UNFILTERED YOU: Because the real you is worth celebrating

Retreat Prep Guide

Hello, Beautiful! We are SO excited to have you as a part of our New York City retreat!

LOCATION

Our Home Base will be the Brooklyn Boudoir Studio, located at 13 Grattan Street, Brooklyn New York, 11206 in Bushwick Brooklyn NYC.

MAP
Subway : L train to Morgan Ave, exit station at Bogart Street. 

HERE is a little video about getting to the studio.

Some favorite local hotels in the area:

The Wythe: One of my favorite hotels in Williamsburg, the next neighborhood over from Bushwick. Cute walkable area, worth the spurge. About 20 minutes by subway to the studio. There are several hotels in the area: The Arlo, The Moxy, The Hoxton, The William Vale, all of which are great.

Hotel Indigo: A solid mid-range option, about 10-15 minutes by subway to the studio.

The Nova Hotel: simple accommodations, reasonable prices, and just a few short blocks away from the studio. Not the most walkable of areas, especially at night.

PHOTOSHOOT PREP

I want you to think about the kinds of photos you are hoping for. Do you find yourself drawn to anonymous images that show off the body? Portraits? Lifestyle images with beds and chairs around? It can be very difficult to articulate your own style, so instead, the first thing I’d like you to do is to create a "secret" Pinterest board for your boudoir session. We'll first both have to be following each other, so go ahead and "follow" me HERE, and I'll follow you back. Once that's done, I want you to create a Pinterest Board labeled "(YOUR NAME) Unfiltered."  It's very important that you include your first & last name, so I know who is who. Without overthinking it, I want you to pin anything that speaks to you and your style.  I have lots of boards on my page for you to reference, you can venture out into Pinterest to find inspiration or pin images directly from my website!  Then, you'll have to "invite" me to your board so I can see it. To do this, look for the + symbol at the top of your secret board next to your name and add @BrooklynBoudoir.

Try to turn off your fear and over-thinking at this point.  Don't think things like, "OHH that's so beautiful but I would NEVER be able to pull that off" or "I WISH I could look like that!"  That's not the point of this exercise.  After pinning 25 or so images, I will very easily be able to get a visual of your style and the type of boudoir you are interested in.  Do you like sweet, bright and bubbly images, or are you more dark, moody and seductive?  Do you like shots that capture the entire body, or more abstract close ups and teaser shots?  We'll find out together!  The purpose of this is NOT to find photos to replicate.  This is for finding inspiration and for me to understand the kind of images you really like so I can deliver a set of photos that are your style, so long as it matches up with what I have to offer. 

You’ll also find a Hair and Makeup board on my pinterest page — go ahead and pin a couple of the looks that speak to you so I have a sense of the level of glam you are looking for. We of course will also discuss this with the hair and makeup artist on the day of your shoot.

 If you are not a Pinterest user, you can also send me some photos via email.

WARDROBE TIPS

Many women feel stressed about what to wear to their photoshoot, but do not fear or stress. Here are some wardrobe tips to calm your nerves and help you decide what to bring:

*THE NUMBER ONE WARDROBE RULE IS: Do NOT bring outfits that you don't love!  If you don't like the outfit, you won't like photos of you in the outfit.  Leave it at home!

*Have yourself properly fitted. Kimmay will take you shopping to help you find your perfect fit.

*Structured pieces and solids look great on camera. So do items with texture, and those that fit snugly, without pinching your skin. Blazers, jeans, dresses, a power outfit you may have, will all look great.

*Have several outfits and accessories picked out and we can go through them together before you shoot to determine what will photograph best.  We will have time for 2 different looks. I will suggest we do one more dressed look and one more undressed, but NO PRESSURE. You can be fully dressed the entire time. If you’d like to try something a bit more undressed and you're nervous, feel free to bring a layer - a robe, shirt or nightgown that we can start with.

*Try to incorporate a variety of pieces into your wardrobe selections.  Having 2 different bra & panty sets won't allow for a whole lot of variety in your photos.  Rather, think about a a bodysuit + a garter set or a structured bustier + a softer more romantic lace look.

*Your photos will be black and white, and these 2 colors will photograph beautifully. Most colors will photograph well in black and white, EXCEPT orange & turquoise.  

