What real women thought of the Surrey Boudoir experiance.
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I was very, very nervous before doing the photo shoot I remember my
legs shaking so much when standing saying hello to Andrew and Tania,
I wondered if they would notice! I was instantly but at ease and
found both of them easy to talk to and willing to discuss ideas.
They both had good suggestions on what hair and makeup styles would
suit me as I could not make my mind up due to nerves. By the time my
hair and makeup was done which looked amazing, I felt at ease with
them both and knew that they would guide me through.
Having not done anything like this before I was a bit arms and legs
all over the show but I was able to follow Tania and Andrew's
instructions to pose myself in a sexy but classy manner. I was so
excited waiting for the photos to arrive and can't wait to show them
to my partner, and see the look on his face. I wanted a complete
surprise for his wedding present from me and I think he will get it.
I would highly recommend the experience.
- Leanne
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I’ve always admired those ladies from the WI – The Calendar Girls –
and love the tasteful shots in their famous calendar, but I’ve never
been very body confident myself and so doing a boudoir shoot is not
something I’d ever thought about. However, when a close friend did a
shoot with Andrew and Tania just before getting married, my interest
was aroused; she showed me some of the amazing pictures and told me
what a brilliant time she’d had. Ok, so my body isn’t in great shape
and it’s definitely starting to sag and bulge in all the wrong
places, but the more I thought about it the more I thought it would
be a fun way to celebrate my 50th year, not to mention
provide some great professional photos for my forthcoming 25th
wedding anniversary.
I won’t pretend there weren’t a couple of times after I’d booked the
session when I wondered what on earth I was doing – this really
isn’t me! However, Andrew and Tania make an extremely professional
team and I felt totally comfortable and relaxed even when we did
some of the more revealing shots. I’d had some ideas of what I
wanted to do in the way of poses etc, and we talked through what I
wanted to get from the shoot, as Tania did my makeup. Andrew and
Tania both had lots of helpful suggestions too and Tania was
brilliant at making sure that my stockings were straight and not
sagging at the ankles and that I was looking great as Andrew set up
the shots.
I went for the full hair and make-up thing. I have
very
sensitive skin (and never normally wear makeup) so was very
concerned that my face would flare up instantly, but Tania assured
me that all the products she uses are hypoallergenic and she was
right – no problems at all. I’d certainly recommend it as it adds to
the feeling of being very special on the day - and makes the photos
look fantastic too.
The time simply flew by, especially once I’d got
over my initial self consciousness.
And the photos – well I’m thrilled with them; Andrew has taken some
simply stunning shots!
They both made me feel fabulous at 50!
- “Jayne”
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The whole experience was really fun and certainly a new one for
me. I am not someone who is particularly confident about my body
and I am certainly not the kind of person who likes to "flash a
lot of flesh". So I was quite nervous before Andrew and Tania
arrived- it was the unknown-ness as much as anything else
actually. However, from the moment they arrived at my house, I
felt fine and I was eased into the whole experience gently.
First of all we did a bit of a reccie of the house identifying
possible places to shoot pictures. We also talked a bit about my
partner, what he liked etc so that hopefully the pictured could
in some way reflect that.
Then I had my make up done by Tania which was a good opportunity
for me to get to know them and for them to get to know me.
I was able to have input into what kind of look I wanted from
the makeup and I really loved the final product. It was more
make up than I am used to but actually that was part of what
made me feel a bit more special and sexy.
For my first few shots I was fully clothed- just to get me used
to the camera and to warm up. I then progressed to underwear
shots.
The hardest thing for me was trying to master the "come hither"
look in to the photos as I am not a natural flirt. However, both
Tania and Andrew were very helpful on this- having done it so
many times.
The whole experience just flew by, was something completely new
for me and I just knew my partner would totally love the
results- which he did. In fact we both really love the pictures
and I think we still will do in years to come.
-Rebecca
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Dear Andrew,
Well where to start. It's a week since I had my Boudoir shoot
and this isn't a letter that I thought I would be writing a week
ago.
I booked the shoot with trepidation thinking it was just a
Christmas gift for my husband not realising how much I would
enjoy it. I have a lot of hang ups about my body, 3 sons one by
caesarean, hating the gym and liking my food, what I see in the
mirror repulses me but my husband loves it so that's why I
thought this would be a great gift for him.
