Doing a boudoir session or empowerment session is scary af. I mean, there's a reason I always say "If I had a dollar for every woman that told me she never takes good photos I wouldn't have to charge for what I do". The thing is, getting your picture taken is vulnerable in itself...but then to do with very little to no clothes on???!!! YOU MUST BE MAD! Well, after photographing hundreds and hundreds of women over the last 4ish years, I can tell you a few common truths:
1) Literally EVERY woman is nervous (even me, when I get photographed!! And I get photographed at least 3 X a year to make sure I remember just how terrifying it is!)
2)EVERY woman also thinks that she will be the one that "breaks" my camera with her face or body. Just to be clear, that's not how cameras work...the only reason it would break is because I shoot....A LOT.
3)While the wardrobe is important, it's not REALLY important. I always say your lingerie and fancy bits are really just my way to get you naked and exist in that beautiful body of yours! While we love to play dress up, we actually just want you to be the most comfortable in the one suit you wear all the time - your birthday suit!
4)The more you trust that the weird shit I'm asking you to do actually looks good, the better the photos will turn out. I cannot stress this enough. There is nothing "normal" about what we do in boudoir photography, it's all about popping, locking, laughing, and doing things on cue....and the hardest thing, BREATHING THROUGH YOUR MOUTH AND RELAXING YOUR SHOULDERS. Trust me, when I say, that you would rather your mouth look sensual (open and relaxed) instead of a butthole (think tightly pursed - aka duck lips). This is my job and I am damn good at it, so the more trust you give me, the better the images will turn out.
5) I AM A BODY IMAGE ACTIVIST FIRST, PHOTOGRAPHER SECOND. So, what that means to you is that if you legit don't "like" something about an image or your body, it's important that we talk about it, either in your consultation or at your reveal, but NOT during the session (plus I talk so much while I shoot that it's probably very difficult for you to get a word in tbh). But seriously, if looking at a photo as we go through them one by one makes you cringe, let's talk about it. If we can get to the root of it then we can help heal your body image issues. If you don't tell me, I can't help. And no, I will not be offended. Another thing I have learned from shooting copious amounts of babes is that I am DAMN GOOD at my job (and I know that sounds cocky, but hey, I work by myself essentially so there's no one else to give me props) and that I could take THEEE best photos ever and if your mindset is not there, it won't fucking matter. SO, if we can talk about it, then we can make some headway! And please know that I am not the "just LOOOOOVE your tum" kinda gal, but rather a "you don't have to love it, but you do have to accept it" kinda gal because I know it's a damn long process.
winnipeg boudoir photography
So, with those main bits out the way, I am going to let my previous Boudy Babes impart their wisdom to help you see the "other side" of doing a boudoir session. I can tell you all day e'rryday that doing a boudoir session is going to change your life, but I am, of course, incredibly biased as this is how I make a living:PEARLS OF WISDOM FROM FACEBOOK LAND:
Miss R. : "For me it was life changing and so empowering. I was more nervous then I had ever been and [Teri was] so fun and calming it was almost effortless."
Miss J.: "To trust Teri, she knows exactly what she is doing and the images will be incredibly empowering and perhaps life changing. And to trust yourself and the original reasons you decided to do this. Don’t doubt yourself in studio - it doesn’t matter about what you are wearing or the poses you do. For the reveal, you will be blown away, overwhelmed, and leave that studio feeling like a new person. Everyone needs to be photographed this way. We need to see what others see in us and but for these short, limited experiences; we are robbed of this incredible vision. That’s the best part - you have the photos forever and even though it’s been a year since my first photo shoot; I look at these photos on a very regular basis. They help ground me, encourage me, and feel like I can achieve great things. Yes, some people do this for their husbands or spouses but I’m telling you: do this for you. You are worth it."
Miss S: "My advice for a session with Teri: DO IT! I mean that, don't overthink, don't talk yourself out of it, just do it before your mind can take over. Click that book button.Invest in yourself, by this I mean all the self care, all the trying on outfits (even though Teri has a ton to offer you).The moment you book, the mindset of pampering yourself an valuing yourself changes, you suddenly start realizing you are worth it.Teri will guide you through every pose, every moment, every thing possible, so let her do her magic and just show up for the ride!Teri is so fun, relaxing, non judgmental, professional and intuitive. Truly listen to her, be with her, and enjoy the MOMENT at hand.Get naked... seriously... for all the above reasons.. do it!"
