The Modern Muse Prep Guide
You booked a Signature Modern Muse Portrait Session!
we’re so excited to begin!
Tell Your Friends
Want to share your boudoir photo shoot plans with your friends and earn some $$$?
Our referral program is a win-win: your friends each get a $100 gift voucher and you earn $100.
Here’s how it works:
For every person that books a photo shoot of their own before you come in for your photo shoot, you will receive $100 in print credit (a la carte extras) with the purchase of your photo package. There is no limit to how much you can earn — for example, If 4 of your friends book, you will earn $400 in print credit!
How to share:
Send your friends this LINK
OR
Send your friends a screenshot of this image
OR
Post the image below on your Facebook /
Instagram account
What to Bring to Your Portrait Session
Plan to bring at least one outfit to your photo shoot:
WARDROBE - LINGERIE
Many people ask what they should wear. Here is the deal: The photoshoot is less about what you’re wearing and more about YOU. The most important thing is to bring wardrobe items that fit you properly.
• Plan to bring your own wardrobe items for your shoot. You are welcome to bring a variety of outfits and we will help you select the best ones for the camera. You can also do one of your looks with just sheets (implied nude).
• If you LOVE a wardrobe piece, bring it! But if you don’t love it, don’t bring it.
• Try on everything before you come into the studio. Fit is more important than style.
• You don’t have to bare everything. It's not about the amount of skin showing - it's about the emotion and body language.
• Texture photographs well, including lace, mesh, beading or metal studs.
• Black lingerie is always classic and sexy. We also LOVE rich gem tones [deep purple, navy, turquoise and crimson look good on everyone.
• Your photo session comes with camera time for 4 outfits. You are also welcome to add on additional time for $99 per outfit when you are at the studio. Purchasing additional camera time means that you have more images to view in your gallery and more variety.
Here are some ideas on what to bring:
MATCHING SETS
A matching top & bottom. This could be lace. This can be cotton. This can be a bra and undies. Or it could be a satin pj set. Or a tank top and briefs. Choose a set that you feel great in!
Undies come in all shapes and sizes. Some with more coverage than others. If you want to show off your bum - thongs are great. If you want to show off that hourglass, high waisted undies look fantastic.
ONE PIECE OPTIONS
One piece can mean bodysuits, slips, or a dress! Bodysuits come in many styles and look great with and without sleeves. Slips, vintage night gowns, beach cover ups are all great options as well. We can also photograph you in (or coming out of) dresses or robes.
Check out examples here from Thistle & Spire (one of our fav shops!)
"Simple" bodysuits are also gorgeous. These are a few favs from size inclusive Skims.
SHAPEWEAR
If you are feeling that Saturday Night vibe, we recommend bringing at least one wardrobe item that has a little bit of lift, boning or wiring for extra shaping, such as a push-up bra. Layering up works great for lifting and sculpting curves. Look for slips or corsets that have built-in cups for extra support.
BIRTHDAY SUIT BEAUTY
Of course, for one of your looks, you are welcome to wear next-to-nothing or nothing at all ;) Our studio doesn’t offer highly erotic images, but we can to use artistically placed hands, sheets and shadows to imply nudity.
Here are our recommendations for lingerie shopping:
Our favorite brick and mortar shopping in the Boston area: Forty Winks/ The O Shop
Favorite places to shop online: Mentionables / Adore Me / La Senza / Marie Mur / Honey Birdette / Savage X Fenty
Budget picks: Yandy / H&M / Frederick’s of Hollywood / Forever21
Inclusive sizing: Playful Promises / Torrid / Harlow & Fox / Hips & Curves / Burgundy Fox /Savage X Fenty
More places to check out: ASOS / L’Agent (by Agent Provacatuer) / Oh la la Cheri / Anthropologie / For Love & Lemons / Free People / Badstar Lingerie / Anya Lust / Thistle & Spire
If you are looking for something quick and easy, there are several items you can buy on Amazon that look great on camera (click image to open in Amazon):
SHOES
• If you love heels - bring one pair of fabulous high-heeled shoes -the higher the heel, the better!
• If you don't love heels - you will be absolutely fine barefoot.
JEWELRY
Chunky necklaces, a long strand of pearls or a sentimental piece of jewelry are all great ways to add a bit of bling to your boudoir images. Bracelets and earrings will also look great with your lingerie.
