“As long as you show up, it’s going to be AMAZING! That’s it. That’s all you have to do. I’ve got the rest. Can’t wait to see you!” 
-Jolene 

Beauty Portraits...
With or without clothes, these images include your face and a portion of your body. 

Classic Boudoir Style…
If you’re here for the skin, we’ve got you covered. My boudoir style is elevated, effortless looking, and a beautiful celebration of the female form. Most boudoir style images are shot nude, or while wearing sheets or some form of loungewear.

Fine Art Nudes…
Taking a page out of the Renaissance Art period, nudes are a timeless display of the female form.

WARDROBE TIPS

HONESTLY, and I'm not even close to exaggerating here, wardrobe is really not that crazy important for the way that I shoot. Please, please, please don't stress out over wardrobe. Don't feel the need to run out and buy all new things. I can do a completely versatile and awesome shoot with a single scarf, or the sheets, or a sweater. Truly. Don't stress about it. 

Here's some wardrobe tips to calm your nerves and help you decide what to bring::

 *THE NUMBER ONE WARDROBE RULE IS.....Do NOT bring outfits that you don't love! I can't tell you how many women show up with outfits that prompt them to say "I really don't like the way I look in this one, but I'll leave it up to you!". If you don't like the outfit, it's likely that you won't like photos of you in the outfit. Leave it at home.

*Lingerie is NOT a must for boudoir. Don't be afraid to get creative! For a boudoir style shoot, a garter belt and thigh high fishnets would go great with a cropped sweater or graphic tee. A gorgeous bra can be paired with a long flowing skirt. Your favorite tank top can be paired with no pants. A SHEET can be used for everything. Your 20 year old favorite tee shirt paired with cheeky bottoms will get the job done just perfectly. This is about YOU and your authentic personality, not about being someone you aren’t.

For beauty or portraits, structured and/or statement pieces work amazing. Your favorite blazer or jacket, a cocktail dress with an interesting neckline, or just a bodysuit and jeans….we want you to look and feel like yourself (just on your best day). 

When in doubt, just bring in some of your favorite wardrobe items and let me style them for you. It’s part of the service and I’m happy to do it.

*My shoot style is very "I'm-not-trying-too-hard-chic"! We go for the "I woke up like this" look as often as possible. For that look, wardrobe is even LESS of a obstacle. 

*Structured pieces and solids look great on camera as well as items with texture, and those that are form fitting to show your figure.

*If wearing thigh-highs, buy them 1-2 sizes TOO BIG according to the size chart on the back. Buying them in a size that supposedly "fits" according to the package size chart will likely result in the stockings giving a bit of thigh muffin top ;) We can get them to stay up for each "pose", or you can wear a garter belt to keep them from slipping.

*Have yourself properly fitted for lingerie if you will be wearing it for your session. I recommend going to a local lingerie boutique to have yourself properly fitted.  I highly recommend La Lingerie if you are local to the Madison area.

*Avoid tiny busy patterns as well as neon colors. They are often harsh on-camera and a bit unflattering so try to avoid them.
 
*Have several outfits picked out and we can go through them together before your shoot to determine what will photograph best. We will have time for 3 outfits plus a between the sheets or nude outfit.

*Try to incorporate a variety of pieces into your wardrobe selections. Having 5 different bra and panty sets won't allow for a whole lot of variety in your photos. Rather, have something formal, something casual, something super textured and fun, something more modest, to something black and sleek...you get the idea.  

*It doesn’t have to be complicated…in fact, we welcome simplicity! We love to work with pretty scarves, sheets, white button down shirts, jackets and coats, or anything you love. 

*Pressed and Pretty: Make sure your wardrobe selections aren't wrinkled, and cut all the tags off of your sheer items before arriving. 

*Avoid props unless it’s your second shoot with us, or unless you’re super crazy confident and comfortable! Props and uncertainty go together like…like…awkward school portraits. ;)

*CONSIDER ARTISTIC NUDES for a super easy, low maintenance, and FREE wardrobe option. 

FLATTERING ALL FIGURES:
All women, I truly believe this, are beautiful!!! Curves, no curves, all shapes, all sizes, are beautiful. I often get questions from clients saying "I'm curvy--so what should I wear?" or "I have no butt!". Here's a few tips based on the most common "complaints" I get from women and how to enhance those features with wardrobe.

Curvy bodies - BRING ON THE FORM-FITTING ITEMS! I adore bodysuits, tight dresses, and nothing at all….especially for voluptuous bombshells. We often see curvy women trying to cover up more, but often that has the opposite effect they think it will. Allowing me to pose you so that we can see your figure and celebrate it is the way to go! 

