There are questions that hardly anyone asks out loud during the initial consultation. Because they feel as though you’re already expecting to fail. But I know that many women have them on their minds:
What if I fall ill? What if I no longer feel comfortable halfway through? What if I don’t like the photos? And what if I change my mind about it in a few years’ time?
I think you deserve an honest answer to these questions – before you make up your mind. Because agreeing to a boudoir shoot is much easier when you know that there’s always a way out, and none of them is embarrassing.
Before we start: it’s OK to have cold feet
Booking an appointment via my calendar is free of charge and non-binding. Your appointment only becomes binding after our initial consultation, once you have received my written confirmation and the invoice for the deposit.
What this means is: until then, you can say at any time, ‘I’m not ready yet’ – at no cost and without having to explain anything to me. And if, after the initial consultation, you realise it doesn’t feel right, that’s a good decision too. A photoshoot that you have to talk yourself into wouldn’t be a good one for either of us.
If you fall ill or something comes up
Life doesn’t stick to a schedule. A fever, a sick child, a family emergency or simply a week when it all gets too much – these things happen, and you don’t need to apologise for them.
Let me know as soon as possible, and we’ll find a new date together. You can reschedule free of charge up to 72 hours before the session; your deposit will simply be carried over to the new date. If you fall ill or an emergency comes up, this also applies at very short notice – no medical certificate required and no questions asked. The only thing that’s important to me is that we find a new date within six months. If you cancel the shoot altogether, I’ll keep the deposit because I’ve kept the slot free for you.
Even if you’re just not feeling quite yourself that day – whether it’s because of your period, a bad night’s sleep or your skin’s playing up – just let me know. Often, the right outfit and lighting can make a bigger difference than you might think. And if you’d rather reschedule, we’ll find a solution.
Incidentally, the same applies the other way round: if I happen to fall ill myself, I’ll let you know in good time, and we’ll reschedule the appointment. You won’t incur any costs as a result.
If you feel uncomfortable in the thick of it
That’s perhaps the biggest worry: what if I’m in the studio and realise it’s not working?
Then just say the word. One word is enough. We’ll take a break, you’ll slip on your dressing gown, have a drink, and we’ll have a chat. Sometimes that’s all it takes – a few minutes to catch your breath, a different outfit, a different pose, and the knot comes undone.
And sometimes it just doesn’t. Then we stop. No discussion, no ‘Come on, just a few more photos’, and without me letting you know I’ve changed my mind. That’s also what it says in my code of conduct: a ‘no’ doesn’t need a reason and doesn’t put you at a disadvantage.
If we have to stop, you can take your time to decide how to proceed: either we arrange a second session within three months and carry on with the shoot – at no extra cost to you – or you’ll receive the photos taken up to that point, select them from your gallery as usual, and pay only the deposit. The remaining balance is waived.
To be honest: it’s very rare for a photoshoot to be cut short. But precisely because you know you’re free to stop at any time, most women find it much easier to carry on.
If you don’t like a picture
Even whilst we’re shooting, I’ll show you the photos on the screen from time to time. If you don’t like a pose or an angle, just let me know and we’ll leave it out. That way, there won’t be any nasty surprises at the end.
About two weeks after the shoot, you’ll receive access to your private, password-protected gallery and can take your time choosing. If you don’t like a particular photo, simply don’t select it. No one apart from you and me will see these photos. Your gallery will remain online for a year – download your photos during this time; after that, it will be deleted.
I’ll edit your photos in my own style – with the colour palette, lighting and aesthetic you’ll recognise from my portfolio. That’s exactly why you’re booking me. So do take your time to have a look at my photos beforehand: if you like this style, you’ll love your own photos too.
When it comes to retouching, I’ll be honest: anything temporary – a spot, a bra strap mark, a bruise – I’ll remove. I don’t alter your body shape. You should be able to recognise yourself in your photos. And if you spot a detail like that in a finished photo, just let me know. It’s important to me that you enjoy looking at your photos – not that you simply ‘accept them’.
If you change your mind about it later
Life circumstances change. A new relationship, a new job, a different perspective on yourself – that’s perfectly fine.
Your private photos belong to you. It’s entirely up to you what you do with them.
You can withdraw any photos you’ve authorised me to publish – for example, for my portfolio or Instagram – at any time in the future. The conditions under which this is possible are clearly set out in your model release. Just send me a quick message, and I’ll remove the photos from my channels and won’t share them with anyone else.
And if you’d like me to delete everything I have relating to you, I’ll delete your photos and data, provided there are no legal retention requirements preventing me from doing so. A quick message will do – you can also send it to my wife, Andrea, if you’d prefer.
What if the photo shoot was a present?
In that case, everything mentioned above applies just the same – and then some. To me, a voucher is an invitation, not a commission. Anyone who receives a photo shoot as a gift decides for themselves if, when and how it takes place. And the photos belong to her, not to the person who bought the voucher.
Why I’m writing this so openly
Because trust isn’t built by everything running perfectly. It’s built by knowing what happens when things don’t go to plan.
I want you to come to me feeling that you can stop at any time. Paradoxically, that is precisely why almost nobody stops. When you feel secure, you let go – and that is exactly when the pictures you’re proud of emerge.
If you have any other questions that aren’t answered here, please ask me during the preliminary discussion. No question is too small, too embarrassing or too ‘negative’.
I’m looking forward to seeing you.
Leif Sundelius
