To Tan or Not to Tan: The Ultimate Guide for your Boudoir Session

Boudoir sessions are an empowering experience for every man, woman or couple. They allow you to feel comfortable and confident in your own skin. However, when preparing for such a session, you may face the dilemma of whether to tan or not to tan. While some prefer to show off their natural skin tone, some opt to accentuate their curves and lines with a bronzed glow. In this blog, we’ll provide you with the ultimate guide to help you decide whether to tan or not to tan for your Sheer Experience.

boudoir client posed in front of couch

To Tan: A bronzed glow adds definition to your curves and exaggerates your best features. However, it's important to avoid fake tan or spray tan if you're allergic or prone to skin irritation. Instead, choose a reputable tanning salon that uses organic products or opt for a self-tanning lotion. A gradual tan is always a better option than an instant tan, as it looks more natural.

Not to Tan: Embracing your natural skin tone can also produce stunning results in your boudoir photos. Soft, natural light complements every skin tone and highlights the beautiful details in your skin. It's all about confidence and being comfortable in your own skin. So, if you are not a regular tanner, don't worry about it.

Enhancing Your Natural Skin Tone: If you want to enhance your skin tone, there are some things you can do before your boudoir shoot. Hydrate your skin by applying a moisturizer after your shower, exfoliate your skin to remove dead skin cells and use a luminizer to add a subtle glow to your skin.

Your Outfit Choice: When deciding to tan or not to tan, consider your outfit choices. If you plan to wear white, a tan will show up more than if you opt for darker colors. If you're unsure, try on different outfits and see which one looks best on your skin tone.

Don't Worry Too Much: Ultimately, your confidence, personality and the mood of the photoshoot will play a more significant role than just the color of your skin. The goal is to feel comfortable and beautiful in the body you have. If you’re happy, that joy will translate in the photos.

Now that you have read our ultimate guide on whether to tan or not for your boudoir session, we hope you feel more prepared and confident for your upcoming shoot. Remember, whether you choose to tan or not, it's all about celebrating your natural beauty and feeling confident in your own skin. The most important thing is to have fun, relax, and enjoy the experience. And, as always, whether you choose Sheer or another boudoir photographer, go with someone you can trust and feel comfortable with. Now go ahead, fill out the form below to get more info on a session with us & strike a pose!

The Power of a Boudoir Photoshoot: Embracing Your Body and Boosting Your Confidence

For many women, the idea of baring it all in front of a camera can be terrifying. But what if I told you that a boudoir session could be one of the most empowering experiences of your life? As someone who has recently done a boudoir shoot for both myself and my fiancé, I can say with confidence that this type of photography can shatter insecurities, boost confidence, and make you feel more beautiful than ever before. This blog post is for all the women out there who may be hesitant about the idea of a boudoir photoshoot, but are also curious about the incredible impact it can have on your self-image.

Before I get into the nitty-gritty of what all your own #SheerExperience is and the benefits it can bring, let's debunk one of the biggest myths about boudoir photography: you don't have to look a certain way to do one. That's right, you heard me. No matter what your size, shape, or insecurities may be, you can absolutely rock a boudoir shoot. In fact, part of the magic of these photos is that they capture the beauty in every body type. You don't need to look like a Victoria's Secret model or have a perfect hourglass figure to have stunning, confidence-boosting boudoir photos (although if that is your natural body type, then go for it). The point is to embrace your body as it is, flaws and all, and showcase your unique beauty in a way that makes you feel confident and powerful.

Now, let's talk about some of the ways that a session like this can boost your confidence. For starters, the act of being vulnerable in front of a camera can be incredibly empowering. It takes a lot of courage to strip down and pose in front of photographers, but there is something cathartic about it. You are taking control of your body and choosing to showcase it in a way that makes you feel beautiful. It's a way of saying, "This is me, and I am proud of who I am." That kind of confidence permeates into all aspects of your life, from work to relationships and beyond.

