Boudoir Photography Studio FAQs| Outfit Advice| Posing| Airbrushing| Booking a Shoot

Q. Do you "airbrush" the photographs?

We do include magazine-quality retouching and airbrushing to your chosen images - you get a number of retouched images included with each of our different packages. We are very much guided by you in terms of how much or how little airbrushing you want. At the end of your shoot we will choose one of your pictures and demonstrate our editing techniques so you can see what is possible. We can magically remove spots, cellulite, scars and stretch marks if you want us to and we can smooth lumps, bumps and muffin-tops too. We prefer to keep the images looking as natural as possible, but you have the final say. Our clients are always surprised by the fact that they need far less retouching than they expected. By letting you see the whole process and giving you control of the retouching it makes you appreciate your images more as you know that we have not changed you very much and the pictures are a true reflection of how you really look. Top

Q. How will I know how to pose?

This is one of the things that people worry about the most! But it is really easy because we will give you full direction throughout the shoot. We will guide you into each different pose and even coach you on facial expressions so there's no need to be nervous if this is your first time in front of the camera. There is lots of stretching and back-arching involved so it can feel a bit like Pilates or Yoga. Do make sure you have eaten something to keep up your strength! If you have any problems with mobility that may resrict your ability to pose, do please mention it to us when you book- that way we can give you advice on which studio sets will be easiest for you. Here is a link to a video we shot of one of our boudoir shoots in progress in our old studio to give you an idea of how everything works: Behind the Scenes Video (Warning - this video does contain some nudity). Top

Q. Do I have to take my clothes off?

We work to lots of different levels of exposure. So if you want to be photographed just in lingerie and not take anything off, that is totally fine. We are not here to coerce anyone in to doing anything they are not comfortable with. We want you to feel happy and relaxed and to love the images we are creating. You can choose to be modest, teasing or go for something more daring if you are confident. We have a chat before the shoot to find out your thoughts on which direction you think you want the shoot to go, but we always say nothing is written in stone - you may change your mind as the shoot progresses. Wait and see how comfortable you feel when you are in the studio and you will have the opportunity to bare as much as you dare, or cover up as much as you like! Whichever styles you choose, we always suggest you start off the shoot wearing some lingerie to help you to settle in. You can then decide which direction you want to steer the shoot. We always work at your pace! We have purposely kept the images on the Mighty Boudoir website relatively safe, so the images on this site are at the softer more romatic end of the spectrum. If you want to be more risqué then the pictures on our sister website Mighty Aphrodite will give you a good idea of the more saucy images we can shoot for you: See our Mighty Aphrodite image galleries here.

Q. Do I need to be slim and young to do a boudoir shoot?

We have photographed well over 2000 people in the last 18 years. They have ranged in age from 18 to 67 and from size 6 to size 20. The average age of our clients is probably mid 40s. Our shoots are designed to be flattering to all body shapes and ages. We can advise you, based on your own individual shape and preferences which stduio sets will be best for you as an individual. We will pose and light you in the best way for your unique body shape, so we accentuate your best bits and disguise the bits you don't like so much. We can also airbrush and retouch your images to smooth any lumps and bumps, but we promise you won't need any major body resculpting - your images will look great straight out of the camera so we don't rely on heavy editing. Some clients book their shoot a long time in advance so they have time to lose weight or to tone up by hitting the gym. This really isn't necessary unless you are very unhappy with your size and want to lose weight for health & wellness reasons. We are never going to make you look like a 6ft size 8 supermodel, but we will show you a beautiful version of the REAL you that will make you appreciate what you have. Top

Q. What do I need to bring with me?

You can bring one or two sets of lingerie for each studio set you are being photographed in but if you prefer you can just use one set for the whole shoot (or do some pictures wearing nothing at all). You don't need lots of different outfits and lingerie if you are on a budget. Props that we have that you can borrow include white shirts, high heels in sizes 5 and 6 and saucy accessories such as chains, cuffs and crops. But if you have accessories of your own that you would like to bring we can incorporate those into your pictures too. We will send you advice on what works in our different studio sets when you book so that you have more of an idea what to bring. We would not advise more than 2 outfits per studio set as you will end up spending more time in the changing room and less time in front of the camera. Top

