Your guide to your sexy boudoir shoot
I've worked with so many real women throughout the years and have taken note of their most crucial pain points and common concerns. It's important to me to let clients know that they are not alone in these concerns. For me, it’s not just about the photos—it’s about the entire journey they go through to get to that moment of vulnerability and courage. Booking the session alone is such a powerful act of self-love, especially in a world where women often feel the need to hide parts of themselves. By choosing to be seen and celebrated, they’re taking a stand for their own worth.
I know for myself that the experience can feels like such a mix of emotions —nervousness, excitement, maybe even fear at first, but then by the end, there's this deep sense of accomplishment and peace. It’s incredible to be able to be able to guide my clients through all of this and give them the gift of seeing themselves as beautiful and worthy, flaws and all.
We are real women, with real concerns, and real-life experiences. A boudoir photoshoot is meant to be one of the most positive and awakening experiences of our lives. I hope this guide will help you prepare for your boudoir shoot and keep your focus on getting excited!
Here are the tips that I provide to every one of my clients before our boudoir photoshoot.
A WEEK OR TWO BEFORE THE SEXY BOUDOIR PHOTOSHOOT SESSION
Tone up and Stretch out
If you feel like you need to tone up, go for it! Using weights or body weight, knock out some basic moves while you listen to music in the morning or even for just ten minutes before you jump in the shower. You don't have to do anything crazy like burpees or jump squats, mainly if you're not used to high impact workouts; just the basics will make a difference in how you feel. Examples would be pushups on the ground or a wall, squats, side lunges, planks, crunches, leg lifts, bridges, and jumping jacks or mountain climbers for cardio between sets. Stretching is also essential because there will be a lot of back arching and tall postures. You'll likely leave your session feeling the burn, and the next day you might be sore like you did an intense yoga class. Stretching and toning ahead of time will not only help you in your posing, but it'll also help you feel great upon arrival and to not be so sore the next day. You don't need a huge space for these stretches and workout moves so they can be done just about anywhere at any time. (No excuses!)
Eat smaller portions, and avoid foods that bloat
To reduce bloat, cut down on foods with sodium and sulfur, and eat smaller meals throughout the day. If you know which foods affect you negatively, stay away from those starting a week before our session. (Dairy, eggs, and bread do it to me!) Eat slowly and mindfully, enjoying every bite, and drink a whole glass of water before and after each meal.
Drink plenty of water!
I cannot stress this part enough. Starting NOW make sure to keep up on your water, at least eight glasses per day. Bloating will disappear, the skin will come brighter and clearer; the list goes on. Down a whole glass before each meal, and a full glass once you're feeling satisfied. Adding flavors like lemon, cucumbers, or electrolytes will help motivate you to get that hydration in.
DRINK YOUR WATER!
Please, DO NOT get a spray tan.
As much as you think it helps your appearance in person, it won't in the photos. It'll throw off my camera's color balance (think: Donald-Trump-orange, and muddy black and whites). Also, some spray tans have a shimmer in them, which ends up looking like white dots of dust. Spray tans can add hours to the retouching process which may end up costing more for you if you feel like you need extensive touch ups beyond my normal retouching process, so it's much better if you focus on getting a real, even tan or keeping your skin its natural color. If you do spend hours in the sun, don't forget to moisturize regularly.
Avoid tan lines (if that's not your look)
Some people think clean tan lines are super sexy. That's cool, so do I! The key is to wear the same bathing suit as much as possible so you don't have intersecting tan lines with different shades of skin tone around them. There have been many clients though who ask if I can just "edit them out." I will never say no because retouchers out there can do magic, however, that type of retouching is over and above my retouching process and the extra outsourcing cost per photo will be invoiced to my client. My advice? If you have a boudoir shoot scheduled, keep your tan line preferences in mind while beaching and plan accordingly.
Hair and Makeup: Should you hire a professional for your boudoir photo shoot?
