planning your perfect boudoir experience welcome Thanks for picking up this booklet! I get so many questions CONTENTS from people who are interested in doing a boudoir session, I thought I would create a guide that 3 “this is me” explains the experience and gives some helpful tips. 4 nervous? awesome!

You probably received this directly 5 the experience from me, but in case someone else gave it to you, let me introduce 6 what’s your style? myself. I’m Cheshire Isaacs, the photographer (and graphic 7 “what should I bring?” designer!) behind Oaktown Boudoir. I have a cozy, creative, versatile studio near Lake Merritt in Oakland, CA. You can find 8 posing 101 out more about me at oaktownboudoir.com. 9 expressions I shot all of the photos in this guide at the studio. I hope the range of what you see here gives you a sense of how much is 10 finished items possible in the studio. Many thanks to the wonderful clients and models who have allowed me to share their images. 11 burning questions

This ebook ©2019 Cheshire Isaacs. No part of this publication Ready to find out how to plan your perfect boudoir experience? may be reproduced without the written permission of the Let’s dive in! author. All rights reserved.

oaktown boudoir · planning your perfect boudoir experience · 2 “this is me” Chances are, if you’re reading this, you already know what boudoir is and why you’re thinking about doing a session. But just in case...

Boudoir, at its most basic, consists of intimate images. That covers a wide range of content, but I often distinguish boudoir from glamour photography, which tends to be brightly or evenly lit and is often meant for a larger audience.

Boudoir, on the other hand, is often much more personal. I often think that a glamour image says “look at me,” whereas a boudoir image says “this is me.” And there’s nothing wrong with “look at me” either! Whatever style you want to create is totally up to you.

At its heart, boudoir is telling the story of who you are (or who you want to be) in this moment. People have all kinds of reasons for doing a boudoir session: often as a gift for a lover, but also a celebration of a time in your life (including maternity!), a reward for achieving a personal goal, a way of self-care, a journey of discovery, a bucket-list item, or any of a million other reasons.

And even when it’s a gift for someone else, it’s still a gift to yourself. So many times I’ve done a session with a client who ended up finding out just how confident they could be, how strong and empowered they felt, throughout and after their time in the studio.

Next: Nervous about shooting boudoir? That’s actually awesome.

oaktown boudoir · planning your perfect boudoir experience · 3 nervous? awesome!

Almost all of my clients come to me having from the outside world into your session. And for never done a boudoir session before; a vast some clients, meeting me before your session is majority of them have never done any kind of a wonderful way to break the ice and see what we professional shoot at all. So naturally they’re can create at the studio. pretty nervous before we begin. I often say that if a client is more excited than Being nervous is not only natural, it’s nervous, everything works out just fine. Once we awesome. Your nerves are telling you you’re begin and you see how much fun this experience doing something risqué, something daring, is, and how amazing you look on camera, nerves something exciting. They’re reminding you how start to fade away. Case in point: before their alive and brave you are. sessions began, the women on this page were extremely nervous. Just look at the confidence There are some things, though, that can help they have now. calm nerves a bit. Getting makeup and hair done at the studio is a great way to transition Next: All about the experience that awaits you.

oaktown boudoir · planning your perfect boudoir experience · 4 the experience Every photographer has their own process. Here’s how it works at Oaktown Boudoir.

Pricing: I price sessions separately from finished items such as prints, books, etc. (see options on page 10). The “Breeze” session is 90 minutes in the studio and covers 1-3 looks; the “Linger” session is 3 hours (4-6 looks) in the studio or on location. See oaktownboudoir.com for current pricing for sessions and finished items.

Before your session: We’ll set a date and time, and I’ll find out which session you’d like and whether you’ll want professional makeup and hair. I’ll also get a deposit from you to hold your date.* Finally, I’ll send you a questionnaire where you can tell me more about your goals for your session, as well as the tones you like, your physical features that you want to highlight, and even what music you prefer. I’ll also ask you to collect samples of boudoir images you love. Your questionnaire answers and inspiration images will help me get a good sense of your preferences and style.

During your session: We’ll take a look at the wardrobe you’ve brought and decide which settings will work best. While we’re shooting, I’ll give you loads of modeling tips and gentle guidance to find the poses and expressions that work best for you. We’ll laugh a lot, and I’ll have delicious snacks for you and play music you love. I’ll show you progress as we go so you can see just how amazing you look, and we can make adjustments as necessary.