Thigh-Highs
Thigh-highs are a great options. With our without anything else. to almost any lingerie outfit. Stockings can be worn with or without a garter belt. We recommend all varieties of thigh-highs: black, white, fishnet, lace – you just can’t go wrong. Not a fan? No worries - bare legs look great on camera too!
The Day of Your Shoot
• Arrive at your appointment time with your outfits, shoes, accessories & ID. We’ll take care of the rest! Plan to spend about 3-4 hours at the studio.
• You do NOT need to arrive early, as I am likely dropping off my little one at school. Your confirmation email shows
your arrival time. Late arrivals may reduce your time in front of the camera.
• Please park in the back of 4 Pearl Street in the parking lot. We are tenants of the building - it is ok to park in the tenant only parking along the fence.
• Arrive with a clean face and clean, dry hair (more information about professional hair and makeup below).
• Wear loose clothing (such as a loose dress or yoga pants). Avoid anything that will leave red indentations on your skin, such as sports bras, tight jeans or socks. Take hair bands off of your wrists to avoid lines.
• Wear a top that buttons or zips in the front so that you can change your clothes without messing up your hair and makeup.
• Use clear deodorant.
• Drink plenty of water and eat something light but filling beforehand.
• While you are getting your hair and makeup done, we will go over your vision for your shoot.
• When the camera comes out, we will show you exactly what to do and how to pose. We will tell you what to do with your hands and face. We will show you and tell you exactly how to pose, use bod language and remind you to breathe.
• If we suggest a pose that hurts or you feel uncomfortable - tell us right away. We can modify any pose.
• Take a deep breath and relax. It's perfectly normal to feel nervous before a boudoir photoshoot. You are in great hands and we will be with you every step of the way!
Professional Hair & Makeup Styling
Hair
• Plan to arrive at the studio with your hair clean and dry.
• Clean hair is the easiest for the stylist to work with.
• The most common choice for hair is loose, beach waves. The stylist may use dry styling, hair products and hot tools (curling iron and flat iron).
• Do NOT plan on having the stylist blow-dry your hair.
• An up-do hairstyle is not included in your session fee, but can be accommodated for an additional fee. Contact us at least 7 days before your shoot to purchase.
• If you have very curly hair and want to keep all those curls and volume - we got you!
• If you have very curly hair and want a super straight look for your shoot, we can make that happen, please let us know in advance so that we can budget extra time for your hair styling.
• If you plan to bring clip-in hair extensions to your shoot that are more than 12 inches long, please let us know in advance as this may add extra time to your hair styling.
• If you plan to bring a wig, remember that only 100% human hair wigs can tolerate the heat of a curling iron / flat iron. If the wig is a synthetic blend, it will melt. If you are purchasing a wig for your shoot, look for authentic Remy 100% human hair wigs with an intact cuticle layer. If you aren’t sure, do a test with a curling iron at home to see if the hair will curl.
Make-up
• Arrive at the studio with your face clean and makeup free.
• Be sure to let the makeup artist know upfront if you have any allergies, sensitivities or special requests.
• Feel free to bring inspiration photos to help guide the artist to the look you love.
• If you are choosing to wear makeup - our most popular looks are a subtle smokey eye, glowing complexion and a soft pink or red lip.
• Many people worry about blemishes or small bruises showing in their photos. Don’t worry - whatever can’t be covered with makeup can always be photoshopped out.
• Want to do a natural look AND a super glam look at your shoot? Contact us at least 7 days before your session if you would like to add on a second makeup look.
Directions to the Studio
Modern Muse is located at 4 Pearl Street Dedham, Massachusets 02026.
Please park in the lot behind 4 Pearl Street. We are tenants of 4 pearl Street - so it is ok for you to park there.
Come into the building (it's the brick one on the corner of Pearl and High).
Find us on the second floor. We are Suite 6!
Modern Muse
Studio address: 4 Pearl Street Dedham, Massachusets 02026
Purchasing a Photo Collection
• After your shoot on the day of your session, you are going to view your images for the first time.
• Plan to purchase a photo collection on the day of your photoshoot. We have samples of all of the photo products at the studio.
• Due to the custom nature of photography portraits, all sales are final.
• The session fee that you paid at booking is separate and does not apply toward your photo package purchase.