*Make sure your wardrobe selections aren't wrinkled, and please cut all the tags off any sheer lingerie!

*Only bring items that are clean.  A tired bra, shirt or undies will still look tired in your photos.

*No costumes or military apparel, please.  They tend to be more "themey" and are not the style or photography I specialize in. 

WHAT TO AVOID

*Tiny, busy patters don’t always read well on camera, so try to avoid them.

*Avoid anything too loose in the lingerie department.  A flowing nightie will usually be pinned back by me to show off your curves anyhow!  For this reason I usually recommend avoiding babydoll style lingerie.

CULTIVATING CONFIDENCE

I'll coach you every step of the way, and remind you of all of these items once we are on set, but here are a few tips you can keep in mind when it comes to looking & feeling good in front of the camera. These are good tips for daily life as well!

*Trust the Power of Attraction!  Women have been the muses of artists & have been considered beautiful by men and women alike for ages... and certainly before the invention of Photoshop!  Stretch Marks, Cellulite, or Size Sexy Curves do not change that.  Trust that your viewer appreciates it all.  

*Sensuality is in a woman's attitude -- any boldness, playfulness and enjoyment of your body will read beautifully on camera and will feel great personally. On set I will encourage you to focus on feeling good.  How you move, dress, undress, touch your body, even how you breathe should be guided by what feels good to you.  I encourage you to create a playlist or bring along some of your favorite songs to help you relax and enjoy.  I'll be your cheerleader if you need the extra boost!

*Focus on Feeling. When a woman feels confident, she will look more confident.  This one may be easier said than done, but confidence is one of the most important steps in creating allure.  Confidence is the sexiest thing a woman can wear -- you can pull off just about anything if you do it with self-assurance.  If your confidence is faltering, fake it!  I often put on a big, goofy smile while I’m in the shower to get some oxytocin flowing. Remember to stay focused on your positive attributes.  I do not allow any negative self-talk on set.

*Have fun!  Very few of us are lingerie models or movie stars that spend their lives at the gym -- and who cares??  We ALL deserve to be celebrated.  So for a few hours, let yourself go and embrace your beautiful, brave, and badass self.  You will shine regardless of your body type or if you have a zit that day.  You will be radiant because you are YOU. ;)

OVERALL DOS & DON'T

DO

*Get a good night’s rest. Seriously!  We will be out having fun the days leading up to your shoot, but I am a firm believer in a good night of sleep. Everything is easier to cope with when you are well rested.

*Brush your lips - sounds weird, I know!   In the days leading up to your photoshoot, use your toothbrush while brushing your teeth to also make a few passes over your lips.  This will help shed dead skin and make your lips smoother. After that apply a moisturizing lip balm and repeat, repeat, repeat.

*Drink lots of water leading up to your shoot to make your skin extra glow-y.

*Lather on the lotion!  Supple is key for beautiful skin.  Be sure to moisturize twice a day for the week leading up to your shoot.  On the day of your shoot, use a non-bronzer illumining lotion.  Olay Quench with Shimmer is a good alternative, and so is Pretty Peaushun Skin Tight Body Lotion in "Plain” and Goop Glow Body Iluminizer. If you're having a hard time finding an illuminating lotion without color, you can absolutely go with an oil based lotion like Argon Oil Moisturizer or Coconut Oil Moisturizer.  Don't use tined lotions or anything with color.

*Have extra wardrobe options!  Have at least 3-4 different outfits pulled, a couple of pairs of shoes, and accessories handy.  We won't use it all, but it's best to have options as some things will photograph better than others.  Revisit the wardrobe section above for more tips.

*Be ready early.  Nothing puts a damper on a fun and relaxing photo shoot like feeling rushed or late!  You should plan for traffic and arrive about 5 minutes before your scheduled start time.

*Make a playlist!  Music will really help you get into the super model zone!!  Try to select music that matches the concept of your shoot.  We have a speaker to play your tunes if you bring them! We also have a pretty kickass boudoir playlist that tends to jive well with most people.

*Wear a lightweight, soft clothing to your shoot (even go commando if you can!)  This will allow any marks from tight bras or undies to even out so they don't show up in your images.

