Should you do a boudoir shoot for your birthday? Toni Braxton just answered that one for all of us. For her 59th birthday on October 7 she posted a sultry photoshoot in a sheer black bodysuit, sky-high heels and a feathered train, and Complex reports it pulled in more than 423,000 likes. Her caption is my new favorite thing on the internet:
Every fold. Every wrinkle. If it's up to me ... Im still feeling SEXY. Damn near 60 today! Happy Birthday to ME!
I have been photographing women in Nashville for almost 13 years, and birthday sessions are some of my favorites. One client who booked for her 40th put it perfectly: "sometimes, it really is that simple!" So if Toni got you thinking, here is my checklist for planning a birthday shoot of your own.
Your birthday boudoir checklist
Print it, screenshot it, tape it to your bathroom mirror. Whatever works.
Book 6 to 8 weeks before the big day. That gives you time to set up a payment plan, have it paid off before your session, and still get your photos back close to your birthday.
Decide who it's for. Toni wrote "Happy Birthday to ME." Most of my birthday clients book for themselves first. If a partner gets an album later, that is a bonus.
Pick one show-stopper piece. Toni had the feathered train. You might have a corset you have never had an excuse to wear, or something from our client closet you would never buy for yourself.
Skip the crash diet. "Every fold. Every wrinkle." is the whole point. I pose and light the body you have today, and that is the one you are celebrating.
Bring one thing that feels like your birthday. A sparkly crown, your favorite red lipstick, a pair of heels you only wear on special nights. Small details make the photos feel like yours.
Plan what happens after. Book the dinner. Wear the hair and makeup out. Half my clients tell me they did not want to take their lashes off that night.
Decide now if you will post. Toni shared hers with millions. Most of my clients keep theirs private. Both are right, and knowing ahead of time lets you relax in front of the camera.
Why the late 50s are the sweet spot
Toni said something last year that stuck with me. She told reporters romance is never over: "It's ageless." I see that every week. The women in my studio who are 50 and up are usually the most fun to photograph. They have stopped apologizing, they know what they like, and they laugh at themselves when the pose goes sideways.
They also tend to be the ones who cry at the reveal, because nobody has shown them a picture like that in a very long time. Birthdays are a natural excuse to finally make it happen.
What a birthday session looks like at my studio
You come to my Nashville boudoir studio and sit in my makeup chair for about an hour of hair, makeup and girl talk. Then we pick outfits together, and I coach every single pose, from your chin to your toes. It is just you and me in the room, so there is nobody else to worry about.
A few weeks later you come back for your reveal and see your images for the first time. That is the part birthday clients talk about for years.
Birthday boudoir FAQ
What is the best age for a birthday boudoir session?
Any birthday you want to remember. The ones I see most are 30, 40, 50 and 60, and lately a lot of 59s and 61s who did not want to wait for a round number.
How far ahead should I book a birthday boudoir session in Nashville?
Plan on 6 to 8 weeks. That gives you time to pick your date online, set up a payment plan and have it paid before your session, and still get your photos back near your birthday.
Do I have to post my birthday boudoir photos?
No. Most of my clients never post a single one. Your gallery is private, and what you share is completely up to you.
Ready to plan yours? The booking guide has everything: what is included, payment plans and how to pick your date online. Happy birthday to YOU.
