Hello, my lovelies! I often share boudoir love notes my clients send me. Recently I decided to start interviewing my wonderful clients after their boudoir session to get some insight into why they did their shoot, how it made them feel, and more. I think this can be so helpful to the women that want to do a session but are super nervous or apprehensive. Hopefully, this can give you insight and make you feel more confident to book your session!
Was there anything holding you back from booking a boudoir session?
I was nervous because I’ve never done it before and of course, while now I see it was worth MORE than every single penny when you haven’t done it before and don’t understand the work that goes into it the cost is a little intimidating!
What made you decide to book a boudoir session?
I have a boyfriend that I wanted to gift beautiful photos to, and I figure I’m not getting any younger and in 10 years I will be really glad I did it now.
What made your decision to book Couture Boudoir specifically?
I could tell that Critsey was amazing at the editing — it was specifically looking at examples of her retouching and how clearly she kept the exact essence of the woman in the pictures but just removed any subtle flaws — it was stunning the way she could improve the general flow of the photo without changing how the body looked or the unique characteristics of the body that made each woman who they are.
What were you most nervous about before your boudoir session?
I felt like I was too old to do it — something I wish I had done in my 20s or 30s, not as I’m closing in on 50 and have had two children — I should not have been nervous Critsey was so incredibly kind and centering!!!
Describe how you felt during your session?
I was nervous there would be so much pressure to look sexy or pretend to be someone I’m not — I had visions of what you see on TV at model photoshoots how there is a photographer telling the model to be sexy and demanding more from her than she is able to give — model holding her breath and sucking in her stomach and totally uncomfortable the whole time, with lots of fake silly poses — I really thought that is what was going to happen but hoping there was still one or two pictures out of the bunch that I would like in the end. OMG. Not at all. I told Critsey right away I was too shy to look right at the camera and that I didn’t want to try to pretend to be younger or sexier than I was, I just wanted lots of black and white pics of my body without focusing on my face. Not only was she incredibly gracious and did exactly that, but she took hundreds of pictures and I loved every single one, not just one or two. Very hard to narrow them down for a photo album!!! She’s so talented and makes you feel so comfortable — very natural poses that literally just make you feel like you are lounging around and your best friend who sees you in the very best light possible is snapping a pic for you. No pressure, no fake smiles, no sucking it in, no awkward moments — just felt very very easy and uplifting and in the end, hundreds of gorgeous pictures to choose from that make you feel very beautiful.
How did you feel about yourself after seeing your boudoir photos? And how would you describe your boudoir photos? Did they meet or exceed your expectations?
Oh my gosh exceeded in every way. Every picture somehow looks exactly like me but also like the best version of me that I could have ever hoped for. I wasn’t sure what lingerie to wear and yet Critsey captured the best angles in each outfit and customized it to my comfort level as well. I was so incredibly delighted also that she gave me the option of a black and white version for every single picture she took — I was not expecting that and absolutely so grateful she did. Yes, I never once felt like I might be too old or too shy to do this — Critsey made me feel like she was my biggest cheerleader and I know, because of her kind and warm energy, that she does this with every single person she shoots. Trust in her and her talents — she makes you feel seen and adored.
Describe your overall experience with Couture Boudoir…
I can’t sing enough praise — so professional yet so comfortable — again like having the friend you trust most in this world grab some very very cute pictures of you. The entire time you know Critsey has your back and is only going to capture and share the very best parts of you, never ever did I feel self-conscious of the worst parts of me. Never. It’s like she doesn’t even see flaws, she scans you for the best angles and parts and captures those for you to have forever.
What would you tell other women hesitant in booking a boudoir session?
Literally, do it, but only do it with Critsey, I am 100% absolutely certain no other boudoir photographer would have made me feel anywhere near as comfortable and would not have captured anywhere near as good pictures, nor edited them in a way that I could see the best version of myself but still feel like it was ME.
Anything else you would like to add?
I adore Critsey and am very grateful to her for this session — it was something I’ll never forget.
If you are a past client and want to send a boudoir love note or be interviewed email me.
About Couture Boudoir
Critsey Rowe, Couture Boudoir’s photographer, is an experienced, internationally published, and respected photographer who has dedicated her career to helping women feel comfortable and beautiful. With the help of female-only assistants and stylists, Critsey celebrates the uniqueness and intimate beauty of every client and takes truly flattering, tasteful, and gorgeous boudoir photographs.