Every woman who walks into the studio has a slightly different reason for being here, but almost everyone arrives feeling the same two things at once. Excited and nervous. Ms. G said it better than I could when she looked back on her day: “Excited and nervous. Not knowing what to do or how to do it.”

If that sounds like you, keep reading, because her story is the reason I do this work.

Before the Session: The Part Nobody Talks About

Ms. G didn’t come to me because she had it all figured out. She found the studio almost by accident. In her words, “It was by chance. And it was the best chance I’ve taken.”

I love that, because it’s honest. Most women don’t plan a boudoir session years in advance. They see something that catches their eye, they sit with the idea for a while, and one day they decide to stop wondering what it would be like. That first step is the hardest one, and Ms. G took it not knowing exactly what to expect.

That’s normal. You are not supposed to walk in like a professional model. You’re supposed to walk in as yourself.

In the Chair: Where the Nerves Start to Fade

The morning of a session always begins with hair and makeup, and this is usually where I watch a client’s shoulders start to drop. Ms. G put it perfectly: “Once I got into that makeup chair and Kate turned me into a goddess, I was ready. Sorta.”

That “sorta” is my favorite part. Feeling put-together is a wonderful start, but it isn’t the whole thing. The rest comes from knowing you’re in good hands and that nothing about the day is a test you can fail. Each step in the process the nervous feelings start to fade.

So before we ever picked up the camera, we talked. I walked her through what would happen, we looked at her outfits together, and we made a plan. As Ms. G said, “Colleen explained everything and helped me pick some outfits. And that was everything. I’ve never felt so beautiful.”

What She Wore

One of the most common questions I get is about wardrobe, and this is where a lot of the nerves live. What do I buy? What if it doesn’t fit right? What if I get it all wrong? Ms. G didn’t have to think about any of that, because every single one of her looks came from my Studio Client Closet.

The closet is one of my favorite things about the experience. It holds hundreds of lingerie pieces in a wide range of sizes and styles, all here at the studio and ready to go. Ms. G wore closet pieces for her entire session, and we styled each one together so it felt like her.

That means you can show up with nothing packed and still have more options than you could try in a day. You are welcome to bring your own pieces if there’s something special you love, but you truly don’t have to shop, spend, or guess. It’s all waiting for you when you get here. Feeling nervous about what to wear? Just show up and we’ll take care of it all!!

Extras at Her Session

It’s no secret that at Colleen Michelle Studios we offer extra sets, which we call Bonus Sets. You can see all the options here. There are so many incredible options to select from!! It truly allows you to customize your session according to what will make you feel beautiful and sexy. Ms. G was celebrating her birthday with us and so we decided to include the Birthday Babe Bonus Set. And she opted to bare it all with our Fine Art Nude Bonus Set.

After the Session: The Part That Sticks

Here’s what I hope every woman takes away from a session, and it’s exactly what Ms. G described when I asked what the experience did for her confidence. “It is so high. I can’t explain how amazing I feel.”

That feeling is the whole point. Not one perfect photo, but the way you carry yourself walking out the door. She said it again later in her review, and it stopped me in my tracks: “I’ve never felt so beautiful, gorgeous, and feminine in my life. From the moment I stepped in the door, Colleen and Kate made me feel like a queen. I cannot fully explain how much this has made a difference in my life.”

When I asked if there was anything she wished we’d done differently, her answer was short: “No. It was the best.” And her advice to anyone still sitting on the fence was even shorter. “Do it. Just do it. You will not be disappointed.”

Thinking About Your Own Nashville Boudoir Session?

If you’ve read this far, some part of you is already curious. You don’t need a special occasion, a certain body, or a reason that sounds impressive. Ms. G came in nervous and unsure, and she left feeling beautiful. I would love to give you the same day.

I’m a boudoir photographer here in Nashville, and I walk you through every step, from planning your outfits to hair and makeup to knowing exactly how to pose. All you have to do is show up for yourself.

Reach out here to start planning your session. I can’t wait to meet you!