Burning Questions (FAQ)

What are your packages?
See the “Nice Package” link under “Areas of Interest”

I’m a Boudoir Virgin, but I’m interested… What does a typical boudoir/dudoir shoot look like?
Expect sensitivity, encouragement, and a warm and friendly environment. You’ll get coaching, instructions, personal demonstrations of posing, and a photographer who doesn’t look like a model so you can’t really feel more inadequate just from my mere presence. (As a plus size person myself, I know how hard it can be to have a starlet or a sexy man photograph you when you’re just a normal human being.)

It’s equally common for a woman to approach a boudoir shoot intending to be fully dressed, partially dressed, fully nude, or even wearing pajamas to celebrate your innocence and comfort. Sometimes costuming or role-playing to brings out a character whom you aspire to be – the sexy but repressed librarian is one of the big fantasies for some nerdy women for example, and there’s always tons of other ideas to work with.

Men – “dudoir” is not a stupid idea – I know if you search for male boudoir on the internet you’ll get George Costanza on a couch, but that’s SATIRE. It’s not meant to be sexy. (I betcha I could take a sexy pic of George Costanza that would actually be sexy!!)

The aim here is to move beyond a normal, conventional portrait to something more intimate and sensual – because that’s what photography is about, capturing a soul in movement, a moment that matters. Building a relationship with the photographer that allows that capture to happen in a comfortable environment. Drop me a line!

Wait… dudoir? Boudoir photography for men?
Yes! Really! Okay, hands up, who thinks that men can look sexy… Of course they can! So why shouldn’t they have sexy pictures taken in their underwear – particularly as a gift for an appreciative lady! Male boudoir, or semi-nude male photography, is actually all over the place and very sexy – consider Abercrombie and Fitch or Calvin Klein ads, for example. It’s substantially different from ladies photography – dudoir is all about the masculine: angles, dramatic lighting, muscles, attitude, and hobbies of guys play a big part, and posing is completely different as well. It’s normal to include props like sunglasses, a guitar, sports equipment, or for the more intellectual guy, books or computer stuff. In a dudoir shoot, the plan is that you’ll look completely masculine, sexy, and cool.

It’s probably the first time in your life that you’ll ever have to think about picking out your underwear in the morning, but it might be worthwhile. And though I usually wouldn’t do full frontal – that’s more of an artistic nude area than a boudoir thing anyway since few women think guy’s equipment actually looks sexy, nude back shots are desirable and cool – think about that nude scene in the movie Troy. Better yet, think about all the awesome partial nudity in badass man movies through time, like Ben Hur, Gladiator, and pretty much anything with Schwarzenegger or Vin Diesel. Now take a still of the stars from those movies… and you can probably make a male boudoir photo out of it somehow. Again, if you’re not a big workout person, don’t worry. It’s not just about muscles. Lots of things make guys sexy.

Do you have outfits for me?
I don’t actually have any outfits for lending, I find that people are happiest just bringing their own things – don’t be afraid to just wear things you own that you like or go discount-shopping. Consider borrowing a sexy robe from a friend if you like. (Never underestimate the power of a simple black bra!) Also, remember that not having a bunch of clothing in different sizes on hand keeps my costs down so I can provide quality services at prices you can afford.

Can we hide my ________ (tummy, thighs, bum, etc.)?
There’s all sorts of ways to work with that, from camera angles and cropping to lighting to posing to wearing a big oversize shirt for sexyness. That’s my job to worry about and I know how to do it!

Are you going to Photoshop me like a magazine model?
Now, here’s an interesting question. Yes and No. If you want a photographer who is going to edit out ALL your scars and skin blemishes, you’re in the wrong place. I certainly won’t emphasize them, And I might make them a bit lighter or take photos that make them less visible, but I won’t make them, and all your skin’s texture, go away. They’re a part of you and I’m not here to make you fake it. The aim of Seven is to give you a look that is all YOU, that you can be proud of, not to erase things that are actually there. I will, on the other hand, do a lot of editing on your photographs. Colors, lighting, and mood setting editing is something I do well and something that sets the scene a lot more than a blemish on your skin breaks it. And temporary blemishes will usually go – like acne spots. Talk to me about your needs and desires. For men, scars are always sexy. Unless you specifically request it I’m not editing them out at all.

I’d like to do a boudoir/dudoir shoot, but I want some ideas, can you help?
Talk to me! I want to hear from you! Lets brainstorm. Every individual is unique, so I’d have to get to know you to offer ideas! But for starters: If you have lingerie, you could bring your 2-3 favourite pairs. If you have cute PJs you could bring those too for an innocent look! Try your favourite high heels. If your significant other cheers for any sports teams that there’s a jersey hanging about for, or if you have a favourite book in common, if there’s any hobby stuff of theirs that we could use as a prop (model car, gaming controller, etc.), those would be great things to bring.

The Why Factor: Why do people choose to have boudoir/dudoir photos taken?
People choose boudoir for many reasons. Milestone Birthdays, Mid-Life Crises, Divorcees or a sparkling new relationship, a celebration of weight loss, spouses and lovers creating a special gift for their special someone, romance and renewed romance, surgeries (either disfiguring or improvements), post-pregnancy (even during pregnancy if it’s getting you down!) to celebrate your marriage, to celebrate your single life, recovery from an illness, maybe offered as a gift for a friend with low self-esteem. That’s just a few reasons for a boudoir shoot, but everyone has their own private thoughts and reasons for getting boudoir or dudoir photography.

