13 Tips To Feel Comfortable For Your Boudoir Session
1. Pick the right boudoir photographer
You know those people who you meet and you just instantly click with? Yeah, that’s the feeling you should get with your boudoir photographer! It’s important that when you’re looking for a boudoir photographer that you chat and get to know them a little better. Whether that’s through email, over the phone, or in person, you want to be sure that whoever is going to be photographing you half-naked is someone you could also see yourself grabbing drinks with or hanging out. The first step in feeling comfortable during your boudoir shoot is to trust the person behind the camera.
2. Hire a professional who understands how to direct you with posing every step of the way
Part of picking the right boudoir photographer also includes making sure they have enough experience. Not every photographer is good at giving direction and would prefer you to come up with your own poses. So, if you’re a little on the shy side and know that you’ll need help then make sure to ask if they help pose you. 99% of them will probably say yes but that doesn’t always mean they are good at it. Take a look at their work too. Are all their poses the exact same for all body types? If so, you might be limited with how much direction you’ll get from them. We are used to coaching posposes that work with any body type. This takes the stress off you and lets you just have fun during your session.
3. Make a plan with your photographer
Your boudoir photographer can help guide you on what lingerie to choose, where to buy it from, prop ideas, accessories and so much more! Nothing will make your confidence sink quicker than ordering *suuupper cute* lingerie from some boutique you saw on a Facebook ad and then realizing a few days before your shoot that it won’t get to you in time because it’s coming from China. Or if you do get it and it totally doesn’t fit right or looks nothing like the picture.
Having to scramble at the last minute to find something for your shoot will have you stressed out and feeling blah. You’ll feel more comfortable and relaxed during your shoot if all the details are ironed out beforehand and you know exactly what to expect.
If you are stressed about your lingerie picks, don’t worry! Many ladies come with a few simple ideas, and just have me pick a few looks that will falter their body shape & vibe for their session! And, last case scenario, sheets are always a super sexy option that is not even lingerie.
4. Choose outfits that flatter your figure and make you feel drop dead gorgeous!
Begin dreaming about your ideal boudoir outfits.
Shop your closet for your favorite pieces you already own and look at magazines and brands you love for inspiration. Ever have the perfect outfit picked out in your head and try it on only to realize 15 min before you have to leave that it doesn’t actually look that great? Total mood killer. If you didn’t have time to change then you probably spent the rest of the day feeling super self-conscious and adjusting your clothes. That’s the type of feeling we want to avoid for your boudoir session! If you just don’t like your selection don’t worry! Go shopping! Ask a girlfriend to join you and help you find pieces you not only look good in but feel good in! Think outside the box and don’t be afraid to try something that’s a little out of your comfort zone. You never know, you could love a new piece!
Picking the right outfit is essential to feeling comfortable and confident during your boudoir shoot.
You’ll want to choose pieces that fit properly, flatter your figure, and reflect your style. Every client that works with me gets my Outfit Guide, which goes over all the different types of ideas. I also have a studio closet with many options in various sizes that flatter all body types that you can pick through before your session for those of you who prefer to have me help pick your looks! Bring your faves and allow your photographer to help narrow them down based on what will photograph best. Don’t be afraid to let your personality shine!
Remember to bring some accessories! This is an area where less is truly more. Simple jewelry, knee-high socks, oversized sweaters, button-down shirt, veil, robe, + any additional accessories you love will make for great accessories!
If you’ve never had a real bra fitting, Nordstrom's is known for having an incredibly knowledgeable staff. Any client of mine who has shopped there has been glad they did.
Remove all price and sizing tags from lingerie. Even the permanent ones, you don’t want them peeking through in your photos.
Wax and moisturize 3-5 Days Prior to avoid redness and bumps.
5. Try to eat healthy a few weeks before, but don’t stress about your weight or that blemish.
Drink plenty of water to hydrate your skin. No matter how much you weigh or what your body type is, we can all agree that we feel a little better when we’re eating healthy. Please don’t starve yourself or go on any crazy crash diets to “lose weight” before your shoot but do try to make healthier decisions if that helps you feel more confident, so you don’t feel “blah” on the day of! Again, every body type can rock a boudoir session, so don’t feel the need to do anything more than make you feel confident! Moisturizing is always a great idea! Bring your favorite lotion to feel amazing in your skin.
