Preparing for Your Boudoir Session
The best way to rid yourself of nerves before anything that makes you anxious is to be totally prepared. If your future boudoir photoshoot has you feeling a little intimidated, you can rest easy knowing your boudoir experience is going to be perfect with some preparation.
But don't stress about preparing for your session, I’m here for you! I’ll go over everything from what lingerie is best to what you can do to pamper your body beforehand to enhance your natural beauty and sensuality. Check out this guide to ensure you not just look and feel great for your boudoir session, but you have a whole lot of fun too! Be warned: this is a long, all-inclusive guide but it’s totally worth it.
Long Before Your Shoot
Visualize the clothing, shoes, accessories and props you will want to wear for your shoot. Flip through your favorite fashion magazines to discover ways to pair colors, fabrics and styles for easy runway glamour. Better yet, create a Pinterest board and start saving anything that inspires you (then share the link with me!).
Shop your closet for the items you instinctively select when you want to feel (and look) your very best. Let your imagination roam! These may be everyday clothes but you’ll look your sexiest in what you’re comfortable and confident in.
Grab a style-savvy and fun-loving friend and hit women’s fashion boutiques to hunt down an ensemble that not only flatters your figure, but also makes you feel comfortable, unquestionably beautiful and relaxed. If boutiques aren’t your thing, below’s a list of a few online shopping options for your convenience. I do have other resources that you can find on outfit Do’s and Don’t’s, example outfits, and direct links to pieces you can purchase.
Check out Amazon.com for a myriad of choices from subtle to kinky, cheap to expensive, etc.
Try Anthropologie or Free People for trendy pieces but be warned they are more expensive than others.
Modcloth is a great place to shop for vintage outfits.
If you’re curvy and looking for specific pieces, Hips and Curves or Simplybe are good starting points.
For budget options, Forever21 (or what’s left of their options), H&M, and Adore me (slightly more expensive than the other two but the most quality for price).
Pick out lingerie that highlights your every lovely curve, but please remember sometimes a tight T-shirt, soft sweater or over-sized button-down shirt can be even sexier. Let your own personality shine through. However, not every piece of lingerie that looks good in the mirror will photograph well—be sure to read the Do’s and Don’t’s of lingerie for the camera below.
Do invest in at least one cute bra & undies set (black is a great, timeless option) that makes you feel super sexy and fits your body type. (Consider high waisted undies, a corset belt, or bodysuit options if your tummy is an area of concern.)
Plus size recommendations: High-waisted undies, an under-bust corset, and/or a bodysuit will be very flattering. Pair these with an off-the-shoulder cardigan, button-down shirt or lace robe.
Do consider normal clothing if you’re nervous about being too revealing, such as off-the-shoulder or oversized tees, cardigans, tank-tops, a fitted button-up shirt, or a high slit skirt/dress. Many of these items can be paired with cute undergarments to make a very sexy (but less skimpy) outfit.
Do remember that sometimes no outfit can be the best outfit. Some of my favorite images were photos taken when my client wasn’t wearing anything clothing-related, and simply covered up with a white sheet, towel, shawl, pillow, or a prop.
Don’t feel like you have to drop a ton of money on new items for your shoot. Although it can be nice to have one really elaborate piece of lingerie, we can create stunning images with the items you already have in your closet and affordable pieces from Amazon.com or other cheaper sites.
Do load up on accessories. Pearls, long necklaces, costume jewelry, hats or berets, fishnets or sheer black hose, and most importantly—beautiful shoes! High heels are a nice way to extend the length of your legs and, when standing, will give more shape to your curves.
Bring something meaningful to you (or your significant other, if your shoot is for them); this serves as a great way to personalize your shoot. It may be lingerie your partner gave you on your first anniversary, for instance, or a vintage charm bracelet you found on a scouting expedition while on vacation. Some women pose with their artwork or a special casserole dish that mean the world to them, making their shoots one-of-a-kind.
Communicate all your fears, anxieties, and hang-ups with me ahead of time. We'll schedule a call a week before your session to discuss everything. You'll let me know what kinds of images you like, what parts of your body you think are the most beautiful, and what types of poses you'd want to capture among other things. The more you communicate, the more comfortable you will feel and the better your images will turn out.
The Week Before Your Shoot
This will be the time for the most preparation to take place so read closely!
