Boudoir Photo Shoot Checklist

Professional hair and makeup will be provided for you. Arrive with a clean, makeup-free face so my artist has the perfect canvas to start with. Wash and dry your hair the morning of your session so it’s ready for styling.

You can bring inspiration photos or a Pinterest board if you have a specific look in mind, or you can simply let my makeup artist create something beautiful for you. Most clients look best with a natural makeup base that enhances rather than masks. If you want something more dramatic we can go that direction too.

If you’re planning lash extensions, get classic single-hair extensions (not volume) one or two days before your session. Match the lash color to your hair color and keep the length lightly embellished.

Choose loose-fitting, comfortable clothing to avoid skin marks before your session. You should also be cozy while you’re getting your makeover.

Yoga pants, pajamas, or robes are all great options. If you decide against bringing a robe, a soft blanket is a good idea so you can stay warm between sets.

Slippers can also help keep you cozy. Goosebumps are impossible to edit out of your photos without destroying the skin texture, so staying warm is key if you’re being photographed on a cold day.

I’ll provide fresh fruit, cheeses, and crackers for us to snack on.

If you have any dietary preferences or restrictions, please let me know ahead of time. Y

ou’re welcome to bring champagne, wine, or mimosas. I’ll have a straw ready to keep your lipstick intact.

I’m marijuana-friendly, but keep in mind that while one puff (or one drink) can help you relax, three might affect your ability to receive complex posing direction. However you choose to relax, be mindful to not over do it.

Try on all of your outfits beforehand to make sure everything fits well. Pay special attention to bras and bodysuits so nothing digs in or creates odd folds of skin.

Cut The Tags Off Before!

Remove all tags from your lingerie before your photo shoot. This is important because the tags are often large and distracting in photos.

Plan for three to five outfits. You can stay on the lower end of that if you want nude or implied nude shots.

Save Money By Mix and Matching What You Have

Mix and match pieces to get more looks with sexy things you already have. An under-bust corset with different bras, a skirt with multiple tops, or a simple robe layered over various garter sets can create completely different images.

If you think you might want to be photographed in something, bring it. Everyday pieces you already own are great for showing more of your personality in your photos.

Oversized button-down shirts, flirty sweaters, tank tops, and zip-up jackets make fantastic transition pieces and album openers.

Hair accessories like brooches or hair clips can be fun.

Bring one or two pairs of shoes max.

Thigh-high socks or stockings are always a nice option. They add a cozy or glamorous touch and can help cover varicose veins or areas you feel less confident about.

Necklaces, chokers, earrings, bracelets, rings, and watches can all add flair if you’re into them.

A soft scarf is another simple piece that photographs beautifully and can draw the eye or create soft coverage.

None of this is required, but the right accessories can stylize your photos take and take them to the next level. Often times I find that less is more with styling.

Plan to dedicate the entire day to your session.

It’s completely up to you how long you want to go. Most of my sessions are four to six hours in front of the camera, plus another hour and a half to two hours for hair and makeup.

If you have dinner plans, let me know so I know when I need to be packed up by.

Morning workouts are forbidden. Posing is harder work than most women anticipate. Take my word for it and give yourself the day off.

While water fasting can help you look leaner in your photos, I do not recommend it.

It’ll make you feel like garbage during your photo shoot.

Drink plenty of water the day before your session and remember that hydration doesn’t happen with water alone. You also need electrolytes.

Add them to your water leading up to your session, and taper off a day or two before your photo shoot to avoid excessive water retention.

This will help tremendously with posing fatigue and will also lead to better looking skin for your photo shoot.

This is my favorite electrolyte mix if you’re unsure what to get.

Expect muscle fatigue, especially in your shoulders and back about 24hrs after your photo shoot. Consider scheduling a massage for the day after your session and taking it easy.

You will also want to do your best to get more than seven hours of sleep the night before your photo shoot. This will be one of the single best things you can do for your photos.

If you’re getting a boudoir album, bring a nice outfit for your opening set that you’ll work out of.

Great options include evening dresses, skirts, jeans with a blouse, or flirty sweaters.

Zip-up and button-down pieces are especially always nice because they give us natural, sexy transition shots as we move into the more intimate looks.

Your album will be designed to tell a story, and starting the set off briefly as a portrait session is a great way to ease into your boudoir photos. These transition pieces help the story flow more nicely in the album from beginning to end.