*Remove any visible tags from your lingerie. It is best not to worry about hiding them or needing to edit them out.

*Be sure to eat the morning of your shoot - you’ll want to be focused on the shoot, not on feeling hungry, and contrary to popular belief, you won't look any bigger in your photos with a small meal in your stomach. It will go a long way in keeping your energy up! Protein especially is key.

*Have a mani-pedi a day or two before our trip, and be sure the color works with the look you are going for. Sheer nudes always look classic, as does red. White polish and dark shades also photograph well and draw attention to your hands. No time or mani/pedi not your thing? Not a problem - the most important thing is that your nails are clean and groomed, and that any polish you are wearing is not chipped.

*Trust me.  I won't make you do anything that you are uncomfortable with and I will never make you look bad.  I am a pro.  I've been doing this for a long time and I know how to make a woman look good with killer poses, strategic lighting and appropriate camera angles.  I've worked with every body type and typical insecurity.  I've done shoots with women on their period.  Whatever your worry, try not to stress -- I've got you covered.

DON'T

*No spray tans before your shoot please!   I know you think that you look better with a tan, but I assure you, even if you don't see the streaks and unevenness with your naked eye, the camera will pick them up.  You will photograph a lot more tan that you think you look, and a spray tan will photograph orange.  Trust me on this!!  On that same note, no tinted lotions or bronzers on your body!

*Go ahead and have a wax or grooming for your brows, upper lip, and bikini area if you so choose, BUT don’t go for a wax or attack yourself with your tweezers the day before your shoot!  Plan this 5 days to a week in advance of your session to give any angry red bumps a chance to subside.

*No excessive alcohol the night before!  Of course, we will be dining out and having fun, but try to limit yourself to 2 drinks. Hangovers aren't sexy.

*On that same note, no red wine before your shoot, even as an effort to calm your nerves!  It will stain your lips and teeth. A little bit of bubbly to soothe anxiety is understandable (and fun) but know that I set a firm 2 drink limit for my clients the day of their shoot.  We’ll have some refreshments available for you, and we can celebrate with champagne together after your shoot!

*Don't get a new haircut/color immediately before your shoot.  Even "just" a trim can sometimes go awry, so be sure to schedule your hair appointments at least 2 weeks before.

*NO NEGATIVE SELF-TALK ALLOWED!!  Once we start shooting, I don't want to hear about how you hate your hips -- I want to hear about how you LOVE your legs.  A great attitude goes a long way in having a fabulous and upbeat experience.  HOWEVER, I will give you the opportunity to let me know what you would like to feature less in your images before we start shooting. I will be extra mindful to play down your insecurities... but I will ALSO make it my challenge to take the best damn image featuring your ____ so you have a newfound appreciation for it ;)

WHAT TO EXPECT

About a week before our retreat, you can expect to get an email confirmation from me finalizing your start time, end time, and location details ... and you can let us know if you have any last minute questions!

On the day of your shoot please arrive with your face clean and moisturized and your hair dry & clean (Second day hair is ok too).  Make sure you wear loose-fitting clothing on the morning of your shoot!  Our hair and makeup artist is a pro and will do a light touch of makeup and dry hair styling so you look like your best, most well-rested self. While you're getting done up, I will look through your wardrobe selections and start putting together looks and a shot list.

Once the shoot begins, you can expect me to give you gentle direction. I will not expect you to super model pose throughout your shoot.  I will show you what to do and will encourage improvising whenever you feel comfortable. I will also get into the poses first so all you have to do is copy me!  I will say and do things to elicit laughter whenever possible too... so be prepared for some bad jokes.

The poses generally aren't very comfortable and your shoot will give you more of a workout (and appreciation for models) than you anticipate.  But I assure you, I know what I'm doing.  Get a good stretch in the morning of your session dn the evening after your session.  A couple of ibuprofen might need to happen for those lower back aches, but it will all be worth it! 

Your shoot time will FLY by.  That's a good thing!  That means it wasn't awkward or boring, just the right amount of fun!

SO….what are you worried about?

Let me be proactive here and tackle the most common trepidations I hear, so that maybe you won’t be hyperventilating in the middle of the night on the day before your session.

