Frequently Asked Questions

I’m not comfortable sharing my images online. Is that required to work with Curves Boudoir?

Sessions are 100% private and images are NEVER shared anywhere without your permission. There’s NO requirement to share images in order to book a session. Read more about my Privacy Policy.

I’m worried about acne/cellulite/stretchmarks. Do you offer retouching?

Retouching is included with every session and customized to your comfort level. I remove scars as requested, acne, blemishes, stretchmarks and cellulite in addition to bruises and other random marks you may have on the day of your session! That said, I believe in clients looking like themselves. Retouching will not mean you look like you’ve been filtered to the point of looking like someone else. 

I don’t “take off 15 pounds!” I work with clients to find the most flattering poses and lighting to highlight their best features. If there’s something you feel particularly self-conscious about, let me know.

I’m older than (not as thin as, etc.) the women on your website. Do you think I can still have a good shoot?

Absolutely! No perfect bodies required here. Did you know all of the women on my website are like you? They didn’t come in with experience in posing or a perfect body! I don’t work with models! (Some other boudoir photographers feature mostly models on their websites – true story!)

I regularly work with women over 40. I also work with women of all sizes. As you can understand, not everyone I work with wants their photo on my website, so you may not see someone who looks like you. The women on my website are real women just like you who went through makeup and hair, put together thoughtful wardrobes and trusted us to help them create sexy, beautiful images. We can do the same for you. Boudoir photography is for EVERY woman.

Where does the session take place?

Your session will take place in my home in Virginia Beach. I have two rooms dedicated to studio space and you’ll literally feel right at home! Exact location will be provided to you once you’ve confirmed your session with payment and client information form.

Can I bring someone with me to my shoot?

You’re welcome to bring a friend for the makeup and hair portion of your session. Please let me know prior to your session day!

For the shoot itself, I do not allow anyone else to be present. Even a best friend can be distracting because the attention isn’t completely on you. While I’m photographing your session there are no other folks in the room – your friend can relax in my home or grab coffee and shop just a couple of minutes away.

If your friend, partner or husband wants to meet me to ensure I am not an ax murderer (!), they are welcome to come and meet me as you’re arriving! 🙂

Are makeup and hair included? Can I just do my own and save money?

Every session includes full makeup and hair styling. Getting your makeup and hair done sets the tone for your session. It gives you time to relax, get to know us better and feel pampered. But more importantly, having a professional do your makeup means they know how to do camera-ready makeup that will truly make you feel and look boudoir sexy! Honestly, you will want to have a professional makeup artist go with you everywhere once you experience this luxury!

If you have a very specific hair style in mind, or ethnic hair or simply want to come with your hair fully styled, that is fine.

The makeup artist just handed me a mirror – I feel like I have A LOT of makeup on. Am I going to look like myself?

Don’t worry! It looks like a lot of makeup in person but it will look just right in-camera. Keep the mirror at least three feet away from you when you look at your makeup – the camera will never be closer than that. Remember that some of the makeup naturally “falls away” in the natural light, the processing and retouching of your images.

However, we want you to be happy, so speak up if you want to make an adjustment. The makeup artist is happy to talk with you about making any adjustments to the makeup after you’ve had some time to get used to it. Your happiness with your look is really important to me.

How long will the session take?

Makeup and hair take an hour and a half on average. The photographic session also takes an hour to an hour and a half.

I will provide you with suggestions on things to bring to your session in an email “tip sheet” you’ll receive upon reserving your session.

In general here are some things you’ll want to bring:

– 3 to 4 outfit changes like a mix of lingerie, special items (like a favorite shirt of his or jersey) and any other options you’d like

– Accessories – jewelry and other items like a hat, helmet, veil etc.

– Sexy shoes!

– The address of your Pinterest idea board or printed inspiration pages for poses if you’d like!

How many outfits can I wear?

Sessions include 3 outfits and a selection of “white sheet” poses. If you prefer, you may do 4 outfits total.