If you're ever going to pamper yourself, now is the time to do it. You've done all the research to find the perfect boudoir photographer, purchased new lingerie, and you've possibly rented out your ideal shoot location.
You're going to want to look your absolute best for this session. Unless you're proficient in doing your own, I highly recommend hiring a professional to do your hair and makeup. A professional makeup artist knows that makeup photographs about 40% lighter than it looks in person, and they can also ask you all the right questions and apply techniques that will make you look like the best you. I have a few makeup artists I work with closely, and I recommend them for all of my sessions. They do both hair and makeup, and all of their information to book will be provided in the onboarding email.
Usually, like you, my clients have never done a boudoir shoot before and this is her first. Having all the nerves in the world upon arrival, allowing someone professional to take the reins on hair and makeup will take a lot of preparation stress away and allow you to relax. My advice: Pamper yourself a little and hire a professional, whether it's someone I've recommended or someone you work with regularly. Make the most out of this experience by easing the pressure of getting yourself ready on your own and giving yourself a true day of self-care.
Choosing Lingerie & other Boudoir Photoshoot outfits
Boudoir shoots are meant to be sexy and sultry; whether you're going for the "I woke up like this" look or the Victoria's Secret Vixen look, you're going to want to do some research and find pieces that fit with your style, personality, and the mood you're going for.
When choosing what to bring, it could be anything from lingerie, clothing, beach cover-ups, a white button down shirt, robe, silky slip, cotton separates, just a sheet, body jewelry, and the list goes on. Lingerie should be form-fitting and up-lifting. Think corsets, bodysuits, and matching separates that fit just right so be sure to try them on. If they're too small, and especially when they're strappy, the edges will dig into your skin and create curves you don't necessarily care for. If they're too big, they wont hug your body the right way. You also want to be wearing something that makes you feel like a million bucks, not just any old piece you bought in a different era when your body was different than it is now. How you feel about the outfit will make an impact on how you feel when you're wearing it, and fabulous is the goal all around. Plus, how exciting is it to go shopping for new lingerie?! There's your permission-- go shopping, girl.
You also want to wear something that suits your personality and body type. Make it fun! When choosing your pieces, take into consideration your figure, the features of yourself you want to accentuate, and which parts you'd prefer to keep more covered up. If you're self conscious of your arms or midsection, consider bringing a robe or white button down as a layering piece. If you don't want to show your midsection, wear a one piece that hugs you in all the right places. Corsets are fun because they pull you in tight, boost the chest, and make you feel like a million bucks. If you're sensitive about your bum, thighs, and/or midsection, a robe, button down shirt, blanket, or sheet is your best friend. If it's just your bum you're worried about, come prepared with bikini or boyshort style undies instead of thongs, or even a sexy pair of high waisted tights that will compliment your shape.
Heels are fun, and if they're your thing, we'll use them if you bring them! Wearing high heels can make your legs look tighter and longer, while giving your bum a lift, whether pictured or not. However most of my clients are barefoot for their session, and we can emulate the look of heels by having you on your tippy toes. If you do bring heels, strappies, pumps, or thigh high boots work best; I recommend staying away from anything clunky or chunky covering up to your ankles. Nude and black heels work best, unless you're bringing heels that perfectly match the color of your outfit - that works too!
I suggest you keep jewelry simple and to a minimum unless the jewelry is the outfit. Body jewelry can be really fun and can be layered with the right lingerie, or under a white or sheer black button down, but if it's a chunky necklace we'll likely keep your top half bare-ish so the jewelry isn't competing with the lingerie and vice versa.
If you're doing this as a bridal boudoir photoshoot, you may want to wear white lingerie with light accents, and even include some wedding pieces, e.g. veil, garter, wedding heels, your engagement ring, etc. I have a bunch of veils in the studio you can use during your shoot, so no need to bring yours if you wish to keep it safe at home. Just because it's for a wedding gift though it doesn't have to be bridal themed. We usually stick with 2-3 looks, so you can make one of them white and show a more delicate side of you, and then a black set for some more dark and sultry photos. It's your shoot, so it's your call! I'm always here to help.