*STRESS / TRAVEL ACNE. It happens. And it stinks. But if you think for one second that every woman you see pictured on my website was magically pimple-free on the day of their session, you’re mistaken. While these photos will be unretouched, don’t underestimate the power of good light, strategic posing and a professional behind the lens.

*BODY ISSUES. I long for the time that women are comfortable in their skin at all stages, for the time that women embrace their wobbly bits and beautiful side creases. That said, I know women well enough to be realistic and understand that many women struggle with self love, and no matter how much I tell them they are beautiful, they wish they would have lost just a few more pounds before their session. For those women, I can assure you, it’s not my first rodeo. The majority of the women that come in to see me are working on loving themselves, but struggle. They don’t approve of the size of their thighs, their belly pooch, their dimples. I take women’s feelings very seriously and never want to make anyone uncomfortable. While this is a body positive studio, I will also light and pose you in the most flattering ways.

I’ve photographed all kinds of women, all of whom are extraordinary in their own way. I’ve learned all the tricks to ensure that I am featuring the attributes that women most love about themselves, while paying special care to downplay areas of concern. While I’m going to make it my very best effort to change your mind on what you consider to be your “flaws”, I don’t expect every woman to be ready for that yet.

*POSE ANXIETY. This one’s easy. You don’t have to know how to pose…not even a little bit. I will walk you through every step of the way. I will get into the poses myself and have you mirror me. If we didn’t get it right on the first try, I’ll gently redirect you. It’s not YOUR job to take amazing photos, it’s mine.

*SURGERY SCARS AND STRETCH MARKS. My personal believe is that scars tell a story. Sometimes clients wish they didn’t have to be permanently reminded of that story, and other times, clients embrace their scars and say they’re a part of them. I welcome scars and stretch marks, but I also support a woman’s decision to conceal them if they would like! This is a VERY personal topic and it’s not my decision to make.

*BEING THE ONE CLIENT THAT I AM UNABLE TO GET A GOOD PICTURE OF. If you’re thinking that all of the women featured on the pages of my website and social media are models, you’re sorely mistaken. I have NEVER had a client who didn’t love their photos. You don’t have to love EVERY SINGLE ONE of them, but you will love most of them. And you will be shocked that you could love photos of yourself this much. I WILL rock out your photo session and I WILL get a whole bunch of killer images of you. I always do. But if you come into the shoot with an open mind and with trust in me, we’ll get EXTRA. And extra is always good.

*Any questions??  PLEASE don't hesitate to ask!  I'm here to help!

TO SUMMARIZE

• Make a private Pinterest Board with boudoir images that inspire you and invite me to it @BrooklynBoudoir

• Don’t stress your wardrobe! The most important thing is that you LOVE what you bring and that you bring a variety of options. Be sure to pack a nude strapless bra and nude thong if you have them.

• A few important beauty tips leading up to your shoot: Don’t spray tan! Trust me on this! Drink lots of water, get lots of rest the night before, stretch the morning of (your shoot will feel a bit like a workout!), use a non-tinted lotion or moisturizer all over, exfoliate your lips with a washcloth or dry toothbrush, wear loose fitting clothes to the shoot to avoid red marks on the skin, try not to drink the night before, and the day of keep alcohol to 2 drinks max. Also be sure to eat something the morning of your shoot!

• Trust me! You will have a great time and we will capture some beautiful images of you!

• Fill out the homework assignment below!

HOMEWORK

I bet you didn't think you'd have to do homework, did you?  First, I want you to head over to Pintrest and create a secret board called "(YOUR NAME) Boudoir."  Follow me (@BrooklynBoudoir) I'll follow you back, and then invite me to join your board (@BrooklynBoudoir or search Brooklyn Boudoir under People).  I want you to spend some time pinning boudoir images that speak to you.  See my tip on this above in the "Planning" suggestions.  Don't put too much thought into your pins, I just want to get a general idea of your boudoir style.  If you don't have a Pintrest account and don't feel like creating one, then just email me a sampling of about 10-20 different boudoir images you've found online that you like.

Next, please include a photo of yourself in which you LOVE the way your hair & makeup look on your Pinterest board, or email it to me, and tell me why you love it so much.  

Any questions, feel free to reach out! I'm looking forward to working with you!  

xoxo, Stephanie