Preparing for a Boudoir Photography Session
We get it. This is all new to you and it’s hard to know where to start. Many women, have not had a day of pampering and have worn beautiful underwear for years.
This is our handy dandy guide and suggestions for getting ready for your boudoir photography session. so you get the most out of it.
🩱 What to Bring and Wear
We don’t provide underwear for obvious health and hygiene reasons, so you’ll need to raid your lingerie drawer or (oh no! 😆) treat yourself to a little shopping.
At a minimum, we recommend bringing:
One-piece set (bodysuit, teddy, etc.) – black always works and is universally flattering. Darker colours generally photograph beautifully.
Two or three-piece set – bra and undies with thigh-high hold-up stockings, or stockings with a garter belt. Again, black is a safe, stunning choice.
👉 Please remember: these are just suggestions if you’re unsure where to start. The most important thing is that you feel confident in what you wear.
A few tips:
Avoid garments that are too tight (they can dig into skin and cause lines or “muffin top”).
If you already have a lingerie collection, bring as much as you like — options are always good!
High heels are fabulous for elongating the legs and shaping calves. We have a small collection here, but bringing your own (or buying a fresh pair) is encouraged.
Accessories like pearls, long necklaces, or fun costume jewellery add beautiful variety to your shots.
If you’re into bondage and have restraints or similar items, don’t be shy — bring them along.
Bring anything personally meaningful. For example, one client brought her ballet shoes, which we wove into the photos. It could be anything — playful, sentimental, or uniquely “you.”
🛍️ Shopping Tips
If you’re not an experienced online lingerie shopper, we suggest visiting a dedicated lingerie store. While online options (like Amazon) can look great in photos, the quality and sizing are often hit-or-miss. In-store staff can measure you properly and suggest pieces that flatter your body type.
Some excellent places to shop:
Bras N Things – great all-round selection.
Honey Birdette – luxurious, elegant lingerie.
City Chic – fabulous for curvy clients.
Love Honey - Great online store. REALLY good stockings!
🤔 Try on Your Outfits Beforehand
If it’s been a while since you last wore them, try everything on before your shoot.
Pay special attention to stockings — make sure they fit comfortably and don’t roll at the top or slide down.
If you’re using a garter belt, practice attaching it to your stockings so it feels natural.
Pro tip: Once you’ve got it adjusted perfectly, leave the garter and stockings clipped together and step out of them like pants.
✂️ Cut the Tags
Tags stand out in photos — snip them off before your shoot.
💦 Stay Hydrated
Start drinking water now. Hydrated skin looks healthy, glowy, and gorgeous in photos.
𐄷 No Crash Diets Needed
Please don’t feel pressure to crash-diet beforehand. We’ve got a “black belt” in using lighting, posing, and angles to bring out your best. Honestly, a kilo or two makes no difference in how stunning you’ll look in your photos.
🙆♀️ Stretch
Light stretching before your session helps you feel relaxed, improves posture, and makes posing more comfortable.
💅 Nails
Treat yourself to a manicure if you can — hands often feature in your portraits. If long nails aren’t possible for work or sport, just make sure yours are clean and tidy.
☀️ Fake Tan
Our strong recommendation is not to get a fake tan. They often don’t look natural in photos, and we love working with each client’s unique skin tones.
There are exceptions (e.g., clients with strong tan lines or chlorine-affected skin). If you really want a fake tan:
Have it done by a professional.
Schedule it about a week before your session.
Please don’t DIY — streaks and orange palms/feet are hard to hide in photos.
💆🏽 Facials & Waxing
If you plan to have these treatments, avoid scheduling them within two days of your session to prevent irritation.
If your lingerie is new, double-check whether it requires a little extra waxing or grooming compared to what you’d usually do.
💄 Hair & Makeup Prep
Super simple: arrive with clean, dry hair and no makeup. Our professional team will take care of the rest.
👗 What to Wear to the Studio
Choose loose-fitting clothes and underwear (or better yet, go commando!) to avoid marks on your skin before your shoot.
🍽️ Eat Beforehand
Have a light meal before coming in. It’ll keep your energy up and help you feel balanced during your session.
💃 Get Ready to Have Fun
The number one thing our clients say after their shoot is how much fun they had. Yes, it’s normal to feel a little nervous — but you’ll quickly relax, and we promise you’ll love the experience.
