How To Prepare For Your Session Without Focusing On “Perfection” | Oceanside, California Boudoir Photographer

I know first hand from working with all my amazing clients, just how important this experience is. You’re investing a lot into the experience; your time, your energy, your money. You want it to be “perfect”.

But what if the hyper-fixation on perfectionism could actually be getting in the way of the true intent of the session. Or all the magic and amazing-ness that comes from the unexpected and going with the flow.

I always say, my favorite sessions are the ones where my clients come in and they know they’re excited to work with me but they have NO idea what to do, no idea about poses, or even what they would ask for.

The sessions where my clients just truly lean on me (the pro) to lead them through this in a way that aligns with them and their “why”.

When a client comes in and they have 0 expectations, it truly allows me as the photographer to channel my client’s energy and create a totally unique experience- one where we’re not copying poses, etc. A session that is totally and completely about the energy and the moment.

This also allows my clients to be fully present in the experience and the feeling of being photographed by me because they trust me and that the photos are going to be amazing.

When we are hyper-fixated on perfecting the details, we’re usually not focused on the benefits that come from actually being present during a boudoir session. The feeling of being empowered and uplifted by someone else. The experience of existing in your body freely.

Being present during your session gives room for the belly laughs, the giggles, the silly in-between moments. The moments of stillness and existing presently in your body with fear, worry or hesitation. There is so much beauty in being present and not focused on perfection.

That said, there are ways to come to your session with direction and inspiration while still letting go of the need for everything to be “perfect”.

01. Don’t go overboard with the inspiration imagery / pinterest board

Do: Compile your top 5-7 images and have them in a folder or Pinterest board. When you come to your session, I will ask you what you like about these photos and what you are hoping to use as inspiration. Maybe you like the lighting or the pose. Maybe it’s the mood of the subjects face.

Don’t: Don’t go crazy with inspiration imagery. Having a huge board of 10-30 photos will feel overwhelming for the both of us. When there is a huge emphasis on inspiration imagery, it can become more about copying imagery in your inspiration and less about you and the experience. We want to keep the session unique and special to you!

02. Think about (prior to the session) if you want your photos to feel lighter and more smiley or darker and more sultry. (it’s okay to want both)

Asking yourself this and thinking about how you want to exist in your photos before you come in, will help you come in to your session with a clear idea of what is important to you. If you’re naturally someone who smiles a lot, you’ll probably want to have more of that in your session than not. If you’re more serious normally, it’s also okay to not emote happiness and smiles in every photo.

When you show up on your session day, I’ll check in with you before we start shooting to ask you how you are envisioning yourself in these photos. I will also give you my posing and facial expression spiel so you can trust that even if you don’t know what to do with your face, I will guide you!

03. Organize your outfits before the session and bring anything you are considering / are unsure about

Leading up to your session, I will be helping you figure out what you want to wear. I am your sounding board as you gather outfits and need help figuring out which outfits make the final cut. Since we cannot shoot in all your outfits, if you have more than 4 that you are considering, bring them all and we can talk through posing and ideas which will help us narrow it down to your favorite 4!

04. Let me know your preferences with your hair style prior to us beginning the session

This one seems silly but hair is personal and I am here to respect and honor you! If you know that you are super particular about your hair and how it lays, let me know when we are going through outfits and posing ideas. While we’re shooting, I will be in charge of making sure your hair (in addition to your outfits and accessories) is styled, out of your face and looking amazing. If I know ahead of time how you prefer your hair to lay (middle part vs. tossing your hair to the side for certain poses) then I can keep that in mind throughout the session.

Lastly, remember - it’s okay if your hair fell the wrong way. It’s okay if your strap is twisted or you put your underwear on inside out by accident because you were nervous. It’s okay if you don’t get this 100% right. What’s important is that you have fun, let go, and give yourself the freedom to just be!