Laying it all out there…

(In case you’re nervous to ask, but always feel free, nothing is off limits.)

What happens if I feel nervous about getting undressed?

Nerves are totally normal, and honestly to be expected. We ease into each part of the shoot gradually. Often we’ll start with something soft and covered — like an outfit, robe, or lingerie — and build confidence and connection from there. Always feel welcome to ask as many questions, even sensitive ones, as you like. There’s no such thing as too many, silly, or off-limits questions. This goes for anytime before the shoot, and especially during the shoot. You’ll never be rushed. This is a safe, intentional space.

Should I prep or groom my body in a certain way before the shoot?

In terms of prepping your body, the biggest things are staying hydrated, applying lotion right before the shoot, getting plenty of sleep the night before, wear loose clothing day-of (including bra/panties), and making sure to have at least a small bite to eat, an empty stomach won’t actually serve you well in the shoot. As for grooming, you get to decide what feels right. Whether you prefer to be waxed, landing strip, triangle, or fully natural — it’s entirely your choice. I recommend whatever helps you feel most sensual and comfortable in your skin. Most women opt for a sculpted/groomed look, or totally bare, but as with everything, it’s all about what you want! Importantly though, don’t try out any new skin care treatments or routines for a couple weeks before the shoot in case there happens to be any adverse effects.

Preparing mentally is just as important; remember this shoot is first and foremost for you (even if it’s a gift), so remember why that’s important, and practice positive self talk the night before or morning of a shoot. Visualize how you want to look, and practice moving and touching your body, it’s helpful to feel sexy in private first before doing it for a photoshoot. Don’t be shy to bust out a mirror to see how poses/movements look! Talk through your nerves, I’m available any time for a phone call or text message (unless I’m currently in a shoot of course), I’m your partner in this so feel free to utilize me as a source of confidence and information leading up to the shoot.

After booking, you’ll receive a full preparation checklist of things to think about to make sure you’re physically and mentally ready for the shoot.

Why do you show more revealing images compared to other boudoir photographer’s portfolios?

The quick answer is really simple, because normalizing nudity dismantles shame. We don’t believe any part of the human body is “obscene,” we believe it’s a work of art and can, or even should be celebrated. Of course empowerment looks different to everyone, and this is a personal decision, but in our experience, photo sets that include more revealing/explicit imagery makes a stronger impact, especially as it relates to female reclamation and/or awakening of their erotic and sensual side. And of course there’s a whole spectrum to what that could look like. We strive to create an environment with absolute safety and comfort when it comes to vulnerability, and by celebrating the entire body, hopefully that avoids artificially introducing any shame or embarrassment. So that’s why we show everything in our portfolio, to give that permission structure and to normalize it. But of course, the shoot is entirely dictated by you and what you’d like to show, which means you can be as revealing or not revealing as you want. We know it can all feel a bit taboo, which is why we’re being up front about it in the portfolio, and in this FAQ, just in case you want to ask but aren’t sure about it, because we don’t want any questions to go unasked, and certainly not unanswered. The body is sculpture, not scandal.

What locations do you have to shoot in/do you recommend?

We can shoot anywhere you want! To share in the vulnerability, I’m happy to invite you into my home studio where you won’t be surrounded by a bunch of staff. We can also shoot at your place where you feel comfortable and familiar, we can shoot in nature, we can shoot in an urban setting. One of the most popular is at a boutique hotel that has an aesthetic that resonates with you. This is a good option because it gives you a fun space to enjoy before and after the shoot and offers lots of possibilities for the photos. I have a list if you’re interested in some good options here. If you can dream it, we can shoot it!

Do you provide hair and makeup services?

The packages we offer don’t include hair and makeup. We’re not like other boudoir studios who markup prices on all the external services to try to make more money. We can certainly recommend some talented hair and makeup artists if you’d like a referral, however unless you’re going for a high-fashion kind of look where a lot of makeup is used to go for a certain style, we think it’s better to do your usual makeup for going out on the town, for a few reasons; 1) the time you spend with yourself getting ready before the shoot should be a part of the ritual to get into the headspace and connect with yourself without distractions, 2) wearing makeup you’re familiar with and comfortable in will translate to more confidence and comfortability during the shoot, 3) some boudoir makeup just looks too overdone and unnatural and is difficult to edit in the retouching process post-shoot (especially with foundations), 4) It’s very important to us at Castle Pines Boudoir that you’re getting a fair price on high-end and expert specialized photography, it’s why we don’t charge sitting fees, sessions fees, gallery fees etc, our prices our structured to include the shoot, the editing, and the digital delivery of your package in order to keep prices lower for our customers.

