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February 19, 2020

The Ultimate Boudoir Guide | Portrait by Chrissy | Houston Boudoir Photographer

Houston Boudoir Studio Portrait Guide

Houston boudoir studio photographer has created this amazing and informative guide for all clients and prospective clients who plan to book or are considering booking a boudoir session in our Houston boudoir studio. We hope you find this guide informative and resourceful…

INTRODUCTION TO BOUDOIR

Thinking about booking a boudoir session? Are you on the fence? Have questions? Just curious? I got you! I am creating this Ultimate Boudoir Booking Guide to help you understand more about boudoir, what to expect, and answer some common questions. When you are considering a boudoir shoot it can be nerve-racking, I know, I went through it myself, but once you’ve done it you’ll realize how much fun you actually had and how much you will love your images.

First, what is boudoir? Boudoir is French for a woman’s sitting or dressing area. In portraiture, boudoir simply means “in the bedroom.” A lot of people believe a common myth that boudoir means nudity, while fine art nude portraits are often a part of boudoir, it does not have to be. You are in full control on how modest or spicy your session goes. Let’s dive a little deeper into the different types of portraiture intwined or lumped into boudoir and what is boudoir and what is not boudoir.

Boudoir Portraits – boudoir portraits is a common style of portraiture that is generally shot in a bedroom or studio setting showcasing feminine portraits in various styles of posing showing off curves and poses that accentuate a woman’s body.

Fine Art Nudes – often interlaced with boudoir, fine art nudes is a portraiture style that showcases the human body and human form in a state or various states of undress.

Implied Nudes – another category of portraiture that is often interlaced with boudoir where the subject is nude in the studio during the shoot but is strategically posed so the nipples, areola, and genital area is covered.

Erotic Photography – this is a separate genre from boudoir and often people associate this style of portraiture with boudoir. In erotic portraiture, the subject is often posed in sexually suggestive poses, nothing is left to the imagination, and often every aspect of the shoot is intended to sexually entice. – Portrait by Chrissy Boudoir does not photograph erotic nudes.

Now that you know a bit about boudoir, let’s talk about the Portrait by Chrissy Boudoir Experience…

THE PORTRAIT BY CHRISSY BOUDOIR EXPERIENCE

The Portrait by Chrissy Boudoir Experience includes complimentary dry hair styling and makeup application for those who want it, some of my clients like a natural look and that is fine too. On the day of your session clients arrive to my Houston boudoir studio at 10 am and go into hair and makeup. Hair and makeup lasts anywhere from an hour to an hour and a half depending on how much hair you have.

Once hairstyling and makeup is complete, or if you have opted for a natural look, we go through your wardrobe and start planning the oder of wardrobe, additional accessories, and backdrop/scene. Each boudoir session comes with 3-4 outfits/looks (fine art nudes count towards a look/outfit). This process generally takes about 10-20 minutes.

Once we have the game plan the shoot begins. I begin to guide you through a series of poses keeping in mind any concerns you will address in the booking process and keeping poses strategic and flattering to your body shape, and minimize insecurities. The shoot generally lasts about an hour and a half.

After your shoot clients come back to our Houston boudoir studio in 2-3 weeks to review their images and make album selections, order upgrades, and any additional product such as wall art or enlargements.

PORTRAIT BY CHRISSY BOUDOIR STYLES

Detail Shots

Detail shots focus on body parts and body form. From collarbones, to spines, to legs, to hands, detail shots are more artful but flaunt beautiful detail of your body.

Classic Boudoir

Classic boudoir features the classic boudoir poses that is traditionally showcased in boudoir. Arched backs, pointed toes, every detail of the body is carefully posed and placed.

Semi-Silhouette | Backlit

Backlit beautiful portraits with a burst of light from behind, softening the skin, making a dreamy and beautiful portrait.

Fine Art Nude and Implied Nude

Nude portraits that showcase the female form artfully and tastefully posed in classic boudoir or in an artful or strategic pose.

Movement

Portrait by Chrissy Boudoir fav! Body in motion and movement frozen beautifully in portraiture

Body Art

Body art is classic poses that show off the human body and form in an art form with museum sculpture like posing. Think Greek goddess…

Cozy Boudoir

Perfect for the girl next door or casual and cozy look.

Editorial Boudoir

Magazine like editorial chic boudoir look.

Beauty Portraiture

Beauty and portrait with a boudoir flare in a glam wrap or glam dress.

