Boudoir Photo Shoot Tips For Better Photos

So, you’ve booked a boudoir photo shoot. Excited? Nervous? Maybe both? Either way, I want to show you my best boudoir photo shoot tips to help you get the best images possible from your session.

I should emphasize that you don’t need to do any of the things mentioned in this post to get great photos. Instead, consider everything mentioned, and if it’s something you care about, go for it. If not, don’t. It’s your meat suit, so style it however you want! But definitely consider everything mentioned in this post so you can show up prepared to capture the best photos you’ve ever seen of yourself!


Hair Removal

A striking black-and-white boudoir portrait features a nude woman with long, wavy hair cascading over her shoulders, framing her face and body. Her expression is both sultry and confident, with full lips slightly parted and eyes gazing directly into the camera. Dramatic lighting accentuates the contours of her figure, highlighting the curves of her breasts, waist, and hips against a deep black background. One hand rests gently on her chest, fingers lightly touching her collarbone, while the other is placed on her hip, emphasizing her poised stance. The monochrome palette enhances the depth of shadows and highlights, creating an evocative and timeless boudoir image. The composition and pose serve as an inspiring example of boudoir photo shoot tips, showcasing the power of lighting, pose, and expression in capturing sensuality and confidence.

You probably already have a great hair removal routine that works for you. However, this section exists so you don’t accidentally try a new “better” method right before your photo shoot.

For example, I’ve had clients who usually shave their bikini line decide to get waxed the day before their session, and lo and behold, they show up with a bunch of red bumps and irritation that makes it look like they shaved with a rusty butter knife.

Pro tip: If you’re considering getting waxed, let your hair grow out 2-3 weeks before, and then wax 3-5 days BEFORE your session to allow redness and irritation to subside.

If you decide to experiment with hair removal yourself, just make sure you do it well in advance of your session and not the night before. Because procrastination is a great way to show up to your photo shoot in a panic with things looking angry.

For everyone else who prefers to shave, always remember to use a new blade of the best quality the night before your session.

Oh, and if you’re still using those disposable cartridge razors from the grocery store, you can upgrade your life by getting a safety razor and some way better blades like Japanese Feather blades.

Or you can just do nothing, and that’s fine too. Do you.


Tan Lines

You probably already have a great hair removal routine that works for you. However, this section exists so you don’t accidentally try a new “better” method right before your photo shoot.

For example, I’ve had clients who usually shave their bikini line decide to get waxed the day before their session, and lo and behold, they show up with a bunch of red bumps and irritation that makes it look like they shaved with a rusty butter knife.

Pro tip: If you’re considering getting waxed, let your hair grow out 2-3 weeks before, and then wax 3-5 days BEFORE your session to allow redness and irritation to subside.

If you decide to experiment with hair removal yourself, just make sure you do it well in advance of your session and not the night before. Because procrastination is a great way to show up to your photo shoot in a panic with things looking angry.

For everyone else who prefers to shave, always remember to use a new blade of the best quality the night before your session.

Oh, and if you’re still using those disposable cartridge razors from the grocery store, you can upgrade your life by getting a safety razor and some way better blades like Japanese Feather blades.

Or you can just do nothing, and that’s fine too. Do you.


Hair Cut & Color

A captivating boudoir portrait showcases a woman with vibrant blue hair styled in soft, cascading waves. Her deep side part and loose curls frame her face, drawing attention to her sultry gaze and confident expression. She wears a loose, dark gray tank top with deep-cut sides, exposing the curve of her breast and revealing the intricate tattoos on her arm and thigh. The tattoos include elegant script on her upper arm, a striking portrait of the Evil Queen on her forearm, and a vivid floral design on her hip. She pairs the top with black lace panties that emphasize her curves. The soft, natural lighting from a large window behind her highlights the rich tones of her hair while creating a glowing, ethereal backdrop. The warm beige curtains and rustic wooden dresser add a cozy, intimate feel to the setting. This image serves as a perfect reference for boudoir photo shoot tips for hair cut and color, demonstrating how bold, vibrant hair choices can add personality and depth to a boudoir session.

Do not, under any circumstances, try a new hairstyle right before your photo shoot! It’s pretty easy to avoid this giant trap, but somehow it still manages to swallow up a fair number of women just trying to go all in for their session. Don’t be that girl.

Instead, go with a style you know works from your favorite hairdresser, and time your cut/color for 3-5 days before your photo shoot. This timing allows any hair dye to wash off your skin and scalp while still maintaining a fresh look. It’s also the perfect window for getting your brows shaped if you want them done before your shoot.


Nails

A captivating close-up boudoir portrait highlights a woman with piercing green eyes, framed by bold, winged eyeliner and full, well-defined brows. Her sultry gaze and slightly parted lips, painted in a deep, matte red, exude confidence and allure. Her hands gently cradle her face, showcasing long, perfectly manicured nails in a soft, muted pink that complement her warm complexion. Her nails are shaped in a sleek, tapered square style, adding elegance and refinement to the image. A small nose stud subtly enhances her features, while her dark, wavy hair cascades softly around her face, slightly tousled for a natural, intimate look. The blurred background creates a dreamy, moody atmosphere, drawing full attention to the details of her face and nails. This image serves as an excellent example of nail tips for boudoir, demonstrating how well-groomed, thoughtfully chosen nails can enhance a boudoir session by adding sophistication and a polished finish to every pose.

