Once upon a time, I did something I never thought I would do – a boudoir photo shoot. I was inspired by the boudoir photos of one of my best friends – I thought, wow, I want photos of me looking that way. I thought of it as a gift for my husband, but in the end, I realized it was a gift for myself. I am pretty sure I look at those pictures more than he does.
I look at the photos sometimes to remind myself that I look fabulous and often to help motivate myself to go to the gym and eat healthier. The latter motivation was why I looked at these photos on Tuesday this week, actually – it works every time. If I were to do this again, I would ask for more tips and advice. And who better to turn to than actress and Stript brand ambassador Rachel Sterling. Looking through her Instagram, I couldn’t help but ask how she takes such fabulous pictures. She shares her secrets below…
Getting in character
For Rachel, the most important key to success to any boudoir photo shoot is to get in character. “Part of my process of getting ready is getting my hair and makeup done; this helps me remember that I am transforming myself into a different version of myself and need to get in character.”
Make a playlist: pick songs that make you happy, make you want to dance, make you want to sing in the shower, make you feel powerful and sexy. Rachel adds “Even if you are doing it as a gift for someone else, it is really about you; It should be fun. Play the soundtrack a few times before the day of the shoot, dance in front of your mirror when no one is around as practice – use this as an opportunity to get to know your body. You would be surprised, but we all should know our bodies, angles we look good in, curves, much better than we actually do.”
Grooming tips
- The number one tip is to be hair-free. Of course legs and bikini line, but also think underarms, arms, legs, brows, moustache. On the brow front, make sure they are professionally shaped. Good brows make all of the difference…
- Be careful about too much makeup – make sure you still look like yourself (from personal experience I can add that that is the one thing I would change from my boudoir photo shoot – the makeup is just too much and I almost don’t look like me). Rachel’s personal favorite brand of makeup is Runway. She recommends that if you are getting your makeup professionally done (which is not a must) that you work with someone you have worked with before (again – this is where I went wrong; I had the photographer’s makeup artist do my makeup, and we didn’t do a practice run and she did not know my style).
- If you can, get eyelash extensions; at the very least curl your lashes and layer on extra mascara.
- Spray tanning is helpful to even bumps. Sterling’s recommendations are of course to apply after waxing (not before), apply with gloves to avoid orange hands, and again if you can get it professionally done. Stript offers professional spray tanning using South Seas Spray Tan, which is what she does. Her favorite at home alternatives are L’Oreal’s self tanning wipes and the Norvell at home kit which is very user friendly.
- Have your nails done. You don’t need polish, or to have them red or long, but do get a manicure and a pedicure so that you are perfectly groomed.
Outfits and accessories
When I ask Rachel about outfits and accessories, she reminds me that “When looking at the photo, the eyes of the viewer should go to the face. Yes, it is a boudoir shoot, but the highlight is always the woman’s face.” She adds:
- “If you are shy, a great prop is a boa – you can use it to hide certain parts and it makes you feel better or put it in front of you.
- I love the retro theme of an apron and plate of cookies – it is particularly fun and slightly ironic if you never cook.
- I also love a boudoir shoot in a sports jersey; there is something appealing about the very feminine photo and a traditionally masculine item of clothing being juxtaposed together.
- Another great juxtaposition is a work shirt and glasses – kind of playing on the theme of sexy librarian.
- Whatever do you, high heels are a must – ideally some you have not worn out so that they look pristine in the photos.
- But remember, the eye of the beholder should go to your face – you don’t want too much distraction.”
I can’t help but ask her what not to do. “Don’t have unrealistic expectations or be disappointed in your photos,” she says gently. “They will not look like pictures in magazines, nor should they. The most important thing is to love yourself and to realize that there are infinite definitions of beautiful and sexy. Every woman is beautiful and sexy in her own special way. That’s what a boudoir photo shoot is all about.”
Amen to that!
