What to expect and how to prepare for your boudoir session

The highest obstacle between you and your boudoir photo session is the act of booking the session. Once you overcome it, there might still be some questions. What happens after the booking? How to prepare yourself for something you have never done before, and even if you have?

Getting ready

To exacerbate: the more you plan, vibe, and plan ahead, the more you are going to get out of it. Start by thinking about what you wish from your photos. How you want to be seen. Write down everything that comes to mind, let those be single words or phrases. You can use those words as keywords and find photos for example from Pinterest. Do those photos correspond to your wishes? Those words can also function as clues to find something new. Make notes. If you have booked me to be your boudoir photographer, this point is the perfect one to set up a Pinterest board or a shared drive file where you collect photos that please your eye and share it with me. Visual references are a vital part of my process, but keep in mind that not all photographers want those.

Next step is to think about your own body image. How would you describe your relationship to your body? What body parts are those that you wish to highlight in photos? What body parts are those that generate insecurities? Make notes but remember to be gentle to yourself both in words and thoughts, try not to attack yoursef, simply observe. Photo session is not for modifying or hiding anything but a place where you have the possibility to see yourself in a gentle and loving light just the way you are. 

Music and its meaning during the session

If a session is done inside (studio, your apartment, hotel), music plays a great role. If you do not care that much about music, it is okay. We can photograph in silence, or we can pick some mellow tracks or nature sounds to play in the background. If you listen to music a lot in your everyday life and know that music has an influence on your mood, let’s harvest that to good use. Once you have decided how you want to be seen, you can start making a list of songs and performers that will support your good mood, bring up good memories or give courage to throw yourself in front of the camera. If you wish that your playlist lasts through the session, make sure that it is at least two to three hours long. You can pick a ready playlist or stick to one performer’s discography, if the making of playlists is not your thing.

What to bring with?

For many of my clients choosing outfits for the photo session is the hardest part. You don’t have to renew your whole wardrobe or buy something that you otherwise would not buy or use ever again. The main point is that you should look like yourself, feel good and confident. So, if you wouldn’t wear a lace body in any possible situation, you do not have do it for this occasion even though it is rather common in boudoir photos. It is always a good idea to bring some extra outfits. Those can be underwear (take note: granny panties or boxers are just as good as lace panties), white blouse (we also have one you can borrow) or dress shirt, knitted shirt, leather jacket or formal jacket, curtains from your gran’s house – whatever comes to mind. If you are not sure if some outfit is okay, take it with you anyway. Don’t leave it behind, because during the session unexpected things come handy.

In our studio, we have a small wardrobe of clothes for you to use, for example black and white lace morning gowns that actually fit many sizes. If you wish to have some specific clothes or props for your session, ask us, we might have it. I haven’t made a comprehensive list of our loanable clothes and props, and sometimes we are ready to look for new (secondhand) things, if your request is something that may interest our other clients. 

Other tips

Do not fast! Being photographed is a rather intense situation, and the experience will not be nice, if you start to feel exhausted or sick. Eat and drink well on the day of the session as well as the day before.

It is important to moisturise your skin properly every day for a week before the session. remember to do that also on the actual day even though you would not wear make-up or a professional takes care of your make-up. If you want to dye or remove any type of bodily hair, do it well in advance. Do not epilate or dye your hair dark on the morning of your session. Human skin is not supposed to look airbrushed, so do not worry about rash, acne, or stress pimples. If you wish, I can fix momentary skin issues, but won’t do it automatically.

Do not pack in a hurry. Prepare and pack your bag a day before. In this way you have time to iron or repair clothes in good time, and double check that you have everything you need. If you dare, you can cut off tags from your clothes, especially lace underware!

Day of the session

It is okay to feel nervous before the session. I, for one, felt physically sick before our first couple’s photo session – I almost cancelled it, but luckily, I did not. The second highest threshold after the actual booking of the session, is to come to the session and follow the plan you have made. I can assure you – everything goes well and the nervousness fades away.

Remember to wear loose clothes (including the underwear) before the session. Tight fitting clothes make marks to the skin. If you have chosen to be photographed at our home studio, we will provide you a private place where you can change your clothes in peace. 

Bring snacks and water – as mentioned above, being a photographed is hard work! You are allowed to have as many breaks as you wish during the session. If you use make-up, remember to pack powder and lipstick for touch-ups. 

Before we start, we prefer to talk with you for a while. We make sure we all know the agreed rules and plan together what happens and which order. When everyone feels comfortable, we start photographing. You don’t have to know anything in advance, we tell you what to do. We often work in pairs and with us is also Tinksu, who helps you pose and find your way of being in front of the camera. They guide you through the session by verbally explaining what to do and – even better – showing you examples. You are not left alone. The session takes its own course, and we will be ready exactly at the moment when you feel ready. We do not set a strict time limit for boudoir sessions, but on average a one takes about two to three hours. Unless you book a one hour long mini session “spicy studio portraits”, in that case it’s just the two of us an one hour limit!

Boundaries and consent

Everything we do, we do respecting your boudaries. You decide what to where, how you pose. We try our best to discuss everything beforehand and modify our work in your needs and wishes, but if at any point you feel like you want to change something, let us know! You don’t have to get naked at any point, unless you want to, you don’t even need to show your underwear. We look at your visual references and listen to you, and plan our directions to match the vibe you give us. There are as many ways of being in boudoir photos as there are people getting photographed, there is absolutely nothing you have to mimic or nothing you’re not allowed to do – just let us know beforehand if you are interested in BDSM imagery or have kinks you want to embrace during the session. Consent goes all ways, and open communication is the key!

After the session

After the session you will receive some sneak peek images usually within 24 hours! That’s when I’ll also ask if you have any editing preferences and how you feel about sharing the images. I’ll say this in my email too, but the best way to look at the photos, if you feel any insecurity or have a habit of reacting negatively to photos of you, is to scroll through and only stop if you see something you really like. If the first reachion is critical, it’s not purely your own, but society’s. After that, it’s easier to have more neutral feelings and even positive ones.

If you wish to get an album or prints from your images, I can help you with that! Just let me know, and I’ll send you the prices and other info. You’re also free to print or order them where ever you wish!

Do you have any questions? Don’t hesitate to reach out!