Trust me — I totally understand that baring all (quite literally) in front of a stranger is not exactly the easiest thing to do. You’re putting yourself out there, and you have every single reason to feel a little bit nervous or unsure about what to expect. I promise you, though, that I’m going to make sure that you don’t just look amazing in your boudoir images, but that you feel amazing before, during, and after the session.

To help ensure things go smoothly at your upcoming boudoir session, I thought it’d be helpful to share some of the biggest mistakes that clients make so that you can avoid them:

Getting Drunk: A little bubbly is a nice touch, but it can sometimes be easy to go too far when you’re caught up in nerves. Remind yourself what your alcohol limits are — something only you know! — and stick to them.

Not Eating the Day Of: I’ve seen this happen a few times. It’s an honest mistake, but it’s also one that sets you up for a lackluster shoot. You need sustenance to keep your mental and physical energies up, so don’t starve yourself the day of (or in the days leading up to) the shoot. Eat colorful, whole foods in moderation.

Obsessing Over Others’ Boudoir Images: It’s OK to find a little inspiration on the web, but don’t let yourself fall down a dark hole of self-comparison. I think it’s best to come into a shoot without a ton of others’ images swimming around in your head. You’ll feel better, trust me!

Engaging Negative / Apologetic Self-Talk: This happens almost without fail during every session, and it’s always a bit of a bummer to hear a client talk badly about themselves. It could be something as simple as “I’m sorry I didn’t get something that fits perfectly!” or “Can you make me look skinnier?” or “I hate my thighs!” I know that we live in a world that makes us focus on our self-perceived flaws, but I challenge you to only think and utter affirmative words before, during, and after your session.