How to feel confident during your outdoor boudoir session in Seattle
or at least less terrified
I'm going to be real with you: getting photographed in lingerie outside can feel scary as fuck. Even when it's in a private location with a photographer who's done this a thousand times, your brain can still like "wait, what am I doing?" Thank you, body and brain, for working so hard to keep us safe!
Here's the thing: almost every single person I've photographed for outdoor boudoir in Seattle has felt nervous before their session. And every single one of them has left feeling like a goddamn badass. So here are my thoughts on how to make this experience less terrifying and more empowering.
Your body is not the problem
First, let's address the elephant in the room: you're probably thinking about how your body looks. Maybe you're thinking you should lose weight first, or tone up, or wait until you feel more "ready."
Stop. Your body is ready now.
I photograph people of all sizes, all ages, all body types. Plus size, thin, muscular, soft, disabled, scarred, tattooed, old, young - all of it. And every single body is beautiful in its own way. The cellulite, the rolls, the stretch marks? Those are not flaws. Those are proof that you're a human who has lived a life.
Your body tells your story. And you are deserving of being adored.
Nerves are normal (and actually helpful)
That flutter in your belly before your session? That's not just anxiety. That's also excitement. Your body can't tell the difference between the two feelings. So when you feel nervous, try reframing it: "I'm not scared, I'm excited."
But that’s not always so accessible. So in the week before your session, do shit that makes you feel good in your body. Dance around your living room. Take a long bath. Go for a swim. Slowly put lotion on your skin and actually pay attention to how it feels instead of just rushing through it. Listen to music that makes you feel like you could take over the world.
Being present in your body right now is the most powerful thing anyone can do.
Set an intention (but make it real)
Before your session, take some time to think about why you're doing this. Not the surface reason like "for my partner" or "for Instagram," but the real reason.
What do you actually hope to get out of this?
How do you want to feel when you look at this artwork years from now?
What bullshit belief about your body do you want to release?
What do you need to tell yourself to get through this?
Write it down if that helps. Or just think about it. But be honest with yourself about your "why." When you get nervous during the session (and you probably might at the beginning), remembering why you're doing this can help ground you.
Trust me, I've done this before
As your outdoor boudoir photographer in Seattle, my job is way more than just taking pretty pictures. I'm your guide, your hype person, your "does my ass look weird in this pose" consultant, and sometimes your amateur therapist.
And I’ve been there! I do some form of a boudoir session every year so I can be a better guide to you. I know what it’s like to push yourself to try something new with someone who you might not totally know yet.
Before we start photographing, we'll talk. We'll build rapport. We'll make a plan together about what you're comfortable with and what you're absolutely not doing. And you can change your mind at any point. If you thought you wanted to do something and then decide you don't? Cool, we won't do it. You are in control.
I'll direct you through movement that feels good for your body and highlight the parts of you that you are ready to highlight. And if you have no fucking clue what those parts are, I'll help you find them.
Seattle's outdoor boudoir locations can be private as hell
One of the biggest concerns people have about outdoor boudoir is privacy. Like, are we just going to be doing this in Discovery Park with a bunch of hikers walking by?
Hell no.
Well, unless you’re into that kinda thing.
I scout locations in advance. I know the well-hidden spots. We photograph during quieter times of week and day. And together we make a safety plan, discuss relevant Washington State law and discuss backup options as needed.
Your comfort and safety are my top priority. And instead of assuming what that looks like for everyone, we discuss how I can support you best as an individual.
Prepare your brain, not just your wardrobe
Yeah, you need to pick out outfits you love. But the mental preparation can oftentimes matter more than what you're wearing.
In the days before your session:
Get enough sleep
Drink water
Spend time with your body without criticizing it
Thank your body for carrying you through life instead of shit-talking it
And maybe most importantly: stop looking at yourself in the mirror and picking yourself apart. You're not the problem. The problem is that we've been taught our whole lives that our bodies are never good enough. That's bullshit, and we're going to prove it.
Being vulnerable is hard and that's why it matters
The most powerful images I've ever taken are the ones where people let themselves be truly seen. Not performing, not posing perfectly, just... existing.
Vulnerability isn't weakness. It's badass. It's showing up as yourself even when you're scared. And that nervous energy you're feeling can transform how you feel about your body once you see how badass you are.
Every part of your body tells a story
Your stretch marks are proof that you grew. Your scars are proof that you healed. Your softness is proof that you're human and not a fucking robot. Every angle, every curve, every part of you that you've been taught to hide - those are the parts that make you you. Thank god our bodies have changed and adapted!
I want you to see your body as a landscape. Beautiful, ever-changing, worthy of being captured as art. Because you are nature. We're all nature. And nature is never perfect - it's textured, various, wild and gorgeous.
What actually happens during the session
We'll start slow. I'll guide you through poses and give you constant feedback about what looks good. I'll show you images on the back of my camera as we go so you can see that you actually do look incredible and this isn't some elaborate prank.
If you need to take a break, we take a break. If you need to adjust something, we adjust it. If you want to try something wild and creative, let's fucking do it.
This is your session. My job is to make you feel comfortable, powerful and captured beautifully. Your job is just to show up and be yourself.
After the session: the good stuff
After we're done, you're probably going to feel a mix of emotions. Exhausted, exhilarated, maybe a little emotional. That's normal. You just did something vulnerable and brave as hell.
When you see your final images and artwork, you're going to see yourself differently. I'm not saying you'll suddenly love every part of your body (though some people do). But you'll see yourself as art. As powerful. As worthy of being celebrated.
And that's the whole fucking point. We create a daily visual reminder that your body is soft, strong, powerful, badass, sensual, sexy as fuck, and good.
Book your Seattle outdoor boudoir session
If you're reading this and thinking "I want to do this but I'm terrified," good!! That means you're human. Almost every single person who's done an outdoor boudoir session with me in Seattle has been nervous. And every single one of them has been glad they did it.
You don't need to wait until you're more confident. You don't need to lose weight or get in shape or look different. You're ready now. Today. In the body you have right now.
Even if you’re intrigued and want to learn more, that’s a beautiful place to start.