Miss K: "Just do it. Teri and her makeup team are the sweetest. You will love these images forever. - And dont wait for your body. If you think you need to lose weight or change something, then you need the experiance even more. You are beautiful and Teri can show you."
Miss A: "Those excuses your making? They're holding you back from one of the best experiences of your LIFE that will have lasting rewards. You haven't seen yourself until you've seen yourself from Teri's perspective. Go, go now. Make it happen, it will be the best gift you can give to yourself, and you deserve it even if you don't know that yet!!"
Miss A: "Addressing what you’re nervous about is always a great place to start! Teri uses humor to break the ice while flooding your mentality with positive thoughts. She’s super directive to help make your beautiful form show no matter what. Do the thing you’re nervous about, avoid avoidance!"
Miss J: " Teri says that her photos reflect how others see you, and she's right. Every time I look at the photos, I can see how my body is connected to itself, rather than just seeing arms or legs or tummy or chubby calves. I see ME. All of me, the real me. I'm kinder to myself now, too - because of these photos. So be brave. Do it. Book the session. And when you're 37 or 45 or 52 or 78, you'll be able to look at the photos and think: "Damn, girl. You've always been this beautiful." And my profile pic is my favourite photo - it's just how I see myself now."
Miss M: "I booked a session with Teri looking for self acceptance. I didn’t find it in my photos but what I did find was, a feeling of sexiness I thought was lost. I found another prospective in how I see myself, yes I’m big, and that’s ok because I’m a beautiful person on the inside. When I first saw my photos I focused on EVERYTHING Teri told me not to and I wasn’t disappointed in the photos as much as I was in myself and what I had let my body become. But that’s all it is a body, a body that once you die dies with you and what is left is who you where as a person. I did what Teri told me too, I looked at the photos almost everyday and the more I did that I saw something different about myself that I loved. I even started to love my “flaws” more. It’s a journey and I’m slowly getting to the place I want to be. Teri gave me the tools to help me achieve what I wanted to with her shoot but I did the work. I will forever be grateful to her for giving me those tools because without them I wouldn’t love myself like I do today. ❤️ thanks Teri"
Miss A: "You'll be super hot and they are just for you! She's fairly easy to relax around when she's taking pics. I've wound up laughing both times, while everything was just hanging out."
Miss B: "I impulsively bought a "black Friday deal" after following Teri's page for awhile. I booked it for March...maybe April.. lolI didn't prepare and Teri walked me through the whole process. Step by step. I love each and every pic. "
Miss M: "Don't over think it. She's a professional and a badass at making you feel boss AF. It's literally what she does for a living. In the words of Nike and Shia, "Just do it!"
PEARLS OF WISDOM FROM THE INSTA STORIES:
"Best choice I've made. Changed my life. She will make you laugh and feel comfortable. DO ITTTTTTT."
"Save up and trust you're in good hands! The best team I've ever met!
""She is the most relaxed, easy going person I've shot with and she gives great direction!"
"Don't worry. Your images will be TERI-FFIC."
"I would tell them to be honest about their fears. It's Teri! Teri always knows how to make someone comfortable"
"DO IT!!! Best decision. Teri and her team will make you feel fab, make you laugh, and have fun."
"1000% worth every penny and more! I never saw in myself what Teri brought to light and I learned to embrace it"
"Do it anyway.""Teri will bring out the beauty you have but don't know you have...if that makes sense..."
"That it is a unique opportunity to really step outside one's comfort zone."
"Take a breath and do it. It will be the most life changing experience. You will never look at yourself the same again."
"Teri's a ball of fun! My cheeks hurt from smiling and laughing so hard!"
"There is clear and effective communication which makes posing way more comfortable."
And last but not least, my favorite:
From my makeup artist Kylie: "It might feel like she's taking photos of your anus...but she's not. It'll all make sense...shadows and what not."
