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

Don’t be shy…

Oh honey, boudoir sessions are all the rage among us ladies. And let me tell you, it's not just about getting those sexy shots. It's about honoring and loving yourself just the way you are. No matter what shape or size you are, boudoir photography makes you feel like the goddess you truly are. So, don't be shy. Embrace your beauty and go for it! To inspire you, we interviewed one of our #SheerBeauties. Her thoughts are a true gem, so keep on reading.

WHY DID YOU TAKE THE LEAP TO BOOK A BOUDOIR SESSION? I was inspired by an incredibly sexy and beautiful friend who had also had a photo shoot with Sheer Photography.

HOW DID YOU FEEL WALKING INTO THE STUDIO THE DAY OF YOUR SESSION? Wow, I gotta tell you - I was super nervous at first! But, Jen and Brian were absolutely amazing and put me at ease in no time.

HOW DID YOU FEEL AFTER YOUR SHOOT? I was so shocked at how incredibly breathtaking my pictures were.

WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO SOMEONE WHO WAS ON THE FENCE ABOUT BOOKING THEIR OWN SESSION? Just do it! You deserve it. The high will last for sooooo long. It's been months and I still feel incredible about myself.

DID YOU HAVE ANY INSECURITIES OR WORRIES ABOUT DOING A SESSION THAT WE HELPED YOU GET OVER BEFORE/DURING/AFTER YOUR SESSION? I thought I was so fat and unattractive. But Jen and Brian were so supportive and funny that I felt amazing during my session and even more confident after I saw all of my gorgeous photos.

WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO SOMEONE WHO WAS WORRIED ABOUT NOT LIKING ANY OF THEIR IMAGES AFTER THEIR SESSION? I didn't think there would be any pictures that I liked and I loved 99% of them. I had a hard time picking my favorites for the album.

WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO SOMEONE WHO WAS HESITANT TO INVEST MONEY INTO A BOUDOIR EXPERIENCE? I don't regret one penny of my money spent. Not one! I love my pictures and the self-confidence I gained from it is priceless!

XOXO, Miss D

Trust me, after this experience, you'll feel like a million bucks. It's not just about the stunning images, it's about affirming your worth and feeling comfortable in your own skin. So, let's celebrate ourselves because we are all uniquely beautiful and deserving of it! If you are ready to schedule your own session, visit the CONTACT page and we will send you all the juicy info!

An Experience Worth Remembering

I stumbled upon Sheer Photography in a photography group on Facebook. In a previous life, pre-child, I had my own photography business. I was wow'ed by their work and being a former pro, it takes a lot to win me over!

I followed their facebook page for awhile before even thinking about booking. 2021 was a rough year for me personally and I wanted to do something for myself. I needed the self confidence boost and I knew that a session with Sheer would do just that for me.

I was so nervous the day of my session. I even took a valium before I got there! I was beyond nervous, completely terrified! But as soon as I sat down in the chair and talked with Jen and Brian while I had my hair and makeup done, I was completely at ease. Of course, I was still a little hesitant when I changed into my first outfit. But once we got started I felt absolutely amazing! I was shocked when I looked at the back of the camera. Was that really me??? OMG I looked super hot!!

When it was time for the in person reveal I loved the photographs that Brian took. It was so hard to pick favorites. Going into it I planned on getting just a few images in the smallest album. Well, that plan went out the window - I ended up getting a collection with a larger album, the phone app and digital files as well as the photo block. I was so thrilled with the images I couldn't help myself!

If you're unsure if you want to do a boudoir photo shoot, just do it! It was a great experience from start to finish & one of the best investments I could have made. I can't say enough about how fun and professional it was working with the Sheer Team! I loved my hair and makeup, they had a huge selection of wardrobe options in the closet and of course the photos are fantastic. You'll never look exactly how you think you want to look, so don't put it off. I saw a beautiful side of myself that had gotten lost in being a mom. You will not regret it at all! Don't wait any longer - fill out the form below and schedule your own boudoir session! Go ahead, take a chance on yourself - you deserve it!

XOXO, Miss D

My first #SheerExperience

Alright honeys, listen up! This was my first photo shoot EVER! Can you tell? No. The reason behind that is because Jen and Brian made sure I was comfortable while we did the shoot & answered all my questions before I even stepped foot into their boudoir studio in Youngstown, Ohio. Once I warmed up, my #SheerBeauty was showcased!

If you're planning on a boudoir session, I'm here to give you some tips on how to make the experience as smooth and effortless as possible. You want to feel confident and sexy, and I'm going to help you get there girlfriend!!

