“Beauty Comes in All Shapes and Sizes”

Booking a boudoir shoot is a choice to be fearless for LOTS of women. However, choosing to be fearlessly authentic is a challenge in itself. I talk to women every day who aren’t 100% happy in their skin. The burden of comparison weighs on us as women: our thighs aren’t smooth enough, waistlines aren’t small enough, nose is too big (yes that’s one of my sensitive spots). The list goes on and on. What I challenge my clients to start believing is their bodies are gorgeous and beautiful as God created them. Oh yeah, those thighs you wished you had, the woman who owns them wishes she had more curves in her hips and thighs. TRUE STORY!

Every individual body is stunning in it’s own right.  This is the second post in a series that delve into the more recognizable body types found here in my Body Types 101 post. I’ll be covering each gloriously, wonderful shape to give recommendations to help you feel confident for your boudoir shoot. Because confidence is everything remember?

My goal as your photographer is to help you build as much confidence leading up to your portrait session. So we are talking about Hourglass/Top Hourglass/Spoon body shape.  Curves are your name- the hourglass has similar bust and hip measurements and a well defined waist.  The Spoon and Top Hourglass are both very close to the Hourglass- all three have a well defined waist but the latter two have slight tweaks.  The Spoon has hips slightly wider than the bust and Top Hourglass, you guessed it, is the opposite: Bust is slightly wider than the hips.

Create Balance- Showcase your waist

Basically anything flowy or loose fitting is going to be your enemy.  With your shoulders and hips being very close in size, wearing flowy, undefined pieces will create a tent effect and we don’t want that.  No one is out here trying to camp girl! As a portrait artist, I create as many triangles in my composition as possible. They keep the eye interested and give a lot of visual movement your brain likes. There is another plus: triangles create narrowing points!  Pencil skirt, tailored cocktail dress, or wraps/robes with a belt and jackets are all fabulous items to wear. Fitted leather jackets and button up shirts can be buttoned or zipped up just enough to create that V to draw attention where we want! This bodysuit is my favorite and everyone should own one: The Best Lace Bodysuit

Draw attention with Shapes and lines

Speaking of Triangles, another useful tool in our best are lines.  Use lines to focus the eye where you want it to go.  They can help you create curves or emphasize what you love about your body. Garter belts and strappy detailed bras are an excellent option to incorporate lines. Deep cut V-necks like this one Avidlove Lace Halter Teddy make a perfect triangle with your face and right in the middle, your girls are saying HELLO!  It also draws a line towards your defined midsection.  Feeling more demure?  Choose a body suit or bra with a keyhole opening that give just a peek at the goods.

Highlight the assets

Listen, we all have areas of our bodies we aren’t super jazzed about but what if you spent more time focusing on the things you love about your body?  Take all that negative energy and focus it on the good!  What do you love?  Do you have killer eyes?  Beautiful lips?  Killer legs?  Amazing cleavage?  You are a buxom babe for sure so show it off!  Take a good hard look in the mirror and find something you love and let’s make it shine!  

DITCH THE CLOTHES AND USE A WHITE SHEET!

My white sheet set is incredibly popular and timeless. Clients LOVE the end result and almost always is their favorite. All three of my suggestions above can be accomplished with white sheet set. The sky is really the limit and it really allows your natural beauty to shine. You get to call the shots on what is showing and what isn’t. I always save this set for last so you have plenty of time to get comfy and make sure you are ready. I promise you won’t regret this as an option.

BONUS TIP: I said it once and I’ll say it again- stay away from flowy, undefined pieces.  Those pretty flowy frocks flow out to a woman’s widest measurement and then fall straight down adding extra weight.  We want to celebrate your curves and we can’t if they are hidden!

What do you think? Are you ready? Need help finding some of outfit options? Don’t worry- there is a full list of retailers I recommend in my 30 page Getting Ready Guide I give exclusively to my clients and if you still need help, no worries. We can book an extra clothing consultation or even set up a personal shopper appointment so I can tag along and help you decide. I mean it when I’m there every step of the way!

Hair by Ashlee Parker of Color Divine

Have you thought about booking your own shoot with Cassy? Download your complimentary Dream Shoot Planner by clicking HERE.  It will tell you all about the experience and what to expect.  I would love to chat with you! You can give me a call directly at 319-849-5152.  You can also email me at info@chrysalisboudoir.com.  I can’t wait to hear from you!

Hair And Makeup by Kendra Aarhus of Kendraaarhus.com