At the end of every photoshoot, I treat myself to a glass of sparkling wine.
This isn’t a joke or a sales ploy. It’s one of my favourite moments in the whole process: the moment when the tension lifts, the dressing gown is back over her shoulders, and a woman sees a few of her photos on the screen for the first time. Usually, there’s a moment of silence. And then comes a smile that I haven’t seen quite like it in the hours leading up to that moment.
That’s exactly what this glass stands for. Not for a party. But for a phrase that many women hear far too rarely – and say to themselves even more rarely: ‘You’ve earned this.’
You’ve just done something brave
A boudoir photoshoot isn’t just any old appointment. Beforehand, there was the decision to book it in the first place. The preliminary consultation. The outfits laid out on the bed the night before, the journey to the studio, and perhaps the thought of turning back at the last minute.
And then you were there. You revealed yourself – as much or as little as you wanted to. You tried out different poses, laughed at yourself, perhaps hesitated for a moment, but carried on anyway.
That’s not something to be taken for granted. Most people spend their whole lives avoiding any camera that comes within two metres of them. You deliberately stepped in front of it. And that’s something to celebrate.
Why we so rarely celebrate ourselves
We raise a glass when someone has a birthday, gets married, passes an exam or gets promoted. We celebrate our children, partners, friends and colleagues. But what about ourselves?
Lots of women tell me that they tend to play down their own achievements. “It was nothing special.” “Anyone could have done that.” “I was just lucky.” People who talk about themselves like this will eventually start talking about their own bodies in the same way: “Well, I’m not too bad for my age.” “If only I were five kilos lighter …”
For me, a boudoir shoot is also a bit of a counter-trend to that. A few hours where it’s all about you. Where nobody wants anything from you, apart from for you to feel comfortable. And at the end, a moment when we can quite officially say: That was brilliant. You were brilliant.
Sparkling wine, non-alcoholic drinks or tea – whatever you fancy
The glass is a symbol, not a necessity. Anyone who has come by car will, of course, be served non-alcoholic sparkling wine, and anyone who would prefer a cup of tea or simply a glass of water will be given exactly that. It’s not about what’s in the glass. It’s about taking a moment to pause.
By the way: I don’t serve any champagne before the shoot ‘to help you relax’. You should be able to recognise yourself in your photos, and for that you don’t need a tipple – you need time, peace and quiet, and someone to explain each pose to you. The champagne comes at the end – as a reward, not as a pick-me-up.
A first look at your photos
Whilst we’re having a drink, I’ll show you a few of my favourite photos on the screen. They’re still unedited and haven’t been selected yet – but they already capture the light and atmosphere that you’ll find in your gallery later on.
That first glance is often the moment when something shifts. Many women then say things like, ‘Is that me?’ or ‘I’ve never seen myself like that before’. Some laugh, some fall silent, and some have tears in their eyes. All of these reactions are perfectly normal.
I make a point of taking my time with this part. There’s no next appointment just around the corner, and no one’s rushing you to get changed and leave. You can simply stay seated, take a deep breath and settle in.
What you take home with you
Of course, in the end, it’s your photos that you’ll take home with you. Within three weeks, you’ll receive access to your private gallery and can take your time choosing which ones to keep.
But most women take something else home with them as well. A feeling that’s hard to describe and which I often read about in messages after the shoot: that they felt different on their way home. More upright. Lighter. A little proud.
If you like, take this feeling seriously. Tell someone you trust about it. Afterwards, go out for a lovely meal – with your best friend, your partner, or on your own. Make the photo shoot a whole day just for you. You’ve earned it.
A little ritual for at home
One final thought: when your finished photos arrive, don’t just have a quick look at them on your mobile. Set aside a quiet evening, make yourself a nice drink – sparkling wine, tea, whatever you fancy – and take your time looking at them.
And then raise your glass once more. To the woman in these photos. To you.
I’m looking forward to seeing you.
Leif Sundelius