After your session: I’ll send your gorgeous proofs in about a week, in a digital gallery that you can view from home. We may have already discussed which finished items you want, and we’ll plan those out after you see your proofs. If you have a deadline by which you need your finished items, I’ll make sure that you have your items by then.

Next: What’s your style?

The deposit is non-refundable, but if you find that you can’t make your session and you reschedule at least 48 hours in advance, your deposit is transferable one time. If I need to reschedule, I’ll refund your deposit in full if we can’t find a suitable new date. oaktown boudoir · planning your perfect boudoir experience · 5 what’s your style? In my planning questionnaire, I’ll ask you to tell me what tones you’d like your photos to have, with categories that span from innocent to explicitly erotic. I also give you the opportunity to let me know if there’s a tone or style that I haven’t mentioned that you would like. Here are examples of each:

abstract lighthearted/ dreamy an isolated detail that playful something very soft and captures a mood, perhaps innocent, sweet, and fun calming, ethereal

teasing mysterious seductive playful but with an edge giving off that hard-to-get vibe... it’s clear what you want — but not impossible-to-get and what you’ll do to get it

intense erotic (suggestive) erotic (explicit) when desire is etched into something is about to happen there are no limits (well, your gaze except the legal ones)

Next: Lingerie, jeans, and heels, oh my!

oaktown boudoir · planning your perfect boudoir experience · 6 “what should I bring?” One of the most frequent things people ask me is what they should wear in their session. My first answer is always: whatever makes you feel amazing, sexy, empowered.

Of course, that can be quite a wide range of things. And if you’re doing this as a gift for someone, you might also choose pieces you know that person likes to see on you, or clothing great bras bodysuits robes and that’s special for that person for and sets flattering for any body kimonos whatever reason: their favorite classic, either with or type and as revealing complement lingerie shirt or a team jersey or their without garter and or innocent as you like, or wear it commando uniform, for example. hose — just make sure they hug your curves for a tantalizing they fit you right and show (or hide) peek-a-boo It’s also a great excuse to whatever you prefer shop for something new. Treat yourself to some gorgeous new items that will look incredible in your photos. I highly recommend checking out Pink Bunny (pinkbunny.biz), a wonderful indie lingerie boutique in San Francisco. Oaktown Boudoir clients get 20% off their already reasonable prices, and their catalog, ever-changing, is absolutely to die for.

The other thing to keep in mind is to bring more than you think jeans, shirts, heels, toys, nothing at all we have time to shoot. It’s always dresses accessories it can range from better to have options. revealing what’s heels are always a implied (i.e., nothing underneath your good idea, pearls actually shows) to Finally, though you should bring favorite outfit (or never hurt, and artistic (more about your own bras and panties, etc., maybe something you depending on what form than sexuality) as individual fit is important, I do “borrowed” from your you’re into, toys can to porn, or anywhere have some robes, a man’s shirt, lover) is an absolutely send the heat factor in between, but only and accessories at the studio thrilling tease off the charts if you’re comfortable that you are welcome to borrow. with it — or want to be

Now, for some specific ideas... Next: Releasing your inner supermodel

oaktown boudoir · planning your perfect boudoir experience · 7 posing 101

Almost without exception, clients develop a newfound appreciation for what models do. Sometimes it’s as easy as laying on a bed, but it can also be quite challenging. Poses that look natural in the inspiration photos you love might actually be something of a core workout. But if you’re sore the next day, you’ll know you pushed yourself to create incredible images that show off your physicality in all its beautiful glory.

As we shoot, I’ll have you make subtle adjustments that lead to better images. Among the tips you’ll hear throughout our session:

Creating an S-curve with your body will show off your form. Depending on which angle I’m using to shoot, I may have you push your hip out or arch your back.

If your hair is parted particularly to one side, I’ll usually favor that side of your face and help you create a strong jawline.

I’ll often encourage you to bend elbows and knees to lengthen and flow with your body.

Certain classic poses work for everyone, such as laying on your back while I shoot from behind your head. Flattering for all.

I’ll have so many more tips for you as we shoot, and you’ll get to see how much small moves make a big impact.

Next: The story you tell with your eyes, your mouth, your hands

oaktown boudoir · planning your perfect boudoir experience · 8 expressions In boudoir, you’re often telling a story of a moment in time. It might be a story you’re telling yourself, or one you’re telling a lover. Regardless of whom it’s for, telling your story well means communicating emotion.

