What No One Tells You About Doing A Boudoir Shoot in the Wild. But That’s What I’m Here For.

Mountains. Desert. Unique Airbnb’s. A train car. A barn in the middle of a field in a snowstorm (I know, that doesn’t sound appealing in lingerie does it, but it’s worth it for the shot!) I love days in the dark and moody studio, but there’s something about doing a photoshoot out in the wild that just gets me jazzed.

Let’s call it like it is. A session out in the desert or on top of a mountain just has badass vibes. Hands down. One of my last clients brought a lioness sword to her shoot because that fit her energy. Shooting in the wild is dirty, dramatic, certainly unpredictable and honestly? That’s the point. Clients that want to shoot with me in the wild want the adventure, the story and the thrill. And I’m down for it, always.

During Covid I decided to pack up all my belongings into storage and live out of Airbnb’s for three years. I basically lived out of a suitcase from ages 35-38, jumping from one small ski town to another, while most of my peers were buying homes, having their second child and climbing the corporate ladder. Being a nomad is deep within my bones, and there’s nothing I love more than to have an adventurous day that I wasn’t expecting. I think that’s one of the best parts of life: to experience things regularly that are out of the every day “norm”. I’m not the type of person that lives only for vacations and the weekends. I want to LIVE every day. It brings me happiness and fills my cup to live an unconventional lifestyle. Pair that with boudoir and now we’re talking. I love getting creative with my clients, whether it’s rustic or bougie, and then putting our own flare on it together.

Here's what no one tells you about going off-grid with your lingerie (or lack thereof).

1.        You might freeze your ass off.

Mountain air does not care that you just got professional hair and makeup done and have been prepping for shoot day for the last six months. That skimpy little lingerie piece you bought specifically for our shoot might end up being impractical in 30-degree weather. But the shot of you wrapped up in a blanket with messy hair and a sassy smirk because of how cold it is? Well, that is going to be worth every goosebump. Being flexible and rolling with the punches is the name of the game, and expecting the unexpected (especially from Mother Nature). You’ll feel feral, freezing, and completely alive.

2.        You might be more worried about bugs than body image.

At some point, you’re going to be half-naked in a field or leaning up against a dusty truck and yell, “Is that a spider?” And girl, I will do a lot of things but I DON’T do spiders.

Congrats though, because you’re no longer thinking about your insecurities. Boudoir in the wild forces you to let things the F go (even me, with the damn spiders). We’ll both let things go and we’ll both be better off because of it.

3.        There’s something hilarious about putting on lingerie in the backset of a Subaru (my Subi or yours).

You’ll have hiking boots on, mascara tucked in your bra, trying to change outfits in the backseat of the car without elbowing the props in the seat beside you. It’s comical, and also amazing. And it’ll also become a core memory. If there isn’t enough room in the back of your car, there is in mine (because yes, I fit the stereotype of living in Colorado and owning a Subaru).

4.        Your hair will not stay perfect. And that’s okay.

This is why I say feral. Member back in January when I said feral was my word of the year? Feral to me means wild, free and fierce. It means real. This isn’t your prom or a holiday gala. It’s you, untamed. Let your hair fall in your face. Let it stick to your lipstick (because it will). You’re not out there to be perfect. You’re in nature for damn sake and you’re in the wild to be powerful. And powerful you are.

5.        The location isn’t just a location, it adds character.

That dusty vintage record player in the corner? Yes please. That old, cracked tub surrounded by candles I’ve pulled out of my backpack? I’m going to insist we get that shot, even if it wasn’t the original vision (you’ll thank me later). We’ll move furniture. We’ll use the imperfect hallway lighting and flickering lamp. I consider myself pretty good at finding unique places to stay since that was my norm for so long, and the more vintage and moody the better.

6.        If you utter the words “I can’t believe we’re doing this”, we’re on the right track.

There’s always a split second when you’re standing out in the wild in a bra and undies where you say “I can’t believe we’re doing this!” and that moment turns out to be everything. I might also be taking a branch out of your hair at the same time, but the point is that you are strong as hell, even when you forget. And sometimes it just takes a hype woman and a fellow adventurer like me to remind you of that.

7.        You’ll never feel more badass than when you see the final images.

You’ll remember the chills all over your body, the dirt under your fingernails, the paint that took two hours to scrub off once you got home. But you’ll see photos that look like they belong in a magazine. Not always polished. Not always posed. But they’ll be raw and real.

So yeah, outdoor boudoir photoshoots are messy, unpredictable, and absolutely not for everyone.

But if you’re ready to throw out the typical boudoir playbook of a bedroom set and a couch, I’m your gal!

And I’ll bring the blankets and hands warmers too ;)