Each client has her own reason for wanting to pose for a boudoir session. And every now and then I get a client who hires me, and she is doing the shoot purely for her own pleasure. She wants to have the photos for her own appreciation of who she is, right now, at this special point in her life-whatever that may be. I love shooting those sessions.
More often than not, though, my clients are looking to gift their photos to someone special in their lives.  These days you can get pretty creative with how you do it.   Here are some creative ways to gift your boudoir photos.

The fantastic thing about photo albums or photo books, is that, no longer are they boring, generic covers with the peel-back plastic coating. These days, photo albums are highly customizable and can be made for any occasion. You can add a favorite quote or song lyric, perhaps a meaningful poem or even your wedding vows. You can even purchase smaller versions for the traveling business guy in your life. Give it to your love while wearing one of the outfits from the shoot and let him unwrap you!

Could you describe your guy as dapper? Or maybe he’s just old-fashioned? While this is quite small for displaying a gift, pocket watches are very personal objects, and have a perfect spot for displaying a personal photo.  Imagine your love opening his pocket watch, and every time having no choice but to think of you.

This one isn’t exactly revolutionary in the world of photo display, but it sure looks good.  This needs to be a photo that you want to proudly display. It also should be one that you don’t mind the occasional person who you’ve allowed to enter your bedroom/closet/master bath see.  Because, eventually, someone will, and it’s not worth feeling embarrassed.  Canvas and metal prints are great and look fantastic printed as sets of two or so and comes in a variety of sizes.

If you thought the pocket watch would be tiny, this is even smaller. If your love is constantly on his computer, or just a techie in general, a customizable jump drive is a great, low budget and practical gift. What I’ve noticed about guys, is that they never get around to printing photos.  So, snag the USB and print off a few favorites and sneak them into places he’ll look.  Avid reader? Sneak it into the next chapter of his book or behind the first fold of the newspaper. Some of my other favorites are putting a photo in his briefcase/suitcase, above the car visor, in the gym bag, in a clothes drawer and in his shaving kit. The possibilities are endless, and the surprise of wondering when he’ll find the next one is sexy

Like I said before, guys are terrible at printing photos, so do it yourself. Matted silk prints give the photos that extra “umph” of quality. Keep a collection in a luxurious keepsake box that you love to display or can be pulled out on a whim. Even better, have a few framed in a portfolio mat and set them out on his nightstand occasionally, for the reminder of how beautiful you are and how lucky he is.  The two of you knowing what is inside the keepsake box, while having it be unbeknown to others feels a little secretive and sultry.

My last suggestion is to consider who it is you are giving this gift to. If they are very conservative and would blush at the thought of anyone seeing your photo, maybe the large metal print isn’t the best choice.  If they (and you) couldn’t be more proud, then post that baby up on the wall!  Whatever you decide, they’re going to love it.  Save the ties and button-ups for that promotion gift and do something a little saucy!

Today we are going to tackle a hard topic……Why are Boudoir Photos expensive? Maybe you’ve looked into having boudoir pictures before; maybe you haven’t. If you have, you may have noticed something...Boudoir photography is a LOT more expensive than most other types of photography and that leaves a lot of women surprised!  Ever wonder why it’s so expensive?

I can’t speak for every business out there, but I’m going to break it down for you and explain the in’s and out’s of boudoir photography and why it’s so different from other types of photography.

The first thing to ask yourself if you’re considering booking a boudoir experience is “What are you worth?” Don’t get me wrong, it’s NOT how much money you make or how popular you are. I mean, what price would you put on your self-confidence? What would you pay for a chance to feel comfortable in your own skin? If you’re anything like me, the answer is “my self-worth, my confidence, and feeling good in my own skin is absolutely PRICELESS.” And that’s absolutely the goal, to walk away with an experience that can’t be measured by money, but a feeling.

That’s what a good boudoir experience is all about. Boudoir is all about seeing yourself in a new light, empowering yourself, gaining confidence and falling in love with the body you are in NOW. Photos are simply the way your remember that feeling, so just one small part of that experience.

