You have LOTS of questions?
We have lots of answers!
If what you want to know about your portrait session isn't covered, just get in touch and ask.
Who are Smart Photography?
We are Anna and Robin, a married couple who have been together for 26 years and have just celebrated our 18th wedding anniversary. We are passionate about improving women's body confidence.
Robin has been our photographer for 17 years.
Anna is our resident confidence guru who will talk you through your portrait session and assist you.
We have a team of highly trained stylists, who will be doing your hair and make-up on the day of your portrait session. Both have years of experience and are the best at what they do.
Last but not least we have Ruby (goldendoodle) & Gus (poodle).
Is there parking?
Yes, we have parking right outside.
How do I get in contact?
We have many ways for you to get in contact with us other than simply calling but if you would like to go straight ahead and book you can call us on 01993 210081.
You can also email us at anna@smartphotography.co.uk or you can fill out this form and we'll get in contact with you.
What do you do?
We are a photography studio who specialise in body confidence boudoir portraits.
Run by married couple, Anna and Robin, we aim to help every women who walks through our door fall in love with themselves. We offer boudoir portrait sessions to women who are in need of a confidence boost, providing bespoke sessions tailored to your likes and needs.
I never like myself in photos, will this work for me?
Yes, this will work for you.
Most women who don't like having their photos taken live in fear of the times their friends or family whack out a camera for a photo, and often physically recoil from it.
However, most women don't have an entire team of people focusing on them and making sure that they look amazing.
Everything we do is aimed at making sure you look good in these photos, and to show you that, with a bit of help and the right instruction, everyone can look drop dead gorgeous.
Your stylist will make sure that you have your hair and make-up looking perfect and exactly how you would like them.
Anna will let the photographer know all the photos you liked and the ones you didn't, and Robin, your photographer, will direct your posing, choose your outfits, arrange the set, and direct the lighting and camera so that you look your absolute best in these photos.
We will look after you throughout - calming your nerves, and making sure you leave us feeling fabulous.
When do you do the sessions?
We offer portrait sessions on Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays.
I don't have any lingerie, what do I need to bring for my body confidence boudoir portrait session?
Ideally for this you will need at least 3 changes of lingerie, but really the more the merrier!
The absolute must-have outfit is a bra and knicker set. Don't panic! When we say this - we are not trying to expose as much of your body as possible, we really just need a bra doing the job only a bra can do.
You can wear this under our Britney dress or one of our lace robes, if you would like more coverage, but the bra is an absolute must. If you don't have a well supporting bra it's not going to work for you in photos, so please make sure that your bra and any other lingerie fits you perfectly. it could be the most gorgeous piece of satin and lace but if it doesn't fit you correctly it won't look good.
For all of your lingerie the best colours to go for are strong jewel colours.
If you have pale skin avoid white, nude or ivory.
You ideally want something that's going to have really strong contrast against your skin, and not wash you out. On top of that, consider something with a bit more coverage - a baby-doll or a basque may help you to feel more comfortable in standing and sitting shots.
When it comes to knickers, as well as whatever matches with your bra, you should definitely grab a pair or two of Brazilian cut knickers. These aren't a full cut and they're not a thong, they just cover half the cheek and give a lovely curve to your bum. They are a Smart Photography must-have for amazing bum shots.
High heels make all the difference - the absolute highest and thinnest heels you've got, as these do wonders for posture. If you don't have heels, don't make a special trip to buy some as we have some here in sizes 3-8.
We cover everything you need to know, in full, in the lingerie guide we provide on booking, plus Anna will talk it all through with you too - you can even book a virtual shopping trip with Anna, if needed!
Should I get my nails done for my session?
If you normally get them done then yes, but if you don't usually have your nails done it's not essential - just make sure they are neatly filed before your portrait session.
Should I fake tan for my session?
If you typically do, then yes, (make sure to do so at least 2 days before the session).
If you don't normally fake tan we would say no, as you may look different to how you normally see yourself.
The lights are very bright but they will not wash you out.
I'm nervous, is that normal?
Yes! It is completely normal to be nervous about doing this - everyone is!
Most of our clients don't like having their photo taken, and are faintly wondering how they ever got themselves into this. Don't worry - it's worth it!
It's all a bit of a rollercoaster - the nerves before the portrait session, followed by the buzz of doing something outside of your comfort zone, and then the serious nerves before coming along to see your photos...
We're going to look after you every step of the way - so have some faith that you're going to look great, we do!
At my session, am I just going to be standing around, in my undies?
No!
Firstly, you will be given a robe to wear when you're not being photographed. But your entire session is a very collaborative experience between you and Robin. There's not much time for standing around!
Each pose will be precisely directed, and you will be focusing on holding the pose and following what Robin tells you. He is working hard to produce the best possible images for you, and everything is designed to make you look your very best (even when that includes moving your pinkie finger half a centimetre to the right).
What happens on the day of my portrait session?
Once you arrive, we'll sit you down and offer you a glass of champagne (or tea or coffee) and get you settled in. You are welcome to bring along a friend or partner with you for company (or moral support).
We'll look through images with you, so that you can tell us your favourites, anything that isn't your cup of tea, and your session can be tailored to make sure we achieve your body confidence goals
After you're settled your stylist with talk you through your hair and make-up - your makeover will last around an hour.
Once you're all glammed up and happy with your look, Robin will go through what you've brought along to wear and help decide on what to wear first.
If you need any assistance getting in or out of your lingerie or clothing, your stylist is on hand to help. During the session they will also be there to help fix clothing, hair, jewellery etc.
The session itself lasts for around 2 hours.
You'll have a wide range of portraits taken on different sets. Throughout your session, Robin will be instructing you on how to pose and what to do - we don't expect you to know how to pose - and he will tailor your posing and the sets to your favourite images from your pre-session chat.
What will happen at my viewing?
When you come back to view your images Anna will show you a beautiful slideshow of all your images set to music (it's a bit WOW!)
After your slideshow has ended, Anna will go back through all of your images with you and help you pick out any you wish to purchase.
There is never any pressure to purchase images at your viewing, and your session fee is covered by our 'Fall in Love With You' guarantee.
Do you offer a payment plan?
Yes, you have the option to either pay full on the day, or divide your payment into instalments.
The maximum time we will spread instalments over is 10 months. This is not credit so you will not receive your order until you have finished your payment plan.
Your order is non-cancellable and you will sign an agreement to this at your viewing when you start the instalment plan.
Can I purchase more images later on?
Yes, of course. We don't delete client images.
We do recommend that you purchase them on the day as our prices may go up at a later date but they will still be available to you.
Will my images be seen by other people?
No, we do not show your private and personal images to anyone without your permission.
At your viewing, after you have seen all of your images, Anna will ask you if you are happy for your images to be used for marketing. This is an opt in so your images will only be used if you tick the box to allow it.
If you do not tick this box your images will never been seen by another person and never used for marketing.
Anna Smart
Your new best friend when it comes to body confidence
Call - 01993 210081
Email - anna@smartphotography.co.uk
