If You Knew How Beautiful You Are . . .
One of the best things I ever did for myself, I recommend every
woman do for herself.
This thing I speak of was originally intended as a gift for my
significant other. It turned out to be a gift for myself that I
treasure all these years later, and probably will for years to
come. When we broke up, the gift went with me (for obvious
reasons) and has had a prominent place in my bedroom ever since.
In fact, if it weren't for that one little item, my bedroom
might not be the attractive, feminine, comforting place it has
become. I used the "gift" as the focal point from which all the
other items in my bedroom were chosen, right down to the white
comforter, the porcelain lamp, the white wooden frames that
enhance paintings of flowers, and the cherry bedside tables.
I'm talking about a boudoir photo.
In it, I am beautiful and sensual. I am dressed in a white
teddy, white stockings are attached with garters and the white
robe I'm wearing is open in a decidedly provocative way. The
setting is all white and pastel florals, lace abounds and a
teddy bear lies nearby. The focus isn't overly soft, but just
soft enough to enhance my curves, and the setting is beautiful
and romantic - it is something I will cherish forever.
It is a fantasy picture, because I definitely don't look that
exquisite in my day-to-day life! Some days, I don't put on
makeup and most days I'm in jeans and a sweater. I rarely wear
dresses, never wear bikinis, and seldom am found without a pair
of warm wooly socks on my feet. I even wear socks to bed with my
favorite pink flannel pajamas. But that photo - oh, that photo
tells of a secret that few have encountered.
Since having the photograph taken, I recommend it to all women.
No matter whether you're tall or short, big-breasted or
petitely-endowed, tiny or large, young or old, or whatever the
case may be - I urge you to do it.
Even if you're hesitating, I hope you will give it some truly
serious thought. I could write reams about how good it will make
you feel, how it will change how you view yourself, how you will
begin to embrace other positive elements of yourself that you
might have overlooked. But instead of me telling you this, try
it.
If you're worried you aren't "model-thin" enough, or that you
don't photograph well, let the fears go. This is not about being
some unrealistic Hollywood ideal; it is about seeing the beauty
that is in you and it is there.
Even if you're still hesitating, at least start looking around
for professional photographers who specialize in tasteful
boudoir photography. Ask to see samples and find out if there
are other women you could talk to in order to get real-life
testimonials.
Get price lists but don't necessarily let that be the deciding
factor in who you'll choose to take your photographs. This is a
rather costly venture, so it is important that you know exactly
what you are getting for your money and that you are paying for
quality artistry because a professional is really more artist
than photographer. He or she will not only make you feel
comfortable, but will know how to highlight your best features.
Find out what all is included in the price. Generally, you can
expect the shoot to cost a few hundred dollars and then each
photo will have a price tag as well and the cost will depend on
various factors such as the size of the photographs, the type of
paper used, etc. Ask about the options. Some offer a variety of
packages (i.e., Christmas and Valentine's Day are good times to
purchase a calendar for your significant other with you in
different poses for each month; discounts may be offered at
various times of the year), and others may only allow you to
purchase the pictures individually.
Some photo sessions also include a makeup artist and hair
stylist. Find out if this is covered or if you will have to pay
extra for these services. If they aren't able to provide these
for you, consider a different photographer; or, if you like his
or her work, then you may want to hire your own makeup artist
and hairstylist. Perhaps you have a friend or two who are
particularly good at these things and who would be willing to do
the "dolling up" for you.
Find out who will be present at the shoot. It will most likely
just be you and your photographer, but if you'd be more
comfortable with a trusted friend or your significant there with
you, then bring them along. My recommendation is to go alone if
your trusted friend is prone to giggling when she's nervous. It
is less inhibiting and you might feel embarrassed making "smokey
eyes" at the camera when your best friend is sniggering in the
shadows. If you're inviting someone only because you feel
uncomfortable about being half-naked with the photographer, take
that as intuition and immediately select a different
photographer. It is essential that you feel comfortable
with your photographer, not only so that you feel relaxed (which
makes the photographs turn out much better), but so that you
feel safe.
Once you've decided that you're going to do it, you've selected
your photographer and have a date set, then you need only
prepare. You'll need at least three or four different outfits.
Garters, stockings in white, black and neutral are a good idea,
teddies, separates, satin robes, high heels, and whatever else
you think of as sexy or sensual. Make sure you bring jewelry to
match your garments. Be creative in your choices. Your
photographer will probably have various settings that he or she
uses and until you see the proofs, you probably won't know what
look you like best. I had some where I was dressed in reds and
blacks, and the photos had a rather "dominatrix" feel to them,
but that just didn't suit my personality. I preferred the
white-based, more delicate photos.
Don't forget hair removal. Arrange for a bikini wax a few days
before the event. Make sure you also remove the hair under your
arms, shave your legs, and pluck or wax your brows. The
finishing touch will be painting your fingernails and toenails.
You'll probably be feeling nervous on the way to the shoot, and
even as you're making your first costume change, you may be
muttering under your breath, "What am I doing?" But in no time,
you'll begin to relax and the session itself will be as much a
part of the self-indulgent pampering as you've been giving
yourself for the last few days in preparation for this moment.
Later, when you see the proofs and feel a sense of awe at how
incredibly beautiful you look (yes, it'll be okay to cry and ask
your photographer for a tissue), you will know with absolute
certainty that this is one of the best things you could ever
have done for yourself.
If the idea of a boudoir picture is just far too risqu