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.

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!

Get ready to slay your boudoir session, mama!

Oh, yes honey. It's time to treat yourself to a little bit of luxury and capture your boudoir beauty with Sheer Photography. But, hold up - don't start stressing about the prep! I've got your back, girl. As a fellow mama, I know how overwhelming it can be to prepare for something like a boudoir session. But guess what? I'm here to share my tips and tricks on how to prepare for your boudoir session like a pro. So grab a glass of wine and let's dive in, mama!

First things first: outfit selection. When planning for your boudoir session, remember that confidence is key. Choose outfits that make you feel sexy, but also comfortable. Whether it's a lacy bralette, a silky robe, or high-waisted undies, choose pieces that accentuate your curves and make you feel like a goddess. Don't overthink it- you don't need to go out and buy a whole new lingerie collection. Focus on pieces that you feel confident in and that are flattering to your specific body type.

Now, let's talk about hair and makeup. We all know how amazing it feels to have a fresh curls or a flawless makeup application. We want you to sit back and relax, not have to worry about what the weather will do to your makeup & hair on the way into your session. So, we include professional hair, makeup & false lashes for your session! But, if you're more of a DIY kinda gal, that's okay too. If you're doing your own hair and makeup, keep it simple and classic. Focus on enhancing your natural features and adding a pop of color or drama to your look. Don't forget to moisturize your skin and lips beforehand for a silky smooth finish.

Let's not forget about the posing! We all have our good and bad angles, but no need to stress about it. During your boudoir session with Sheer Photography, our team will guide you through each pose, ensuring you look and feel confident. If you want to do a little prepping beforehand, practice your posing in front of a mirror or take some test shots on your phone. This can help you get a feel for what poses and angles are most flattering for you.

Lastly, remember to relax and have fun! A boudoir session is all about celebrating YOU and your beauty. Think of it as a self-care day where you get to be pampered and feel like the center of attention. Put on your favorite tunes, sip some bubbly, and enjoy the experience. Trust me, the nerves will subside once you see just how fierce and fabulous you look in your stunning photos.

So there you have it, mama. My tips and tricks on how to prepare for your boudoir session with Sheer Photography. Remember, the most important thing is to be yourself, embrace your body, and have fun. Trust the process and our team will take care of the rest. Can't wait to see you slay your session!

XOXO, Jen

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

5 things that have helped me...maybe they can help you too

Depression, Anxiety, ADHD, Therapy, psychiatrist visits, medication, meditation, and the list goes on. These are all things that have been a part of my life, some more recent than others. 

In my mental health journey I’ve made mistakes, changed paths, learned lessons and can say that this past year I’ve been able to become the best version of myself. Everyone’s journey is different, but I wanted to share a few lessons I’ve learned along the way. 

1. Routine. Having one and sticking to it makes my life less stressful and helps me keep up with everyday tasks that can be difficult to complete. For me this means keeping a schedule of daily tasks even the little things like washing dishes, and sticking to it.

2. Therapy. Bi-weekly when I’m doing well and weekly when I’m not. It helps me keep up with healthy habits and work though anything that life throws my way. Don’t be afraid to change therapists, it took me a few to find the right match for my needs.

3. Exercise. It helps me connect with my body, provides a positive stress relief and has improved my confidence and my physical health.

4. Communication. The people closest to me, and even my closest co-workers (I know scary) know how I’m feeling. This allows me to have an off day or a bad day without making things harder by trying to cover my anxiety or ADHD. My colleagues have been more supportive than I could have ever imagined.

5. Medication. This was hard for me, I wanted to work through everything using therapy and I struggled to accept that I needed more. I was afraid I wouldn’t feel like myself and the truth is I feel more like myself now that I’ve found the right medications and doses.

If you’ve made it this far your probably wondering what this has to do with Sheer Photography. My journey with my mental health has often made it hard for me to feel comfortable in the skin I’m in. My anxiety points out all of my flaws and when I step in front of a mirror my eyes flow to the things I dislike the most. This was my second session with Sheer and initially it was scheduled as a birthday present to myself but it as it approached it felt more like a celebration of the changes I’ve made in the past year. Jen made me feel right at home as I settled in for hair and makeup before my session, and they did an amazing job of making me feel comfortable during the shoot. I didn’t have a single moment where I thought about what if this isn’t my best angle or what if I don’t like the pictures. The highlight was coming in to see the photos, there wasn’t a single one I didn’t like and I can’t wait to have my favorites on the wall at home to remind me that I am a #SheerBeauty. The after effects are lasting, I feel more comfortable in my skin and even wore out the little black dress that’s been hiding in the back of my closet and I felt amazing! While the shoot is only one day it’s a great way to remind yourself how amazing you are.

XoXo, Miss J