As I left the house last week I felt sick and kept asking myself
what I thought I was doing, even pulling up at the location I
was ready to turn around, just pay the money and leave. I
thought it was a big mistake.
How wrong I was.
I expected the photographer to be a thin 'arty' type that worked
with size 8/10 models and didn't really have much idea about
size 12/14 female bodies. Someone who was just doing this as a
job. Someone that would probably snigger from behind the camera.
When I saw you I felt a little of the tension lift as you didn't
fit this stereotype that I had built up in my mind.
The easy banter that was going on while I was having my make-up
applied also helped put me at ease.
When the time came for the shoot to start nothing felt so bad
anymore.
I was glad to start semi clothed in my husbands shirt, a little
security I suppose, something familiar in such strange
surroundings.
As the shoot progressed you made me feel special and more and
more relaxed and the relationship that you have with your
assistant is great.
Being manoeuvred into positions even started to feel normal and
although I thought at first that 4 hours was a life time, when
the time finished, I'll be honest I was a little disappointed, I
was just getting into it. At NO time did you make me feel cheap,
and that is what I think my greatest fear was.
Thank you so much for boosting my confidence. I know I should go
to the gym, for health reasons, but after the shoot I feel that
I can love my body too.
- Karen xx
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Thanks very much for [the shoot] – the time certainly rushed
past!!
I’ve been through all the pictures now and I'm really pleased
with the results.
Thank you. It’s a pity I was so self conscious at the beginning,
I certainly look much more relaxed once the outer clothes
started to come off!!
Thanks
again for a great day and some super pix.
- Angela
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"Having a boudoir photo shoot is something that has always
appealed to me, and when various people suggested a boudoir
album as a great wedding present for a groom, my impending
wedding seemed the perfect excuse to go for it. When it came to
booking it though, there were various considerations for me.
Number 1 and most importantly-I am a professional woman working
in a government organisation and I’ve worked hard to get to this
point in my career. I can not afford to have my colleagues
arriving at work with a knowing smile, or worse, wielding a
photo of me semi-clad! Therefore discretion and security were
extremely important to me.
Number 2 was of course the price: weddings and indeed life in
general don’t come cheap, so I couldn’t afford an extortionate
photo shoot where you end up with one photo at the end!
Number 3 was the convenience factor. As this was intended as a
surprise, it wasn’t very handy to have to trek miles away to do
the shoot without arousing any suspicion.
After looking at various online options, I came across Andrew
Dobell’s website. The price looked very good with a whole album
of photos included and also Andrew can do the photos at your own
home if you like. This means you have access to all your shoes
and lingerie, which is handy! Alternatively you can have the
shoot at a glamorous hotel.
I decided to go for it and booked Andrew to come to my flat. I
raised my concerns in advance regarding security of the
resultant material and Andrew reassured me that it would be safe
and we signed contracts to that effect, which put my mind at
rest. Andrew also brings with him a make-up artist, Tania.
This has several advantages: a) Tania is really nice and
friendly and has a good eye for a pose, b) having another woman
present puts you at ease and c) she does an excellent job with
hair and make-up and makes you feel like a sexy, glamorous
version of yourself.
Just before Andrew and Tania were due to arrive, I had a moment
of panic-what was I doing letting 2 complete strangers into my
house and then stripping off!? However I need not have worried.
Both were pleasant and professional and the first hour or so was
spent having my hair and make-up done and chatting about normal
things.
We then discussed the kind of photos and any particular poses I
wanted and Andrew made it very clear that the extent to which I
remained clothed was entirely up to me and I was in control of
the pace.
The shoot lasted a good 3 hours and it just flew past. I had a
whale of a time and both Andrew and Tania made me feel like a
million dollars. They were both very encouraging and friendly
and the whole day was great fun.
Andrew did a fabulous job - the resultant album was amazing and
the (very select!) few people I showed it to were blown away by
it - including my mum!
And the groom? Well let’s just say that was a knowing smile I
was very happy to see…!
-Ruth
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"Andrew made me feel very comfortable and at ease.
A joy to work with. I would highly recommend him."
-Christina
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"Andrew did a really good job at making me feel relaxed
and I was confident with what I was doing.
Thanks."
-Rachael
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"Thoroughly enjoyable experience, I felt
relaxed and comfortable throughout the shoot."
-Wendy
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