Q. Do you work evenings and weekends?

We don't work evenings - we offer morning and afternoon shoots on weekdays. Our office hours are Monday to Friday 10:00am - 5:30pm. Top

Q. Can I bring someone with me?

Yes you can bring along your partner or a friend for some moral support - they do have to be over the age of 18. We do ask that you limit this to just one person - it can make the shoot more difficult for you (and us) if you have an entourage of other people to worry about. We like a calm relaxed atmosphere as that will help you to feel comfortable more quickly and get rid of any nerves. Too many extra people take our attention away from you and this can have a detrimental effect on how the shoot flows. You can decide whether you would like the person you bring to be in the studio while we are shooting, or whether you prefer them to wait in our reception office. If you do have your friend or partner in the studio during the shoot, we just ask that they are unobtrusive and quiet while we are working. The shoot is all about YOU and we do not allow anyone else to dictate the direction the shoot takes. That is totally your decision. Top

Q. I'm having a pregnancy shoot; can I bring my other child along to have some photos with my bump?

Sorry, we do not photograph anyone under the age of 18. Top

Q. I'm having trouble sorting out childcare; can I bring my child with me to the shoot?

I'm afraid we have a blanket rule that we only allow over 18s on our premises. The nature of our business means we have images displayed on our walls that are not particularly child-appropriate. Also, having your child on site, even if it is being supervised by someone else, will distract you during the shoot. You need to be able to relax and concentrate on the instructions you are being given throughout the shoot to get the most out of the experience. Top

Q. Do you do hair and make up?

Yes - you can have professional make up and hair styling included with your shoot. If you would prefer to do your own hair & make up then you can deduct £70 from those package prices and arrive with your hair styled and make up applied. The Limited Edition shoot does not include make up or hair styling in the price, so again you should arrive with it camera-ready. You will have some time before we start shooting to touch it up. Top

Q. How far in advance do I need to book?

If you are having a shoot to give the pictures as a gift then we obviously need enough time to meet your deadline. If you have a personal deadline such as a birthday, Anniversary or your Wedding Day, then for Digi packages, you should aim to have your session at least 4 weeks before your deadline. For ArtBook & ImageBook packages, you should have your shoot 6 weeks before your deadline as the production time is longer on our these products. If you are giving the pictures as a gift for a public celebration such as Christmas or Valentines you should allow an extra week or two as we get very busy around these times so editing and printing timescales could be slightly longer.
If you have left it to the last minute, do still get in touch as we can sometimes squeeze a shoot in at short notice and get pictures ready very quickly. You also have the option of giving your partner the proof pictures from your shoot which you get on on the day. Then he can choose the pictures he wants from the shoot or you can choose together. Top

Q. Who will be in the studio during my shoot?

Obviously Leigh has to be there as he will be taking the pictures! But Zena will also be there throughout the entire shoot as studio assistant and to help you. She will assist with things like suspenders and bra straps and she will show you your pictures inbetween poses all through the shoot. Our make up artist will do your hair & make up before the shoot (if you have opted for it), but she will not be in the studio during the shoot. You are welcome to bring along your partner or a friend and if you wish they can be in the studio to observe the shoot. If you want to bring someone with you but would rather they weren't in the studio, then they can wait in our office reception area. You will be able to invite them into the studio at any point if you need assisstance or want them to see some pictures. We do respectfully ask that you only bring only one person with you due to space restrictions and they must be over 18. Top