Another benefit of a boudoir session is that it allows you to see yourself in a new light. We all have insecurities about our bodies, but seeing yourself through the lens of a professional photographer can shift your perspective. Instead of focusing on every little flaw, you are able to see the beauty in your body as a whole. It's a reminder that you are worthy of love, attention, and admiration just as you are. And when you have that album in your hands, you can look at them whenever you need a reminder of your own strength and beauty.

A boudoir shoot is so much more than just taking pictures in your underwear. It's an act of self-love and empowerment, a reminder of your own beauty, and a way to deepen intimacy in your relationships. If you have been hesitant to try a boudoir shoot because of insecurities or fear, I encourage you to take the leap. Trust me, you won't regret it. Embrace your body as it is, and let Brian & Jen capture your unique beauty in a way that makes you feel confident, powerful, and oh so beautiful. Fill out the form below to get more information from Sheer.

Why I Finally Did a Boudoir Session (& You Should Too!)

Hey #SheerBeauties! I took a big leap and traveled from New York to Youngstown, Ohio for my first boudoir shoot. It took a whole year of planning, intense workouts, and lots of prayer to make this happen…but it was all worth it! I'm excited to share the behind-the-scenes story & some of my favorite images with all of you.

There are many different reasons a person may want to do a boudoir session. For some it may serve as a wedding or anniversary gift, for others they may want to overcome body image issues or get a confidence boost. For me personally I had been following a dynamic couple; Brian and Jen, for many years on Instagram. Initially I had wanted to work with them as soon as I saw their feed and realized how incredibly talented they are. Despite this I was still a little apprehensive and it did take time for me to get more comfortable with the idea of being so vulnerable with my body in front of strangers. 🍑 I pretty much sat on the sidelines & pondered about how things would go if I ever booked my own shoot. Eventually one day I just decided to go for it & I’m so thankful I did! Shopping for lingerie & scouting out poses was so much fun. I really feel like my photos captured my personality and I was truly captivated & in awe of how I was captured on film. 

One of my favorite parts of my shoot was recreating the famous scene from the Wolf of Wall Street, “Morning Ritual”. Featured in these photo with me is an amazing local model, Tyjaan King.

When I saw my boudoir photos it was such a surreal feeling. I had never quite seen myself that way before & it felt almost as if I was seeing myself for the first time. The experience of seeing my photos allowed me to see how beautiful I truly am. Going through my divorce at a young age had left me feeling insecure, and this boudoir shoot definitely helped me validate myself and feel more confident in my own skin. It was worth every penny I spent! I can't wait to do it all again!

So, I challenge you to do a boudoir shoot at least once in your life. It doesn't matter if you're male or female, big or small, young or old. Boudoir photography is for everyone. It's time to embrace your inner beauty and celebrate yourself!

XOXO, Victoria

I did it for me! You can do it for you

“A friend of mine had invited me to the Sheer VIP group a few years ago. I had no idea what boudoir photography was, and when I found out, my self talk was awful! I figured I'd be a wallflower in the group and join in on building others up, because I was good at that.

When I took the leap to book my first shoot, I was on vacation with my daughter. I looked at the Sheer website and I was reading the blog. I couldn't tell you whose blog it was, but it hit me upside the head. I booked my first shoot right then and there. BEST. DECISION. EVER! I had so much fun the first time, that I couldn't wait to do it again.

For both, I did the shoot for me. Not for a present for anyone else, just a present for me. I still can't believe those pictures are of me. I don't know what sort of voodoo magic happens from the time the picture is taken to when it shows up on the viewfinder or in Jen's computer, but that woman I see, is what I want to believe about myself. I want to be able to look in the mirror and say, "Yes, this is me!" That was how I felt after my first time. I have one of the metals on my dresser so it's the first thing I see in the morning and the last thing I see before bed. That woman is confident, beautiful, sensual, sexy, and present. That woman is me!! That metal and those pictures help to remind me of where I want to be mentally.