If you want to add more outfits to you session, you may do so for $75 per outfit. The $75 includes photographing additional photos in that outfit as well as processing and providing the final images in that outfit in your online gallery. Please arrange this with me PRIOR to the day of your session because it impacts my schedule and may impact my family’s schedule since I shoot in my home.

Do I bring my own lingerie? Do you have some I can use?

I encourage clients to primarily bring their own selection of outfits. That’s the best way to ensure everything fits really well and that you love the way you look in your outfits. New for this year – I also offer the Curves Boudoir closet to my clients!  I have a closet and several drawers full of options for clients who would like to borrow them. If you’re thinking about wearing something from my Curves Boudoir closet – I recommend you try on options when we meet prior to your session so you can see what the outfits look like on you prior to session day. Select outfits that match your body type and suit your session goals. I also have a selection of necklaces and accessories.

I don’t know how to pose. I’m not a model. Help!

This is by far the biggest concern for my clients! Don’t worry – as I’ve said before, I work with clients through every pose during their session. Note that posing will NOT feel like just another afternoon of lounging around on your bed. I tell my clients that if the pose feels a little weird, they’re probably doing it right!

There are classic poses that most clients want to incorporate and new poses that clients want to try. And I try to find several new poses for each session.

When will I see my session images? How long does it take to get everything back?

About 7 days after your shoot, I will send you a link to your online password-protected gallery to view your final images. You will have 7 days to complete your order.

If you purchased digital files, they will be made available upon payment via instant download by online gallery. I will also mail you a crystal-styled USB drive with the digital files you’ve purchased.

If you’ve purchased other items like an album, canvas or prints, we’ll go over your order together and you will see a proof of the item before it goes out to be created and delivered to you. About a week later your gorgeous purchases will arrive at your doorstep.

Need something sooner? Let me know when you contact me – I may be able to rush your session images.

Do you offer a payment plan?

In a way, my packages include a built-in payment plan and this works for most clients. I take payment for your session fee and package over the course of several weeks to months depending on how far in advance you book your session. Part of the session fee is taken at the time of booking and your remaining session fee balance is due one week prior to your session. Your product purchase is due on the day of your session.

I do offer no-interest pre-payment plans that extend the payment window up to 6 months – this is a great way to purchase the Collection of your choice. I personally love paying for my “fun” indulges (like purses!) this way so it’s a fun purchase AND a painless purchase!! Please talk with me about a payment plan if you’re interested in setting it up. I do not deliver any products until full payment has been made. I also take Paypal Credit – which is another 6-month, interest-free option.

I’m traveling from out of town for my session. Where should I stay?

Many of my clients travel in for their sessions from out of the area. Please let me know if you’re interested in booking a place to stay while you’re in town. I also have excellent rates for several fantastic hotels in Virginia Beach.

I don’t see any semi nude photos on your website. I’m a little embarrassed to ask, but do you offer that type of photography?

Yes, I do offer semi nude options during sessions. I just choose not to display this on the web. Keep in mind that I will only photograph tasteful nudes – if it’s outside my comfort zone I will let you know. It’s my goal that you look back on the photos and feel good about them years from now. And not that you look back on them and feel weird about having shown something you wish you hadn’t!

What is your refund policy? Can I reschedule?

Life happens! However, if you contact me to reschedule with less than 14 days notice, you forget about your appointment or you reschedule more than once, the portion of the session fee that you’ve already paid is not transferable. When you sign the contract, I’m blocking that day and paying a makeup artist to block their calendar. I’m also turning away people interested in shooting that day. (Yes, I make exceptions! I will be happy to make an exception for work related changes – particularly military schedules as I know they can be unpredictable and out of your hands! Unfortunately, due to past experiences, I’ve had to put this policy in place.)

If you provide more than 14 days notice, you may transfer the portion of the session fee you’ve already paid to a future date within 60 days of your original session date.

Due to the custom nature of photography, the session fee and anything you purchase is non-refundable. I am committed to working with you to ensure you love your photos. You’ll have final say on all retouching and you’ll see all album layouts before they go to print.