Frequently Asked Questions
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What is Boudoir Photography?
Our definition of boudoir photography is the art of capturing intimate, beautiful, sensual & sexy photos of women for his/her eyes only. This means you can be of any age, height or weight....every woman is beautiful and deserves to feel that way.
Why would I need a boudoir Shoot?
Every woman deserves to experience a boudoir photo shoot! However, the most common reasons are :
A Gift: Whether it’s for your new husband/wife on your wedding day, an anniversary gift, birthday gift or Valentines Day gift. Boudoir photos are a special, unique & personal gift…and I assure you it’s not like any other gift your partner has received!
Just Because You Can: You do not need a special reason to celebrate your beauty…maybe you just want to capture it forever…or flaunt your sexy inner vixen. No matter your age or size, you are sexy in your own way. Hence, why not spoil yourself with a boudoir photo shoot...you will leave feeling both beautiful and more confident. Remember, the sexiest thing you can wear is confidence!
A Celebration: Have you lost weight, got a new job or been married for 20 years? Why not celebrate reaching your goal, by spending an indulgent day being pampered at a boudoir photo shoot. It will assure you, that you are a beautiful & sexy woman.
The bottom line is that, a boudoir photo shoot is for every woman. Even if you don’t think you have an inner vixen…you do…you just need to let her out. You deserve to look & feel gorgeous & glamorous!
A Gift: Whether it’s for your new husband/wife on your wedding day, an anniversary gift, birthday gift or Valentines Day gift. Boudoir photos are a special, unique & personal gift…and I assure you it’s not like any other gift your partner has received!
Just Because You Can: You do not need a special reason to celebrate your beauty…maybe you just want to capture it forever…or flaunt your sexy inner vixen. No matter your age or size, you are sexy in your own way. Hence, why not spoil yourself with a boudoir photo shoot...you will leave feeling both beautiful and more confident. Remember, the sexiest thing you can wear is confidence!
A Celebration: Have you lost weight, got a new job or been married for 20 years? Why not celebrate reaching your goal, by spending an indulgent day being pampered at a boudoir photo shoot. It will assure you, that you are a beautiful & sexy woman.
The bottom line is that, a boudoir photo shoot is for every woman. Even if you don’t think you have an inner vixen…you do…you just need to let her out. You deserve to look & feel gorgeous & glamorous!
Who will be my boudoir photographer?
We have two amazing female boudoir photographers here at Femme Fatale. Even though you won’t know who your photographer is until you book, we promise you will be in excellent hands! As both Chantal & Shelley are equally talented and believe every woman is uniquely beautiful.
How far in advance should I book my shoot?
Your shoot should be booked 3-5 weeks before you need the final product - photos and/or boudoir album
How long will my shoot last?
Your photo shoot will consist of a 1 -2 hour make-up & hair pampering and stylising session. Then depending on the package you select, between 1 - 3 hours for the photo shoot. Have a look at our available packages to see what suits you best.
Where will my Photo-shoot take place?
We have two natural light studios in Johannesburg where the majority of our photo-shoots are done. You can choose which one is easiest for you, either the one in Fourways or the one in Alberton. We can also use your home or a boutique hotel. Please note, the studios are no charge, but if we use a boutique hotel the costs are for your account.
I have 4 girlfriends interested in doing a boudoir photo shoot, do you offer boudoir parties?
Yes we do! The boudoir party/boudoir marathon can be held in the comfort of your own home or at one of your girlfriend’s houses. However, please note, both the Femme Fatale studios are unfortunately not suited for parties/marathons, so an alternative venue will need to be arranged.
What do I need to bring?
Pretty bras and matching panties, panties (Black and white are always good options), stockings, killer heels, corsets and any other lingerie you would like to be photographed in. We have a few other ideas for you on our What to Bring page, and we do have a selection of outfits and props that you are welcome to use.
Will I be completely nude?
No, we don’t do nude photography at this time. However, we do 'implied nude', meaning you are technically naked or half naked but we use clever and tasteful posing to ensure all the naughty bits are covered.
What happens if I’m extremely uncomfortable on the day?