WARDROBE & STYLING BOUDOIR

When it comes to styling your boudoir shoot it doesn’t have to be difficult. In fact, you could probably find everything you need in your closet and dressers at home. There’s no need to run out and spend a ton of money on your boudoir attire unless of course, you want to.

When planning your boudoir session, plan each look to be different from one another do your session doesn’t seem repetitive. While I only shoot 3-4 looks, I recommend bring at least 6-8 outfits/pieces. Below are some examples of what to wear for your boudoir session:

Matching Bra and Panty
Bustier
Teddy
Bodysuit
Swim Suit
T-shirt and panty
Oversized T-Shirt
Kimono
Sheer Scarf

Black Jacket
Leather Jacket
Flowy Skirt and Bra
Slip
Comfy Robe
Sheer Robe
Lacy Robe
Your man’s favorite T-shirt
Open comfy Sweater

Off the shoulder T-shirt
Off the shoulder sweater
Sleepshirt
Granny panties and a tank
Boy short panties and a tank
Jeans and a tank/bra
Faux or fur coat/jacket
Sheer button down blouse
Go nude

Where to get your boudoir wardrobe:

Start with your own closet!

Amazon! You can even see my Boudoir Shopping List on Amazon.

Top Drawer Lingerie. Located in the UpTown center off Post Oak and 610. Top drawer has a beautiful selection of lingerie, brans and panties, bodysuits and teddy’s, robes and kimonos, and so much more. You can get a proper fitting and if you need custom alterations, they can fit you and prep for your alteration of your purchase. Alterations take 2-3 weeks.

Online Shopping

Need to get Inspired? Of course follow me on Instagram and Facebook. Also, follow my Boudoir Pinterest Board as well as my Wardrobe Ideas for Boudoir Pinterest Board

PRODUCT & WALL ART

What products do I offer my clients? When I shoot I shoot with albums and wall art in mind.

In 2020 we will be adding more album options to our studio but for now we offer our signature album that is a beautiful vegan leather and hand-bound album in either 8×8, 10×10, or 12×12. As of February 17, 2020 all of Portrait by Chrissy Boudoir sessions will include our base album which is an 8×8 album with 8 images in a 10 page album spread. To see our pricing list please visit our pricing request page and fill out the request form and it will automatically send you our pricing list.

In addition to albums, Portrait by Chrissy also offers clients fine art prints and wall art.

COMMON CONCERNS ADDRESSED

A lot of women have concerns when it comes to boudoir, in this section I am going to address what is common objections or worries when it comes to having your portraits done.

I am not sure this is for me…

Boudoir IS for you. It’s for every woman. You have full control over how modest or how spicy your boudoir shoot goes.

Yeah but all these women look like models…

But they’re not! They are women like you and I from all backgrounds and walks of life. In fact, most women who come through my studio feel as if they are not modelesque enough…until they see their final images! The most common phrase said after a client sees their images at their reveal is “I can’t believe that’s me.” ALSO, we need to address something, don’t compare yourself to other women, we are all beautiful and we are all unique which makes us even more beautiful.

Well, I am too old for boudoir…

(Yes, a client said that to me) No, one is too old to be photographed, and no one is too old to be photographed beautifully, and no one is too old to be photographed in boudoir.

I like the idea of boudoir, but I don’t want to be photographed naked…

You do not have to be naked to have a boudoir session. In fact, I have done fully clothed session. You have full control over how you are photographed.

I’m so insecure about my….

ALL women have something about their body they are insecure about! Often, our insecurities is our mind telling us we are not good enough when in fact we are. Never the less, when you book your session I will go over everything! If you don’t like or are worried about a specific part of your body, we will minimize and/or accentuate through posing and wardrobe. My Boudoir Prep Guide goes over everything from mom boobs to small bottoms.

I just need to lose 20 pounds first…

Let me be honest, you are probably perfect just as you are. Second, there is a myth that the camera adds 10 pounds, an inexperienced photographer adds 10 pounds. A professional photographer who is experienced in their profession can take 20 pounds off you through posing, angles, and using their equipment to its advantage. Now I want to get real with you, do you know every person who has said “Let me just lose____ first,” fast forward six months, one year, two years, and they STILL haven’t lost anything and a lot have gained. Don’t let the false idea of needing weight-loss to be photographed beautifully stop you from one of the most amazing experiences you can have.

I want to do this but I am not sure I can afford this…

I work with women from all walks of life and socioeconomic backgrounds. In the next session I’ll answer how you can afford your boudoir session as I make it easy for everyone to do this!