6. Worried about bloat?
Drink lots of water and avoid sugary drinks and salt a few days leading up to your boudoir shoot. Why? Because bloating. I don’t know about you, but I do not feel confident or sexy when I feel bloated. Of course, if you do end up feeling bloated, let me know and I’ll keep that in mind as I’m posing you! It’s always good to remember we notice things about ourselves that no one else can see! I promise even if you do end up feeling bloated you will still love your images!
7. Schedule a little self-care
If you normally get your hair colored, wear extensions, or Get a fresh manicure! Avoid bright colors, neutrals are best. You’ll feel more confident knowing your hair, skin, and nails are on point. Don’t care about having your nails painted?! Then don’t worry about it. Just do whatever self-care things that make you feel your best. Avoid alcohol and drink plenty of water to hydrate your skin!
8. Get a professional spray tan
A little sun-kissed tan can give your skin a nice glow in photos and make it appear more smooth. It can also help you feel more comfortable with your body because it somewhat “hides” cellulite and stretch marks. We should all love our bodies and embrace our imperfections but sometimes that’s easier said than done and ya just need a little self-tanner to feel more confident.
There are good spray tans, and there are... well... You’ve seen them. I love the look of fair skin, and many of the women who shoot go au natural. If you want to tan up before your shoot, I recommend going to a tanning salon you've used before and trust. It's a lot like getting your hair dyed before pictures. You don't want to try something new. Try getting the spray-tan done by a professional a few days before your boudoir shoot. Avoid tanning lotions. No matter how natural different lotions claim to look, they create an orange glow that cannot be retouched after your session. A booth is fine too but can sometimes leave you streaky and a little off-colored. A professional can do a little “body-contouring” to accentuate the features you love and downplay the ones you don’t.
Do try to avoid at-home self-tanners as most tend to photograph orange. If you do decide to use an at-home tanning option make sure you have used it before and know it does not have a slight orange tint on your skin tone. Lastly, remember to do any self-tanning a few days before your shoot so you can fix any streaks and ensure your tan won’t rub off on your lingerie!
There are good spray tans, and there are... well... You’ve seen them. I love the look of fair skin, and many of the women who shoot go au natural. If you want to tan up before your shoot, I recommend going to a tanning salon you've used before and trust. It's a lot like getting your hair dyed before pictures. You don't want to try something new.
A few rules:
- Spray tan 2 days before your shoot.
- Shower at least 2 times before you come into the studio.
Whether you get one or not, I promise you will have amazing pictures!
9. Have your hair and makeup professionally done
Unless you are Youtube awesome at doing makeup and hair, it’s best to leave it to the professionals. They have been trained in all sorts of skin and hair types and know the best products to use to make your features pop on camera and your hair last the whole 3-4hrs of your session.
10. Accept Yourself
Easier said than done, I know but repeat after me, “I am beautiful. I am strong. I am amazing.” You have been given this wonderful body and you are beautiful no matter what your shape or size is! You’ll get to see that after your boudoir shoot but if your nerves are getting the best of you beforehand, just remember that everyone has something they don’t like about their body and no one is perfect. Even the girls you see in magazines!
11. Remember that your photographer isn’t going to deliver any unflattering photos of you!
If I ever catch any unflattering photos, don’t worry, they do NOT get delivered. In boudoir, you’re carefully posed, so girl, I promise you will be blown away!
12. Relax!
This one can be really hard until you are at the session. Nerves are completely natural for most people, but the more you can relax and just enjoy yourself, the better your images will be since your personality can shine through. For boudoir photos, I find most clients are nervous when they arrive, but start to feel more comfortable when they are getting hair and makeup done. Once they start shooting, they see how easy and fun it is, they are hooked! And no longer nervous!
13. Think Beyond the shoot
Think about how you want to preserve your photos. An album and prints are my favorite way to show off my boudoir photos!