Your ultimate guide to a milk bath photoshoot from maternity to boudoir, everything you need to know on how to prepare, what to consider and all the wonderful benefits including some samples from a boudoir milk bath add on shoot that will knock your socks off! (Literally I hope you will for me!)
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So you're thinking about booking a milk bath photoshoot? I can assure you, you've come to the right place to learn all about them first including some of my clients questions, hopes and desires. I know it seams like the strangest thing to get in the bath infant of what is probably a stranger right? Will you be naked?! How will your bath clean out?
Let's get into it, knock all those fears aside and prepare you to receive some of the most unique and beautiful images you'll treasure forever or skip to a part of the guide below.
Who is a milk bath suitable for?
From boudoir to pregnancy, there's a milk bath for all! Some things to consider:
- Milk baths are made using real milk, a vegan alternative can be used but bear in mind that this often will cost more money due to the additional expense of product
- Milk baths smell of milk and in a hot bath that can be a little overpowering, I use essential oils to mask the smell but talk to your photographer about allergies, smells that are particularly triggering for you (especially during pregnancy) or preferences before the bath is prepared for you
- You will need to fit and flex in a bath your photographer can help you in and out should you need it but you'll need to be able to move about once you are in.
Will I have to be naked in front of my photographer?
Likely the scariest part of a milk bath for most people is the feeling you might feel uncomfortable posing in a bath and I get it, it's not something you'd normally doing on a Tuesday afternoon.
Firstly let me assure you, a good photographer will never force you into a situation that makes you feel uncomfortable. If you would like to be clothed, semi covered or nude, there are beautiful photos to be taken in a milk bath.
I leave my clients once I help them out of the bath to wash themselves off with water and get dressed comfortably.
I also provide a privacy service so if you want a selection of images that you could show to friends (ones you really like!) I'll edit the images so your private parts are sensitively covered such as the image below.
What bath will I use?
Some photographers will use a bath in their own home or will offer to come to yours. You may also consider a luxury hotel setting with a roll top bath or an unusual copper bath.
Your photographer should be able to work with you where you feel most comfortable including in your home with a small bath.
I use some light composite work to ensure clean edges so that the focus is on you, not the floor or any distracting elements around the edges but if you have a bath with an edge you could use the edges to provide further floral decorations.
Talk to your photographer about what could suit you and your budget.
What are the benefits to taking a milk bath?
soothes itchy irritated skin
hydrates your skin and leaves you glowing
a warm relaxing bath can be soothing to your overall sense of wellbeing
can help to ease the pain of sunburn
Will you use real or faux flowers?
As a general guide I use 4 supermarket bunches of flowers in a milk bath, this is currently the cost of about £50. Real flowers are just lovely in water, their half sunken appearance gives a lovely texture and feel and they feel so soft on your skin.
But this isn't the only consideration for flowers you might also need to consider the following when selecting flowers.
Some flowers are artificially died and may turn the milk a different colour, chose natural colours
Some flowers float better than others, choose flowers with a larger surface area (rose buds for example close and sink)
Choose a colour scheme that compliments what you want to wear
Rose petals look lovely and float beautifully in the milk
If you are allergic to flowers, pollen or have hay fever, real flowers might not be your best option and faux flowers are just as beautiful with new offerings in the market being even more hyper realistic than ever before.
But, don't be fooled- faux flowers can be just as and maybe even more expensive than real flowers (but offer the benefit of being re-usable)
What about clean up?
Your photographer should take care of the clean up from disposing of the now milk drenched flowers to emptying and rinsing your bath. The milk bath is non toxic and can simply be washed down the plug at the end of your session meaning the clean up is minimal.
You can then simply rinse off and get dressed.
Using me at Cat Brant Photography for your milk bath photoshoot session.
I know choosing a photographer for an intimate session can be daunting but I'm here to hold your hand and lift you up. I am able to cater to a variety of needs and budgets so I hope to be able to help you, whatever you are looking for. My speciality is empowering women and I am yet to meet a woman that I haven't become instant friends with, I am confident that we'll be friends too.
I am based in Hampshire, Fleet but I can travel to Berkshire, Surrey, London and surrounding areas should you wish for me to come to you or we can book a lovely hotel near you.
If you are pregnant, I've been there two (twice) so I understand it takes a little longer to get in, I'll help you up and out and will ensure your absolute safety throughout your session. We can talk about everything in advance from smells you like (and don't!) how you want to be dressed and if I can do anything to make your experience as relaxing as possible from booking hotels to buying flowers.
I already can't wait to meet you!
Cat x
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