So, what is a boudoir experience with us like?

Well, it’s just that. It’s an EXPERIENCE, not just a photoshoot!

We have designed our whole boudoir experience to be a day filled with pampering, luxury, and self-love. And we are here to help you through the entire experience, from the first consult  to creating a gift you can look back on with love for decades. We know how to capture beautiful, flattering photos of all shapes, sizes, colors and styles. We have spent hundreds of hours on training on everything lighting to posing and editing. We use the best hair and make-up team to highlight your natural beauty and transforming you into the best version of yourself. We have invested thousands into a massive client closet, that includes outfits and lingeries from sizes XS-6x and shoes in every size, so our clients can skip over the stress of shopping and arrive to the session relaxed.


One of the biggest differences in Boudoir Photography than a traditional photography session are the over-head costs. A Boudoir photographer is providing everything: the location, the hair and make-up, and the wardrobe…..can you imagine how expensive wedding photography would be if they provided everything. Boudoir Studios have these costs:
    - A private studio space - including utilities, maintenance and taxes
    - A Client Closet - outfits, shoes, and accessories
    - Hair and Make-up Artist - professionally trained to work with all skin types, and hair styles and textures.
    - Secure and Private photo storage and print labs
    - High-end luxury album and artwork options with the best security offerings

That doesn’t include the THOUSANDS spent on equipment, THOUSANDS spent on education, the THOUSANDS spent on software, website, business licenses, marketing, etc. It does not include the HUNDREDS that we spend on the final products such as prints, albums, wall art, etc. It doesn't take into account the fact that, as a legitimate business, we have to set aside about 30% of what you pay us for taxes alone!

Timing is also a huge factor for a boudoir photographer. A boudoir shoot should never feel rushed , so the average shoot is 3x longer than a normal photo session.

Retouching is another major difference in boudoir photography. While other types of photography only retouch faces, a boudoir photographer is retouching the entire body, so the editing time is triple the time of other types of photography too.


Does it still seem as “expensive” as you thought?

Maybe it doesn’t seem as expensive now, but it also still sounds like it’s out of your budget?

That’s fine! Boudoir is definitely an investment. You should get to experience this at least once in your lifetime! It's an investment in yourself! That’s why we offer payment plans.

Let's talk about what you want and what you feel you can afford (per week, per two weeks, per month, whatever works for you!) and create a custom payment plan together! Payments do not have to be made all at once. The payment terms are flexible and interest free. 

Basically, if you really want to do this, there are a TON of ways to make it happen. Don’t be afraid of the price because we can ALWAYS work with you!

Ready to learn more? Let's chat!

I know you don't believe me.  But, your body is beautiful. It's a thing to be celebrated.  You have been through so much with your body.  It brought you to this point.  Even if it's not what you consider ideal, it really is a beautiful vessel.  It has taken you on trips, it's brought you through sorrow, it walked you down the aisle at your wedding, it bore your children, it keeps you alive.  It is worth celebrating exactly as it is!

For those of you on a weight loss journey or who want to begin a weight loss journey, it's especially important to love your body exactly the way it is. When you love yourself, you learn to be kind to yourself, which makes it easier to make the healthy decisions your body needs you to make.  Does that mean you shouldn't lose weight?  Not necessarily- that could be very important to your future health depending on your personal life. It simply means to love yourself...and not to hate yourself. Boudoir is a beautiful way to commemorate your body and to love it. Women who want to lose weight or think they are 'too big' for sessions like this, often come in hesitant about what their final photos will look like.  And every single one has left loving everything about their photos. They learn to fall in love with themselves and their weight after their boudoir session. It is a very important tool in learning to love yourself exactly the way you are.  And once you love yourself, the process of being kind to yourself is much easier.