Then this past Mother's Day happened. Life was doing its thing and I wanted to have something to look forward to. So, I went ahead and booked a second shoot. It was so much fun! There's even a few pictures I can tell that I had to remember to be serious because I was laughing so hard. Who does that, half or fully naked?!?! The app alone is such a good reminder of who I am and who I want to be and so handy! I've never liked pictures of myself much at all, and I haven't had an issue with that at Sheer. I do like them. Some I love, but I have yet to have one with Sheer that I just looked at and said eww or no or anything negative.

Between the VIP group, the sessions, and the photos afterwards, in whatever medium you get them in, the whole experience is worth it. Why? Because you are worth it, every second, every penny.”

XoXo - Casey

After #BodyLove 2.0

The #BodyLove projects that we do are something that we hold very close to our heart. The first time we did it, we wanted women to embrace their "flaws". If I asked you to name 10 things you love about yourself, I know it would be hard to come up with enough good qualities or features. But, if I asked you to name 10 things you didn't like about yourself, I'm sure it would be pretty easy. We are women, we always put everyone else before ourselves and never have time to look at all the good in ourselves. With our #BodyLove projects and every boudoir session we do, we want the women who come to us to feel special, to embrace their femininity and sexuality, to feel like they are enough, to know that they are gorgeous, sexy and desirable. We want to help bring that spark out of you that maybe you've never seen before or maybe you haven't seen in a very long time. 

We had 7 women come to us for #BodyLove2.0 who were nervous as hell and scared they wouldn't look good on camera, but they trusted us to show them just how sexy they were. We only had 15 minutes to get some amazing photos with each woman and help them see how freakin' HOTT they are! So, below are 4 images from each of the women who participated in our #BodyLove project along with what they thought of themselves before they got half naked for Sheer Photography and how they felt after their session and seeing their images.

"Before #BodyLove, When I looked in the mirror I saw me, as a mom, girlfriend, friend. I saw happy and sad. I saw all my imperfections. A typical day for me is waking up, getting my son ready for school, watch him walk on his bus. Then I get myself ready and go to work. Come home to my family, have dinner, a little fun and finally bed time. It's not a glamorous life, but it's mine. And I love it! After my #BodyLove photo shoot, I definitely feel more confident in myself. I didn't expect the confidence it gave me. I believe every woman must do this for themselves. They deserve it! When I look at my images, I see a sexy woman!" ~ Miss C

"Before #BodyLove, When I looked in the mirror I saw a girl trying to become a women. I saw a girl who's insecure and who didn't fully know who she was. I wanted to see what others saw. I wanted to see my true beauty. I wanted to see my worth. A typical day for me, I get up, get my four year old ready for school (usually rushing) throw on some makeup and black clothes (I'm a hairdresser) let out the dog and rush out the door. I work 6-8 hours at the salon, pick up my daughter, head to the gym, home to cook, eat, pack lunches, take a bath, bed, then repeat! After my #BodyLove photo shoot, I definitely feel more confident in myself. I see a sexy, strong, beautiful woman now!" ~ Carly

"Before #BodyLove, When I looked in the mirror I saw a body that defeats me. I tryed my best to love my body, but it really just seemed impossible. How do you love something you want to change so much? A typical day for me is, wake up, clean, get myself ready, wake up my husband and daughter, go to work, get off and pick up my daughter, go home and cook, do some more cleaning, get the little one fed and bathed put her to bed, work out, and lastly wait up for my husband to have some alone time with him. After my #BodyLove photo shoot, I feel the most confident in myself that I've felt in years. I now see a version of myself that I've never seen before." ~Miss C

