How it works...
Your time slot will be confirmed with me after your deposit is received. The time given is the time you are required to arrive for your shoot. If you are making a hair and make up appointment prior, please give yourself ample time to get to your shoot on time as those appointments tend to go over frequently. There's no need to arrive early, just make sure you are not late! *Please remember to bring your remaining balance to the shoot.
All shoots are at my home studio in the Dugald area. I will have attached directions in your confirmation e-mail. You can text me the morning of your shoot and I will "send my location" to make it easier. The google address is wrong. 204-223-3603 is my number to text for a location pin. Make sure you read the directions because for some reason the location pin will vary by some feet and has caused some confusion in the past! (It's really not hard to find I'm just over preparing you!)
Not all suggestions below are meant for my maternity boudoir clients so keep that in mind if you're a baby mama!
You'll receive your photos in 6-14 weeks after your shoot unless specifically agreed upon an earlier date.
A handful of photo peeks will be sent within 2 weeks of your session.
Hair and Make up is not included. Arrive ready for your shoot.
Photos come with a mix of fully edited images at my discretion, which may include one or more edit style.(natural edit, my signature boudoir edit and/or black/white) More edit styles can be requested at an additional retouching fee.
Albums are available for purchase. Two options for albums include an 8x8 20 page album for $200 + 6x6 20 page album for $150.
After your session I try to send a sneak peak as soon as possible, but portrait retouching is very extensive and takes a lot of work/time to do properly. Please be patient and know that I will give you my best work possible. Your fully retouched images will be given to do you via private link where you can download and/or share.
Please Note* Cancellation/Rescheduling policy
There is a $30 re-scheduling fee for minis and $70 fee for full sessions if cancellation is made 14 days before session date. If I am able to fill your time slot fee may be waved. Re-scheduled session must be booked within 2 months or deposit is lost. All clients may reschedule one time without loss of deposit. Please keep in mind I've turned away all potential clients on the day of your session, when you cancel or reschedule I take a big loss that day. Photography is my livelihood so please be considerate when cancelling on short notice.
How to prepare...
Please review Ally Papko's portfolio to see the style and mood of the boudoir work. Photos are meant to look sexy in a comfy/cozy, natural, and tasteful way. If you have some incredible lingerie you want to wear though we can for sure work that in. Photos are soft using only natural light from the window.
Treat yourself to a manicure and pedicure prior to the shoot. The more natural the better. You will see your nails in a lot of photos so make sure you have them looking nice!
Avoid facials or waxing 1-2 days before your session as they can cause redness or bumps.
Tan lines are very tough and time consuming to fix so be aware of this in summer months. I will be able to make it a little less obvious when I retouch but you will still see them. Spray tans are great... if its done well and can hide the tan lines They will help smooth out your skin and give your skin a more flawless look. Its best to get a spray tan 2 days before the shoot. This allows 24 hours to set the tan and for you to have a fresh shower to avoid sweating/streaks the day of the shoot, as well as keeps my props from turning orange! If your spray tan is super fresh when you show up (you haven't had a shower yet) let me know so we don't ruin my bedding! If you have bad tan lines or you haven't had a spray tan before I recommend Tans by Kait! She will make you feel comfortable and make you look amazing. Contact her through IG @tansbykait. There is a discount for all my clients too woo!! She will ask you to show our confirmation email to her (the one I send after I receive your deposit) Spray tans really help to smooth skin by hiding imperfections, uneven skin tone, veins, and reduces the look of cellulite (a little) and you won't get a strong colour cast from your clothing if you have a bit of tan. I find girls that get a tan will end up receiving a few more photos from me because editing their skin takes a little less time- giving me more time for more photos :) Shawna from Organic Tan is amazing as well if Kait is all booked up!
Please moisturize your full body prior to your session. Bring lotion with you if you tend to have very dry skin. Especially during the dry winter months!
Moisturize and scrub your lips for a few days prior to your session as well.
An hour before our shoot, please try to remove anything with elastic such as a tight shirt, pants, underwear or a bra to prevent strap marks from appearing on your skin. Sports bras are usually fine, its the skinny elastics that leave the deep indents! This isn't a huge deal but it can be very noticeable. Your call!
Special jewelry is a nice accessory to the photographs, though too much jewelry can be distracting. Shine up your engagement ring if your doing the shoot for your fiance. Make sure it makes sense with your outfits though.
Here are some outfit suggestions! Don't go crazy driving all over the city to find these pieces, they are just suggestions:
If you are feeling a little shy I love starting with an oversized sweater(make sure its really long or large so we can pull and play with it, chunky open sweater cover up, silky robe. These keep you a little more covered up so we can get you comfortable in front of the camera first!
Bodysuits are always so so flattering on everyone. It makes posing a little easier when you aren't worrying about your middle with any twisting or turning.
