THE JULIANA SABO
boudoir Experience
I am so, so excited to officially have you as one of my boudoir babes!! I have been photographing boudoir for almost a decade, and it is some of my favorite work that I do. Photographing each of my beautiful ladies is such a huge honor, and I can’t wait to have a blast together
and capture some beautiful images!
My goal with this Boudoir Guide is to help you prepare for your shoot and get the MOST out of your experience. Your boudoir session is SUCH an inspiring memory and a huge investment…so it’s my job to be sure you are fully prepared! In this guide you will find everything from suggestions for outfits, hair and makeup, ways to customize your experience, what to expect the day of your shoot, how your final gallery will work and everything in between! Please take the time to read it thoroughly to ensure you have all of the information you need to make your shoot the absolute best it can be!
My promise as your photographer is that I will make you look and FEEL like the best version of YOU! I want your shoot and your images to reflect exactly who you are, and I’m here to help ensure we make that happen. Use the content in this guide as suggestions, but feel free to reach out to me at any point in the planning process to chat about how we can make it personal to YOU and create images that you will look back on and love for years to come.
Can’t wait to see you!
xoxo, juliana
I'M JULIANA!
Now that we've gotten to know each other, let's dive into the good stuff!
I started my business in Houston, TX, shortly after my husband, Stosch and I got married! We had just moved to a new state and I was searching for a job as a radiation therapist, but in the meantime I had the opportunity to pursue the thing I really wanted to do - photography.
A few years later we moved back to Iowa to be closer to family and I re-built my business in Mason City, dreaming of the day I'd be able to take this gig full-time. In 2019, I officially made this my full-time job and have been so incredibly grateful to be able to serve my clients and community doing something I love!
in case we haven't met...
What to expect
Now that you are booked and things are officially official - let’s talk through the entire boudoir experience, step-by-step! Your boudoir experience starts NOW, and I want you to know what’s around every corner as you begin to prep for your shoot day!
01
Alongside this style guide, you are going to receive some posing videos I've created to prepare you on the day of your shoot. These videos will not only help you know what I'll be asking of you on the day of the shoot, but you will also learn what poses you love and ones you may not be a fan of. Get your mirror out and start practicing! But, finish reading this guide first…there’s helpful stuff in here!
the style guide & posing videos
02
the week before
As we get closer to the day of your shoot, you can expect to hear from me with our meeting time, location address and final check-in! This is also the time to treat your body right, if you haven't done so already! No, no, you don't need to lose weight, but the key is feeling confident in the days leading up to your shoot. I know I feel my most confident when I've been treating my body right. Try to avoid any foods that make you feel bloated or sluggish. You'll thank yourself on the day of your session! This is also a great time to start practicing your poses, if you haven't already! Get out your full length mirror and give them a try! You can also practice your relaxed or "serious" face. Pretend you're giving "sexy, 'come hither' eyes" to that hottie across the room as you look in the mirror!
03
the shoot day!
This section of the style guide could be its own book in itself! SO many fun things to talk about on the day of your shoot! Your shoot will be 30 minutes to 1.5 hours in total (depending on the package you've chosen).
Let’s dive into what to expect each minute of your boudoir session:
The importance of being on time
First things first: being on time for your shoot is VITAL. And I don’t just say that because of my time…I say that because we are on the SUN’S time. Since we plan your shoot around the ideal time for golden lighting…being late means that you lose that time off of your shoot. Even being 15 minutes late means that we’ve lost 15 minutes of light. Once the sun goes down…we can’t shoot anymore! So, try to plan to be 15 minutes early for your session. That way, even if you hit traffic or a delay…it doesn’t eat into your shooting time! If you are more than 30 minutes late for your session, we will have to reschedule for my soonest available date (which is typically 2-3 months out).
the first 15 minutes
When you arrive at your shoot, the first thing we are going to do is look through your outfits together! Even if you send me photos beforehand, we will run through them together on the day-of to map out exactly what you're envisioning for each look and when you will change. This helps us to go in with a game plan. We typically start with the least revealing outfit first, so you have a bit of warmup time go get more comfortable in front of my camera.
Changing Outfits + Locations
I most often take these in my home, but can also come to your home or book a hotel room for a different look! I typically use a guest room in our home, plus a few other little spots that offer some different lighting and posing opportunities. The image on the right was actually taken in my basement! I know, I know - "come over to my house and take pictures in my basement..." might be one of the creepiest things you could hear, but trust me! Basement photos are moodier and gals tend to feel a bit more open to being more risque as it's a darker environment that we typically save for last!
