FAQs

Have a question? It may very well be answered below.

Have questions about boudoir photography? You're in the right place! I've compiled a list of frequently asked questions to provide you with all the information you need to feel confident and excited about your boudoir experience. What area is your question related to?

Arranging a Photoshoot

Everything you need to know about how you can get ready for your photoshoot?

What geographical area do you cover?

I normally work in the Midlands - Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire, Staffordshire, Warwickshire, Northamptonshire, and West Midlands.

So this includes areas around, Derby, Nottingham, Leicester, Birmingham, Stoke-on-Trent, Warwick, Northampton, Sheffield, Chesterfield, Mansfield, Stafford, Burton-on-Trent, Telford, Wolverhampton, Walsall, Dudley, Coventry, Kidderminster, Rugby, Kettering, Corby etc.

Ultimately, I can travel anywhere within the UK for a photoshoot, however long distances may incur an additional travel surcharge.

How far ahead do I need to book my photoshoot?

In theory, if the diary allows, you could book a photoshoot just two days ahead. In reality I often have bookings in the diary a few weeks ahead, so it will depend on whether we can both be available at the same time.

The further ahead you book your shoot, the more likely you are to be able to select the exact day you want. It is also often easier if you can book your shoot for a weekday.

If you have a particular day in mind or a deadline by which you need the pictures, the best thing is to fill in the Enquiry/Booking Form and put that information in the 'Any Other Information' box. I will then do my very best to meet your requirements.

When can I arrange my photoshoot for?

Almost any time, as I can work any day of the week, excluding Bank Holidays. Shoots normally start at 9:30 - 10:00 in the morning, but we can shoot in the afternoon or evening too.

If you can book your shoot for a weekday there is a greater chance of us being able to meet your desires in terms of a specific date.

Can I rearrange my photoshoot after it's booked?

Yes you can. Once your photoshoot is booked you can rearrange the date any time up to 7-days before the shoot.

Please be aware that you will only be able to rearrange your shoot for another available date in the calendar, so it may not always be possible to rearrange for a specific date.

Why do you shoot in people's homes?

Many photographers shoot at their own studies. This makes it easy for them because they can leave all their kit set-up all the time and put you through a standard process that they use for all their clients. So you will sit in the same chair or lay on the same bed as every other customer - meaning that rather than being unique, your photos will be carbon copies of everyone else's.

By shooting at your home, you are able to work in a familiar and comfortable environment, your wardrobe of clothes is readilly available, we can use furinture and props that are important to you and you get unique and meaningful backdrops.

My home is very small, there won't be space for a photoshoot.

I have shot in some tiny flats and homes.

It may slightly limit the range of images that we can create, but we will still be able to make some amazing pictures.

I think my home is quite dark. Is that a problem?

No, that's no problem at all. I will bring professional studio lights to your photoshoot, which will provide plenty of light, even in the darkest of conditions.

Do we have to shoot at my home?

No. There are basically three other alternatives to shooting in your home.

We can organise an outdoor location shoot, close to your home. Nature reserves, country lanes, woodlands etc. can all make for great locations to shoot.

Alternatively we can hire a local studio, or in some areas we can hire a hotel room during the day. Both of these options can produce some amazing puctures, but each will also incur an additional charge for your photoshoot.

Where in the house would you want to shoot?

That depends to some extent what kind of shoot you require. If you want to concentrate on portraits we can probably work in one room, such as the lounge or a study. If you want a more fashion orientated shoot then we will probably want one or two different locations such as the lounge, dinning room or maybe the garden. For boudoir orientated shoots the bedroom is the classic location to shoot.

As part of the discussion before the shoot starts we will look at potential places in your home and decide between us where the best locations are.

I don't like the decor in my new home. Is there anything we can do?

There are a few ways we can deal with untidy or unwanted backgrounds.

We can take tight in shots that show as little background as possible or we can blur the background to the point that it is not really recognisable. Alternatively, I can light the scene so that the background fades into shadow or I can supply coloured backclothes, which obscure the background completely and create a more studio look.

Either way we can find a way to work in your home, whatever the decor.

Why do I have to pay a non-refundable deposit?

Unfortunately some customers book a shoot and then cancel at the last minute or just don't turn up to a location shoot. When that happens not only do I lose the opportunity to use that day for a shoot with someone else, but I will have already done a significant amount of planning and preparation, which is then wasted.

As much as you are almost certainly not one of the customers that would consider doing this, it happens often enough that it is necessary to charge a non-refundable deposit to hold a date in the diary for you.

Can me and a friend book to shoot together?

Absolutely. Almost all photoshoot packages have the option to add an extra person to the shoot.

In each case adding an extra person to your shoot is cheaper than booking two separate shoots, but you still both receive the same package of finished images.