First things first, communication is key. Talk to Jen & Brian beforehand about what kind of look you're going for, whether it's soft and romantic or sultry and edgy, maybe even a mix of both. This will give them a better idea of how to style, pose you & what areas of the studio to use. It's also important to discuss any insecurities or areas you want to highlight so that they can work with you to create the perfect shots. They email you a questionnaire to help with a lot of these things & ask things you might not even consider.

Another important factor is what to wear. You want to feel comfortable and confident in your outfits, so choose pieces that make you feel sexy, whether it's a lacy bralette or a satin robe. Don't forget to bring accessories like jewelry or heels to add some extra flair. And ladies, if all else fails, they have a whole lingerie closet, which I took full advantage of for every single one of my outfits! It was so helpful & less stressful, I came in with nothing to wear and Jen picked out everything based off what parts of my body I wanted to showcase & my self-perceived flaws that I didn’t want showing as much.

Next up, pamper yourself! Get your hair and makeup done beforehand, or do it yourself if you're a pro. It is so nice that they offer this in studio for all of us, and even better that Jen is the one doing your hair & makeup. It makes it a little less awkward to undress after you’ve been chatting with her for over an hour & feel like you two would be best friends outside of this! Don't forget to take care of your skin too - exfoliate and moisturize to ensure a smooth and glowing complexion.

Lastly, relax and have fun! Boudoir sessions should be a celebration of your beauty and sensuality, so don't be afraid to let loose and express yourself. Let Brian & Jen guide you through poses and movements, but also feel free to bring your own ideas to the table. They are amazing at working in any inspiration or props you have.

So there you have it, girlfriend - follow these tips and you'll be ready for your boudoir close-up in no time. Now scroll on down past my sexy photos and send them a message! Xoxo, Miss Y

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

How bare do I go?

Hey there!!! Thanks so much for stopping by. If you’re new here, welcome!!! We are a boudoir studio located in Northeast Ohio. A boudoir session can be for anyone, man or woman (over the age of 18). We believe that everyone should experience a boudoir session at least once in their life. It is such an empowering experience. The self-confidence you can gain from it will last a lifetime. The feeling you walk away with should be something you can look back on and remember forever.

Now, I know if you are reading this, it’s probably not the first time you’ve heard about boudoir photography. Maybe it’s something you’ve been considering for quite some time. Maybe it’s something you’ve seen or heard from a friend. Maybe you’ve been following us on social media and contemplating it for yourself. But you wonder…”Can I do it too? Should I do it? Why would I do it? How nude do I need to get? Will someone judge me? Will I look ridiculous?” I’m sure these are just a FEW of the questions that run through your mind when you even think about doing this for yourself. Well, let me ease your mind a little and start by answering one of these questions for you now…I hope to answer more over the next few months. Should you decide to book a session, we send you a ton of information about what to expect, what to wear, a questionnaire to get an idea of what you envision and so much more.

So to start, let’s answer the question, How much skin do you need to show? It is perfectly normal for your mind to think “all the way”. But I assure you, you can show as little or as much skin as you are comfortable with. Most of our clients do end up fully naked by the end of their shoot with us, but only because they are so much more comfortable then they thought they would be. Before we even get started, I will ask you how much skin you would like to show in your photos. At this point, we have just met and most of our clients are a little hesitant and unsure. I explain that there are different levels of nudity. We typically start your session with an outfit that covers the most. While some clients don’t mind to bare all in their photos, others are comfortable going naked but not showing all the goods and using sheets or hand placement to not let any of their private parts be seen. Other clients prefer to keep covered the entire time. Whatever you decide is perfectly fine. We will only do what YOU are comfortable with. There is never any pressure to bare all or be pushed too far out of your comfort zone. No matter what your decision is, know that everything we do will be done respectfully and tasteful. We’ve included a few examples from past clients who have given full permission to share their images below. If you would like more information on booking your own #SheerExperience, please fill out the form below and we will send you more info.

IS THAT ME?!?!

It’s still so hard to believe that it is me in these photos.

When I started this adventure I researched every place that offered boudoir photography and even thought about if I could do it myself, but when it came right back to the facts Sheer Photography had the best price for a professional and SAFE experience. 

Never was I scared, heck, I could see myself stripping it all off again.  It was so good for me. I use to weigh a lot; like 300 lbs., then I lost over half of that and ended up divorced after 15 years. All my kids are grown up and I’ve felt ugly, insecure, zero confidence and hated my body. 

Doing this boudoir session, was the perfect chance for someone to show me what I had to offer myself. The Sheer Experience did so much for me. I left there thinking I could make it again and even started looking for a better job.

Brian & Jen made me realize I have a worth and I can’t let anyone, a man, friends, or even family destroy that. I hope all women look at my pictures and realize that I'm definitely not a size 4 and that I even was heavier then I wanted when I came in for pictures but I am beautiful!! Love yourself. Every morning and every night I go to bed remembering this when I look at my wall art.