"Before #BodyLove, When I looked in the mirror, honestly, I saw imperfections that aren't easily remedied. I saw stretched out skin, rolls, and chunkier arms than I would like. I know what my pre-baby body looked like and I can imagine it still and it makes me sad. I was angry with myself for making excuses for so long, my body used to take care of itself, but know I have to work on it. I would look in the mirror and tell myself "hey at least you aren't as fat as I was two months ago!" I am trying to love myself again. Doing a session was gonna be my gift to myself when I got my body back, but it seems it's gonna take longer than I thought. A typical day for me is Monday thru Friday I get up at 6am and get myself and my daughter ready. I go to work at my new job from 8-5. I come home and make dinner, do chores, spend time with my daughter and dog. I prep my lunch for the next day and my clothes, as well as my daughters. Then I normally shower and have myself and my daughter in bed no later than 9. Every other weekend my daughter goes with her father so those weekends I pamper myself by doing chores and spending time with friends. The weekends I have my daughter are for her, chores, and family! And that's my life in a nut shell. After my #BodyLove photo shoot, I definitely feel more confident in myself. I have been building my confidence back up over time for a while now. Signing up for #BodyLove was a way to launch myself out of that comfort zone I have become overly accustom to. The ease I felt once I stepped into the unforgiving daylight for my session was welcoming. Jen advised me to take a deep breath and with that exhale went all my insecurities. Simultaneously, I felt my renewed confidence flood my body and I could breath freely again! All of this is due to BodyLove, Jen, and Brian for their mission to revive the Confidence in all women. When I look at the final products from #BodyLove I feel blessed. The pictures capture the strong independent woman I have become and pay homage to the remarkable body that has sustained and given life. I respect my body more after participating in #BodyLove. I knew I had a distorted view of myself and that I need to shift my focus. These final products from Sheer have done just that, they have taught me to love myself again." ~ Miss C

"Before #BodyLove, When I looked in the mirror I used to see a body I wasn't happy with and stretch marks from my daughter. I have been working on my body and now I see myself as a beautiful person with curves and a love for life. I carry my stretch marks as a trophy so many women can't carry a child and I have been blessed and done it. I'm loving myself again. A typical day for me is attending school part time and working full time with rotating days off and on. After my #BodyLove photo shoot, I definitely feel more confident in myself. I do not see myself now as just a mom and a nurse! I feel like a sexy individual and I feel like everyone should get a chance to feel amazing like this. Jen and Brian were absolutely amazing and made the experience fun and enjoyable! Can't wait to be able to come back and do it again!!!" ~ Emily

"Before #BodyLove, When I look in the mirror I see happiness and passion. I see love and strength. I see the reflection of a woman that has lived life to the fullest every step of the way. A typical day typically consists of work as a hairstylist from 9am to any hour of the evening. Depending on the day my husband or I will cook dinner and have a family meal when we both are home. Our morning routines are simple -- shower and style hair & make up as fast as a 3 year old will let you. Evening routines include board games or jigsaw puzzles, incredibly playful bathtime for our boy and some quiet time before bed. Everyday is full of love and laughter as corny as that sounds, life really feels like a dream come true. After my #BodyLove photo shoot, I walked out of the shoot with a different air to me. A weight I didn't realize I carried was lifted. For the first time just the feeling of being a woman felt STRONG and BRAVE. I think for some those feelings come in many different ways but for me it happened while I shed some cloths and let some inner beauty escape. My images completely shocked me. I see myself in a way I never felt; sexy!!! It's amazing that an image can show such depth to me, my inner beauty shining outwardly. They are drop. Dead. Gorgeous." ~ Miss E

"Before #BodyLove, When I looked in the mirror I unfortunately saw someone that used to be in great shape, but after 2 babies and a divorce, a woman that has lost the fiery spirit she once possessed. A typical day for me is getting up with my 9 year old son and 7 year old daughter. After running around getting them ready for school, I barely have the time to put myself together. I never left the house without makeup. Now, I am lucky if I can put coverup and mascara on before walking out the door (usually though it's on my way to work...). I work full time at an eye doctor's office doing the billing and coding. After work is Mommy mode, getting the kids to their multiple activities then home for homework and dinner. Once the kids are taken care of and tucked in, I collapse on the couch to watch a movie or read a book...most likely falling asleep! After my #BodyLove photo shoot, I see a woman who while not society's version of perfect is far from being the gross person she thought she was when she looked at herself in the mirror. I see a woman who embraced the moment & allowed herself to be confident & feel sexy." ~ Miss N