Collections
LEGEND $9999
100+ Images in a Luxury Album – choose any size
Digital Download of Corresponding Images In Color And Black & White
5 Bonuses
SIREN $6999
80 Images in a Luxury Album – choose any size
Digital Download of Corresponding Images In Color And Black & White
3 Bonuses
MUSE $4999
60 Images in a Luxury Album – choose any size
Digital Download of Corresponding Images In Color And Black & White
2 Bonuses
VIXEN $3999
40 Images in a Luxury Album - choose any size
Digital Download of Corresponding Images In Color And Black & White
1 Bonus
FLIRT $2999
25 images in a 6" Luxury Album
Digital Download of Corresponding Images
Prices do not include sales tax
Collection credit expires after 30 days
Image Retouching / Photoshopping
At Modern Muse , we believe that with photo editing applications like photoshop - Less is More. We rely primarily on posing and lighting during your shoot to make you look amazing. Retouching doesn’t mean that we’re going to Photoshop your head onto someone else’s body or use blurring filters on your face. The goal here is to celebrate you in this body you live in and your unique beauty!
We specialize in realistic beauty retouching - I aim to get it 95% the way I want it in the camera, through making the right lens, lighting, posing and composition choices; all images that our Muses order are very lightly retouched. Things that I will use gently photoshop on: scrapes, bruises, stray hairs, and blemishes - the things that aren't usually on your body.
We don't rely on retouching for your Modern Muse portraits. Our tool kit is stacked with knowledge of flattering lighting, beautiful and natural poses, beautiful body language, professional hair and makeup styling and a comfortable environment. This means we am doing as little as possible in post-production. Photoshop is used sparingly – to make sure that you shine and sparkle. Or smolder. Retouching shouldn't be noticeable. What should be visible and vibrant in your portraits is you. We offer this level of complimentary retouching on all of your photos (no additional cost) to make sure you look your best.
As needed, the complimentary retouching on your photos will include: skin tone correction and smoothing, blemish and bruise removal.
Tattoos: If you have a tattoo that you do not want to show in your images, consider bringing wardrobe items that cover it. Retouching to remove tattoos is not included with photo purchases, but can be accommodated at $25 per tattoo per image.
Tan lines: sunburns and tanning streaks: Retouching of tan lines, sunburns or tanning streaks is not included with photo purchases, but can be accommodated at $25 per image.
Special requests: Want something retouched that you’re not seeing here? Just let us know. Basic photo retouching requests can be accommodated at no cost; extensive photo retouching requests may incur a $25 per image fee.
Opting out of retouching: Many people don’t want their photos retouched at all and that’s fine too. Don’t want a birthmark removed? Want to celebrate your stretch marks rather than remove them? Totally fine - just let us know!
After Your Modern Muse Session
• You are going to leave the studio with an extra dose of confidence. Enjoy that empowered feeling for the rest of the day!
• Your images will be sent to print and /or retouching immediately after your order is placed. Due to the custom nature of our work, all sales are final.
• For your privacy, images that are not purchased will be deleted.
• Digital images will be delivered to you in 7-10 business days via a password-protected gallery sent to your email address on file.
• Print products will arrive on your doorstep in 4-6 weeks. Multiple items may arrive separately. Rush delivery available for $75.
• Most clients choose to have their products shipped straight to their doorstep. You may also make an appointment to pick up your photo products at the studio.
Facebook VIP Group
If you’re not already a part of the VIP Facebook group, we’d love to have you join -
it’s free and fun! Click HERE to join.
Join the hundreds of other empowered Muses for:
• Community! (this is what we are here for!)
• Affirmations and reminders that you are a beautiful complicated and worthy human.
• Behind the scenes info about Modern Muse
• First dibs at promotions and giveaways
• Ideas on how to maximize your boudoir photo shoot experience
Join our Facebook group to be part of an active community of empowered humans.
Can't wait to see you there!
©Modern Muse
All Rights Reserved
CONTACT US
4 Pearl Street Dedham
Massachusets 02026
hello@modernmuseboudoir.com
(857) 575-2343
ABOUT US
I’m Allana THE PERSON BEHIND THE LENS Hello there! Before I began this work, I found myself trying to fit into some idealized notion of beauty and in an endless comparison game. It was exhausting. Gradually, I realized that true beauty was not about looking perfect - it was about being authentic; embracing the breadth of the human experience. It was finding inspiration and joy and acceptance in myself.
©Modern Muse
All Rights Reserved