Charleston Boudoir Featured Session: Amanda

I’ve been lucky enough to photograph Amanda 3 times and each time has been better than the last. I love seeing my clients embrace who they are through each phase of their lives and Amanda just keeps on glowing up!

I first met her back in 2012 when I photographer her before her wedding and then again in July of 2020 before celebrating her wedding anniversary. Most recently she traveled here to see me in the new Charleston studio to treat herself and it was exciting to see a familiar face in a new place. It was extra special to connect with here again here and I am forever grateful that she was willing to travel from NC to shoot with me.

Here is what Amanda had to say about her boudoir experience:

When was your session? September 19, 2022

Since you have been photographed by me more than once, how was the experience different each time? I have had the pleasure to be in a different studio each time, but the overall experience has always been the same. Professional yet laid back and fun. There’s absolutely no judgement, just a lot of cheering you on when you nail a pose.

Each of my shoots have been in different stages of life and my body has looked different in each one. Even though I’d love to have that fit body back again, when I see the photos from my last 2 sessions , I actually prefer the curves and soft, feminine vibe of these last 2. I’ve fought so hard over the last few years to get to a place where I can start loving myself and seeing my pictures at the end of a shoot shines a new light on how I should feel about my body vs the perception of it that I walk in the door with.

What made you want to have a 2nd and 3rd session? I decided to do my second session in July 2020 when things had reopened after Covid. I had been housebound with my kids and none of us were doing well mentally during this time. I decided to do this for myself as a pick me up and as a roadtrip to bond with my girls and spend time with their Nana. It was an 8 hour drive from NC to the NJ studio and it was totally worth it.

How were you feeling before your shoot? Any thoughts going through your head? Leading up to my shoot I couldn’t find any outfits that made me feel good about myself. I scrambled the day before, going store to store, searching for something that fit comfortably and that I felt confident in. I was a little stressed that I’d be too big on camera or too wrinkled. Day of the shoot I was a sweaty mess, which is extra sexy right? But once we got started all of those worries went away.

How did you feel seeing your photos this time? t’s been a difficult few years and having gained so much weight, I needed to see myself in a fresh light. These pictures made me feel so much better about all of my feminine curves.

What would you say to someone thinking about doing a boudoir session even if they feel they aren't at their best or feeling nervous? Don’t wait to lose a few pounds or tone up a certain area. Find outfits that you feel good in and Dawn will do the rest. Lighting and posing will cover up any insecurities that you have. I guarantee you will only see yourself as the gorgeous person you are once you have these photos done.

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ARE YOU READY TO BOOK YOUR BOUDOIR EXPERIENCE?

YOU CAN CONTACT ME HERE.

Top Tips To Prepare For Your Boudoir Session: Charleston Boudoir Photography

Ok, you've finally booked your shoot! Now what?

There are tons of nerves and emotions leading up to a boudoir shoot, and that’s 100% normal! Here are my top tips on how to prepare and not freak out. I've got plenty of fail safe tips on choosing outfits, getting organized, and how to look your best for this awesome experience!

Here is another bit of good news. Once you are booked in, I will be sending you some very detailed guides with even more prep info, places to shop, and wardrobe ideas for every body type.

Prep your skin, face, and brows.

• Hydrate by drinking tons of water the week of/ morning of your shoot. Hydrated skin will look dewy and glowing for the camera.

• Wash your face and apply a lightweight facial moisturizer and eye cream. Arrive with NO MAKEUP on. Your session fee includes professional makeup application!

• Groom those brows. Whether you wax, tweeze, or trim be sure your brows are in good condition.

Prep your body.

(And by prep your body I don’t mean starve yourself and workout like a maniac.)

• Avoid tan lines at all costs. Please. If you need to even out your coloring, try a light spray tan 2 days before your shoot.

• Shave or wax underarms, legs, and bikini area.

• Arrive to the studio in loose fitting and comfortable clothes. No jeans, bras, or socks since they all leave weird lines on your body that can take a few hours to resolve.

• Stretch. Seriously… you are going to basically be doing yoga all day.

Prep your fingers and toes.

• A simple mani + pedi is fine. Your nails are going to be visible in many of your images, so don’t show up with chipped polish or broken acrylics.

• I love a light pink or French manicure for a soft pretty look. Dark grays, eggplant and black look amazing for the sexier stuff. You want to make sure your nail color works with all of your outfits.

• Matching your nail color for both hands and feet is less distracting.

Prep your hair.

