How to Overcome Fear & Anxiety During Your Boudoir Shoot

Being the star of your own boudoir shoot is guaranteed to celebrate your beauty, strength, & sensuality! But, unless you’re a model that does this regularly,  the idea of posing, semi-clothed, in lingerie or nude, can be completely foreign & scary. Thats completely okay!

I wanted to write this blog, as I’d hate for someone’s fear to dictate their life & impact their chances to experience a life-changing boudoir shoot! 

So, if you’re battling with nerves, fear & anxiety ahead of your boudoir shoot, this article is for you. I’ll explore methods to overcome these feelings & empower you to have a positive, confidence-boosting experience.

Determine Your Boudoir “Why” for overcoming fear & anxiety

Boudoir photography is a profoundly transformative experience that intertwines vulnerability with empowerment.  Having a handle on your boudoir “why” can really alleviate nerves. If you have a strong understanding & connection with why you’re doing a boudoir shoot, you can confidently remind yourself of these reasons to fuel your shoot. 

Your “why” will be profoundly personal & individual. There is no right or wrong answer.

Do you wish to expand on your self-love body journey?  Boudoir photography offers an opportunity for you to witness yourself from a renewed perspective. Every woman that walks out of my studio, has a heightened sense of self-worth. The experience of posing, often in a vulnerable state, & then seeing oneself portrayed as strong, beautiful, & confident can be incredibly empowering! It’s all about reclaiming one’s body & celebrating the beauty, regardless of societal standards. 

Or, maybe you want to express yourself creatively? Let’s unleash your inner creative goddess!  Everyone has their own incredible story & a boudoir session can be a unique way to tell it. From the choice of lingerie to the setting, each element can be a form of self-expression. It’s an opportunity to shed societal expectations and properly embrace your true self. Through boudoir images, you can communicate individuality, sensuality, & personal journey in a tangible form—that lasts forever. 

Or, perhaps maybe you’ve had some bodily changes (i.e.: pregnancy, weight gain, surgery…) Let’s celebrate that body, baby! Life is a series of evolutions. Change is the only guarantee. From body changes, age marks, & scars to celebrating milestones like motherhood or significant weight loss, our bodies carry our stories.  A boudoir session can be an incredible way to mark these phases, capturing the essence of each stage. It’s a testament that every phase has its charm, & there’s beauty to be found in every season of life.

Or maybe, you wish to try boudoir photography as a therapeutic outlet. It can be a part of the healing process, especially for those who have experienced body shaming, trauma, or self-esteem issues. Seeing yourself in a new light can challenge negative self-perceptions and can be a HUGE step towards self-acceptance & love. 

There’s an undeniable strength in vulnerability. Putting oneself in front of the camera, especially in an intimate setting, requires courage. Every time you look back at those images, they can serve as a reminder of your bravery, resilience, & the barriers you overcame to be in that moment. 

Being able to remind yourself of your individual why, can infuse you with power & confidence, helping you to feel ready to rock the shoot. 

Come Prepared! 

Boudoir photography is a deeply personal experience, and I’m a huge believer that the success of your shoot depends on the preparation that goes into it.

When you show up well-prepared, not only will it alleviate some lingering nerves, but it also ensures that the final results resonate with what you want, your vision. 

Anyone who signs up for a boudoir shoot with me will receive a SLEW of curated information from me that will give you ALL the info you could ever need to prepare. Please take the time to read this through — if you have questions, please please please let me know. I want to support you through this as best as possible!

Your choice of attire plays a significant role in boudoir photography. It’s essential that the clothing makes you feel confident & reflects your personality & style.

And no, you do not need to dress naked or even in lingerie to do a boudoir shoot. 

• Personal Comfort: Choose pieces that make you feel good about yourself. Whether it’s a lacy lingerie set, a silky robe, an oversized sweater, or even a favorite T-shirt, if it makes you feel confident, it’s the right choice. Please do not bring something you know you never reach for. I promise you won’t suddenly love it in the shoot. 
• Variety: For most shoots, we can shoot a few looks. So, please bring multiple options to the shoot. This gives you a range of looks & ensures you have options that cater to different moods & themes. I’ll happily help with styling on the day of your shoot! 
• Colors & Styles: Consider what colors flatter your skin tone & what styles accentuate your favorite features. Soft pastels or deep jewel tones? Vintage corsets or modern bralettes? The choice is yours. I dont provide a client closet as I want you to wear what makes you feel like a goddess.