Ready to become a #SheerBeauty and see how sexy you are!?!?

fill out the form below and we will get back to you within 24 hours and stay tuned for our Mother's Day special

#BodyLove 1.0

About 6 months ago, I was not feeling good about myself. I was heavier than I've ever been, I was stressed from trying to do it ALL, but I felt like I was failing at everything...failing as a wife, mother, friend, business owner...nothing seemed to be where I wanted it to be. And if you know me, then you know that I am a HUGE control freak. So, when nothing was going the way I wanted it to I put all the blame on myself and bottled it up. One thing I'm really good at is keeping all my emotions bottled inside until it explodes and Brian is always the one who has to deal with the "brunt of Jen". Sorry about that Mr. Dirksen ;) but he is always there to keep me together and put a smile on my face.

3 months of this and I had to do something. I contacted my friend, Tiffany, who sells AdvoCare. I needed a change for myself, for Brian, for Keira (our daughter). I wasn't happy with my body and I felt like changing that would help everything else come together. And guess what?!?! It did...a little! It is amazing how one little change can help your whole life. Brian and I participated in the 24 day challenge and started eating better. We both lost a little weight, have so much energy, continue to try eating healthier and I have gained this whole new outlook on life. Not only do I see the beauty in myself more and more each day, but I also see the beauty in others so much more. It is so sad that we feel ashamed of our bodies...we need to embrace our bodies and compliment other women. Working with women has made me realize that no matter how beautiful everyone else thinks someone is, all they see when they look into the mirror are their own flaws. When did we start focusing so much on the bad rather than all the good in ourselves? When did it become wrong to say "I love my thighs", "I am proud that my stomach has stretched and shrank after having a baby", "I love my ass!"? I know if I tell someone else what I like about my body I start to feel vain and conceited. Brian takes FREAKING GORGEOUS pictures of me, but do I feel sexy everyday...no way! I still struggle with my body just like a lot of women do. But, I do feel pretty damn good though when I look at my boudoir pictures and see how fucking hot and sexy I can be.

Anyways, the point of hosting #BodyLove was to show women that no matter their age, shape or size, they should embrace their bodies and love where they are at this moment in their life. This wasn't about being sexy, it was a day about loving yourself and the journey your body has been through. 

These 9 women laughed with us, had fun with us, let their guard down for us and shared their stories with us. Thank you to all of these gorgeous ladies for taking part in #BodyLove!

These 9 women laughed with us, had fun with us, let their guard down for us and shared their stories with us. Thank you to all of these gorgeous ladies for taking part in #BodyLove!

A few of the ladies wanted to share their stories with you...

Miss T ~ I had such a good time and it definitely made me realize some things about myself. "Sexy" is definitely different for everyone. I am not comfortable with the "normal" idea of sexy. And that's fine. What works for me is confident, silly, tough. What I find most sexy about me is my tattoos. I have always looked at my tattoos as a way to cope with my body issues and until I get the tone/strong/ft body I'm working for, I'm gonna rock my tattooed mommy body!!! I'm coming to accept that even though I'm not happy with how it looks it also in a way shows strength because I made two beautiful boys in this body!

Miss C ~ I'm ashamed of my body, my stomach looks like a road map. Between surgeries and being pregnant it's been through hell. I never had one stretch mark till I got pregnant, not one!!! My arms and legs are gross and I may be the only fat woman in this world with small boobs!! In the last few months I've learned that I shouldn't care what others think. I'm not the normal woman, but I'm my own kind of beautiful. I get up everyday and now look at the mirror and try to see what others may see. I'm proud of myself for doing the BodyLove project!! I may have not have bared it all, but I bared more than I ever thought I could!!!

Miss M ~ I'm a stay at home mom and wife. My husband and I have 4 beautiful children together. 3 here on earth and our first born in heaven. Our angel would have been 4 this past May. Our second turned 3 in March and our twins turned a year in January. Thank you for letting me be involved in #bodylove with you guys. I really enjoyed myself and I can't want to come back again.