Posing + Shooting
The BIGGEST and most important thing that I want you to know about your shoot day is this: I am going to tell you what to do the ENTIRE time! You do NOT need to have any posing or modeling experience. Part of your investment in your boudoir portraits is my experience and ability to pose you and make you look (and feel!) your absolute best. So, there’s no reason to be nervous at all! I will guide you through every single pose and I promise the BIGGEST compliment I get from women is that I make it so easy. It’s going to be a blast! Trust me!! Just let loose and have fun!!! I will tell you exactly what to do - there is ABSOLUTELY NO pressure on you! I will be playing a sexy playlist to set the mood, give confidence, and promote fun! :) If you'd rather play your own, that's fine! Just let me know and bring it along with you! Be yourself!! I've seen it all and I am seriously not judging. I see your beauty - let me show you your true beauty through my lens.
After we look through your outfits together, we will start shooting! We typically spend 15-20 minutes photographing each outfit before changing and moving to the next spot. I try to always save the BEST (sometimes the most revealing) outfit for last…so keep that in mind when planning your faves!
LET's talk locations...
Aside from choosing your outfits (which we are diving into next, don’t worry!) - choosing your LOCATION is a huge part of what will determine the overall style and aesthetic of your images. As I said before, I typically shoot boudoir sessions in my home, but if you're playing with the idea of a different location, there are a few things to keep in mind when picking where to shoot:
It’s actually not the location that matters most…it’s the LIGHT!
YEP. This is hard to understand if you aren’t a photographer but hear me out: if you have the most beautiful bedroom in mind with tons of fluffy pillows and a beautiful headboard…but it has one little itty bitty window…it’s actually not an ideal place to shoot. It would be better to have the session in a random empty room with gorgeous soft light coming through a big set of windows…because the LIGHT is what makes the biggest difference in the whole world! Trust me on this one!!
Try to think of an overall “feel” or “vibe” for your shoot…and let this guide your location choices!
While the location of your shoot totally matters…it may not matter quite as much as you think. The majority of the images in your final gallery will be close-up images…meaning you can’t see a whole lot of the background. What you CAN see is the colors, light and overall “feel” of the location. I recommend a space with plenty of window light, some long, white curtains to add texture (and block the sun, if needed), and a soft spot - this can be a bed, a chaise lounge chair, or a moody couch. Let me know if you'd like a moodier/dramatic feel, a playful feel, or a classic feel to your photos. I tend to get a mix of all three, but if you're drawn to a certain look then we'll focus on that feel the most!
Now for the most FUN part and hands-down the most frequently asked question: WHAT DO I WEAR!? Choosing what you will wear for your photo shoot is a huge decision that can make or break your boudoir portrait session! I know that sounds intense... but, if you wear something that you don’t feel confident in or that doesn’t photograph well on camera...it can ruin the experience for you! So, the Boudoir Style Guide to the rescue! This section will break down my best tips for what to wear and how to style your boudoir session outfits.
WHAT TO WEAR
1. be confident
The NUMBER ONE, most important thing to remember when planning your outfits: choose an outfit that makes you feel CONFIDENT. Our goal here is to make you look & feel as sexy in your own skin as humanly possible, exactly as you are, so everything you bring with you should make you feel super gorgeous. Oh, and DEFINITELY try them on before you arrive at your session so you can check out all your angles and try different posing in each of your outfits.
2. be yourself
At risk of sounding cheesy…staying true to yourself with your outfits is so important. When you look back at these images in 20+ years…you’ll want them to truly reflect YOU! If you aren’t someone who's into laccey lingerie or enjoys being fancy…don’t feel like you need to go buy fancy lingerie just for photos (unless you want to). If you don’t enjoy being girly and wearing frilly outfits…then leave them at home! Don’t feel pressured to buy anything new or outside of your usual style just because you are getting photos taken. If you feel your sexiest in a white tee and short shorts, then wear that! If an oversized sweater in panties and leg warmers are your jam, then bring that! This entire shoot is meant to be about who YOU are in this exciting season of life… so don’t change a single thing about ya!
3. Lingerie Options
Form-fitting is best! Babydolls are pretty, but can sometimes end up making your mid-section look bigger than it is! If you have a babydoll you love and would like my opinion, definitely bring it along! Bodysuits are some of my favorite types of lingerie for a boudoir session. A bra and panties is always good - cheekie or thong usually look better than full-coverage. Basic colors like red, black, white, deep purple, navy look best! Colors can be fun, but can be distracting and cast colors onto your skin. Keep it monochromatic - mismatching colors can be distracting!
4. add layers
Using a robe over an outfit can make it seem like two separate outfits! It's also an easy way to start your session, so we can start a little more covered up, then lose the robe as you get more relaxed and comfortable being in front of my camera. I keep a sheer black and a sheer white robe available, but if you have one you'd like to bring, please do! Another option for a layer is a veil! If you're getting married soon and like to incorporate your veil for a more bridal look, go for it!