Based on the tones and style you want for your photos, that could mean any number of things, which we’ll explore during your session.

Your eyes could look into the camera to engage with your recipient, perhaps gently, perhaps intensely; you could look away or close your eyes for a more reflective feel.Your mouth could be smiling sweetly, joyfully, devilishly — or not be smiling at all, seductive or fierce. Your fingers could be delicately tracing your belly button, or they could be gripping the bedsheets in the throes of passion.

I can help you tell your story, whatever it is. More than one client has told me, “I don’t know how to make a sexy face.” A few small adjustments later, she’s giving the camera a look that would stop time. You can, too.

Next: The breathtaking finished results.

oaktown boudoir · planning your perfect boudoir experience · 9 finished items What will you do with your beautiful images? It can be as simple as having a few retouched favorites that you just keep on your electronic device of choice, or it can be a breathtaking custom-designed art book, anything in between or all of the above. Here are some choices — contact me for a current price list.

finished high-res digitals unmounted prints your proofs will be gorgeous as-is, but a little extra finished images printed professionally by the same attention to detail can take a photo to the next level; high-end company that prints our art books see more about finishing on the next page

custom-designed art book high-res gallery on usb your favorite finished photos in a custom-designed for the client who wants to see every juicy detail, book, laid out with care by a graphic designer with your complete unretouched gallery in full resolution over 25 years of experience (that’s me too) (4x the size of your proofs)

and more videos, framed prints, mounted prints, or anything else you can think of — just ask and we’ll make it happen

Next: Your burning questions, answered

oaktown boudoir · planning your perfect boudoir experience · 10 burning questions While every client is different, there are a few questions that come up repeatedly, such as... I’m self-conscious Can I bring a friend? Should I use about my ______. Definitely! Your comfort is my the studio or Should I wait to do it? highest priority (besides getting somewhere else? you amazing photos). I only ask Honestly, no. While it’s great to that your guest is someone who My wife and I designed the studio reward yourself for, say, reaching will help you feel freer to bring to be a welcoming, versatile a fitness goal, I urge you to not out this side of you. Bring your space — every shot in this book let anything external hold you best cheerleader and turn your was created there, and it’s where back. It’s not your body that’s session into a party. I shoot most often. I can easily sexy; it’s you. If I’ve done my job make it look like a different locale right, you’re going to be so glad for each of your looks. But the you jumped in and refused to let I don’t know whether luxury and energy of a gorgeous anything stop you. I’m ok with having a hotel suite is undeniable, and male photographer. sometimes even your own home is the right choice. It’s up to you. Do I need hair and I hear you — there are any makeup done by number of reasons that Are you going to put your makeup artist? someone might prefer a female photographer. That said, your my photos on your Having a professional makeup session with me will be completely website or Insta? artist do your looks can be professional, respectful, and invaluable. My makeup artists comfortable (and fun, of course). Only with your written are skilled at doing makeup You can also see tons of reviews permission — I take your privacy specifically for photo shoots, from clients who’ve said how seriously. If you do permit me whether it’s natural, glam, or wonderfully at ease they were to feature your photos, I will anything in between. You’ll have with me photographing them. be happy to anonymize the even skin tones and a healthy And you’re welcome to bring a photo however you wish. (I can glow. It’s you on your best day. guest (see above). However, if it crop a photo so that you’re not doesn’t feel right to you to have recognizable, and I can keep your A side benefit is that having your a male photographer, I totally name separate from the file so it makeup done at the studio is understand! I know great female can’t be traced back to you.) Of a wonderfully relaxing way to photographers and can make course, if you want to be tagged, transition from the outside world recommendations. I’m totally happy to do that too! into your session. It’s basically the sexiest spa day ever. In a few cases, my clients have Is it ok if I have a asked me to completely destroy But if you’re sure that you can drink at the session? all of their files after they have take care of your own makeup Yes! That’s totally fine. You don’t their finished items in hand, and I — or feel strongly that you don’t want to overdo it, as focus is absolutely honor that request. As want to have any at all — I honor important, but sometimes a little I mentioned above, your comfort whatever you want to do. liquid courage helps. (Please drink is my highest priority. responsibly, of course.)

Thanks for reading this guide! I hope it’s been helpful as you plan your perfect session. Any more questions? Please contact me at [email protected] and I’ll be happy to answer them. Hope to meet you soon!

oaktown boudoir · planning your perfect boudoir experience · 11 oaktownboudoir.com