1. Get inspired and bring along cut-outs of poses, outfits and lighting effects which you particularly like.
2. Bring a variety of garments in a variety of colours that fit well and you feel great in. It doesn’t matter if you bring a suitcase full! There is a rail of lingerie available too. Accessories are always great as well .
3. Think about the little things like your nails, eyebrows and waxing before the day.
4.Take direction from the photographer, then if you want to, try your own thing. Put forward suggestions and just go for it with your own poses and positions.
5. Personalise your shoot with things that are special to you. If the photographs are for a partner, how about bringing along something of his, like a football shirt or something special he’s bought for you perhaps.
6. Speak up. If you know what you want or aren’t happy with anything make sure you express your wishes to the photographer and stylist. They are there to ensure every detail is perfect for you.
7. Keep an open mind and just enjoy the experience. Its all about you.

Masque Photography is very excited to offer a brand new and exclusive burlesque package, which will incorporate a one-on-one burlesque lesson, vintage-style/pin-up make-over and a burlesque inspired photo-shoot.

For a truly confidence-building experience, treat yourself to a private lesson with the talented ‘Deadly Nightshade’ from ‘Secrets of the boudoir burlesque’. She will give you an introduction into the secrets of a burlesque performer and choreograph a routine in an hour-long lesson in the photography studio. This will include teaching how to take long silk gloves off with masterful elegance. The hair and make-up stylist will create a vintage-inspired look for your photo-shoot, followed by an hour photo-shoot incorporating some of the poses and movements learnt in the lesson.

Sounds fun. Email masquephotography@hotmail.co.uk for more details.

For more information about Deadly Nightshade and her burlesque shows around Sheffield go to http://www.secretsoftheboudoirburlesque.com/

Want to know what its like to have a boudoir shoot?

Nicola came to the studio this summer as an anniversary gift for her husband. Here’s what she has to say about her experience.

“I would like to say a massive thank you for the book you did for me.  I must say at first I had had cold feet and thought it was a bad idea, how wrong could I have been. You made the whole experience fantastic, I felt at ease and comfortable, even without the photos the day itself was a lovely day to have some me time which us mums don’t get enough of.

It was so hard to choose from the pics you had taken but eventually we did it together, and I was thrilled gave it my husband the night before our
anniversary as I was afraid he wouldn’t like it (I had just got myself
worked up) as he had been guessing what I had bought him and he said he didn’t want a portrait of me and I took these pics to be a portrait.

Anyway the outcome?  He loved it, he said it was the best gift he has ever received form anyone so personal, it was meant to be private but he has showed it to everyone. It makes me feel so good that he is proud of my pics and me. Something we will both cherish forever.

Thank you again Helen you and your work are amazing, I would and have already recommend you to anyone, large or small the work you do is just fab.”