Miss A ~ I have had body image issues since I can remember. I lost a ton of weight prior to getting married and was finally happy in my own skin and felt great. Following my wedding, I got pregnant and I loved every minute of being pregnant. I wasn't worried about the weight gain because I knew I was creating another human and the weight would melt off as I breast fed my son.  Well, I breast fed my son for 14 months and didn't lose a pound! I was once again miserable with the way my body looked. Until one day, I was doing my hair at my bathroom mirror in my bra and panties. I looked up and for the first time in a long time actually saw myself in the mirror! After looking for a while and criticizing my body in my head I made myself STOP!! Since that day I have been working hard to find things I love about my body. I wanted to participate in the #BodyLove project because I knew it would help me in my journey to love my body.  I did it in hopes that by loving myself, I can teach my children to love themselves! Thank you Brian+Jen for all that you do to help build woman up! 

Miss J ~ #BodyLove is accepting the skin you’re in. It's easy to say and hard to actually accept. To me, my body has been through war and back. The everlasting war in every woman’s brain from the time of puberty. Looking back at all the pictures from High School I beg my body to go back to that size, yet when I was in High School that body wasn’t good enough. BodyLove makes me appreciate the body I have RIGHT this moment. This body has given birth two times, been through a surgery or two, and ate a crap load of chocolate and ice cream when I want it. As I grow I find myself actually appreciating what my body can do. I take the little steps instead of wishing for large leaps in making my body better. Sure, it might be chubby and I might have a few scars across my stomach but I am beautiful. How do I know that? My husband tells me every single day. Days like today when I get to appreciate my body for what it is and how it’s made help me get through the days where the magazines tell me I am not small enough. I am finally comfortable in the skin I am in.

Be on the look out for #BodyLove 2.0 Coming this Fall!!!

Ready to see yourself how everyone else sees you?!?! 

Insecurities...we all have them!

#BodyLove #SheerBeauty

This blog post is EXTREMELY SCARY for me to do. Why?!?! Because these images are of me. I never want to ask you ladies to do something I wouldn't personally do. If you guys have been following us, then you know I am not afraid to get in front of the camera. However, it was a little scary to get in front of the camera and show the world my insecurities. I have extra tummy weight, scars, cellulite and stretch marks...but that's ok because I know that I have those things from living life and bringing a beautiful child into this world.

Working with women of all ages, shapes and sizes has made me come to realize that EVERY single one of us has insecurities about our bodies. Sheer Photography would LOVE to help all women see their true BEAUTY instead of their "flaws". All women are beautiful and our mission is to help bring that out in each of you. It's ok to LOVE who you are and who you have become as a woman. 

As a woman, a wife and a mother to a beautiful little girl, there is nothing I want more than for my daughter to see her true beauty for the rest of her life. I know one day that she, just like every other woman I have met, is going to see her "flaws" and I won't be there to tell her how pretty she is, how wonderful she is and what a good person she is. But what I can do is help more women see their true beauty in themselves. 

I am asking all of you BEAUTIFUL WOMEN to let us show you that you are GORGEOUS. You are SEXY. You are AMAZING. You are PERFECTLY, IMPERFECT. No matter what "flaws" you see in yourself, you are BEAUTIFUL!! You are an amazing mother, daughter, wife, friend and woman. 

We are not here to judge you...we want to help build you up. We want you to see the beauty that everyone else sees in you. 

For one day only, Sheer Photography is offering a FREE #BodyLove #SheerBeauty image to anyone that would like to participate. You can be as clothed or unclothed as you would like. You can share your story with us or keep it private. This will not include hair or makeup, we would like to photograph you either in your natural state or your everyday type of hair and makeup. 

If you are available on Sunday, June 28th between 1:00PM - 5:00PM please fill out the contact form below or send us an email to schedule your COMPLIMENTARY #BodyLove photo shoot. We promise to keep it short and sweet. 

You only have one body, love the one your in!

#BodyLove #SheerBeauty