Plan Your Central Florida Wedding

What to Expect from Your Boudoir Session

April 15, 2020 Orange Blossom Bride
Plan Your Central Florida Wedding
What to Expect from Your Boudoir Session
Show Notes Transcript

Many couples exchange gifts on their wedding day and are looking for something special and personalized. What could be more special than a beautiful photo album of your boudoir session? Brides are finding that this isn’t just a gift for their future spouse but an empowering gift for themselves. If you’re thinking this would be something you’d like to do but aren’t sure what to expect in a boudoir session, Ashley of Ashley Jane Photography gives us some great insight in this episode!

Ashley Van Zandt:   0:00
boudoir is for everyone. No matter what your age or your body type it is is for you right now.

Amanda Schmidt:   0:16
Welcome to the Plan Your Central Florida wedding Podcasts. I'm your host. Amanda Schmidt, editor of Greater Orlando's top wedding publication, Orange Blossom Bride. I'm sure when you said yes, you had no idea you were jumping on this roller coaster that is wedding planning. The goal of this podcast is to make the wedding planning process less stressful and more fun. We'll provide you with great tips and ideas, along with expert advice from some of the areas. Top wedding pros. So let's get started planning your Central Florida wedding.  

Amanda Schmidt:   0:50
Many couples exchange gifts on their wedding day and are looking for something special and personalized. And what could be more special than a beautiful photo album of your boudoir session? Now brides air finding that this isn't just a gift for their future spouse, but an empowering gift for themselves. If you're thinking this would be something you'd like to do but aren't really sure what to expect in a boudoir session, Ashley of Ashley Jane Photography is gonna give us some insight in this episode. Ashley is the owner of Ashley Jane Photography, which is a boutique boudoir and portrait studio in Sanford, Florida. And Ashley specializes in working with women, no matter their age or body type to feel confident and sexy in their own skin so they can wholeheartedly embrace the fierce and courageous woman that they are in this very moment. So welcome, Ashley.

Ashley Van Zandt:   1:41
Hi. Thank you for welcoming me.

Amanda Schmidt:   1:43
I am so excited to have you. I always enjoy talking to you, Ashley.

Ashley Van Zandt:   1:48
Oh, thank you. I'm super excited to be here and to talk about something I'm super duper passion about.

Amanda Schmidt:   1:54
Yes, I know you love your boudoir you actually do weddings as well, but I know she loves her boudoir. That's a soft spot for you.

Ashley Van Zandt:   2:01
Yes, I love being in the studio and I love I just love getting to work with women. 

Amanda Schmidt:   2:07
Let's start with what boudoir is for those who have no clue what we're talking about at this point. And then who is it for?

Ashley Van Zandt:   2:20
Boudoir is essentially images of you in lingerie. They can be in like a bedroom setting. But can really be done anywhere. Ah, it could be in the bedroom. Uh, we have different sets in our studios. That kind of looked more like a living room. Or we even have a fun little shower scene. Um, but you could also do them on the beach. You're in your own home. Ah, the possibilities of where you do them are endless. Boudoir is for everyone. Um, no matter what your age or your body type it is is for you right now. Ah, lot of women will do it for their fiance. Because it's the perfect gift, not only for them, Ah, but for you as well. And it's something really, Thio, remember your body right now

Amanda Schmidt:   3:06
and I love we've talked about this before, too. And I love how you say, Like, remember your body right now, because you may be self-conscious of yourself right now, but probably in 10 years, you're gonna wish you had this body. So it's like, kind of embracing that. Yeah. You know how perfect you are at any age.

Ashley Van Zandt:   3:25
Yes. And I tell everybody, especially my wedding clients. I'm like, I'm so happy you're doing this because do before you. If you're planning on having do before you have kids, you want to remember what your body felt like back that.

Amanda Schmidt:   3:38
Yes, very, very true. So if somebody's intrigued now, now they know what it is, and it's for them because it's no matter the age or body type. You've worked with all types of women. What can they packed in an actual session? Because it may, you know, you say it's in lingerie, so people maybe like what? I don't want to be in front of somebody in my underware. What is that about? So give us what to expect during that session

Ashley Van Zandt:   4:06
So we will correspond a lot through email. Um, and I'll kind of help you pick out outfits. And I will say that boudoir, like, essentially, is lingerie. But there's a lot of things. It's sexy photos. So if you feel sexy in, um, a pair of ripped up jeans and a brawl, it, that's what you'll wear. So you don't have to do lingerie if you don't want to do lingerie but will correspond a lot through email. I'll help you pick out some good outfits. Um, I want you to know me as much as possible so that when you do come into the studio, you're feeling a lot more comfortable. Our hair makeup team is all female. We have all-female staff, so you'll be You'll come in, you get your hair and makeup done. Well, kind of finalize all your outfits. We'll have music playing for you. We do offer some champagne, too. If you want to relax a little bit or ah, and then we'll actually start the actual session. And I help you with posing. Uh, everybody comes in and like, I don't know how to pose. I don't know how to be sexy. I promise you have it in you to be sexy like everybody can do it. Everybody can do it s so I'll help a lot with that. And then once you are the sessions actually done. Ah, we'll break for just like, maybe an hour, 45 minutes, and then you'll actually come back and do your images right away. And we'll do Ah, you're ordering session right away. So you get to see how good you look that day,

Amanda Schmidt:   5:33
and that's an awesome thing to do with your clients because, you know, they're all in the moment at that point. And then they're like, Oh, my gosh, these came out amazing.

