wasn't sure about the investment. That all changed when a close friend of mine posted a photo from her boudoir shoot on Instagram. She looked beautiful, strong and sexy - I wanted that feeling, too!

How did you decide on what to wear? Did you bring any meaningful accessories? Did the Pinterest board created for you help?

I usually have no problem shopping, but I was surprised that I felt a bit overwhelmed at first! The Pinterest board was really helpful for me to revert back to while I was shopping - it helped narrow down my "vision" for the shoot and helped me focus on a few key pieces. Annika's recommendations for where to shop were also spot on. 

Let's talk about the day of the shoot. Were you nervous before arriving? How did you feel being in front of the camera?

I have done a couple of photoshoots for friends and smaller businesses before, but I was still nervous as I never felt like I was "a natural" in front of the camera. I was definitely a little bit nervous before I arrived, but that changed to excitement as soon as I arrived. Annika is so professional yet approachable and friendly that it's impossible to stay nervous. 

Tell me about the experience you had during the session. Were the poses what you expected? Did you have fun? 

The shoot was a blast and the time flew by! Annika tells you what to do with every inch of your body from head to toe, which made it much easier than I had anticipated. I definitely loosened up as the shoot went on and felt like a pro by the end of it!

I always have to ask, were you sore the next day from the poses? 

My lower back and abs were definitely sore the next day! It was manageable - no different than muscle soreness after a good workout. 

What were your first thoughts when you saw your images? Have you noticed a mental shift in the way you view your body since doing the shoot?

I think I actually said out loud, "is that really me?" I fell back in love with some of my "quirks" - like the wrinkles in my nose when I smile. The shoot sort of forces you to look at yourself as a whole, which is a nice break from the habit women tend to form of only noticing individual "flaws". 

Do you have any advice or tips for ladies who are thinking about doing a session? 

I definitely recommend looking at Annika's Instagram to get a feel for her style. I researched a few different places in Boston and Annika totally stood out for beautiful, feminine images that weren't too harsh or over-edited. Once you meet with Annika, you will be so glad you signed up!

My other tip would be to spread out your shopping over a couple of trips, if you plan on buying new pieces just for the shoot. Trying to get everything in one day will be overwhelming, and it's easier to be strategic about what to get when you don't have a time crunch!

What was your absolute favorite part of this experience? 

I don't think I'll forget how I felt when she first showed me some of the photos on her camera mid-shoot. I couldn't believe how amazing the photos looked, even before any editing! Seeing myself, quite literally through someone else's lens, was definitely a momentous "shift" in self-love. 

As you can tell from her images, her shoot came out absolutely beautiful. Sometimes what starts out as a gift for someone else turns into a gift for yourself.