5. play with textures
Sometimes textures like feathers and furs can be considered too extra…but, in portraits, they can be so fun! Having a variety of lace, silk, leather, or something cozy like a sweater is nice to mix things up a bit and give off a whole different vibe. But if you feel most comfortable in one texture over the others, don't feel like you need to stray from that.
6. don't be afraid to Bare it All
If you want one of your outfits to be your birthday suit, by all means, let's do it! Not everyone feels comfortable doing this, so if you'd rather not, that's okay too! We don't show the lady bits in photos - they'd be hidden by a sheet or a strategically placed leg. We typically reserve this for the last 15 minutes or so of the shoot so you're at your most confident!
boudoir portfolio
My boudoir portfolio contains images of gorgeous women who made beautiful choices with their outfits! Not only does this serve as outfit inspo, but also gives ideas of what poses you'll be learning! Please be respectful of these ladies' privacy and do not share this with others. Thank you!
click to see portfolio
PASSWORD: julesboudoir2024
THINGS TO AVOID:
Now, there’s a few important things to AVOID that are worth having their own section of this guide! As a general rule of thumb, these are the things to stay away from…
1. Wearing tight fitting clothing to your session
Don't wear anything before your session that leaves marks in your skin! Avoid those socks that leave a ring around your leg or something with a waistband that digs in and leaves marks. These can be difficult to edit out and are best just avoided! Editing out skin creases or tan lines can take hours PER PHOTO...which can result in your images taking a lot longer to get back or requiring additional fees for extensive edits.
2. Bold tan lines or orange fake tans
Take off that apple watch for a few weeks before your session so that tan line dissipates some. We want your skin as even-toned as possible! Don't reach for the self-tanning lotion unless you are well-versed in using it and know exactly what works. Tan lines are a beast to edit out and do cost an extra fee to remove. If you're looking for a tanned look, I'd recommend booking with Riana at Glow on the Go for a spray tan. She knows what she's doing! For the best color, book your spray tan 48 hours before your session. Her info is below:
glow on the go
places to shop
I mentioned it earlier on in the guide, but I'm going to say it again: buying new pieces is NOT required for your boudoir session! But if you want to use your session as an excuse to shop a bit - I'm going to share some of my favorite spots!
This is the fun part...
adore me
BODY BINDS
PINSY
SHEIN
a little more bondage inspired
classic lingerie shop
sexy bodysuits
less quality, but cheaper!
GOOSEBERRY
classic lingerie shop
VICTORIAS SECRET
the obvious one
HAIR & MAKEUP
THEY ARE TRAINED PROFESSIONALS
When you are investing in a professional photographer, you want to make sure that the images look their absolute best. Professional makeup artists are TRAINED to do makeup so that it photographs well. While your makeup may look AMAZING in person, it can look completely different on-camera, and these professionals are trained to know the difference! They will conceal spots you don’t like, contour your face so it looks the best at every angle, use colors that compliment your skin to make it look flawless, make your eyes POP with false lashes + shadows, manicure your eyebrows to perfection and more!
I highly recommend all of my boudoir clients invest in professional makeup. If it is in your budget, hiring a professional for your makeup (and sometimes hair) will make a huge difference in the quality of your photos and boudoir experience. You are already making a large investment in your boudoir experience…so why not make it the best it can be?!
Let’s talk about why it can be such a big game-changer for your experience:
LESS STRESS
Preparing for your boudoir portrait session can be stressful in and of itself. Trying to do your makeup by yourself can make things even harder. Professional camera equipment is designed to pick up every little detail in an image (even details that the eye can’t see) so hiring a professional makeup artist is the best way to go.
WHO DOESN’T LIKE BEING PAMPERED!?
I don’t ever want my boudoir ladies to feel like their portrait session is just simply “taking pictures”, I want it to be an EXPERIENCE. So, if you arrive after an hour of being pampered + beautified, the entire experience has already started on a good note! If a woman arrives flustered or stressed after trying to get ready themselves, it can affect the entire experience, including the way you look in photographs!
my RECOMMENDATIONS
Here is a list of amazing artists that I recommend in the North Iowa area
THE BEAUTY ROOM
hair & co.
BARE SUGAR SPA & SALON
If this is not in your budget, that is COMPLETELY okay!
You can use these tips to make your makeup look camera-ready yourself:
Plan to wear slightly heavier make-up than normal, including blush and lipstick or gloss that are at least slightly darker than your lip color. I also highly recommend false eyelashes. These can be purchased for very affordable prices at target or any pharmacy in the area.
