Why Choose An Underwater Boudoir Photoshoot

You hear me right, an underwater boudoir photoshoot. Three words not often used together, but more and more people are flocking (diving?) to doing their boudoir photoshoot, underwater. Imagine feeling confident, bold, empowered (all things a boudoir session should make you feel). Now imagine yourself feeling that way, while posing weightless in the water…I don't know about you, but I'm envisioning some Wonder Woman vibes!

So what in the world is an underwater boudoir photoshoot anyways?

Most people have some notion of boudoir photography, but even that is sometimes poorly misunderstood (check out my post on Myths About Boudoir Photoshoots). I'm sure you've seen plenty of Pinterest images featuring modelesque women pouting in lingerie. Boudoir is about so much more than seductively lounging around in your underwear. It's a way to celebrate yourself, create an incredibly special gift for your partner, and so much more. Perhaps you've done a boudoir shoot of your own!

Underwater photography, while less mainstream than boudoir, has been gaining momentum in recent years. The portraits that result from an underwater session are organic, meaning no two can ever be replicated. These sessions are just as much about the entire experience as the final images. Underwater portraits are exactly what they sound like, photos that are taken of you underwater. Spoiler alert, you actually go underwater. No photoshop or AI trickery here!

So, why would you want to combine boudoir and underwater photography? Besides the fact that it just sounds awesome, these sessions are perfect for someone who has already done a studio boudoir photoshoot, and wants some fresh and new boudoir shots. I guarantee your underwater boudoir photoshoot experience will be like nothing you've ever done before!

Underwater boudoir is a photoshoot experience like you've never had before

If I'm being honest, modeling for underwater photography is hard. I've done it enough times to know. Fortunately, you'll have me to coach you through it, and, once you see the awesome photos, you'll feel unstoppable! It's seriously a rejuvenating experience. And, when you couple with boudoir, the self-affirmation is unbeatable!

If you would define yourself as a person who collects life experiences, this is a great one to add to your list! You'll walk away with a huge self esteem boost, amazing art, and tons of fun stories about your session.

Did I mention no two sessions are ever the same? That's right, your session will be uniquely yours. Even if you elect to do a set that I've done previously, I promise that yours will turn out differently. It's all in the outfits you choose, the poses you hit, even the look on your face! That's the incredible experience of working in the water. Even if we do a completely custom set, just for you, it won't be imitated the exact same. Individuality is huge with an underwater boudoir photoshoot, and your images will be the perfect representation of who you are, as an individual.

The biggest reason for an underwater boudoir photoshoot is entirely about you

If you're looking for an experience that's an exercise in self love, trust, and surrender, underwater boudoir is exactly what you're looking for! There is no greater compliment than mixing boudoir and underwater in the photography space. Seriously! Boudoir and underwater photoshoots will both ask and give similar things from/to you.

Boudoir photos are intimate, occasionally vulnerable, and an exercise in trust (both in your photographer and in yourself). If you've done a boudoir shoot before you know that it's so much more than the vulnerability of being naked with someone. It's the vulnerability of opening up yourself to yourself. That sounds strange, but let me explain: you are probably your worst critic. You may be hard on yourself and may even grimace when you see an image with you in it. Now think about it if you were in a state of undress. Oof. This is why you hire someone to guide you through the process.

The person you hire should understand how to pose you and make sure every angle is flattering regardless of your shape and size. They should be able to create beautiful light, and celebrate and encourage you along the way. The absolutely beautiful thing about underwater work is that it helps to quiet that critical narrative that may be running through your head.

If you're standing in the studio, it can be easy to have negative thoughts circling around, but underwater, it's much more difficult. Why? Because when you're underwater, you only have time to look inward and focus on your next breath. It has a way of drawing you inward, to a place of peace. It's an amazing experience you'll remember for the rest of your life.