Please keep in mind I use my equipment, the right angles, lighting, and posing to make you look your best, right in the camera. Despite what you might think, Photoshop is used minimally for retouching, and the photos you see at the viewing will not have any retouching done to them at that point. Any photos you choose to keep will be retouched, and that includes any necessary skin smoothing and wrinkle reducing, excessive hair flyaways, and any other light touch ups to give the image a finished effect.
1-3 days before your boudoir photoshoot
Keep your nails clean and manicured
Do you like manis and pedis? Great! Book yourself an appointment a day or two before our boudoir shoot, and you should be good to go. If not, that's cool too. Just beware of dirty nails and chipped polish; think clean and evenly polished or not polished at all.
Exfoliate and slather on that lotion
Worried about splotchy, uneven or ashy skin tone? Exfoliate and use body lotion to soften and even out skin. Dry body brushes feel great and also work wonders. I got mine at TJ Maxx. You'll want one with soft, all-natural bristles, and use it right after you shower and dry off. Google it! Not only does it feel great, but it helps with circulation and evening out skin tone.
Before Arriving for your Shoot,
- Narrow your outfits down to 2-3 looks, and if you're simply not sure, I can help you pick the best ones in the studio. Bring 5 options at most. Less is more, and simple is your friend. This is about you more than it's about the outfits.
- Please steam or iron any clothing you'll be bringing. Bring clothing on a hanger, and try to avoid stuffing everything tightly into a bag.
- Cut labels, remove tags. If there are labels on the bottoms of your shoes, please remove them ahead of time. Cut the tags off of any garments you're planning to wear, including any large white care tags on the insides of shirts.
- Collect some Inspo from Pinterest, Instagram, Google, etc. if you haven't already, and we'll take a look at it before we start shooting! It's always nice to get on the same page as far as style and mood go. I will still do my thing and shoot how I normally would, we won't be copying other images to the T, but we can use them as ideas for startign points and take it from there. When you share photos with me that emulate the look you love it just gives me more direction and also inspires me too!
The morning of your boudoir photoshoot
If you're having your hair and makeup done, head out that morning with a clean, freshly moisturized face wearing lip balm. Hair should be dry and ready for some curls/waves. Avoid flat ironing your hair, as that will affect how your hair holds the curl.
If you're doing your own hair and makeup, arrive to the studio ready to get started. Bring a makeup bag for any necessary touch ups.
Wear very loose-fitting undergarments (or hang loose) to avoid lines in your skin.
Try your best to avoid conflict or stress before your session, and come with an open mind! Stress shows up on your face and in your shoulders and hands, which is why I schedule my sessions first thing in the morning. I want you to come with a clean slate, relaxed, and ready to have a good time.
After your boudoir photoshoot
After your boudoir session, we'll take a break for about 1.5-2 hours. You can go grab lunch, and I'll be using that time to get the photos ready for you to come back for your viewing and ordering appointment the same day. If you'd rather bring lunch and hang in my studio for that break you're welcome to; I'll be just down the hall, so you can get some relaxation in.
After break, we'll go through all the images together and I'll help you choose your favorites for your collection. I'll show you some sample albums, we'll go back through the list of collections, and you'll place your order! That will conclude our day together.
In the weeks to follow I'll be retouching your images and designing your album. I'll send you a digital album proof once completed so you have a chance to look through and approve, and then the album will be shipped directly to your door. Any digitals will be delivered via an online gallery link secured with a password. My usual timeframe for product delivery is about 4-6 weeks.
Side note: If for any reason we can't have our same-day viewing, we would either meet back in the studio at a later date to have an in-person ordering session, or we can do it virtually based on our schedules.
I strive to do everything I can to make this a fun, empowering, and smooth experience in a safe and comfortable space. I'm not just photographing you, but also offering you a moment to reconnect with yourself and step into your power. I hope you allow yourself to make the most of it!
xo
Tina