Can I do some photos in lingerie and some fully nude?

Yes — most clients choose a range, and I definitely recommend it as it facilitates getting into a good flow and starting off slow to ease into the more revealing images. We often begin with an outfit, lingerie or something sheer maybe, then shift into partial/implied, and then full nudity as you get more comfortable. Having a variety helps tell a story, especially if you order a book (highly recommended!), as you page through and slowly reveal more and more, and the viewers (you and/or a loved one) heart beats faster as they make their way through the images!

How do I prepare mentally for being nude on camera?

Treat your session like a sacred ritual. Set aside time the day before, or directly before the shoot to rest, hydrate, stretch, and connect to your body. Journaling, sensual music, and movement can help you drop into your erotic energy before stepping into the shoot. And of course remember, this will be fun and empowering! Bring your authentic and unapologetic self!

Do you retouch and edit the photos?

Yes absolutely, they will be professionally edited to the standards of a high-end fashion magazine to include color grading as well. I make sure to preserve your natural beauty while enhancing tone, light, and polish. You’ll never have to worry about a pimple, hair out of place, or bruises. I can also leave anything you want to remain, like a scar or birthmark that are part of what makes you, you. My general rule is if it wasn’t there two weeks ago, and won’t be in two weeks, I probably remove it, but of course that’s totally your call.

This service is already built into the pricing as well. You’ll never be uncharged for additional editing or retouching. I’m not simply applying a preset, maybe making a few adjustments, the images you’ll receive will be fully and professionally edited to the standard of fashion magazines, that’s part of why women choose Castle Pines Boudoir. I actually have more than a decade in the fashion photography world and you’re truly receiving a high-end product.

I’ve never posed nude before — what if I don’t know how to look sexy?

Newsflash, you already are sexy! Looking sexy is about feeling sexy! You don’t need to know anything about posing, that’s what I’m here for. I’ll guide you through flattering, expressive poses that connect you to your sensuality — whether it’s soft and shy, bold and wild, or anything in between. The more you’re able to be present with yourself and your body, the sexier you will feel, and the photos will reflect. I promise, you will be shocked at how good you can look without ever having done this before. You’re not here to perform — you’re here to feel, and be more connected to your sensuality.

Can I do a video-only session, or add it onto my photo shoot?

Both are certainly available. You can book a standalone erotic video experience, or add video as an enhancement to your photoshoot. Most clients choose a hybrid session — blending stills and motion into one seamless experience, whether that’s predominantly stills with a short highlight video, or mostly video with a few stills in your favorite poses. I’ll tailor the package for exactly what you want.

Is the video set to music or sound?

Yes, it will definitely be set to music — we will choose music that fits your energy and style: sultry, bold, fun-loving, tender, or wild. We can also include natural ambient sounds like breath or fabric moving. It’s designed to feel like a sensual short film of your most intimate self, and the audio is just as important as the visuals.

What kinds of self-touch are okay during the shoot?

All kinds — as long as it feels good to you. That could mean running your hands over your breasts, grazing your thighs, or exploring deeper, more erotic connection. We’ll always check in and move with intention, but this session is meant for you to connect with yourself on a deeper level. Especially for shoots designed with a significant other in mind, this becomes a popular feature of the shoot.

What if I want the photos to feel really erotic but still classy?

That’s my specialty. Erotic doesn’t mean explicit for the sake of shock — it means honest, sensual, powerful. I will craft these images to feel luxurious and raw — artful and daring, even with self-touch or toys without losing the artful and high-class vibe. This will be achieved through lighting, posing, depth of field, and camera angles while maintaining the lifestyle/editorial vibe.

Can I request certain nude poses?

Absolutely. This is your opportunity to fully explore your sensuality, for someone else, or for yourself. I want to make sure you get everything you want out of the experience, and to not regret having not doing more later. You’re always welcome to share any inspiration, preferences, or anything you’d like to avoid. This is a collaborative experience — and your boundaries are always honored, but YOU get to decide where that boundary is.