Michelle | Sharon MA Boudoir Photographer

Michelle is a vivacious mother of two from Sharon, MA, who doesn’t take anything too seriously. Her engaging and good-natured personality is ideally suited for her thriving fitness career in the Boston area. I’ve known Michelle for a long time, having photographed her family and newborns throughout the years, so I was thrilled when she chose to join my exclusive women’s-only Facebook group. This private lounge features boudoir photography and other content designed to celebrate and empower fellow females. Shortly after joining the group, Michelle emailed me to schedule a session.When asked why she wanted to do the shoot, she said, “We’re always waiting for the perfect time to do something – when we hit the perfect weight, look the perfect way in a bathing suit. And there’s no perfect time – COVID has shown us that.” I couldn’t agree more.In this article, I’ll break down Michelle’s boudoir photography session to give you a glimpse into her experience. Tackling pre-shoot jittersOn the morning of Michelle’s session, she arrived appropriately dressed in comfortable sweats and Ugg® boots, free of makeup and straps that would leave marks on her skin. She was admittedly nervous. As a boudoir photographer and friend, I know that Michelle is stunning. It’s easy for me – and everyone in the world – to see that. But, like most of us, she was insecure about certain parts of her body. Before the session began, Michelle said she was most fearful of “…the insecurities that I have about my body, which I think a lot of us do [have]. Hopefully, this [experience] will help me overcome that and help me see what my husband sees.” To ease Michelle’s fears, we started by talking through her insecurities, so I could better understand what she hoped to get from the session.And then, with the celebratory pop of Veuve Clicquot® for a “little glass of champs,” as Michelle dubbed her favorite bubbly, she was revved up and ready for anything.Styling & sippingAs Michelle sipped her champagne, we tailored her outfits, hairstyle, makeup, and poses to bring out the best in her. She wanted to include a simple look, so her white FREE PEOPLE® bodysuit was a definite yes. Her sexy looks featured black lace lingerie, some with a fur coat and pearl-studded lace-up Chanel® heels. We also opted for a tomboy look with a basic white tank and men’s briefs. When I pulled out a glittered lip-adorned tee freshly cut for off-the-shoulder appeal, Michelle was enthusiastically up for it. To personalize her boudoir session, she brought a hockey stick prop as an ode to her hockey-playing hubby.Michelle knew she wanted dramatic eyes, which played well with her creamy, fair skin tone. She rocked an easily tousled hairstyle with long locks beautifully flowing all around her. Michelle didn’t think she could pull off red lips, preferring a softer, neutral hue – until the makeup artist showed her that not all reds are created equal. She fell in love with a perfect shade of crimson that set off her sultry outfit choices, while the lighter shade worked better with the soft and romantic looks. Posing like a proWith six looks decided for Michelle’s boudoir photography shoot, I set up three coordinating sets: bedroom, lounge, and portrait with an interchangeable backdrop. Using a combination of natural and diffused light, I demonstrated poses I thought Michelle would like. While they may have felt awkward to her – a highly-arched back and protruding caboose – Michelle knocked the poses out of the park. I’ll never forget her reaction when I showed her a preview on my camera. She nodded and smiled confidently, as if to say, “Okay, I get it now; I look so amazing.”Michelle’s boudoir photography shoot took about two hours, but it felt like 15 minutes. She was truly a joy because she was such a good sport. She trusted me to find the best lighting and angles to make her shine. And just like her champagne, Michelle’s sparkly effervescence and striking beauty enlivened and heated up a cold, wintery day.“After my photoshoot with Dana, I actually feel really confident, and I feel strong,” she said. “I think coming in, I had a little hesitation, but Dana helped me feel really comfortable.” When asked if she’d do it again, she replied, “1000%” yes. Wrapping it upOver the next two weeks, I carefully edited Michelle’s boudoir photography shots. I emailed her the images in an online gallery. She selected prints for herself and chose to order an album as a gift. Over a lively Zoom call, we designed her album together, carefully selecting the right images for each page.With Michelle’s permission, I’ve shared her boudoir photographs on my website and social media channels. I’d like to thank you, Michelle, for the bottom of my heart for letting me share your inner and outer beauty with the world!For more on Michelle’s boudoir photography experience, check out her video on our Raves page and the behind-the-scenes take on our home page. If you’re interested in booking your own boudoir photography session, reach out to schedule a free consultation, and be sure to join our women’s-only private lounge to access sneak peeks, upcoming model calls, and more.