I will also send information on what to bring, pre-shoot pampering, getting good sleep, how to prep your skin and hair, what to expect throughout the day, etc…

Affirmations to Overcome Fear and Anxiety During Your Boudoir Shoot

Our thoughts have a profound power over our emotions, actions, and overall well-being. It is typical that, sadly, the harshest critic we face is the one within us. 

But there is support: self-affirmations! These beauties serve as a beacon of positivity, guiding you towards self-acceptance.  Self-affirmations are positive statements that challenge & combat negative beliefs & nasty, self-sabotaging thoughts.

They are reminders of our worth, abilities, and beauty—both internal & external. These affirmations, when repeated consistently, can reshape our mental framework & install a more positive self-view.

While there are general affirmations like “I am worthy,” personalizing them for your shoot can be more effective to help your nerves. 

• Acknowledge Your Strengths: Recognize what you’re good at and what you love about yourself. This could be a skill, a physical attribute, or even an aspect of your personality. Convert this into an affirmation. For instance, “My smile is infectious & brightens up every room.”
• Challenge Negative Beliefs: Identify self-critical thoughts. When you catch yourself,  reframe them into positive statements. If you often think, “I am not good enough, I am pathetic,” transform it into “Every day, I am becoming a better version of myself.”

There are many ways to practice this: 

• Morning Mirror Ritual: Begin your day by looking at yourself in the mirror and voicing your affirmations aloud. This sets a positive tone for the day ahead.
• Affirmation Alarms: Set periodic reminders on your phone that pop up with a positive statement. This is something I do! It really helps me on those busy days to properly prioritize my well-being. 
• Journaling: Dedicate a few minutes each day to write down your affirmations in a journal. This not only reinforces them but also provides a record of your evolving self-perception. If you’re looking for a starting place, check out these blogs with prompts to get you started. 

When facing the camera, especially in a vulnerable setting like a boudoir shoot, it can trigger insecurities, pushing you to shell inward. No! Instead, this is where self-affirmations play a pivotal role. In the days leading up to the session, frequently practice your affirmations. This mental preparation ensures you approach the shoot with confidence & self-assuredness.

If you ever feel overwhelmed, take a deep breath & repeat your affirmations. This can serve as a grounding technique, bringing you back to a state of self-assuredness.

In a world where we’re constantly bombarded with ideals of perfection, self-affirmations are a sanctuary of self-love & acceptance.

By acknowledging our worth & consistently reinforcing it, we equip ourselves to face challenges head-on, be it in daily life or during a boudoir photoshoot. Remember, our inner voice is potent; let’s train it to be our biggest cheerleader! 

Communicate Your Boundaries

This is a HUGE one for me, as I am a boundaries gal through & through. I promise to always listen, as you have 1000000% control throughout the shoot. I will never ask you do anything you are not comfortable with.

So please, if there’s a particular pose, or something you’re not comfortable with, voice it. This is your shoot, and everything is on your terms. I will respect your boundaries & work with you to create images that make you feel empowered. You will never be pressured. I promise.

Remember to Breathe

You may read this & think, well duh! But when our body is nervous & scared, our breath can become erratic, only making things worse. 

Breathing deeply & steadily can help calm nerves. If you start to feel overwhelmed, take a moment to close your eyes, inhale deeply, and exhale slowly. This simple act can center your emotions throughout your shoot. 

Every photoshoot with me is focused on grounding & centered upon mindfulness. Before every single shoot I lead, I will do a guided meditation that invites energy, joy & peace to your body. It will leave you feeling prepared & ready to take anything, I promise!

But mindfulness isn’t limited to just meditation, I invite you to breathe, do yoga…… whatever you need, I deeply respect it & encourage it. 

After the Shoot: Cherish the Results

Once the shoot is over & you receive your images, focus on the positives. Look at you. Embrace it.

Every image is a reflection of a unique moment in your life. Cherish them as reminders of your bravery, beauty, and the journey you’re on. You are a masterpiece! 

A boudoir shoot with me is more than just a photo session; it’s a journey of self-discovery & empowerment. One that you can hold onto for years, with tangible memories of your power. 

While feelings of fear & anxiety are completely natural, with the right preparation & mindset, you can overcome them and step into your power as you embrace the experience, focus on the joy of the moments, and let your inner beauty shine through.

There is a boudoir photoshoot with your name on it. Ready to claim it?! Fill out the form below & let’s chat.