Okay, I’m sold. Is this going to break my bank?
Probably not. If the package price sounds like a lot to you, I’d accept the money in two or three installments, no interest. If money isn’t an object and there’s more I can do for you, just ask for a customized quote to suit your needs. To book, simply send us an email to info@sevendeadlysins.ca.

I’m skittish… how will you make me comfortable?
Well, if you’d like we can paste a mustache on the camera and call him Fernando. (I would LOVE to do that.) I’d like you to feel ready – or, at least, as ready as you’ll ever be. I want to see you laughing or giggling to yourself, private little smiles, even embarrassed tiny smiles with shining eyes are the best photographic material. I don’t think you should ever feel lost or confused during a shoot, and if you do, please ask for clarification! Just like communication is the key to a good sexual relationship, a good sensual shoot will involve good communication with the photographer. It’s a co-operative effort.

Where will the shoot take place? Do you have a studio?
I have never liked the studio environment, but I can create one at your home or in my apartment building (generally with at least three days notice, I need to book a room for us.) Only models can channel sexy in a place with whitewashed halls like a hospital, and though I’d be happy to shoot with a model, most of the people who are interested in a boudoir shoot are pretty normal. So here’s the keys to a good environment. Your own space, a hotel (you’d have to spend the cash for that, but it can be nice), or a lush space in a friend or family members house who would be supportive to the shoot – or if you’d really rather have a backdrop, it can be done. If you really have no idea where to go, contact me and we can talk about it. I mean, you can do a lot with a couch and a sheet. I do have access to a shared studio too, if that’s truly what you want and we can talk about a fee for that. Currently it’s $50/hour for use of my friend’s studio in Edmonton, and it must be booked in advance.

*cough* Um… more than one person?
Yep! For a price increase per person, bring someone with you and we can do shots together and separate. If you just need someone for moral support and they don’t want a shoot (or want their own dedicated shoot) that’s cool. No extra charge for observers, but don’t bring your honey to observe, that’s what the photos are for and the shoot itself can be a bit unglamorous in comparison.

Do you do video?
Nope, sorry, I’m a still-images girl. No videographers are allowed in a shoot.

Are you going to show my images/post them online/violate my privacy?
I will give you a contract with three options – Full disclosure, Partial disclosure, and Private. Its best for me as a photographer to have full or partial disclosure from you, but hey, I get the need for a little privacy too, especially for some professionals.
Full disclosure means that though I’ll never post your last name or personal pseudonym without permission (though I may give you a pseudonym all my own) I’ll post tasteful images of you including your face on the site and show any images I’ve taken to potential clients.
Partial disclosure means I’ll still post images online and show them to potential clients, but only screened, interested clients who request the password to a password-protected folder. Your photos will not be “public” and will only be seen by other people seriously looking to get boudoir photos done.
Private is just that. The only people who will see your image are me, you, your significant other when you show them – and maybe my husband if he walks in by accident while I’m editing, but he won’t stare, I promise. He doesn’t even really like this stuff and thinks lingerie looks silly. You have nothing to fear from him.

I’m under 18 and I wanna do this.
Hey, you’re not even supposed to be here! But I was a teen not too long ago…

Ask your Mom. If you’re 16 or over and your Mom comes and signs for you and is willing to be present, we’ll do a shoot. But I’m not going to make you look adult-sexy if you’re not even legally ready to be sexually available to someone – we can focus on the cute and innocent in PJs, (which you’ve gotta admit is sexy in its own way anyway.) If you and your Mom don’t get along on this issue, sorry, but no dice. And no Dads/boys, ladies. That’s just creepy any way you slice it. Your images will automatically be either Partial or Private for your protection.

I need hair and makeup done for this, I’m not any good at doing my own. Where should I go?

I am currently in talks with a few possible partners for hair and makeup.
Seven Deadly Sins is a partner with Enigma Salon Studio on Broadway in Saskatoon. Saskatoon folks, call them up and tell them what you’re looking for – they are great ladies.

How much experience do you have in Boudoir/Dudoir/Pro Photography?
Just a dozen or so sessions so far specifically in Boudoir (and look at the results!), but I do have hundreds of pro photoshoots under my belt after six years as a pro photographer and my clientele love me so far. I take an average of 25,000 professional photos a year these days. And I’m not going off blind by any means, I have tons of posing education and have been perusing boudoir/dudoir websites and asking questions of other photographers to prepare for this web launch, as well as finding a number of boudoir-specific resources. I have a dream to do this, and I hope you want to be a part of it. I’d love to show you my work, I just don’t want this site connected to my main business site on the internet. No need to offend the innocent. As for being comfortable with nudity, I spent a lot of my young life in change rooms at the pool and then I went to art school for five years (I’m a BFA honors graduate) and drew nudes of both genders. I’m cool with it all around.

Do you work with couples or groups? Do you provide nude photography? How far can I go?

If you’re asking “How far can I go?” I’m not the photographer for you. I do NOT provide overtly sexual or what is normally called “intimate” photography, though I would not be averse to working with a couple on romantic nude images. There is a definite line between artistic nudes and beyond. I am morally opposed to being a part of a couple’s sexuality in that way, please save yourself the call. I am also morally opposed to working with any organizations that support and provide easy access to the exploitation of women, ie., massage parlours and strip clubs.

How do I contact you?
Just call 780-250-6878 or email twyla@sevendeadlysins.ca

Get In Touch
Email Twyla (780) 250-6878
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