Horsham-based female personal trainer, Becky, recently completed a photoshoot with a local artist in Hove. She prepared carefully for the experience, and shares her tips on how to prepare for a photoshoot here…
Having participated in two similar shoots previously, I thought I knew what I was in for with my third boudoir shoot. This time, I worked with Susan Grace Hinman, who’s based in Hove, and I couldn’t be more pleased with the result. Much of that is down to Susan’s expertise – she’s been crafting shoots like this one for an incredible 25 years – but some of it was in my own preparation. Here are the five key recommendations I’d make…
Step one: prepare your outfits
This is probably the most obvious item on the list! Get your suitcase out (it’s the easiest way to transport everything), and make sure that you try on anything that’s either new or hasn’t been worn for a while – if it doesn’t fit, it doesn’t make the cut. Wash anything that’s dirty. Cut out all labels (they will try to make an appearance and, yes, they can often be edited out, but it’s easier not to have to). And think laterally as well as literally – at the last minute, I chucked in a couple of tops and other accessories that I was glad I had.
All of this applies to footwear and items such as jewellery too. This is the time to leave no holds barred, truly raid your collection and go wild – you’ll only be posing in the items, so there’s no need to worry about having to wear them for a long period of time.
Step two: prepare your body for a photoshoot
Experienced photographers tend to issue brilliant guidance on all sorts of things from exfoliation and moisturising to hair removal and mani pedis. Susan’s is brilliant, with an inclusive focus. I’m naturally organised, so I planned ahead to make sure that I had time to complete my beauty regimen on the right days in advance. I also chose to book myself a blow dry with my hairdresser for the day prior to my shoot – I know that not many people can style natural curls, and my hairdresser is far better at it than I am. I know how to preserve the look overnight though, so I was very happy with how it looked on the day.
Something that crossed my mind during the build up was to amp up my gym training and cut back on certain foods, and I had to give myself a talking to on that one, which is coming next…
Step three: prepare your mind
I regularly counsel clients on the pros and cons of trying to lose weight or gain muscle or otherwise manipulate their body for a certain occasion. This time, I had to coach myself.
I didn’t have a long lead time for this shoot, which was good and bad. It meant that, ultimately, the choice to not try and drop fat was easy, but that was still something to wrap my brain around. Societal beauty standards are a powerful thing, and convincing yourself that your body is enough just the way it is can be challenging.
By the day of the shoot, I still felt wobbly (I even messaged a friend en route to the studio saying that, “I feel like a slug”). I had spent some time during the days approaching the shoot reminding myself why I wanted to do it, that the result could be something I liked, and that I could enjoy the day, trusting the photographer. And that’s exactly what I did…
Step four: listen to the expert
You’ve hired a professional for a reason. Make use of them. Prior to my personal branding shoot in 2023, a wise friend reminded me to, “do whatever the photographer says, even if you think it sounds weird”. It’s great advice.
As the model, you can’t see what the photographer sees, and what you think looks strange or feels uncomfortable can turn out very differently on camera. There’s obviously a limit – nobody should be forced to do something that they don’t want to do, or their body is not capable of. It’s also a case of communicating that, sharing with the photographer what you’re willing to try, and what makes you nervous, and then allowing them to help you to find what will work for both of you.
Step five: appreciate the experience of the photoshoot
One of the things I’ve always enjoyed about receiving coaching or instruction is getting to be a passenger. As a model, you have to perform, but you will also be directed, so your brain gets to somewhat switch off.
What it’s worth tuning into is the positive feedback you get throughout – because it will come – and allow that to boost you during the experience. Susan gave me plenty of compliments and learned lots about me whilst we were shooting, and I allowed myself to ride the high, accepting the confidence boost, which in turn enabled me to pick up my performance even more.
A couple of weeks after the shoot, we met online in order to go through the images and start whittling them down, and my mindset was even more critical at that point – I made sure that I affirmed my choice to view myself and my body positively. I also chose to think into the future – I asked myself to consider what the version of me who exists in 20 years time thinks of these photos, how pleased she will be, and how she won’t notice supposed flaws in the way that I might now.
The result? I cried with happiness. I struggled to make final selections because I loved so many of the images. And I’m still debating which of these wonderful photos I’ll display proudly at home.