If you'd like to add more than one additional person to your photoshoot, send us a message with details and I'll get back to you with a quote.

Preparing for the Photoshoot

Everything you need to know about how you can get ready for your photoshoot?

I've never modelled before, I won't know what to do.

Once your shoot is confirmed we will send you a copy of our e-book, 'Preparing for Your Photoshoot'. This booklet includes some useful modelling tips and tricks and some common poses that we are likely to use.

But having shot a lot of different models, many at their first photoshoots, I am use to helping people adopt poses that help them to look their best in front of the camera. So, don't worry if you're not sure about modelling - we will talk through every thing on the day.

I think I will feel silly posing in front of a camera.

You are not alone, a lot of people feel like this at the start of a shoot. That's why we will ususlly begin with some portrait shots, so that you don't have to worry about posing straight away.

We will take it slowly and I will guide you through some classic poses as we go. The more we do, the more confident you will become until you will be posing like you were on a Paris catwalk!

I have a birthmark /scar that I hate, can you do anything about it?

Yes, absolutely.

We will try to avoid focussing on any blemishes you would prefer not to show. But even if you have a birth mark on your face it can usually be removed in post-production editing if that is what you'd like.

Do I need to have multiple outfits for my shoot?

That is completely up to you, but with most photoshoots we will shoot a few different sets of images and most people wear a different outfit for each set.

Remember though that some really nice images can be created with simple outfits like jeans and a t-shirt - you certainly don't need to have lots of 'special'outfits.

Do I need to provide anything on the day of the shoot?

There should be no necessity for you to provide anything on the day of the shoot except your outfits. However if you have items that you would like to include in your images as props then you are more than welcome to have them available.

For instance if you play a musical instrument, you may want to use that in some pictures, or if you play sport you may want to include some sporting equipment.

Do I need to do anything at home to prepare for my shoot?

If you know where in the house you'd like to shoot then a bit of decluttering is always a good thing. For instance if we are going to shoot in your bedroom, then clearing the top of bedside cabinets is always halpful. While you may almost overlook the drinks coaster, book and tissue laid there, in a photosgraph they will jump out.

Having said that, you do not need to do any of this before the shoot as we can declutter on the day if we need to.

I'd like to shoot in the garden. Is that OK?

Assuming the weather is good, yes absolutely we can.

I'm not pretty enough for modelling?

Creating amazing beauty and boudoir images is not about being classically 'pretty', it is about bringout your beauty both internal and external. We can create some beautiful pictures of you whatever your look.

At the Photoshoot

How will things go on the day of the photoshoot.

I've never had a photoshoot. What will happen on the day?

The whole day will be relaxed and fun. On arrival we will chat about the shoot, what you want to achieve and the locations and outfits we are going to use.

We will almost always start with some portrait shots while we get comfortable with each other and you get used to being in front of the camera. We will slowly work our way through the looks we have decided on, taking breaks between to reset lights and for you to change.

I will bring studio lights, backdrops, throws etc. with me, so that we can achieve any look you would like to try.

After the shoot we will chat for a few minutes about what you thought of the day.

Can I change my mind about locations and levels on the day?

Absolutely, we will start the photoshoot with a discussion about what you would like to do and we can decide at any time during the shoot what level you want to work to.

How long will the photoshoot take?

There is no specific time allocated for the shoot. I prefer to make the photoshoot calm and relaxed, which is why I usually only book one photoshoot per day - so there is no rush to finish at a particular time or to get to the next appointment. Normally a 1-day photoshoot will take around 3-5 hours.

What should I wear at the start of the shoot?

You do not need to be ready in your first outfit when I arrive. We will discuss what order we are going to take pictures in at the start of the shoot, and then you will have plenty of time to get changed.

Ideally wear something loose fitting you are comfortable in - such as liesure wear or a dressing gown.

What should I do with my hair and make-up?

If you are doing your own hair and make-up then it is up to you what you want to do.

Generally speaking, for beauty shots a natural everyday hair and make-up works well. For boudoir shots a red lip is often used. The overriding consideration should be that you do your hair and make-up in a way that you like, that you think suits you and that you feel confident in.

If it is likely to take sometime to complete your hair and make-up, it is very helpful if you can complete the majority of this before I arrive, so that we don't have to eat into the shoot time.

I have a spot on my nose, it will ruin the pictures!

All of the pictures will be edited after the shoot. The normal guide is that marks or blemishes which are not permanent, such as your spot, will be edited out of the finished images.

Other marks such as birth marks or moles can also be edited out if you would prefer.

Can I shoot nude, if I want to?

Yes, it is completely your choice what you wear, or don't wear for the photoshoot. If you feel comfortable and confident, and would like some topless or nude shots that is fine and your choice.

Of course there is the option to do implied shots, which involves you being topless or nude, but with body parts or props covering the most intimate areas.