Boudoir photography can be empowering, and it’s important to remember that there’s no one right way to be sexy or beautiful. Boudoir sessions are often centered around the focus of one’s sexuality, but that doesn’t mean everyone who books boudoir photos has to be sexually confident or comfortable with their own body image to see the benefits of taking part in this activity! If you have been thinking about booking a boudoir session but your self-perception keeps getting in the way, read these tips below to help you overcome your fears and book that session!

Is A Boudoir Session Right For Me?
A boudoir session is all about feeling sexy and confident. And while there's no wrong way to feel in your skin, if you're not sure if a session is right for you, consider these factors: 
-Are my pictures going to be seen by other people? 
-What level of clothing should I wear? (Barely anything or just lingerie?) 
-How much time can I spend on getting ready before the shoot? 
-Am I comfortable with my own body (or part thereof)? 
If any of the answers are no, then it might not be a good idea for you to book that appointment.

The 10 things I wish people told me before my first boudoir shoot
1. You are sexy. 
2. You are not too fat to do a boudoir shoot. 
3. Pictures of your body are beautiful and serve as art pieces for others to enjoy and gain inspiration from, no matter the size or shape. 
4. All bodies are beautiful and there is not one right way to look in lingerie; it's about what feels good on YOUR skin, however that may be, regardless of what society deems as sexy. 5. There will always be someone who loves you, even if they don't know it yet; 
6. Don't listen to the people who tell you you're too much--beauty comes in all shapes and sizes; 
7. Take pictures with abandon and find something that makes YOU feel sexiest--it might not involve any clothes at all! 
8. Be proud of your body and refuse to apologize for the things you cannot change. 
9. Self-acceptance is the ultimate form of empowerment. 
10. Put this blog post up on your fridge so when you start doubting yourself again, you can remind yourself that YOU ARE ENOUGH!

How To Get Your Body Ready For Your Shoot
Now that we've gotten the elephant in the room out of the way, it's time to get ready for your shoot. Here are some tips for getting your body ready for your session:
- Strictly avoid sugar and refined carbs. These will spike your insulin levels and make you feel bloated, tired, and full. It also makes cellulite more pronounced. 
- Drink lots of water before your photo shoot to stay hydrated. Skin is better hydrated when it is well moisturized and not dehydrated, so drinking plenty of water will give skin a healthier glow. - Eat foods high in Omega 3s such as salmon or tuna to help reduce cellulite around thighs and butts.

The Do's of Planning Your Boudoir Shoot
-Take care of your health. If it's not where you want it to be, start there. The better shape you're in, the more confident and happy you'll feel in front of the camera. 
-Do some research on what style of shoot would work best for your personality and lifestyle.

My Do's & Don'ts Of Getting In Front Of The Camera
Try on the clothes that you are going to wear for your shoot, so that you can get an idea of what will look good on camera. 
- Wear makeup that is in line with the theme. If it is natural, go more natural; if it's dramatic, go dramatic (but not too over the top). 
- Practice posing beforehand and have someone take pictures of you from different angles so that you know what to do when the photographer does this. 
- Keep your chin up and shoulders back for all photos—you don't want them hunched over or slumped down as it makes your stomach look bigger than it actually is!