"I now find ways to wear lingerie as evening wear!"

This was Ms.L’s second session with me. I love it when clients come back for shoots, even when its years later! Read more about her experience below:

Tell me about the lingerie shopping process, was it hard, was it fun? Where did you go?

I already love shopping for lingerie so I loved the process!  I still appreciate the Pinterest boards and the guidance, what might be fun to have around the house may not be the best in photographs and I really respect Annika’s perspective.  I used a few things I already had and then used the opportunity to buy some new items from some new stores I hadn’t known of before the Pinterest Board. I used pieces from Victoria Secrets, Fredericks of Hollywood, AdoreMe, and Gooseberry.

How were you feeling before you entered the studio/shooting location for the first time, nervous, excited, etc?

I was excited leading up to it but the day of honestly I was a little nervous. This was my second shoot and I was still a little nervous! I was just hoping that everything would look good, I had picked the right outfits, and I didn’t eat my lunch too late in the day.  I felt a lot better when I got there and was able to sit and chat while getting my hair and makeup done. Annika really helps to put you at ease and it wasn’t all talk about the shoot but general chat and joking which really helped. 

What was your favorite lingerie look? Was it one you expected, or were you surprised by the piece that ended up being your favorite? 

My favorite look was between an emerald green Gooseberry set and a daring Victoria secret set.  The Gooseberry had amazing detail and rich color which I think really popped and looked great. I was surprised how much I liked the VS set, it was really sexy and I was unsure that it would look right but with Annika’s lighting choices and positioning, I was really excited when I saw those images. 

What inspired you to choose your makeup look? 

I had done a session before so I understood that the makeup would be heavier than I would do myself.  I would highly recommend having the make-up done by the stylist. I wanted something that was natural but a little more dramatic on the eyes so that they would pop in the pictures and I really loved how it turned out.  I also definitely rocked the look out on the town after my shoot and got so many compliments! 

How did you feel leaving your boudoir session? Excited, empowered, sexy?  

Excited and sexy for sure!  We ended on the black VS set that I was nervous about but I felt more confident in it and along with hair and make-up done felt super sexy leaving.  I took the hair and make-up and dressed up for a night out and just felt so confident about it the whole evening. My friends could tell I was excited about the experience, my girlfriends were asking for more details and to see the pictures. 

What was your first thought when seeing how you looked in your photos? Have you noticed a mental shift in the way you view your body since doing the shoot?

I was so excited to see the photos after the shoot!  While Annika gives you hints on how the photos are going throughout the shoot, which is super helpful to your confidence during the shoot, I was really excited to see how they turned out as a whole.  

I do find I have had added confidence since the shoot and find ways to wear lingerie as evening wear while the weather permits- a sexy bralette with high waisted leggings, slip dress and leather jacket or a lace bodysuit with the right pasties!! I’m loving the looks and so is my boyfriend!

If you did the session as a gift for someone, is/was it hard keeping it a secret? How are you planning on presenting the gift to your sweetie? 

I did the photoshoot mainly for myself, I’ve had so many changes over the last few years that I really wanted to capture this for myself in a more healthy and happy place.  I did also sneak in some surprise looks for my boyfriend’s birthday gift and I am really hard-pressed keeping it a secret. He knows I did the photoshoot but doesn’t know I snuck in something special for him.  

I am planning on presenting him with his gifts privately on his birthday after a nice dinner out, wearing my favorite outfit from the shoot under my dress. He hasn’t seen any out the outfits I’ve worn for the shoot so he’ll be seeing them all for the first time!

Would you do another session?

Yes!  This was my second shoot and I would highly recommend anyone do more than one.  Not only am I different from one photoshoot to the next but also the looks were completely different.  While the first looks were sexy, they were also sweet and romantic. This shoot I knew what to expect more, felt more confident in my skin and let Annika know I wanted to be a bit edgier and moody this time. It also helped that I followed Annika on IG and was able to see some of her recent works and point out what I liked and wanted in looks and feels. 

If you had to choose your favorite image or series of photos, which would it be?

I loved everything in front of the light wall, it was so creative and everything looked amazing! I also really loved a photo I did for my boyfriend’s birthday gift, wearing his hat and looking into the camera.  I was on the fence about it at first, we’re all our hardest critics, but I listed to Annika’s opinion and I’m so glad I did because it’s one of my favorites