Underwater you're forced to let go of control, and learn how to move with the motion of the water

I both love and hate working in the water for that exact reason. If you're like me at all, you likely value control and feel that when things are out of your hands it can make you feel anxious and off-kilter. Learning to work in the water is like learning to love yourself. It's an exercise in knowing when to assert yourself and knowing when to surrender and go with the flow. There are a lot of things in this world we can fight, but the implacable nature of water just isn't one of them. That is where the two worlds of boudoir and underwater photography collide so beautifully.

You may think that's a bunch of great reasons to do an underwater boudoir photoshoot, but just for kicks, here's a few more reasons how we make these sessions fun, safe, and special.

• I will work with you prior to your session to help you plan it from start to finish.

• You'll walk away from your design consultation with a packing list and feel prepared and excited!

• Everything in the studio is customizable to your unique preferences and wants, especially underwater boudoir sessions.

• I will work with you until we've planned something that you love and can't wait to shoot.

• If the creative rabbit hole sucks you in, I'll be there to jump in after you. You never know what we'll come up with in the end!

• Creativity only makes these sessions 1,000 times better! Underwater boudoir is already exciting, but let's find a way to make it better than anything else you've ever seen!

From start to end, your safety is the most important thing about your underwater boudoir photoshoot

The key to starting off on the right foot (or fin), is to have everything ready to go the second you show up for your session. That's one thing you won't have to worry much about. I'll have everything set up already at the studio, or shoot location, based on your consultation. You'll have a packing list (provided by me) and as long as you refer to it, you'll be set to go as well.

Sometimes we'll start in the studio first, or other times, we may go straight to the pool. The studio and pool are on my private property where no one will intrude on your session. I take your privacy seriously. It's a sacred trust between a boudoir photographer and client, and I always do my absolute best to honor that. If there is something that you need to feel more comfortable, never hesitate to ask! I've shot sessions in my underwear before so my client didn't feel like she was the only naked one.

In addition to your emotional safety, I try to provide for your physical safety as well. For every single underwater session, I include a safety person whose entire job is watching out for you during the session. My safety swimmers are trained lifeguards, certified in BLS/AED, certified freediver, freedive emergency medical responders, and so much more. My core team are advanced freedivers, advanced, technical, and professional divers, and freediver emergency medical responder trained. Additionally, your safety swimmer will be not only a woman, but also a trained model to help you create your absolute best poses!

Being comfortable underwater is key, that's why your underwater boudoir photoshoot will start on top of the water

Your boudoir session will usually start in the shallow area of the pool I call the sunshelf. This area is a really fun way to start acclimating to the water and the camera. We can set this area up to be drenched in flowers or for an "Ophelia-in-a-pond-surrounded-by-lilies" kind of look.

After we capture some beautiful shots here, we'll move into the shallow end of the pool and turn on your playlist. I have an awesome underwater speaker system (it actually sounds perfect under the water!) where you can play your favorite music right from your phone and hear it underwater. This really helps you to relax into the right headspace for these shoots.

The shallow end is the perfect location for you to focus on beautiful reflection shots. If you want to step it up a notch, we can bring in the 8 foot mirror for a dual reflection effect! These shots are so much fun and don't require any swimming. You can just go down, pose, stand up. I even have lots of beautiful silks to make shapes with that can add a pop of color.

Your entire shoot can stay in the shallow end if you're most comfortable where you can stand. If you want to step up the drama and be able to stretch out the posing, we can move to the deep end next. The deep end is 9 feet of fantastic-ness where you can get shot against incredible deep water sets like my stained glass, wisteria, and fine art backdrops! I even have an underwater flower swing that's tons of fun to play with.

The thing you'll love most about an underwater shoot is, if you can dream it up, we can make it happen. Safety is the biggest limiting factor, so that's why the pool is heated and has a convenient grab bar overhead so you don't have to tread water between shots. I know it can be a little disconcerting to go into deep water, so please know that you don't need to in order to get beautiful images! You may be more comfortable keeping your feet on the ground, but you also may find it easier to pose in deeper water. Either way, we'll find the balance that keeps you safe, comfortable, and getting killer underwater boudoir photos!