Ashley Van Zandt:   5:43
Yes, I have found that that has been so not only rewarding for them but rewarding for me. It's like they look at the images. It's really me, and I'm like, yes, that is really you. That is all you! I just took the photo that you did that pose. That's how good you look right now!

Amanda Schmidt:   6:03
On or in the show notes of this episode. I will put a link to the video that we did because I was so lucky to be able to see Ashley in action on this because I was curious as well. You know, I had done a boudoir session a long time ago, but, um, you know, it wasn't the vibe that you were telling me about prior, and actually, it's so great doing it and making you feel so comfortable. And you did such a great job on that little side note.

Ashley Van Zandt:   6:29
Oh, thank you very much. It was a blast that day.

Amanda Schmidt:   6:32
So when it comes to what to wear. You talked a little bit about how you don't have to be in lingerie. Um, and you talked about jeans. I know. That's one of your favorite looks

Ashley Van Zandt:   6:45
Yes, I will tell all my clients actually bring anything in your closet that you feel sexy. And I am a big fan of jeans. I'm a big fan of, like, oversized sweaters. Um, you know, things that kind lay off the shoulder. Um, anything lace. Um, my favorite lingerie is going to be bodysuits. They just like they flatter pretty much everybody tight. Also, I typically will suggest to my clients to bring in some heels. And if you like to wear jewelry bringing some jewelry, the possibilities are really endless. And ah, my other favorite photos are actually just girls and sheets like it looks really pretty. It's very sexy and you're actually a lot more covered than you think you are.

Amanda Schmidt:   7:36
Now. One question, though. What if they don't have that kind of stuff? Do they have to go out and buy it?

Ashley Van Zandt:   7:41
So I have stuff in studio that they are more than welcome to use. I tried to find, like, a variety of different sizes. Ah, but I always suggest bringing a few things that you know that will fit your that way you know that you're comfortable in them. And then even if you want to, you're welcome to come into the our studio beforehand and kind of check out our client closet, see if there's anything there that you like. But I definitely do suggest bringing in something that doesn't fit you and bring in lots of stuff. Because, like I said, you probably have more in your closet than you realize. And I can help you pick out what best outfits to do.

Amanda Schmidt:   8:18
Yeah and I also got to see that in action. And it's true. You do walk through each outfit. I think the model that day she brought a whole suitcases stuff.

Ashley Van Zandt:   8:26
Yes. Well, I like it when you bring a suitcase. I'd like to bring a case. I like options.

Amanda Schmidt:   8:32
Yes, exactly. And how many looks do you usually work through?

Ashley Van Zandt:   8:36
So we tried to do at least three outfits. Um we find if we're doing more than that. We're spending a little bit too much time and, like changing, and you're not getting enough time getting comfortable on the camera. So we try to stick to 3 to 4.

Amanda Schmidt:   8:50
Okay? Yeah, that's a good, good number. 

Ashley Van Zandt:   8:55
Yeah. And it allows you a little time to kind of get comfortable in each outfit. And we try to leave your favorite outfit for last because that's typically when you're gonna be the most comfortable.

Amanda Schmidt:   9:08
Well, that's a good point. I never thought of that. You could work into it. Yeah. Uh, so are there any extra tips that usually tell clients when it comes to preparing?

Ashley Van Zandt:   9:20
Um, I always suggest getting your nails done. Um, you don't realize that we'll see all those in photos, so getting your nails done is really nice getting your hair touched up. If you if dye it, it's always nice to have it nice and fresh. Drink lots and lots of water kind of helps our skin to glow and practice. You're sexy. Face in the mirror lake It doesn't hurt. I know it sounds funny, but it doesn't hurt

Amanda Schmidt:   9:48
Well, tthe water and the nails and the roots, those are all things you'll be doing for your wedding too.

Ashley Van Zandt:   9:54
Yes and if it is bridal boudoir, definitely. Bring in, your veil, if you can. Maybe even your wedding shoes and your wedding jewelry to be a nice little added touch.

Amanda Schmidt:   10:06
Well, in keeping to the wedding, um, aspect, if this is a gift for their soon to be spouse, about how far in advance should they come?

Ashley Van Zandt:   10:15
So it can be done really quickly if you need it to be. But we do have a rush fee, but I typically suggest anywhere between 3 to 6 months that well, you have plenty of time to get your product choosing your images. Um, and you're feeling comfortable about what you're giving to your soon to be spouse.

Amanda Schmidt:   10:34
Wonderful. So if we have convinced them, which I'm sure we have to book a session with you, how would they reach out to you

Ashley Van Zandt:   10:41
to reach out? Feel free to email me at Ashley@ashleyjane-photography.com or check out my website as well at ashleyjane-photography.com.

Amanda Schmidt:   10:52
All right, well, thanks so much for talking to us, Ashley.

Ashley Van Zandt:   10:55
Oh, thank you so much. Amanda. It was great! 

Ashley Van Zandt:   10:59
Thank you so much for listening at this episode of the Plan Your Central Florida Wedding podcast. For more Orlando wedding inspiration and tips, head on over to orangeblossombride.com. And if you're looking for amazing wedding pros to help bring your wedding day together, make sure to check out our wedding vendor directory until next time. I'm happy planning!