Q&A

In this final section, I will address some of the most common questions about boudoir and my boudoir studio.

Why black and white only for boudoir?

I love black and white and I think it’s more modern and aesthetically pleasing. Also, I want to be a bit different in a saturated market not just with black and white boudoir portraiture, but also have boudoir portraiture is photographed.

Where is your Houston boudoir studio located and is it an actual studio?

Good question! My studio is a home based studio. I converted a large room in my home to a home studio to work out of, while it is in my home, it is an actual studio. My studio is located in the CyFair Area of Houston in the Copperfield Area. In late 2020 I will be looking to open another studio location to inside the inner-loop.

Do you offer wardrobe?

I have limited wardrobe for boudoir in my studio. You are always welcome to use studio wardrobe for your shoot.

Do you give digitals?

Yes, yes I do. Every image selected for your album comes with a digital web image.

When do I see my images?

2-3 weeks after your shoot, you’ll come back to Portrait by Chrissy Boudoir’s studio to select the images you want in your album, select any album upgrades, and order addition wall art if you want wall art.

How long does product take to come in?

Prints and wall art take 7-14 days

Albums take up to 3 weeks from the date you approve your album design.

I don’t want an album, do you do print instead?

Yes, each package will come with a folio box with matted fine art print alternative you can select if albums are not your thing.

I don’t want prints either, I just want digitals do you do that?

You can do digitals only, it does not change the price of the session or images to a lower price point. Only web resolution digitals would be released. we will over digital options in your reveal session.

What does retouching go over?

When you book, you’ll receive a questionnaire that will go over all your retouching concerns. We can leave you natural in your beauty but we understand that some women want things out of their images, basic retouching includes removal of acne, blemishes, red spots, dark circles.

We can remove or soften scars, tattoos, stretch marks, eczema, psoriasis, cysts, at clients request.

I don’t want my images on social media, your website, or I want to control what is shown.

Not a soul outside you, me, and my professional print lab will see your images or know you had a shoot with me unless you give sharing permissions. At your reveal I have a form you will fill out with sharing permissions if you want your images shared at all. You can even set the control website and blog only, studio samples only, no one, etc… your privacy is our top concern.

Will you blog my images?

Only if you give permission.

What forms of payment do you accept?

As of February 2020 all payments are done through Square, our card processing merchant. we are no longer accepting PayPal or PayPal Me payments. Square accepts Apple Pay, Google Pay, Visa, Master Card, American Express, and Discover. Checks and cash are not accepted.

I’m pregnant and I’d like a boudoir like shoot. Do you do that?

Yes! We will photograph maternity in a boudoir style.

Can you shoot at my home or a hotel or an outside studio?

Yes! We are equipped to go mobile. We will not shoot in an AirBNB without express written consent from the owner, we can conduct your shoot in a hotel, and your home. There are several studios in Houston that rent to photographers and clients for sessions, the cost of the rental and all fees will be factored into the cost of your shoot. Please contact me at info@portraitbychrissy.com with the location, desired date, and any fees or permits required for full pricing plus a travel estimate for Portrait by Chrissy Boudoir.

Will you travel out of town or State to conduct a shoot for me?

Yes, all travel costs will be factored into the shoot. Please email me at info@portraitbychrissy.com with the location, desired date for a quote.

Do you photograph couples?

Not at this time. But we are considering…stay tuned.

Do you photograph men?

We are considering adding Dudeoir sessions but at this time we are not currently photographing men at our Houston boudoir studio…stay tuned.

How can I book my session?

To book your session at my Houston boudoir studio you can call or text me at 832-598-1172, or you can email me at info@portraitbychrissy.com as soon as you are ready to book.

Chrissy Guthrie is a professional boudoir portrait photographer in Houston, TX with her Houston boudoir studio located in the CyFair area of Houston near Cypress, TX and Katy, TX between 290 and I10 off Barker Cypress near Highway 6. All full modern boudoir sessions include the Portrait by Chrissy Experience which includes: Our comprehensive Boudoir Prep Guide, Hair styling and Makeup on the day of your session in our boudoir studio, five outfits or looks, guided posing with Chrissy’s own strategic posing system that works to flatter each woman’s figure, and fully retouched images. Chrissy walks clients through every step of their boudoir experience. For more information about scheduling your own boudoir session, or if you want more information on boudoir sessions, you can visit our Modern Boudoir section of our website, or you can fill out the form below and Chrissy will send you information on how you can have the boudoir session of your dreams.

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