Yes, you still have reservations. You have love handles. You have rolls. You are in a size that makes you want to cry. You're afraid that you will look awkward or not like all of the other beautiful images you've seen.  You think only skinny girls can look good in these kinds of photos. 
Do you want to know my secret?  It is posing and angles.  I have a ton of experience on how to make ALL women look good in their photos.  I know how to pose you to hide or minimize your personal areas of insecurity. 
I've got you, girl! You've got this! We've got this!  Let's celebrate your body exactly the way it is now!  Your weight does not define you!

Whether you are doing a solo boudoir photo session or a couples session, it can be difficult to prepare for your session beforehand to ensure that you get the results that you are looking for. Of course, communication with your photographer is key prior to the session, but Pinterest can be the key to helping you communicate what you are aiming for.

There is a plethora of boudoir images on Pinterest that could inspire you and help prepare for your session. Sure, you could bounce around a lot of different photography websites, but that can be time consuming for one, and all photographers have their own style of shooting. With Pinterest, you can simply type in things like “boudoir wardrobe ideas, boudoir posing ideas, couples boudoir poses, boudoir accessory ideas” and you will instantly have PLENTY of images to just scroll through all in one spot. See something that fits your style, taste or personality? Simply save the images or links and send them over to your photographer. This will give your photographer a general idea of what you are aiming for, as well as the type of poses you will be comfortable with. 

Most photographers try to stray from mimicking other photographers’ work down to every detail. But actually visually showing them examples is a great way for the both of you to get on the same page. After all, this is YOUR session that you are investing in. You should be pleased with the overall experience and the finished images!
Does this mean that your photographer won’t suggest their own poses during the session? No. Most boudoir photographers have a great eye and may recognize potential poses that would help bring out your best assets through your poses. Are you required to do any poses that you aren’t comfortable with? Absolutely not! But it’s always nice to hear a professionals suggestions. 

Lastly, Pinterest is great for preparing for your wardrobe. One of the biggest questions I get asked pertains to wardrobe suggestions. Pinterest can give you lots of ideas for lingerie, heels, accessories (such as jewelry), and other ideas to help make the session more personal using perhaps your SO’s button up shirt or favorite football team jersey. 
If you feel you are having a hard time communicating exactly what you are looking for with this experience, or if you may even be unsure yourself because it something new to you, Pinterest would be a great place to start!
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There seems to be a common misconception when it comes to Boudoir photography. While tasteful beautiful seductive images DO make great gifts for your significant other, you do not need to be in a relationship or married to have a session. Boudoir sessions are more than just a photo shoot, they are an experience. Every female deserves to enjoy this experience at least once in their lifetime.

Ladies of all ages can get caught up in the hustle and bustle of everyday life. It is very easy to “let yourself go” if you do not take the time to take care of yourself and treat yourself occasionally. Enjoying a glass of wine with a book in a bubble bath, getting a new hair style or manicure, or planning a spa day just to have some rest and relaxation time are all wonderful examples of self-care. 
The experience of a boudoir photo session is also an excellent way to treat yourself. Many of us need to find ways to remind ourselves that we are beautiful. Stress and life in general can easily cause us to lose our confidence and self-esteem. A Boudoir session can give us an outlet to feel beautiful and regain that self confidence that we tend to lose over the years. 
These types of sessions are not just about taking photos of you. You get to be pampered and get your hair and make-up professionally done. The goal is to get you as relaxed as possible and to highlight all your best features to make you feel gorgeous in front of that camera. You will leave the session feeling so courageous and empowered. You will leave knowing that you still got it, girl! 
Social media, TV shows, movies, etc., tend to leave us feeling just not good enough. We are either too thin or too heavy, too pale or too dark, too short or too tall. The reality is, we are ALL unique and built differently! We need to learn to embrace our bodies and learn to love them, flaws and all. A Boudoir experience is perfect for doing just that! 
You do not need to have a special someone in your life as a reason to have a Boudoir session. In fact, they are perfect for single ladies! Maybe you have been scorned in a relationship or marriage? These sessions are a wonderful way to remind you that THEY lost something special. 
Maybe you just aren’t having any luck in the dating world, so you are flying solo until the perfect one comes along? It can be easy to fall into the mindset that you just aren’t good enough for a relationship. Boudoir sessions can definitely change your mind and make you see yourself in a different light.  
So, do YOURSELF a favor and treat yourself to one of the best experiences that a woman can have. You will leave feeling amazing and confident and beautiful. And when you see your images for the first time you will see yourself in a way that will leave you knowing that you are a gorgeous, beautiful woman who is in fact, good enough!