Q. Where do I get changed?

You have your own private changing room for the duration of the shoot. Top

Q. How many outfits should I bring?

This depends on which package you choose, which will dictate how many studio sets we are shooting and how much studio time you will have. We generally suggest one set of lingerie for each studio set we are shooting. So for the Limited Edition bring one outfit, For Package One you can bring two outfits and for Packages Two & Three, we suggest bringing three outfits. You will also have the option to do topless pictures and also poses without lingerie if you wish in each studio set. If you prefer, you can bring an extra set of lingerie if you think you will not want to do any unclothed shots. When you book your shoot, we will send you an email with advice about outfits and suggestions on what to bring . We can also send you links to ideas for lingerie if you want to buy something new and are not sure what to get. Often clients bring a few different sets of lingerie with them and ask us to choose what we think will work best. You don't have to buy expensive designer lingerie (although it is a great excuse to treat yourself) - brands like Debenhams, M&S, Ann Summers and even Primark often have beautiful styles. The most important thing is that whatever you bring FITS well - that is always more flattering and will make you feel more comfortable and confident. Top

Q. What are the proof files that I get?

The files that you get to take away with you on the day of your shoot are low-resolution, unedited, watermarked JPEGS of all the best images. We put these files onto a USB for you or you can have them sent straight to your device via secure download link. These files are at a high enough resolution for you to see perfectly on a PC or tablet and are to be used for you to choose the images included with your package that you want us to retouch. You do also have the option to have a copy of all these files without the watermark for £250.Top

Q. What is the difference between Low, Medium & High-Resolution Files?

All our shoots include a set of low-resolution files of all your best pictures. These files are proofs and a great size for looking at on a PC or tablet to choose the images you want us to edit as part of your package. They are not large enough to print from. Medium-Resolution files are the perfect size for viewing your fully edited files on any size PC, tablet, mobile device and even on an HD TV. They will print up to around 16x12". This is the file size that is included with all our Digi Packages. High-Resolution files are again great for looking at on any size screen but these files are large enough to print to at least 45 x30". So you only really need to have High-Resolution files if you want to print larger than 16x12". You can upgrade any Medium-Resolution files included with a Digi Package for an extra £25 each. Top

Q. Is there a time limit for when I need to order pictures?

From the date of your shoot, we guarantee to keep your image files for 6 months. We don't use high- pressure sales tactics by enforcing a time limit of a few days or weeks for you to choose to buy products. We also don't request that you come back for a "Viewing Session" to see your images where there is extra pressure to make decisions there and then (which often leads to the client spending more than they intend or can afford). You take away all your proof pictures on the day of your shoot and they are yours to keep. You then have plenty of time to choose your pictures & products in comfort at home. Most clients do buy extra files or products from their shoot which makes us happy - we know it is because they really love their pictures, not because they have been forced into making a rushed decision. If only we could keep our clients pictures for longer, but unfortunately we would need to build a bigger studio to hold all the hard-drives! In our experience for most clients 6 months gives them ample time to buy everything they want from their shoot. Top

Q. Can you remove tattoos and scars?

If you have a tattoo that you no longer like, we can generally airbrush it out. It is helpful if you tell us at the beginning of the shoot as we can often shoot poses from the side where you will see less of the tattoo. If a tattoo is very large it may be more problematical and sometimes it may not be possible to remove altogether. With scars, if you don't want to see them, we can often pose you so they are less visible. We can airbrush them away if you wish or we can slightly soften them if you prefer. Often clients decide to leave their scars in the pictures - when it is something you are used to seeing every day it can be strange to see yourself without it! It is totally up to you - we work to your instructions. Top

Q. Will you put my pictures on the Internet?

Client confidentiality is core to our business. We NEVER use clients pictures anywhere without their written permission. We are very thankful that lots of our clients are happy to share their images publicly and any clients' pictures that you see on our website or social media are done so with their full approval. Most of our clients want or need to keep their images private and we take the security of these images very seriously. We only store the images for as long as you need us to after your shoot. They can be deleted immediately once you have received your finished images if you wish. Some very high-profile people have put their trust in us over the last 18 years, so you can be sure you are in safe hands! Top

Frequently Asked Questions