How Tanning Can Impact Your Boudoir Portraits

To tan or not to tan: that is the question. To tell you the truth, this is a question I get a lot of surprisingly. Of course, you want to look flawless on the day of your boudoir shoot but is tanning (real or fake) something you should consider?

Well, the short answer is no, you probably shouldn’t. Regardless if your tan is from the bottle, spray can, lightbulb, or the sun itself – you’re setting yourself up for potential disaster when it comes to your boudoir shoot. Here are a few reasons why I am team no tan!

• Outside of potentially turning yourself into a Cheeto’d color mess, spray tans and other topical tanning products are notorious for clinging to dry areas of your skin making for patches that are too contrasting to edit out properly.

•  When it comes to the real sun, all I have to say is Cancer! And lets not even get started on that weird orangey-brown 90’s glow those lights give you.

• Pale is the new gorgeous! If you’ve been blessed with paler skin – embrace it! The contrast with black lingerie is excellent for a boudoir photo shoot, especially if shot in black and white. Your white lingerie will make you look very angelic. Darker skin tones just need a gentle shimmery moisturizer to do the trick!

• Tan lines when you’re as undressed or in as slinky lingerie as most of my boudoir babes get are nearly impossible to avoid. From glaring white bellies to strap shadows crisscrossing your body, those tan lines are going to stick out like a sore thumb in your otherwise gorgeous photos!

And remember, boudoir is a special gift we give ourselves and is all about embracing your confidence, about seeing yourself for the beautiful woman you are. As your photographer, I want you to feel your best and feel as comfortable as possible doing it. So, if you’re not sure, don’t be afraid to reach out and chat about it. I, for one, love talking about all things boudoir and would love to share my tips for getting that gorgeous body without the tan!

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