7 Tips on How to Prepare Yourself for your Boudoir Session

1. Talk to me about your vision

I love hearing my client’s stories! Take some time to think about what you want to get out of your session and reflect on what this experience means to you. If you wish to share your story with me, I would love to hear it. Knowing your story will help me build a tailored experience for you so that I can capture you perfectly.

Also - If you have an idea or something creative you would like to bring to life – DEFINITELY TELL ME! I love being able to work with my clients to create something that is uniquely theirs.

If you are feeling nervous, I am more than happy to schedule a phone call to discuss whatever you need. We can talk about any fears or anxieties you have leading up to your session. We can talk more about what kind of images you like, what to expect during your session, what parts of your body you think are the most beautiful and you'd like me to focus on, what types of poses you’d like to have captured and whatever else you need! The more you talk to me, the more comfortable you will feel and the better your photos and your experience will be. The time you spend with me is all about you. I want to give you 100% of what I can to make sure you get the best experience.

2. Decide what you want to wear

Deciding what to wear is literally the hardest thing you will have to do for your session. My best advice is to bring something that makes you feel comfortable but also reflects who you are! My next best advice is to bring options! I usually start the session with the outfit that has the most coverage. As you become more comfortable, we will work through your outfit choices. With that in mind, it is truly up to you with how much or how little skin you show and if you really can’t decide what to wear – remember complete or part nudity is always an option!

If nudity isn’t for you and you are a little stuck on what to wear, I do suggest bringing one of or a combination of the following:

• One piece set (like a body suit, teddy, corset, shapewear, swimsuit)
• Two or more piece set (bra/undies, high waisted skirt/pants and bra, garter belt, stockings)
• Something to layer (dressing gowns/wraps, a loose jumper, off the shoulder shirt)
• Something from your significant other especially if you plan on gifting your photos to them (their button down shirt, their hoodie you stole, their tie, even take them shopping to help you choose your lingerie for your shoot)

I also encourage bringing accessories – like jewellery, knee high socks, heels, hats, nipple covers, kink/bondage props. These will help complete your outfit and create the right mood for your session. 

I love shooting to show your personality so whatever you choose to bring don’t be afraid to have fun! Just make sure whatever you do decide to wear you feel strong and comfortable in it. If you would like some inspo – check out my portfolio of each session type and my instagram page to see what past clients have worn. 

3. Once you have decided what to wear– prepare your outfit

If you don’t already have something in your wardrobe you’d like to wear, it’s time to grab your favourite supportive friend and hit the shops! If you decide to buy a new lingerie set ask to be fitted correctly. This will make sure your body is supported and you won’t have anything cutting or digging into your skin.

Whatever you decide to wear – CUT THE TAGS OFF! No matter how many times I tuck those cheeky things in, they always escape again and I will spend hours photoshopping them out of your photos.

If you decide to wear shoes for your shoot, give the bottom of the shoes a clean. Certain poses will expose the bottom of your shoes. If they are really grubby, they can distract the focus from you and reduce the quality of the final image.  

Once you have everything prepared, start to pack things before your session. This will give you time to remember everything you need to bring. Also it’s a good idea to pack extras of everything (especially stockings if you're going to wear them and extra make up to give yourself a touch up). 

4. Start preparing your body

There are only a few things I will encourage everyone to do leading up to their session. These are stay hydrated, exfoliate and moisturise your skin, get plenty of sleep and eat healthy in the days leading up to your shoot. Doing all these will make you feel ready to tackle anything (including your boudoir shoot), improve your mood (and your confidence) and leave your skin with a healthy, happy glow.

So many women feel like they have to look a certain way before they can book a boudoir session with me but if you’re always waiting for your body to look a certain way then you're missing the point of it all. This is about your Self Love Journey and capturing the moment you choose to begin to love yourself unconditionally. For this reason, I encourage you to come as you are. You are perfect the way you are every day.

With that said, some women feel more confident when they look a certain way, and that’s completely okay. Here are some tips for you if you do want to prepare your body in the days leading up to your session:

• If you want to come with your body hair groomed/removed, please shave/wax a few days earlier to give your body a chance to heal and eliminate any lingering redness.
• If you would like a hair cut or colour, schedule your appointment about a week before your session. This will give you time to adjust any inconsistencies or mistakes in your hairstyle before your session.
• If you are doing your hair and makeup yourself, make sure you practise your look you want to create ahead of time.
• Avoid the sun to avoid weird tan lines/sunburn and stop your skin from drying out.
• If you would like to fake tan I definitely encourage you to get it done professionally. If you do it yourself, the wrong colour base and any patches that are uneven or streaky will show up on camera. Keep in mind that fake tan, even if done professionally, tends to accumulate in any fine lines you have and will make you appear more “wrinkly”.

Disclaimer – I am not enforcing a certain beauty standard here but I do want to support the choice women have to autonomy over their own body and make sure those choices photograph well.

5. Treat yourself the day before

Give yourself time to treat yourself the day before to do something that makes you feel great. Treat yourself to some self love the day before. Whether it is getting a mani/pedi, spending the day on the couch and catching up on your favourite series or going for a hike or swim at the beach, you will get those endorphins pumping and knock down those nerves. (Just remember to slip slop slap if you’re spending the day outside – sunburn does not photograph well!).

6. The day of your session

Eat before your session – even if it’s something small. You need to look after your body so it can look after you!

Come to your session wearing something loose fitting - skip the bra, belts, tight waistbands and socks if you can! This will prevent leaving red indentations on your skin and is especially important if you are planning on being nude for your session.

Leave that spare hair tie that’s always on your wrist at home!

If you choose to book hair and makeup for your session, make sure you give yourself plenty of time to get these done. The last thing I want you to do is feel flustered because you are running late and sweat your hair and makeup away. 

Side note - A lot of women ask whether or not they need to wear makeup to their session. If you’re someone who wears make up daily, feel the most confident with it on or just want to treat yourself to some pampering I definitely recommend it. On the other hand, if you’re someone who feels the most confident with a fresh clean face, then that’s completely okay too! Its all about what makes you feel the most confident and feels best for you!

7. Worried about posing? I got you!

Almost every single woman I have booked in for a shoot, whether this is their first time or they are an experienced boudoir client, I always hear “I have no idea how to pose!”. Don’t worry girl - I got you! I provide very direct and clear instructions on how to pose for each photo. I will guide you throughout the whole experience. I will even show you with my own body on how to position yourself. I get very excited when you nail any pose and I definitely express it. I promise you, we will have fun together!!