Alright, you paid your session fee, you have a date set….now what. Well let me start by saying congrats on taking a huge step into the unknown. If you have never done a shoot like this it can be incredibly scary, and guess what, that’s exactly how most people feel. Trying new things and stepping onto the path toward body neutrality is hard shit, but you are here and I am so fiercely proud of you. All those jittery nerves and fear will soon turn to excitement, I promise.

First and foremost, let’s get one thing real straight. I know the world that we live in tells you that your body can only look a certain kind of way to be worthy of a shoot like that. I want to debunk that myth well in advance of your session because your body IS worthy of these images no matter what society says. These kind of shoots are not reserved for any particular body type. You have a body and it is good. So let’s get your cute ass in front of the camera so I can show you how gorgeous the world sees you.

Next, we need to talk about weight loss, dieting or fasting before your session. I could talk your face off with all the reasons you should never diet, but that is for another blog. Just know that your body is worthy right now. Look down and love on that cute belly roll or hip crease because like it or not, she is coming to your shoot too. The flesh bag that carries your soul through this life is fucking gorgeous and is so damn worthy of having sexy pictures taken of it. Stressing yourself out about dieting or losing weight before your session is the opposite of what you should be doing. This shoot and moment in time is really special and should be a launch pad into the world of body neutrality and acceptance. That doesn’t happen if you think your body is only valid if it’s smaller. So stop counting calories, stop with the diet pills or excessive exercise. Just show up and be present in the beautiful body you currently live in.

Now that both of those important points have been addressed let’s get into the nuts and bolts of your fears. Posing. I hear from every single person that books that they don’t know how to pose “sexy”. Before getting into this industry that was a huge hang up for me to actually book a session as well, so I get it. That is why I am here! Not only am I going to hype you allllll the way up from the second you walk in my door, but it is my job to make sure you look fabulous during the shoot. Before we even start shooting, I walk you through all the tips and tricks to posing and then throughout the session I chatter at you the whole time. There is never a time that I leave you hanging or let you feel uncomfortable. I promise. So let that fear slip from your mind because you don’t need to carry that weight around. If you want a behind the scenes look at what a shoot looks like, visit my amazing friend Rebecca’s YouTube page and see her vlog on a session with me.

Last fear I will address before we talk about prep is wardrobe. As a plus size human, I know the struggle of finding things that fit and make you feel sexy. If you are new to this space, I always like to remind people that I have an ENTIRE wardrobe of clothes and pieces that range in sizes from XS-6X. If you are local to the area, come and see what fits in the wardrobe before you actually go shopping. The wardrobe is included with every single shoot and is a great way to save a little money on this experience. If nothing there tickles your fancy, my best recommendation is to always keep it simple. You have no idea how sexy a white tee and some undies is!! Embrace all that you are and play off the stuff you currently have in your wardrobe. If you truly don’t have something you love, I can point you to the stores I shop from for my in-house wardrobe and you can find that list here! There is no right or wrong answer! Make sure it fits, makes you feel empowered and is accessible on the day of your shoot.

I will wrap up this blog with my last little tips and tricks on prep. People often times think they need to be buffed, waxed and spackled for their shoot and that is just not the case. The number one thing I recommend is to do what you have been normally doing every day of your life. Do NOT go out and get a spray tan if you have never gotten one. Don’t get a Brazilian wax or do something crazy with your eyebrows. What all of these things set you up for is failure. If you don’t know how your body is going to respond to these things, you should NOT add them into the mix. These things cannot be edited out and can actually lead to having to postpone a session. Just not worth it. What I do recommend prior to your shoot is lots of water, yummy food, self care through a bath or face mask (that you have been using) or a relaxing mani pedi. You should come in looking and feeling rested so don’t go out and rage the night before. Boudoir is hard work so be ready and prepared to laugh a whole lot, roll around, wiggle, dance and have an amazing time.

I am so proud of you for deciding to love the skin you are in and I am honored to be walking this journey with you. If you have further questions or want to talk about booking a session, drop me an email at katelyn@katelynscott.com.

Embrace all bodies, especially the one you are in!

Katelyn