Most ladies are nervous when they arrive…but between ourselves and our wonderful Hair & Make-up Artists, we do our best to make you feel relaxed & calm…and before you know it you will be having fun! A glass of champagne on arrival also helps calm your nerves a little. We won’t push you, we work at a pace that you are happy with and only do what you are comfortable with. However, most ladies tend to calm down once they see how good they look on camera.
What should I do to prepare for my photo shoot?
Make sure your hands and feet are looking gorgeous as we often forget about them and they are so important…applying some nail varnish and if you have already have some on, make sure it isn't chipped. If you are going to wax, please do so a few days before your photo shoot so the redness has a chance to disappear. It’s also a good idea to touch-up your hair colour a few days before…so you look glamorous! If you decide on a facial, then do it at least a week before. Drink loads of water leading up to the photo shoot and moisturise, this helps gets your skin looking radiant. Last but most importantly, clean the bottoms of your shoes; dirty shoes are not good on camera. For a full guide please see our How to prepare for your shoot page
What comes with the packages?
All of our packages only come with a USB that has both printable (high resolution) and shareable (low resolution) photos on it, and is packed in a beautiful box wrapped in ribbon. We encourage our ladies to look at our a la carte selection of beautiful leather bound albums that have luxurious pages giving them a very elegant feel. In addition, we have included mounted prints in a folio box, these are really good for putting in frames as they look amazing, but also perfect for keeping in the folio box. We do have a selection of gorgeous canvas mounts available as well which creates stunning artwork for your bedroom.
Will these images be posted online or on social media?
We rarely post boudoir images on any social media network due to the nature of them. However, if you request it we will gladly post and share them. If you give us permission to share and use the images they will get posted on to our website and social media platforms. Some ladies don’t wish to share their images, and we are very respectful their wishes.
Who will have access to my images?
Chantal & Shelley are not only superb photographers, but really good at retouching. So your photographer will do all the editing and album design and our printers are very professional. Therefore, other than ourselves, only a special team at Rapidpro work on you boudoir album.
Will I have the option to use props?
Yes, you are welcome to bring your own selection of props. In our studio, we keep a small selection of pearls, masks, feather boas, scarves, jewellery, veils, as well as some other pretty items that you are welcome to use.
Should I tan before my photo shoot?
Our simple suggestion is no! We prefer you do not spray tan, or sun tan. Spray tans leave marks, and come off in strange places, self-tan is worse, as you are left with an orange skin and streaks which show up on camera. Sun tanning, often leads to tanning lines and sunburn. It is almost impossible to remove tan lines and sunburn in post-production so you will see it in your final product. Any additional retouching to your images due to tans will result in an additional charge.
Should I wax before my photo shoot?
Yes, you are welcome to wax before your photo shoot. However, it is recommended that you wax a few days before so your skin has a chance to recover and there are no red marks. If you shave, then shave the night before the shoot.
If it helps, can I bring some alcohol with?
We do supply a small bottle of champagne to steady the nerves. Therefore, we recommend you do not bring any additional alcohol, as it could cause you to bloat, which is not a great feeling when you are trying to look & feel sexy. Rather avoid consuming too much alcohol.
If I want my photo shoot to be at a hotel, who will be responsible for the cost or is it incorporated into the package?
All hotel costs are for your own account.
Do I have to use the provided hair & make-up artist or can I have it done prior to the session?
Hair & make-up is included in the packages and we have hand-picked our amazing and talented Hair & Make-up Artists for a reason. They are excellent at what they do and we trust them completely. Therefore, we only allow hair & make-up to be done by our in-house artists.
How do I go about securing my boudoir photo shoot?
A 50% non-refundable booking fee and signed contract is required to secure your booking. The balance owing is required at least 24 hours before your photo shoot.
What happens if you’re sick or unable photograph me on the scheduled day?
Luckily, it is not often that both Shelley & Chantal are sick at the same time. However, if this is the case, we will contact you and reschedule the photo shoot at your convenience.
Can I bring a friend along?