It’s the details that make good shots great. How and when you do your nails is a small detail that’s easy to overlook before your photo shoot. The ideal time to do your nails is 1-2 days before your session. This helps minimize the chance of chips and avoids that unsightly week-and-a-half grown-out look.

As for those drugstore stick-on nails, leave those at home. They might look okay from far away, but they’re pretty cringy in close-ups.

If you want fancy nails, do it right and have them done by your local nail rock star, or take the time to do a nice job yourself.

Or better yet, don’t do anything and just show up as you are.


Lash Extensions

A stunning close-up boudoir portrait captures the details of a woman’s flawless makeup and lush, voluminous lashes, making it an ideal reference for lash extension tips for boudoir photos. Her eyes are gently closed, showcasing a perfectly blended smoky eye in rich brown and taupe tones that seamlessly transitions into her natural skin tone. Her long, full lash extensions create a dramatic yet elegant effect, fanning out beautifully to enhance the shape of her eyes. Her brows are naturally groomed with a soft arch, framing her features effortlessly. Below, her lips are painted in a matte mauve shade, slightly parted to reveal a hint of teeth, adding a sensual and inviting touch. The soft, natural lighting highlights the smooth texture of her skin, while the close-up perspective emphasizes the importance of well-maintained lash extensions in boudoir photography, ensuring a polished and glamorous look.

Most of my clients look amazing with just mascara. But for those who want it, we can give you strip lashes that look great for ½ body portraits and further away as part of your makeover. 

For close-ups, I recommend getting lash extensions from a skilled lash tech, or, if you’d like to save some cash, invest some time in learning how to do your own lash extensions. With a little practice, brands like Lilac St. can look excellent even in close-ups.

Just promise me that whatever you do, you’ll resist the fashionable urge to have caterpillars installed above your eyes. This will help future-proof your photos and keep you from becoming the contemporary version of 80’s glamor shots. You’re welcome.


Teeth Whitening

A radiant outdoor boudoir portrait captures a woman bathed in the golden glow of the setting sun. Her auburn hair catches the light, creating a halo effect around her loose waves, while the wind gently tousles a few strands across her face. She gazes playfully at the camera, her eyes full of warmth and confidence, as she lightly bites her finger in a flirty, natural pose. Her soft, nude-toned lace lingerie highlights her curves while maintaining an elegant and delicate aesthetic. The sun's backlighting adds a dreamy, ethereal quality to the scene, with lens flares subtly appearing on her skin. Her teeth, visible through her slightly parted lips, look natural and unfiltered, adding authenticity to her expression. This image perfectly answers the question: "Should I whiten my teeth before my boudoir photo shoot?" It showcases how a genuine, confident smile is far more important than achieving a perfectly white, edited look, emphasizing the beauty of natural features in boudoir photography.

Although I have a process to whiten your teeth in post-production, if you’re worried about your teeth, you’ll tend to guard your smile in photos. This makes capturing genuine expressions way harder than it needs to be.

So instead of fighting against your insecurities, make an appointment to have your teeth whitened by your dentist, or grab some whitening strips and use them at least a few weeks before your session.

Often, dentist treatments can look almost too bright right after, so it’s important to give them time to settle before your photos. Once your teeth are movie-star white, avoid all the usual culprits that cause staining so you can keep the body positivity ball rolling.


Make Thoughtful Choices

A stunning and sensual boudoir portrait features a nude woman with long, wavy hair cascading over her back, standing in front of an ornate, antique mirror. The mirror’s intricate carved frame adds a vintage elegance to the scene, contrasting beautifully with her soft, natural curves. She holds a delicate, patterned fabric in front of her chest, partially concealing her body while maintaining a confident and alluring expression. Her gaze meets the camera with quiet intensity, her lips slightly parted. Warm, moody lighting accentuates the contours of her figure, casting soft shadows that enhance depth and dimension. The neutral-toned wall behind her keeps the focus on her form, while the reflection in the dark mirror subtly adds mystery. This image exemplifies boudoir photo shoot tips, showcasing the impact of thoughtful lighting, elegant posing, and artistic framing to create a sensual yet sophisticated composition.

So, that’s pretty much it for personal care appointments you should consider and when to do them for the best results. Now, the rest is up to you to show up in the best condition you can for your photo shoot. For example:

  • Don’t have a living room wrestling match the night before your photo shoot
  • Don’t go to the lake the day before your shoot and skip the sunscreen entirely
  • Don’t plan a night of chaos, booze, and regret the night before your session.

Simple, right? But here’s the catch: only you can make sure all of this happens. So, while none of this stuff is hard, only those who go down this checklist and make some artistic decisions about how they want to present themselves will unlock the full potential of their photo shoot.

Put another way, Rembrandt was an amazing painter, but his work was only ever as good as the canvas he painted on. Use this post as a checklist so you can show up to your session as a beautiful canvas, ready to create stunning art.

If you have any further questions about session prep, please reach out, and I’d be happy to help!

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