Any undies! Full or half bum undies, thongs if you are comfortable.
Anyone and everyone can pull the Calvin's off! Its a great casual look. I've seen them at Costco before for a cheaper purchase!
Jerseys, sportswear of your own or your babe's (one with a name bar is super cute), your favorite coffee mug, your fav fluffy blanket ( I do have lots though), bralettes, hats, plain tank (best slightly see through or oversized), sheer clothing pieces, sports bra, tube socks, wool socks, leather jacket, denim jacket, your babe's dress shirt and tie.
I love shooting implied nudity so that doesn't require an outfit!
**Most importantly just bring something that says you, and you will be comfortable in.
Please cut all tags off of underwear, bras and anything else you're bringing, they show!
Pay attention to colors to make sure your colors don’t clash between your sweater color and socks, etc. Whites that don't match exactly, are not that noticeable so don't worry about that!
Solid colored clothes are always a good option, classic blacks and whites are always a strong choice.
Avoid neon colours as they will create a hue on your skin (unless you have a very deep tan)
Anything and almost everything works- if it makes you feel confident and sexy.
HAIR! I find that hair down with loose waves or curls is the best. With very straight hair if any pieces are out of place it’s very noticeable. If you have your hair tightly curled it tends to get messy when we start moving you around. The best solution is to have it look very natural with some volume, we play with hair A LOT. Putting your hair up in a messy bun is always a cute quick way to change your look during the shoot!
MAKE UP! heavy or light, whatever you feel most comfortable and beautiful as. If you want to go more natural make sure to cover up any dark circles under eyes. Blemishes are easily removed, don’t worry about those little guys! I love close up shots of eyes and eye lashes so put some mascara on before the shoot. Blending your foundation all the way down to your neck and even chest is important for a seamless look. Also bring make up right into your hairline so there is no gap! Please pay attention to your foundation colour especially in the winter when your body is more pastey (hehe) your foundation might be too dark. Falsies are my favorite! Cover any visible glue with a dark color to blend better if you are putting fake lashes on and pay attention to that gap between your lash line and where you attach the lashes. I focus a lot on lashes so if you can put falsies on do it, it makes a huge difference! Make sure to moisturize lips before coming and even bring something for a touch up during the shoot!
Check out some of my fav ladies on IG for Hair and Make up
@jmc_makeupartistry @beautybyvee @lavender.olive @madeneautyco @beautybypetra @la.estetica.beauty @sandy.noirpro.wpg204 @makeupbydcmk
@hairbyamberjoy @hairbybeej @hairstyledbysuzy @styledbysheena @marchyrizzhair
If people wouldn’t recognize you without glasses and you want to wear them, the glare on glasses can detract from your eyes in photos. You can have your lenses removed from your frames for your shoot to help.
The day before try to limit your salt and sugar intake and anything else you’ve found that makes you bloat. It’s really not a big deal but you will feel more comfortable and that shows. Make sure to eat a light snack before the shoot though!
Please bring your remaining balance to the session.
FAQ
What do I wear? What do I bring?
I can create beautiful, natural images with you wearing oversized sweaters, plain tanks, regular underwear etc. You don’t need to go out and buy fancy lingerie, but you can if you want! Although I cannot recreate a photo you've seen because its plagiarism of someone's work, you can show me and we can mimic the same style/feel of the photo.
Places to shop
Victoria Secret
Forever 21
La Vie en Rose
Gooseberry Intimates
Fashion Nova
Shein
I'm not photogenic. I haven't reached my goal weight. I hate my thighs. I have cellulite. Is this for me?
Everyone deserves beautiful portraits of themselves, it just takes the right photographer, to capture it for you. If there is something you feel self-conscious about, we can use poses and lighting to emphasize your best features instead. OR we can try to highlight your insecurities and in a beautiful way and help you on your self love journey. Let me know what you want to focus on and we will create some amazing images together. In most cases, smoothing acne, stretchmarks, and cellulite is part of the retouching process. I will usually ask about scars if you want them removed or not. I don't usually remove anything other then lone pimples completely, but instead just smooth over.
I don't know how to pose, I'm not model. How will I know what to do?
Its my job to get you into natural looking poses by getting to know you and what you want out of the session. Working with your personal angles, lighting and posing allows me to capture candid, beautiful and natural photos for you
Are my photos going to be seen by other people?
Only if you want them to be. Any images that I have shared or used for portfolio purposes have been given permission to do so. You are always given the option to keep them private. Of course I love being able to feature my work, but respecting my clients is number one. I have a privacy policy that makes sure your images are edited in a private environment. Let me know if you are okay with me sharing a boomerang with you and the pups on my stories. Its sort of a nice way to show my work in a fun way for the 24 hours the story posts stay up for- and the pups LIVE for the boomies with you ladies!
I’ll see you soon!!