Yes, ladies sometimes bring moral support with. However, we do not allow anyone other than the photographer and client in the shooting area of the studio during the photo shoot. We request that your friend does not interfere with the shoot, and will ask that they sit in a specific place during the photo shoot.
How will I know how to pose?
We will guide you every step of the way with posing and expressions…we will even demonstrate the poses from time to time…to make sure you understand what we are explaining. We have a lot of ideas and poses already but it is always nice to know what you like…therefore, bring along a couple of ideas.
How many outfit changes can I have?
Our packages have a guide as to the number of outfits, but it really depends on how quickly you get comfortable and how quickly you change. We are normally quite flexible but on average you are looking at between 2 - 4 outfit changes.
I really don’t like “x” about me, can we shoot around it?
Yes of course. We do send you a questionnaire before the shoot, so we can plan how we can work around any problem areas.
I'm a plus size woman, is boudoir still something I should consider?
Definitely! Boudoir is for every woman! Besides…curves are beautiful! We have photographed women from 18 - 75 years of age and from petite to plus size. Size and age don't matter when it comes to looking gorgeous!
I’m doing this for my partner but I’m not comfortable with some of the poses I see online…
That is totally understandable, not all poses are for everyone...we are all different with different personalities and tastes. Therefore, we recommend that you find a few poses that you do like and bring them with. Otherwise let us know what you don't like so we can work on poses you do like. The poses we put you in are meant to show off your gorgeous figure and personality…we work with you to make them work for you.
Can the photo shoot be done at my house?
Yes that is definitely an option, just remember we require lots of beautiful natural light…therefore your house would need to have a fairly large space that is gorgeous (no family pics or mess) for us to work in.
I don’t have any ultra-sexy lingerie, what else could I wear?
We do have outfits that you can go through and use if you wish, otherwise we can use that little black dress you love, a man’s shirt, a favourite jersey, a sporting teams jersey, a little t-shirt, etc. We don’t want to change who you are... just help you see how beautiful and sexy you are.
How long do you think I need for a photo shoot?
At least, 3 - 4 hours, especially as hair & make-up take approximately an hour and half…however, it is always better to allocate 5 to be safe.
I prefer black & white images, do you edit them in colour and black & white?
We edit in colour, however, if the image looks fabulous in black & white and/or sepia...we will convert them and give those to you as well.
How many photos do you typically take during a boudoir photo shoot?
Between 80 to 100
How many photos will I receive?
This is package dependant but at least 10 images…additional edited images can be purchased at R150 each.
Do you airbrush my boudoir images?
Yes…we will airbrush all of the images you choose, but we do it in a way that keeps them looking as natural as possible. Each of the images will have the following basic airbrushing done : skin softening, reducing the appearance of cellulite and wrinkles, as well as blemish removal. Please note, we do not “nip and tuck” your images…instead we will pose & style you to flatter your figure & personality.
Do you have any options to shoot outdoors?
Yes, we have done boudoir shoots outside before. If the area is pretty, private and secure we can definitely shoot outdoors.
Do you have any samples of your boudoir photo shoots?
Yes, we keep sample albums in the studio, as well as examples in our Galleries.
Do you have any samples of boudoir photo shoots with plus size women?
Yes we do, just contact us and we will be happy to share these with you.
If we end up needing more time on the day of the photo shoot can it be added on then?
We prefer to make sure you are happy, so yes, we can add on extra time.
Do you bring an assistant with you?
No, there will normally only be one photographer at your photo shoot, unless otherwise specified.
What type of payments do you accept?
We accept EFT and Cash payments only.
What is your cancellation policy?
We ask that in order to be able to reschedule your boudoir photo shoot without losing your deposit, you must contact us and let us know exactly 7 days before your photo shoot. Unfortunately, we never make an exception for this policy as we have staff booked and ready to accommodate you in advance that would not be there otherwise. And, in truth, when we didn't have this policy in place we had clients rescheduling left, right & centre because this experience is, understandably, a little nerve wrecking. In order to maintain our small business’ existence this policy is necessary. We truly appreciate your understanding.
Do you offer couple boudoir photo shoots?
Sorry, we do not…we specialise in photographing women and do not offer couple boudoir shoots at this time.