There seem to be many myths pertaining to boudoir photography. And unfortunately, these myths prevent many women from participating in this amazing experience! Let’s go ahead and bust five of the biggest myths and ease your fears if you find yourself being hesitant.


1. I have to be naked.
It doesn’t matter if you’re wearing lingerie, a potato sack, or nothing at all. The main purpose of Boudoir photography is to empower the subject, not to make them uncomfortable. There is only one person who dictates how far you need to go with your shoot in order to reveal your inner goddess, and that is you. You don’t have to jump up and down on the bed in your birthday suit to feel empowered, though if you choose to do so, you will not be judged for it.


2. I am not perfect.
Yes, you are! Who you are in this very moment is exactly who you should be as you begin this journey. I’ve photographed every age, size, shape, color, whatever, and the results are always gorgeous. There are too many things in this life that we choose not to experience because we don’t match societies beauty standards. Boudoir photography will help release the chains that bind you, and you will see that anything is possible!


3. I will be judged for it.
Your shoot will be exactly what you want it to be, but there is naturally an element of sexuality to it. When it comes to something so incredibly personal, there are bound to be feelings of vulnerability and the fear of being judged. It is not for anyone but you to decide what makes you feel like a goddess. I’m there as a facilitator, and to capture it in the art of photography. I do not judge. Besides, nobody will see these photographs unless you choose to share them. They can be your little secret!


4. Everybody will see my photographs.
As the client, YOU decide what I can use for promotional purposes. After your shoot is over, you will go through the photographs and choose your favorites, but you will also choose if there are any photographs you are willing to let me use for my portfolio and for other promotional use such as our women -only VIP Facebook group and my web site. I require explicit permission in writing before I post a boudoir photograph online. If you decide you do not want your photographs posted online then this is completely fine too. They are your pictures to do with as you see fit. We shoot a lot of our promo work with willing models for this reason!


5. I don’t have someone (a partner/ significant other) to do this for.
Yes, you do! These photographs are for YOU above all else. Sure, lots of people have these sessions done so that they can give their partner a gift he/she will never forget, and of course that’s a wonderful idea. However, first and foremost, a boudoir photo session is a gift to YOU!

Have any questions? I'm here to guide you through the entire process! You can START HERE. 

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​Valentine's Day is a time when some of us choose to celebrate love in a few different ways. For some, it's buying chocolate and flowers; for others, it's going out to a nice dinner. Then for some people, it's doing something extra special just for yourself! I thought it would be fun to showcase some photos from a boudoir session that showcase the iconic colors of Valentine's Day: pink and red. 

Whether you are thinking about doing a Valentine's Day inspired boudoir session, or you just love all things pink and red, I hope these fabulous photos inspire you to reward yourself because you are awesome!

I wanted to write this blog thanking all of my clients for an AMAZING 2021! I had such a busy and fruitful year, and that would not have been possible without all of you ladies who supported and cheered me on. I know that as active women, we tend to forget about ourselves and just go, go, go. But in 2021, I felt that I connected with so many of you, which brought me joy and real enlightenment. What else have I discovered in 2021? So many of you ladies are more strong, determined, and lovely than you realize, and when I got to help you see it by doing a boudoir session or interacting with you on social media, it helped me look inward and be more loving to myself as well. YOU ALL helped TEACH me to be a better woman and appreciate who I am more than I have in a long, long time. So THANK YOU! 