Flat-butts- Thongs tend to make a butt look fuller than full-coverage bottoms or g-strings. Play around in the mirror with different styles to see what you like best. And don't worry, I'm a PRO at creating curves in posing where there aren't any otherwise! I can get a killer booty shot with any level of curve (or lack thereof).

Shorter legs- High heels with a THIN heel rather than chunky! Avoid shoes with thick ankle straps or a square toe. Nude shoes naturally elongate the legs. 

Thin/no curves- That’s all in the posing-girl! Form fitting options and nothing at all work great as I pose the heck out of you to make you look and feel bodacious.

Small chest- Underwires and balconettes are lovely, as well as NO BRA AT ALL (my personal favorite for small chested women!) And also, small boobs rock. So please don't feel the NEED to create extra "oomph" unless it's something that really concerns you.

"Mom boobs"- If your breasts are a bit lower or “floppier” than you’d like them to be, just be sure to snag a bra with some support, or form fitting bodysuits that will keep them at bay. Posing will play a huge role here, and I’m really good at that. So…bring your mom boobs my way and we’ll embrace the hell out of them!

Surgery scars and stretch marks- My personal belief is that scars tell a story. Sometimes clients wish they didn’t have to be permanently reminded of that story, and other times, clients embrace their scars and say they’re a part of them. For this reason, I will never edit out a scar or stretch mark unless a client specifically requests it….and if they do, in fact, request that retouching, I will happily do that at no additional charge. This is a VERY personal topic and it’s not my decision to make. I welcome scars and stretch marks, but I also support a woman’s decision to conceal them if they would like!

BE SURE TO…

…get your beauty sleep! Seriously! Photoshop can't fix tired. 

…BRUSH YOUR LIPS- sounds weird, right?! Dry lips are very hard to fix in post processing. In the days leading up to your photoshoot, use your toothbrush while brushing your teeth to also make a few passes over that pucker of yours. This will help shed dead skin. After that, apply a moisturizing lip balm...repeat repeat repeat. 

…make it an opportunity to pamper yourself! Go a few days before your shoot and get a manicure and pedicure! This will give you a finished, polished look. Chipped polish can be distracting.

…lather on the lotion! Supple is key for beautiful skin! Be sure to moisturize twice a day for the week leading up to your shoot. Don't use tinted lotions or anything with color. 

…have extra wardrobe options! Bring at least 4-5 different outfits, a couple pair of shoes if you’re a shoe girl, and accessories only if you usually wear them. We may not use it all, but it never hurts to have options.  

…plan ahead. Nothing puts a damper on a fun and relaxing photo shoot like feeling rushed or late! You should plan for traffic and arrive about 5 minutes before your scheduled start time.  If you end up getting her early the Sunn Cafe just downstairs from us is a great place to get a cup of joe while you wait.

…bring a lightweight, soft robe without any undergarments on while getting your makeup done. or wear loose fitting clothing. This will allow for any marks from tight bras, etc to even out so they don't show up in your images. Avoid your big furry winter robe as that will tend to leave little dimples in your skin AND I find that most clients have a higher body temperature while they are getting makeup done because of nerves...it's hard to do makeup when you're sweating! ;)

…trust me. I won't make you do anything that is going to make you look bad. I'm a pro. I've been doing this for a long time and I know how to make a woman look good with killer poses, strategic lighting, and appropriate camera angles. I have quite literally worked with EVERY body type and insecurity. I've got you covered. Don't stress. (Easier said than done, I understand.)

DON’T YOU DARE…

…spray tan before your shoot. I know you think that you look better with a tan...but I assure you, even if you don't see the streaks and unevenness with your naked eye, the camera will pick them up. You will photograph a lot more tan than you think you look and spray tans will photograph orange in color images. Trust me on this!! On that same note, no tinted lotions or bronzers on your body. Even after this warning I get a lot of women who message me to say that they’ve been spray tanning for years and they cannot fathom not doing so before a photo shoot. Of course I will still photograph you, but unfortunately our standard retouch will not account for spray tan correction, so just keep that in mind.

…bring a construction hat (or other props). If you have jewelry that has sentimental value, absolutely bring it! But avoid jerseys, military apparel, weapons (yes, really), sports equipment, masks, etc etc etc. 

…party the night before your shoot. If you're nervous, try a bubble bath and a yoga class. Hangovers aren't sexy. Lawwwwd do I know it. 

…drink red wine to calm your nerves. Don't drink a bottle of red wine right before you show up in efforts to calm your nerves! #1-It will stain your teeth and lips. #2--Drunk doesn't photograph pretty either. 

