Okay goddess, let’s be real: you are not basic.
So why should your boudoir session be? If you’ve ever wanted to channel your inner enchantress, celestial queen, or mythical forest nymph (don’t lie—we all had our fairy phase), I’ve got you. Here are five ways we can sprinkle a little magic into your boudoir session and bring your fantasy vibes to life.
An open letter to every woman who’s ever felt not enough. Here’s the truth: You don’t need a transformation—you just need to remember who you are. Boudoir is about celebrating your real, radiant self.
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When people first hear “fantasy boudoir,” a lot of women immediately think, “That sounds beautiful… but not for me.”
Maybe you’ve thought that, too. That you need to be a certain size. Or that you have to be confident, glamorous, or look like the women you see in magazines.
But here’s the truth: Fantasy boudoir isn’t about looking like someone else—it’s about seeing the magic in you.
I’ve photographed women of all ages, sizes, backgrounds, and comfort levels—and every single one of them brought something breathtakingly unique into their session. They didn’t need to be models. They just needed to be open to stepping into a moment where they could feel powerful, beautiful, and themselves.
Fantasy doesn’t mean perfection—it means possibility.
Flowing gowns, fairy wings, dramatic lighting, enchanted sets… These are just tools. The real magic is in how you feel when you see yourself in a completely new light. Maybe for the first time in a long time.
Boudoir is about reclaiming your story. It’s about saying, “This is me, in all my softness and strength, and I deserve to feel like the main character.”
And you do.
Whether you want a whimsical woodland goddess vibe, a celestial siren feel, or a romantic dark fairytale aesthetic, I design each session to reflect you. No posing experience needed. No “perfect” body required. Just your willingness to show up and let the magic unfold.
So no, fantasy boudoir isn’t just for models.
It’s for every woman who’s ready to stop waiting and start seeing herself as the captivating, complex, beautiful being she already is.
Stretch, hydrate, and moisturize! Drinking plenty of water helps make your muscles more flexible, and it is going to reduce bloating and even plump and clear up your skin. It can even help you feel less tired! Under-eye bags? We don’t know her!
A boudoir session is a serious workout! I know it doesn’t seem that way, but holding the poses can really engage muscles that you don’t use very often! This can lead to sore and achy muscles the day after your shoot. The best way to avoid this is by starting to stretch prior to your session (a month before would be even better!) and drinking tons of water! The sooner you start these practices, and the longer you use them prior to your session, the better you will feel after! It doesn’t hurt to run yourself a nice, hot bubble bath after your session too!
Please AVOID trying any new skincare products or changing your skincare routine at this time. If you have a skin reaction, it will likely not have time to heal before your session.
Got roots? Now is the time to get those touched up! Five days before your session is a great time for a color refresh, but I don’t suggest trying a whole new hairstyle or wildly different color than you are used to.
What about “hair down there”? Natural is totally fine, shaving or waxing is also perfectly acceptable. However, trying something new in sensitive areas can sometimes cause a reaction like ingrown hairs, rashes, or red rash bumps. I suggest doing whatever you normally do! If waxing, 5 or so days before your shoot is normally ideal to reduce any prevailing redness or bumps.
When you are thinking about your nails for your photo shoot- don’t think too hard! Sometimes simple and clean is the best! However, if you want your personality to shine, make sure you will love whatever color you choose 5 or even 15 years down the road! Natural nails are perfectly fine for your shoot, as long as they are well-maintained and clean. For colored nails, I suggest soft, neutral, or jewel tone colors.
If you prefer to shave, do so the night before your session to calm down any inflammation and make sure to moisturize your skin.
It’s the day before and we’re so excited to have you in the studio! You’ve been planning out your outfits for weeks and now is the time to get them together. Layout each outfit separately so you can make sure you have all the pieces. Don’t forget the jewelry or accessories like stockings and shoes. If anything needs to be steamed or ironed, now is the time to do that. If you would like a copy of our packing list, visit our What to Wear blog post: https://michelleburroughs.com/what-to-wear-to-your-boudoir-photo-shoot/
Lastly, get plenty of rest the night before your shoot and wear loose fitting clothing to your session to prevent lines on your skin. Drinking lots of water helps with this too. Now get ready to have some fun!
We live in a visual world of streaming movies, social media like Instagram and TikTok, and even dating apps. Images are an essential part of both our personal and professional lives, especially when creating a brand for your own business or your professional career.
That is why professional headshots are so important. Whether it’s creating a strong avatar for your social media profiles or putting a face to your name for potential clients and employers, a headshot can give you the extra push you need to secure that client for your business or put you ahead of the other candidates for your dream job.
You want to look professional.
If you’re trying to promote your own business, a great headshot that showcases your demeanor and professionalism can keep people on your site long enough to make a purchase or sign up for your services. People have to know and trust you to want to do business with you. When it comes to your website, you have a very limited amount of time to make a strong enough first impression to intrigue potential clients, so you have to impress!
You’ll use it EVERYWHERE.
Thinking you won’t use your headshot often so a simple cell phone snap will work just fine? Think again. If you’re promoting your own business, you’ll need a headshot for every place you post content or information online. That includes Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, and other social media, as well as your own website and blog and any sites where you contribute as a guest. People want to put a face to a name, and if you’re promoting yourself or your company, you want that face to look professional and skilled in your field.
You want to tell a story.
Whether you’re looking for the next step up in your career or seeking new clients for your business, your headshot is the quickest way to tell the story of who you are and what you can do. A professional photographer can help your expertise and personality shine through your images. They’ll also help you choose a location that suits your field and the look you desire for your personal brand.
You want to make a strong introduction.
Any potential employer or client will check you out online before contacting you, so you want to represent yourself as intelligent, dedicated, and skilled. But you also want to be approachable, so it’s important to give prospects an idea of your personality and make sure you’re more than just a name in their eyes.
A professional headshot can help you do all these things and will serve as your introduction to everyone in your field, from potential clients to business partners to employers. To keep that introduction positive, you need a headshot that shows off how polished and professional you are while still feeling approachable. If you go with a selfie or a blurry cropped group photo, what impression does that give? If you don’t care about the impression you create, why would other people care about working with you?
You care about investing in your future.
Professional headshots are a financial investment, but they’re also an advancement in your career or business. Not only do they make you look good to future clients or employers, but a high-quality headshot can also give you confidence in your own abilities. Others will see you as strong and well put-together, and you can start to see yourself that way as well!
When it comes to furthering your career or promoting your business, professional headshots are definitely worth the cost! They offer a major return on your investment by helping you to get clients, land your dream job, or help you find new professional opportunities.