I look forward to what 2022 will bring to my business, family, and friendships with all of you. I cherish each and every client and person who has believed in me and the vision I have for Haute View Boudoir Photography. 

I leave you now with just some of the gorgeous boudoir photos I had the pleasure of taking in 2021!

I would be happy to answer any questions you have! Here are the questions that come up the most....


I really can’t model, can you help me?
I’m going to show you every pose and direct you from head to toe. I have also been known to show the back of my camera, so you can see what I see! Nothing like a boost of confidence to know that the somewhat awkward pose you are in looks drop-dead gorgeous.


I don’t know how to pose/look sexy. Will you guide me through the session?
I am going to walk you through every step of the process. From which outfits to wear first to where you will pose and each expression. Don't worry I've got tricks for those sexy expressions ;)







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When will I get to see my photos?
Your ordering session is scheduled for 1-2 weeks after your shoot. On that day you’ll get to see your edited photos and pick the ones you want to keep, order, and cherish forever. 


Where will my boudoir session take place?
Your session will take place in my Chattanooga, TN studio. Our studio is deigned just for boudoir, with large windows, lots of different furniture, backdrops, and SO MANY sheet sets. 


Do I have to wax?
No, you don’t. Body hair grooming is personal and do what you feel comfortable with. However, if you are interested in waxing please follow these tips.
If you have never waxed, plan it out, so you have had at least one wax 10-12 weeks before your shoot to see how your skin reacts. If you handled it well with no skin irritation and you didn't mind the pain go back again about a week before your boudoir session. Sugar Moon Studio is a popular place for any waxing or esthetician needs. 
 
Do you offer hair & makeup?
Yes! It's a huge part of the experience and I use only the best, of course. 


What should I wear? 
Don't worry, I will walk you though this entire process. I have helpful guides when it comes to shopping for lingerie and I also keep a huge client closet with different sizes XS-6x in all colors, shapes, and comfort levels. (washed and sanitized after every try-on)  I'm here to guide you no matter your figure, your vision, and your comfort level. 


Will my photos be posted on your website? Can my photos be kept private?
All photographs will be kept private until you say otherwise.


How far in advance should I schedule my shoot? 
Get on the books as soon as possible! I am booking sessions 8-12 weeks from your inquiry call date. I want to ensure we have enough time to get you in the studio for your boudoir shoot and have plenty of time to get your handcrafted album in your hands before your special occasion.


Do I have to get naked for my boudoir shoot?
Short answer NO. This session is completely up to you and your comfort level. But, Why not?! Here's the deal, BODYSCAPES... gorgeous, classic, timeless, fine-art photographs.  All nude poses are photographed tastefully and of course, only if you feel comfortable.
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Here in Chattanooga, we have a variety of delicious restaurants for everyone! If you are looking for a one-of-a-kind breakfast/lunch place, we definitely recommend Kenny's Sandwiches. One of our favorite local spots for a nice dinner is St. John's Restaurant. St. John's is known for its Chef specials, beef filets, and extensive wine list. Are you looking for great sushi or ramen place? We recommend Two Ten Jack. They are known for their delicious soups and fresh sushi. If sushi isn't your thing, then how about some authentic Italian food? Tony's Pasta Shop & Trattoria is well known for its delicious fresh bread, large salads, and homemade pasta. After you've indulged in a homemade feast, we recommend heading over to Rembrandt's Coffee House for a local cup of joe and a decadent dessert. We could discuss so many more delicious restaurants! But at the very least, we'll drop a few links below so you can explore your options.

• Frothy Monkey
• Hi-Fi Clyde's
• Community Pie
• Taco Mamacita
• The Hot Chocolatier 
• The Boathouse Rotisserie & Raw Bar
• Public House

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We can't wait to see you, and please feel free to reach out with any questions about additional recommendations during your Chattanooga weekend getaway. 

• Email: brittany@lifewithaviewstudio.com