If you choose to wax, please do so more than 2-3 days before your shoot to avoid any bumpiness or redness.
If you’re planning to visit the salon for a haircut or color job, give yourself a few days to a full week to make sure you are happy with it and don’t need any corrections once your hair has a chance to rest post-salon treatment.
Your hands and feet will be visible in most of your boudoir shots, so it’s important to get them camera ready. Consider pampering yourself with a mani-pedi a few days before your photo shoot date. If you’re wearing mostly the same tones, choose a polish that complements your outfits. Otherwise, choose red polish for a bold, timeless look or nudes for a demure, easy-to-match set of nails.
Stay out of the sun—while a base tan will be nice in photos, red, blotchy skin will not. Please do not spray tan. Your natural skin will photograph best! Spray tans can result in weird color patches and drips. The spray tanner also settles in every fine line of your skin, making you look much older. If you absolutely must tan, stick to tanning methods that you are familiar with—the last thing you want is to end up having a weird reaction to any sprays or lotions.
Drink plenty of water for luminous skin. Also make sure you use extra moisturizer as to not dry out your skin. Hydrated skin is happy skin and happy skin photographs beautifully!
Exfoliate, exfoliate, exfoliate! Smooth skin makes everything look all the more naturally beautiful!
Try to lower your salt intake as much as possible and avoid alcohol for the week if you’re worried about retaining water. Do this especially if you’re expecting your period this week and/or on the day of your photoshoot.
Try on your outfits and lingerie to make sure they fit properly; remove all tags and labels. Steam or iron your ensembles if possible/needed and hang them properly so they keep their shape as you travel to the studio. Any wrinkle or tag left will show and I won’t be able to photoshop these out without compromising the natural look.
Even though all of my packages include professional hair and makeup for your session, you can certainly do your makeup yourself. Just make sure you practice ahead of time to get comfortable with the look you want to create. Remember these portraits are meant to be glamorous and striking, so work on building drama and contour with your make up look. Since you will be photographed, be sure to make your makeup a little darker and more layered than the average makeup look.
The Day Before Your Shoot
Please double-check everything you need and want with you is properly packed and ready for the shoot: heels, jewelry, outfits, any makeup you plan on bringing, accessories, props, snacks, etc. Pack extra if you have the spares!
Please allow yourself plenty of time to get to the shooting site without stress. Check weather and traffic reports to ensure you have allotted enough time for unexpected delays. Plan to be at least 10 minutes early!
Enjoy a relaxed, quiet evening and try to avoid any electronic screens from about an hour before bed to reduce any strain on your eyes which will reduce the risk of redness. Reading or a calming warm bath are great ways to spend this time.
Plan for a good night’s sleep—eight hours is ideal.
The Day of Your Shoot
Please eat something before you shoot. Don't do anything drastic like a cleanse or fasting. Posing for our boudoir sessions is kind of similar to a yoga session. You'll be holding muscles you normally don't, and often times be inverted laying down. I don't want anyone to feel faint or light headed. The small amount of body change you feel from cleansing or fasting will not be visible in the final photos. I photograph everyone so their body looks awesome. Even if you think you're a bit bloated after you eat, I promise you will never be able to tell in your photos.
Please do not wear anything that is too small and digs into your skin or creates the dreaded “muffin top.” Wear loose-fitting clothing to your session to avoid red marks on your skin (no jeans, socks or tight clothing, for instance). If at all possible, avoid wearing a bra as straps usually leaves indents and red marks on your skin.
Use clear deodorant. Avoid powdery or spray deodorants as these leave white residue when you sweat, which you will! Posing is a workout!
Avoid coffee and alcohol before you shoot. While some of us depend on our caffeine intake to get us over the hump, have a cup of soothing tea instead so you’re not too wired. If you feel you need a glass of wine to loosen up, I’ll have some offered at the shoot but not too much—I can’t photoshop droopy eyes!
Don’t forget your bag with all your packed items! Please do double-check you have everything you need.
On the morning of, do a last shave of your armpits, legs, and bikini line if you would like a hairless look!
If you’re having your hair and makeup done by my artist, come to the session with a clean and moisturized face and washed (and dry) hair.
Most importantly, take a deep breath, relax, and trust me. We’ll have a lot of fun together!