• Arrive to the studio with clean, dry hair. Make sure your hair is completely dry and do not flat iron it. The stylist will have a difficult time adding volume or curls to flat hair.

• If you color your hair, schedule your touch up 5-7 days before your shoot.

• Don’t do anything drastic, like cut bangs beforehand. You don’t want to risk being disappointed with your new look.

Prep your outfits.

• Once you are booked in for your boudoir experience with me, you will receive a wardrobe guide to assist you in choosing outfits, yay!

• Be realistic about what looks good on your body. For instance, if you dislike your tummy area, don’t choose skimpy undies. Look for something high waisted or opt for a bodysuit.

• Speaking of bodysuits, bring at least one. They literally look AMAZING on every one.

• Bring options. You can always return what you don’t use and I will help you select the best pieces.

• Snip out those little tags.

Prep your mind.

• Ditch the negativity. Yes, you will be nervous, but obsessing about all the things you dislike about your body is only going to make you doubt yourself. Focus on what you love and get yourself into good headspace.

• Don’t stress. I have photographed thousands of women in the last 18 or so years. I’m a pro at coaching expression and posing you from head to toe. (I’m also very much a perfectionist, so I’m going to be obsessive about every detail.

• Breathe. You can do this. It’s going to be fun, I swear.

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Join the VIP Group

Connect with with the GB community in our empowering, ladies only, private VIP group.

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ARE YOU READY TO BOOK YOUR BOUDOIR EXPERIENCE?

YOU CAN CONTACT ME HERE.

Charleston Boudoir Featured Session: Shakira

So often when a client comes in for their boudoir shoot, the first thing they do is run down a list of things they don’t like about themselves. Shakira was exactly the opposite. This babe had no problem rattling off a list of things she loved about herself, but I could tell she was still nervous. However, she trusted me from the door and worked through the poses I demonstrated with ease. Trust is the #1 ingredient for a successful shoot and the results speak for themselves!

Here’s what Shakira had to say about her session:

When was your session? August 2021

What made you decide to do a boudoir session? Please describe how you came to the decision and what finally made you take the leap! I followed Glamour Boudoir for years, always too shy and too self conscious to actually book an appointment. But her body of work always inspired me and I thought one day when I'm pretty enough and comfortable enough in my skin, I'll book a session. And then I had two daughters , in which I instill the value of self-love and self-worth on a daily basis, and a very bad near death experience that pushed me out of my fears and essentially out of my own way. So literally the day I was released from the hospital, I booked my appointment with Dawn and never looked back.

What made you decide to hire me as your photographer? I read all of the reviews saying how you made each and every girl feel like you were an old friend who reminded them to love themselves for who they are and you truly did just that. I felt like I had the most awesome girls day with a girlfriend who empowered me to embrace my beauty and trusted you to show me the me I never could see for myself.

How were you feeling before your shoot? Any thoughts going through your head? I was terrified. I was worried about what I would look like, my posing, all the things just had me in a weird headspace. But I also was extremely excited because I deserved this experience for myself and my self esteem.

Now that you've had your own photo shoot, how was it? It was absolutely a life changing experience!!! Dawn made me look and feel beautiful. Something I could never embrace and believe that I was. As soon as I walked in, they both greeted me so warmly, chatted with me to help ease my nerves, looked at my clothing options , and then walked me through what the experience would entail. It was like a photoshoot with your best gal pals.

How did you feel about having your hair and makeup done? It was the first time I ever had my make up professionally done. Shannon was a complete doll and knew exactly what would compliment my complexion and just overall look good on me. That really helped me feel beautiful. The hair styling was equally on point.

If this was for a gift, what did your significant other say about your photos? Did they have a favorite pose or outfit? While it wasn't a gift for him but for myself, he really enjoyed all of the pictures. His favorite outfit was the black lingerie set with the bunny ears. I have a long standing obsession with Playboy and utilized that to help me pick out lingerie. His favorite pose was one the couch with my head tilted back. It's currently hanging up in my bedroom.

What would you say to someone thinking about doing a boudoir session? I would say do it for yourself. Being able to see yourself in a sensual manner truly does empower you. I've embraced the softer, sexier side of my personality since my shoot and it is truly for the better. Not only will you feel great about yourself, you'll thoroughly enjoy the experience.

Make sure you also check out my session featuring Alison here.

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Join the VIP Group

Connect with with the GB community in our empowering, ladies only, private VIP group.

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Are you ready to book your boudoir experience?

You can contact me here.

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