Wedding Chat with Sande - The Bridal Boudoir

Boudoir Photography. My favorite type of photo shoot. Make it a Bridal Boudoir and I can't even deal with the excitement that runs through my veins.

Over the last 3 years, I have done several bridal boudoirs. What is a bridal boudoir? A bride dresses in beautiful lingerie and has her photo taken. The shots can range from demure, to smiles to all out sexy. She will bring her veil, her shoes or boots, her garter and anything else that makes it personable. And of course her engagement ring and wedding jewelry. I have had brides bring at least 2 different outfits. Sometimes it's not lingerie at all - but his favorite hunting shirt or football jersey. Or his favorite cowboy hat. The possibilities are endless. We spend a couple of hours having a blast. I serve champagne or wine, put on some pumping music and direct the bride into flattering and beautifu poses.

Then when we are done, I upload all the photos from the shoot on my computer and let my bride view them all. These are raw, unedited photos. I explain to my bride that can she pick her favorites and I will edit these photos to make her look flawless.

I then take her favorites and create a gift for the groom - an album. The album will feature my bride's favorite photos from her shoot. The album is completely personalized for the groom. Sometimes my bride will tell me to add special notes from her to the groom in the album. Sometimes we will take the lyrics to their special song and spread it throughout the album. Sometimes it is just pictures - no words. Hey what words are needed?

Once the album is completed, I carefully wrap it in tissue and place it in a beautiful box with a bow. The album is traditionally presented to the groom as a gift before the wedding. I have had the honor of actually presenting the gift to the groom myself a few times. I probably don't have to tell you how much I love doing that!!

The last time I did it, I presented it to the groom and then followed him to the groom's suite where he privately opened his gift. Well semi-private ~ I was there with him and I photographed every second, every reaction he had as he flipped through his album showcasing his ultra-beautiful, ultra sexy bride-to-be. The goose bumps did not leave my body until I left the suite. I immediately went to the bridal suite and tightly hugged my bride and thanked her for allowing me to be a part of this private, beautiful moment. Can you see why I love my job so much?

I have said this before and I will say it again, just to clear up any boudoir myths. The pictures in these albums are tasteful and elegant. There is no nudity. The bride is dressed in beautiful lingerie or otherwise covered. There are illusions of nudity but never actual nudity. The bride and groom can be proud of these pictures today and 50 years from now. Another myth is that my brides are a size zero. Never. I have never had a bride with a perfect body. That doesn't exist. My brides are women with body insecurities just like every other woman on the planet. But the photos are insanely soft, beautiful and sexy. I'm as proud of these photos as my bride is.

The following is a photo from my last bridal boudoir. I loveloveLOVE this picture - I mean...her hair - her eyes. Fierce.