How To Prepare For Your First Boudoir Shoot
So, you want to do a boudoir session! Maybe one of your friends has done one before… Or you’ve always wanted to, but may have been too nervous to try. Keep scrolling, and you’ll learn some tips and tricks on how to best prepare for your first boudoir shoot… You may find some very valuable information that will help you decide to take the plunge into boudoir!
#1: What To Wear
One of the most-asked questions I get from my first-time clients is: “What should I wear to my session?” The answer is simple: anything that makes you feel sexy AND comfortable.
The comfortable part is very important. There are many lingerie pieces which can be sexy… but if they’re uncomfortable - i.e. pinching you where you shouldn’t be pinched, restricting your breathing, etc., this will translate in the photos!
If you feel sexy in an oversized shirt and underwear, super! You’ll kill it. If you feel sexy in fishnets and a lingerie bodysuit, great! You’ll slay. If you feel sexy completely naked… Let’s do this, you ethereal goddess!!!
I personally REALLY love bodysuits and would 10/10 recommend wearing at least one for your session. And don’t forget a pair of heels if you’re into those too! This is a great opportunity to maybe even buy a new lingerie piece you've always wanted, but never found a reason to buy.
Wondering what colours to wear? My style of photography compliments neutral/darker colours, so I would recommend whites, burnt oranges, reds, maroons, deep greens, navies and blacks. Ultimately though, it’s all up to you.
Before your session, try on your outfits at home. If you’ve purchased new items, TRY THEM ON! The last thing you want is for your items to be the wrong size, or damaged from shipping. Oh, and rip off/cut off any tags!
Put on some music in your room (or living room, or wherever, you do you!), get dressed up, and do a 360 in the mirror. Pop that booty and look back at it, play with your hair and dance around, you are FIERCE and you KNOW it!
#2: Should I shave?
Okay. STORYTIME. Body hair is a topic very near and dear to me. As a teenager, I was taught by society, especially TV, that being hairless was the only way to exist. Being hyper-aware of my body hair as a TEENAGER was just not fun. And those lessons followed me into adulthood.
In today’s society, body hair is labelled as “embarrassing”, “unhygienic”, “unattractive”. And don’t get me started on razor commercials with women shaving already-hairless legs. Now, there has been a push in the past few years for acceptance of body hair. But the “status quo” is still hairlessness.
This year I started my boudoir photography sessions. One of my first sessions, I hadn’t shaved my armpit hair in a little while, and I was showing a client how to pose. My armpit became exposed and the first thing to come out of my mouth was “…and don’t mind my hairy armpits,” mentioning it and drawing attention to it before the client could (at least that’s what had been ingrained in me by society - armpit hair = bad). We laughed it off and continued the session without giving it much thought.
Soon after, COVID hit and I stopped shaving - because I wasn’t going to see anyone, so why does it matter? So, I let it all grow. AND IT WAS AMAZING. It’s been over 6 months now and my armpit hair is LONG AND LUSCIOUS. And my leg hair? LONG TOO. I’m more comfortable when I shave my intimates because it gets super uncomfortable for me if it gets too long. But holy moly. It’s so freeing walking around and finally being free of the mental block of “oh my gosh, if I raise my hand up to reach something, this person is going to see my body hair”, or “I can’t wear that dress unless I shave…”. Now, I low key show it off. ;)
Whatever your journey with body hair is, EMBRACE IT. To answer your question: should you shave? If you want to. But, this space is a body hair-loving space too. Remember that!
#3: Bring props!
A great way to personalize your session is to bring personal items that have meaning for you - or your partner. Do you love painting? Bring some paint and a paintbrush! Do you have a favourite piece of jewelry? Wear it and let your photographer know you’d like some details shot of it.
I’ve had a client wear their partner’s favourite sports team’s jersey. She was doing this session solely for her and her only, BUT she decided to throw in a fun twist for her partner too.
#4: Extra Tips
Give yourself enough time before the session to get ready, pack, and head over to the studio with a few minutes to spare!
Wear loose-fitting clothes to the studio and avoid anything that can leave an impression on your skin (i.e. tight bra, belt, etc.)
Bring a water bottle
If you’re wearing makeup, bring it with you in case you’d like to touch it up before or during the session
Use clear deodorant
For the love of all things good, please check your nail and toenail polish! Chipping nail polish does not come across the best, and I would rather you either have neatly painted nails or just bare nakey nails! No chips, pleaseeeeeee.
Most importantly - take a deep breath, relax and have fun! Every single client that has come into one of my sessions nervous have always left saying they had a ton of fun and would do it again :)
Have any other questions about boudoir you’d like answered in a blog? Email me at iryna@arcadiaboudoir.ca and let me know!
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Irene,
Hamilton Boudoir Photographer