Face + Expressions
This is all about relaxing, feeling comfortable, and getting in the right mindset. Easier said than done, right?! This can be intimidating, but don’t worry, we’ll be going through a few different expressions and having fun; there will be plenty of opportunities to ‘feel’ it.
Eyes
There are a few different ways we’ll approach this. You can look towards the light source (imagine looking off in the distance as you await your lover). You can look down, usually towards your shoulder, creating more of a mysterious, sensual, flirtatious look. You can look directly at the camera with a slight squint, creating a more intense and deliberate connection. Lastly, you can close your eyes completely (imagine dreaming of that lover). We’ll go through all 4 of these looks often.
Mouth
Relax your jaw and facial muscles. This is important for any look, but particularly for a more sensual look. I like to tell clients to take a deep breath through their mouth and slowly exhale through their mouth. This will help to relax you and your muscles. Continuing to breath through partially parted lips can be very helpful too (most of us will close our lips naturally, but for photographs, partially open lips always looks so much better).
Smiles? Genuine smiles can look beautiful and uniquely sexy. We do aim for a few big smiles, but most of the time we aim for a sultry, mysterious expression (if they look unauthentic or disingenuous, that will ruin the photo).
What we can do, however, is the ‘smile with your eyes’ approach. This combines a flirtatious, sexy look that is also playful and fun. Think about seducing your significant other, or perhaps a fantasy person you are meeting for the first time. Think about where that leads…those thoughts will be revealed with a devious smirk and sparkle in your eye!
Remember, this day is all about you, your empowerment, your freedom, and your experience. Don’t try to do something that you are not comfortable with, but be open to exploring things you might not typically try. It’s all about letting go and ‘flowing’ with the session, letting your vulnerability shine through and reveal your own unique strengths and beauty. We all get nervous in front of a camera, it’s important to take a few deep breaths and let go.
A few things to keep in mind:
Your Why
What is your why? Why did you book the shoot? Write this down and remember it. It will play a vital role in how you approach the big day and how you feel in the poses. You are investing in something for yourself, and that should be celebrated!
Your Story
Think about your story and what brought you to this wonderful day. Think about how you want the images to look (reviewing the Pinterest board is a great help). I will help you fill in the details, but it is a good idea to have some vision of what you want to capture.
This is a process and a journey. Each piece plays a part, from the inspiration images to the lingerie. Together, we will build this experience and create something amazing!
Trust and Communication
It is very important that you feel comfortable and know that you are in a safe space. Don’t hesitate to ask questions, give me comments, or feedback. This is a team effort. I’ll be the coach and guide you but you are the star!