So, hopefully, these little words of wisdom have given you a wee bit of confidence to do something that scares the shit out of you and makes you want to take at least a little step closer to that comfort zone and just *see* what's on the other side. I will be waiting there with open arms, a boudy babe robe (for when you get nakey), and an amazing team of stylists & photographers ready to help you truly embrace your awesomeness and have photographic evidence to remember it by!If you are ready to jump on in, shoot us an email letting us know how we can help you feel babely in your skin!
Shooting a babe for the first time is, of course, amazing, but when they come back for a second time it is our chance to really play, explore and get creative. A first session with me is almost like your introduction to boudoir and while it is fucking amazing and will blow your mind, you will A)want MORE and B)know that you can take it a step further. Repeat offenders are amazing because they know what to expect so the initial jitters are out of the way and we can get into creating! Miss K was no exception. We played up her hair and makeup a little differently than normal and really had some fun with posing, lighting and editing! So, if you were doing a second shoot with me what would you like to explore, play with, be? Feel free to leave a comment below!
When Miss K contacted me about doing a maternity session that wasn't "traditional" and channeled her strength and power rather than the soft, dainty images we usually see with fields, flowers, and hearts on the belly, I said HELL YES!! (Not that there is anything wrong with those, we just wanted more strong & sexy vibe).... As long as she didn't go into labour during her makeup, like our last pregnant babe. There wasn't too much time between when she contacted me and doing her session, so upon meeting for her shoot, I found that Miss K was so sweet, soft spoken and had a beautiful aura about her. But I didn't really have time to hear her story until she sent me her testimonial (which is below)...upon reading her story, my heart broke in pieces, but then I realized that this woman had every reason to be negative, but instead worked her way through what she had to do and refound her inner strength and power to be able to be the loving momma and woman her and her baby needs. I shall let Miss K tell her story below:
I didn't actually research any other boudoir options in Winnipeg. I think the photos I saw of Teri's work before hand (from a mutual Facebook friend) spoke for themselves. On top of that I liked the message and body positivity that I saw once joining her page. Its the kind of thing you know before going into it that you are only going to feel uplifted and welcome.
I think the empowerment session I did was in some ways a culmination of struggle to regain strength over the last nine years and also really helpful in embracing my pregnancy and my future as a single mom.
In the fall of 2008 I was drugged in a guys house, I had gone there to end things with him and ended up two days later having to escape onto the roof with no idea of why I was still there and in a totally psychotic state. That led to a number of diagnoses (general anxiety disorder, bipolar disorder, PTSD), and an extreme phobia of going new places (particularly peoples homes but not limited to), flashbacks, panic attacks and an avoidance of places that might trigger them. As cliche as it is I lost my power over my own life and its been a slow process back to strength.
Even my current pregnancy was a result of letting someone take advantage of me and not having my own voice in what I wanted. I feel that doing this shoot for myself was so important in having the strength to be alone right now and take care of myself and my baby and remind myself to have positive thought in regards to my mind and body.
There is a lot more to [an empowerment session] than just beautiful people and I think you should try it if you are curious when the time is right. Kind of like of going to therapy, you will go when you are ready.I couldn't agree more with Miss K. When people inquire about gift cards and the like for their partners, I appreciate the sentiment because yes I think it IS a wonderful gift, but for the woman to experience change and really get the full benefits out of what we do here, she has to be ready: ready to get vulnerable, ready to face herself, ready to invest, and ready to experience a possible change. I always say that absolutely the photos are fabulous (cocky much?) but will you be affected? I don't want to convince anyone this is for them, I don't want to coerce people into doing something they aren't fully invested in, and more importantly, I want people to come to me when they are ready to experience empowerment, strength, confidence, and a new outlook on themselves. Did I just give you an excuse not to do it? I can almost hear you saying "well...I'm so busy, maybe the time's not right, so I must not be ready..." THAT is bullshit because there is no right "time" ...just a right attitude. As humans we are great at being "busy" to distract us from seeking what we need most: to re-connect with ourselves. So, if you are curious about what a session for you would be like, feel free to