Don't neglect the nails
And one last tip!! In all of the chaos of boudoir session prep... don’t forget to pamper your nails! During your shoot, a lot of the poses we do will have your hands close to your face and in the frame, so make sure that your nails look just how you want! Try to avoid any chipped polish or crazy patterns. French manicures, light/natural colors and even nails with no color at all photograph best!!
Think about what you'll do with the images
Some people take these photos just for themselves - hello, the best confidence booster there is - proof that you are gorgeous + sexy just as you are. If this is the case, you may not have anything particular in mind, but could incorporate some sort of flower halo or something that gives you confidence. If you'll be giving these to a significant other, you might want to incorporate something from their favorite hobbies, past times, or job. Have an inside joke or something special you bring into the bedroom? Bring it along!
PROPS & ACCESSORIES
Now that we have a better idea of the overall style for your session based on your outfits and locations, let’s add in the pretty details! First, let me clarify: this part is TOTALLY optional! If you don’t want to add any props or accessories to your shoot… you don’t have to! All we need is YOU to make your shoot amazing. But, if you want to personalize your shoot even further and add in some fun “extras”... this section of the guide is going to help you!
GALLERY DELIVERY
YAY! It takes about 4 weeks to edit your boudoir images, then you'll get an email with the link to your full gallery - AH!!! This is where you will be able to download, share and print all of your high resolution digital images. You can download individual images or the entire gallery at once. The next few pages of the guide will walk you through how to use your gallery and the best ways to print and display your new favorite photos. Be sure to come back and reference this after your session!
After your shoot, my favorite part of the process is emailing over a sneak peek within 3-5 days of your session. I truly get just as excited about your images as you do…and I go home straight from your shoot to edit a handful of my favorites and get them in your hands ASAP! You can expect 1-3 sneak peeks to be shared within a few days!
The Sneak Peeks
Editing your final gallery typically takes about 4 weeks, and gallery delivery day is THE MOST EXCITING!!! I will send you the link to your final gallery in an email. This gallery is where you can easily select your images, download, share and print all of your high resolution digital files. Your gallery is SO easy to use, and my hope is that it makes sharing your images easy. Here’s a peek into what it will look like:
The Gallery Delivery
You will be prompted to log into your gallery with your name and email. This is for your safety and my records! This way, I know exactly who is viewing your gallery and downloading your images...and you know that random people can't get access to it without us knowing! Additionally, you can favorite images and I can see them on my end...which makes it easy for me to help you order prints and products!
Logging In
You will have a set number of images that are included in the boudoir package you chose. I will send a coupon code and download instructions in the same email with your gallery link to give you full access to download that number of images. You will also have the option to purchase the entire gallery or add on images individually. If you purchase the entire gallery, you will be given a mobile app to easily access your images from your phone and the ability to download your images as many times as you'd like.
DOWNLOADING YOUR IMAGES
printing your images
I truly believe so deeply in the power of printing your images and holding them in your hand. There is something so special about having a physical copy of these memories to cherish and relive this experience for that extra dose of confidence when you need it.. I have physical photo books of my engagement photos, and yearly family albums...and I flip through them ALL the time! You took the time to invest so much money into your boudoir session...why not print the images and have a physical way to cherish them and share them?
As you know, I do not have any purchase minimums or requirements in terms of printing your images. They are yours to share and print from whenever you prefer! But there is the option to purchase professional-quality prints and products through your online gallery. This is the ONLY printing option that I personally and professionally recommend in terms of quality and durability. If you print somewhere else, I can NOT guarantee that the quality of the images will look the same as they do online, or that the products and prints themselves will be durable.
My honest suggestion is this: if you want to print your images larger than a 4x6…the professional printer through your online gallery is the best way to go.
In the next few pages, I am going to walk you through the "shop" portion of your boudoir gallery. This is where you can find prints, photo books, canvases, and more directly through my professional printer!
Photo Books
Prints & Canvases
accessing the shop
When you are inside your full gallery, you will see two options at the top: "GALLERY" and "SHOP". You can toggle between the two SUPER easily!
When you open up the shop, it should look like this! You will find all of the product options here. You can purchase prints, canvases, photo books, and more! I'll walk you through how to design each type of product over the next few pages!
When ordering prints, you will see all of the print TYPES in the left-hand column and all of the SIZES on the righthand column. Depending on which size you select, it will likely prompt you to "adjust crop" for each image.
It will open up a window that looks like this so you can customize the crop and be sure nothing important is getting cut off! I recommend centering the people in the photo for the best cropping.
ALBUMS + PHOTO BOOKS
One of my personal favorite ways to print boudoir images is in an album or photo book. They are such an elegant way to look through your images and make an amazing gift for your significant other! They are also the most customizable option - you can pick the cover material + color, plus you get to design all of the pages inside!
