Boudoir Sessions at The Sanctuary
Let me first start with a profanity: HOLY FUCK THE PHOTOS THAT CAME OUT OF THIS STUDIO ARE ABSOLUTELY PHENOMENAL. This past weekend I shot with 5 stunning clients, and WOW did my creativity & passion for boudoir get ignited…
THE STUDIO
Located in Toronto, Mint Room Studios is a collection of photography studios with different rooms & concepts.
The Sanctuary currently spotlights a “Serene Winter” setup, which is what you’ll see in the images in this blog.
As soon as I saw the space, I knew I was shooting there. The studio is a “stunning tranquil bathroom space in natural stone colours, inspired by luxury Balinese spas”. And let me tell you, I felt tranquil as HECK shooting out of here. Ceiling-high windows provided just the right amount of natural light for a romantic boudoir session.
Photographers! A few things to note when shooting out of this studio:
• Parking is scarce around here, allow yourself 15-20 minutes to find parking, and share this with your clients as well! This makes sure everyone is on time.
• The studio is on the third floor of the building, you will check in at Unit #300 with the studio reception. In the lobby, there is a plaque for easy navigation.
• If you are using the bathtub, please be aware that the temperature tends to be finicky. It takes about 20 minutes for the tub to fill up, and there is a tea kettle you can fill to boil water. When I started shooting, we would shoot a lingerie look, then once the tub was filled, my client would hop in the tub. Some clients had lukewarm water, others had freezing water - it was a luck of the draw, really. My clients were freaking TROOPERS and the images were so, so worth it. Take into account the draining of the tub as well if you have back-to-back clients! It takes about 5-10 minutes to drain.
• Remember to let your client know to bring a towel if using the bathtub.
• Washrooms are down the hall from the studio and you’ll find a washroom key hanging on the wall just outside The Sanctuary.
• For changing, there is a privacy screen available, but it’s sort of see-through! I recommend turning away and communicating with your client that you will be averting your eyes while they change.
THE IMAGES
I shot in 4 main areas of the room. In front of the tub, on the steps, in front of the curtains, and in the tub. I created variety in the images by using different angles & maneuvering around!
I was inspired by ideas of softness, tranquility, and touch. Capturing intimacy was my main goal and... I think we got it, babayyyy.
I’ve been wanting to experiment more with movement, which you’ll see in the blurry images. For this, I slow my shutter speed down and either get my subject to move, or I move my camera manually, or both! There’s something so ethereal about these blurry images… It makes you imagine the movement that caused them. Dancing, spinning, you name it - we’ll do it.
DETAILS
Another thing I love to do, and if you’re a client of mine you’ve heard me say “OK hold that pose, I’m just going to come in for a few detail shots.”, is snag DETAILS.
In this session, I aimed to get detail shots I wouldn’t have thought of otherwise - like feet dangling over the side of the tub, and a hand dripping water. Features that, when photographed, evoke emotion, in this case - serenity.
I also asked my client to hug herself in the tub and captured SUCH a beautiful detail shot - the creases and curves of a self-embrace. Droplets of water on the shoulder, water pooling around her entangled limbs… UGH, these shots give me life.
BOOK WITH ME?
I’m currently booking slots for The Sanctuary in March! Here’s the info:
• Dates: Sunday, March 12 & Sunday, March 19
• Time slots available: 10AM & 11AM
• Packages:
- Digitals Package $500: Includes a 45 minute shoot, 20 digitals, 3 Polaroids, access to boudoir Angel wings
- Album Package $800: Includes a 45 minute shoot, a 6x6 mini album with 10 images, corresponding 10 images plus 10 additional digitals, access to boudoir Angel wings
Send me a DM over on Instagram, or send me an email at: iryna@arcadiaboudoir.ca if you’d like to book! Looking forward to meeting you. 🥰
XOXO,
Irene