…forget to stretch. Many of these poses, while they look effortless, are quite unnatural feeling. Take a few minutes on the morning of your shoot to stretch your arms, legs, hips, and especially your back. People are surprised to see how sore their muscles get after something as silly as a photo shoot, so any extra flexibility you can add by a quick yoga flow will only benefit you.

…get a new haircut/color immediately before your shoot. Now isn’t the time to experiment with a whole new look. 
 
…talk smack on yourself. I don't want to hear about how you hate your hips. I want to hear about how you LOVE your legs. A great attitude will go a long way in having a fabulous and upbeat experience! HOWEVER...if you really feel the need to discuss the thing that bothers you the most about your body, just let me know by saying "I love my ___, but my biggest insecurity is my ___". I will be extra careful to play down your "flaws"...but I will ALSO make it my challenge to take the best damn image featuring your ____ so you have a new-found appreciation for it ;) 

While our standard style is “emotionally driven lifestyle”, there are lots of different types of image categories to work with.  

types of images

Details...
Showcasing the beautiful bits that grace the female form.  Collarbones, shoulders, arms, spines...these types of shots are perfect for a wall art display and to add visual balance to an album.

HONESTLY, and I'm not even close to exaggerating here, wardrobe is really not that crazy important for the way that I shoot. Please, please, please don't stress out over wardrobe. Don't feel the need to run out and buy all new things. I can do a completely versatile and awesome shoot with a single scarf, or the sheets, or a sweater. Truly. Don't stress about it. 

Here's some wardrobe tips to calm your nerves and help you decide what to bring::

 *THE NUMBER ONE WARDROBE RULE IS.....Do NOT bring outfits that you don't love! I can't tell you how many women show up with outfits that prompt them to say "I really don't like the way I look in this one, but I'll leave it up to you!". If you don't like the outfit, it's likely that you won't like photos of you in the outfit. Leave it at home.

*Lingerie is NOT a must for boudoir. Don't be afraid to get creative! For a boudoir style shoot, a garter belt and thigh high fishnets would go great with a cropped sweater or graphic tee. A gorgeous bra can be paired with a long flowing skirt. Your favorite tank top can be paired with no pants. A SHEET can be used for everything. Your 20 year old favorite tee shirt paired with cheeky bottoms will get the job done just perfectly. This is about YOU and your authentic personality, not about being someone you aren’t.

For beauty or portraits, structured and/or statement pieces work amazing. Your favorite blazer or jacket, a cocktail dress with an interesting neckline, or just a bodysuit and jeans….we want you to look and feel like yourself (just on your best day). 

When in doubt, just bring in some of your favorite wardrobe items and let me style them for you. It’s part of the service and I’m happy to do it.

*My shoot style is very "I'm-not-trying-too-hard-chic"! We go for the "I woke up like this" look as often as possible. For that look, wardrobe is even LESS of a obstacle. 

*Structured pieces and solids look great on camera as well as items with texture, and those that are form fitting to show your figure.

*If wearing thigh-highs, buy them 1-2 sizes TOO BIG according to the size chart on the back. Buying them in a size that supposedly "fits" according to the package size chart will likely result in the stockings giving a bit of thigh muffin top ;) We can get them to stay up for each "pose", or you can wear a garter belt to keep them from slipping.

*Have yourself properly fitted for lingerie if you will be wearing it for your session. I recommend going to a local lingerie boutique to have yourself properly fitted. I highly recommend La Lingerie or Contours if you are local to the Madison area.

*Avoid tiny busy patterns as well as neon colors. They are often harsh on-camera and a bit unflattering so try to avoid them.
 
*Have several outfits picked out and we can go through them together before your shoot to determine what will photograph best. We will have time for 3 outfits plus a between the sheets or nude outfit.

*Try to incorporate a variety of pieces into your wardrobe selections. Having 5 different bra and panty sets won't allow for a whole lot of variety in your photos. Rather, have something formal, something casual, something super textured and fun, something more modest, to something black and sleek...you get the idea.  

*It doesn’t have to be complicated…in fact, we welcome simplicity! We love to work with pretty scarves, sheets, white button down shirts, jackets and coats, or anything you love. 

*Pressed and Pretty: Make sure your wardrobe selections aren't wrinkled, and cut all the tags off of your sheer items before arriving. 

*Avoid props unless it’s your second shoot with us, or unless you’re super crazy confident and comfortable! Props and uncertainty go together like…like…awkward school portraits. ;)

*CONSIDER ARTISTIC NUDES for a super easy, low maintenance, and FREE wardrobe option.