With so many options, it’s hard to know what to bring to a boudoir shoot.
These tips will help you narrow down the important things to bring on your special day:
What to Bring to a Boudoir Shoot:
It’s a common thought – what to bring to a boudoir shoot. If you’re preparing for your first boudoir shoot, it can be a bit nerve wracking not knowing what to expect. We understand that the experience can seem intimidating – but I promise you, it’s definitely worth it! To make sure you have everything you need for a successful boudoir shoot, here are 5 things we recommend bringing with you:
- A black thong and nude thong
- A matching bra and panty set
- One of your partner’s clothing pieces
- Jewelry (earrings/necklace)
- A couple lingerie pieces of your own
What to bring to a Boudoir shoot item #1: A black thong and a nude thong
Seems pretty specific, I know…but that’s because it is. Add these to your list of what to bring to a boudoir shoot because believe it or not, they are very important. The black thong is pretty self explanatory. I mean, everyone looks great in a thong. Before you say, “my booty wouldn’t look good in one”, let’s rewind. Because YES. YES it will. And I can promise you that. With thongs, it adds the ultimate sexy factor and exposes those luscious booty cheeks to catch that light just right illuminating the most perfect peach of yours. Black thongs go with literally everything. They can be mixed and matched with other top pieces, decorative skirts, pieces, and even on it’s own. As you can see in the image above, a garter belt was placed around her and connected to some stockings. Many pieces are black and by adding them to a black thong, takes this to the next level. They look great underneath certain sheer body suits as well (that I have in the studio). Now, if you have a matching black bra that’s a bonus. And it doesn’t even have to be fancy. Even a sports bra can be sexy. Trust me.
You’re probably wondering why I said a nude thong. I have a method to my madness. I recommend a nude thong for a couple of reasons. The main reason is because as you know, lingerie is not only for show, it’s supposed to be multi purpose. With that being said, many of the gorgeous lingerie pieces that you find are missing an important lower piece of fabric. I get why it’s missing but for the purpose of boudoir….it just doesn’t work. So I suggest wearing a nude thong underneath so it’s hidden and gives you that coverage to make you feel more comfortable. Another reason is also to make you feel comfortable but it has to do with “implied nudity”. Do I Have to get Naked at my Boudoir Session? Absolutely not. Remember, each boudoir session is catered around your comfort level. Some women feel more comfortable and will become nude underneath the sheet, while others would prefer not to. I totally respect that which is why I recommend a nude thong because in certain set ups where it looks like you are wearing your birthday suit underneath, you actually are covered. The nude thong can be pulled up higher to show some leg while hiding it to blend in with your skin tone to imply that there’s nothing underneath. See the images below as an example.
Here you’ll see that it appears as if she is naked underneath when in fact she is not. Her bra is tucked down below and her nude thong is hiked up to her hip. Being naked in front of your photographer is a myth about boudoir which sometimes can scare away clients out of fear of stripping down in front of a complete stranger. I understand. It can be very nerve-wracking, but I promise you, do your research, and speaking to the boudoir photographer is worth it during your free pre-consultation phone call. Finding the right Boudoir photographer is extremely important when deciding on who to book your session with. You need to make sure you feel a bond and trust them as you are keeping your valuable images in their possession. Your professional boudoir photographer will also help you along the way with information on what to bring to a boudoir shoot so you are prepared as much as possible.
What to bring to a boudoir shoot item #2: A matching bra and panty set
Here is an example of why a cute bra and panty set go hand in hand. Here are one of my metal prints that I offer in my collection packages. You’ll see how those pops of color really stand out against the skin. The possibilities are endless when it comes to different colors and variety to choose from. Even better if you’re able to find a push up bra that matches, but either way, I highly recommend a matching set because it takes your photo to the next level. For those who know me, I absolutely love anything in red. It photographs so nicely. If you’re going bold with your outfit, I suggest going bold with your makeup as well. Nothing beats a beautiful face with red lipstick. How to prepare for a Boudoir shoot is up to you and what you’d feel most comfortable in, but I do recommend stepping out a smidge because again, you might surprise yourself!
What to bring to a boudoir shoot item #3: A piece of your partners clothing
This recommendation is completely optional. You might be doing a boudoir shoot for yourself and not as a gift to your significant other. What to bring to a Boudoir shoot is entirely up to you and is centered around who the album is for. If it’s for you, you can still incorporate a mens button down shirt or bring one of your own. Here are some ideas with 10 Boudoir Photos that Keep it Classy. I love the look of an oversized sweatshirt or robe draped over a shoulder. If this session is a gift for your partner, then find what you think would mean the most to them and what they’d like to see you in. I’ve had women bring anything from their partner such as their bowling shirt, motorcycle jacket, or even a cute mug that was given to them on their anniversary. It all depends on what is important to you and what you’d like to incorporate.
Another popular idea is bringing one of their neckties. Something so subtle, yet sexy at the same time. There’s something about it that makes their jaw drop. Incorporating their shirt along with their tie like the image above is icing on the cake! Bare with me though, figuring out how to tie a tie is rough for me and I might need to look at a Youtube tutorial lol. If possible, try to bring a tie that’s already “tied” so you can just slip it over your neck. The struggle is real! Which articles of clothing to decide on with what to bring to a boudoir shoot is entirely up to you!
What to bring to a boudoir shoot item #4: Jewelry
Jewelry can really add some extra flare to any photo. This necklace shown above is from my client closet but she also brought a variety of chokers. Her hubby loves her in chokers and she wears them all of the time. (brought me back to the 90’s when I used to wear them). If you have a certain necklace or earrings that you’d like to incorporate, by all means bring them. We can pick some out together. What to bring to a boudoir shoot isn’t always just lingerie. You can’t forget about the accessories!
In this image above, she is wearing a body jewelry piece from my client closet along with some beautiful gold earrings that she brought. I have had women bring a large variety and I love that. Some bring pearl earrings which go great with my pearl necklace collection that I have or even more pearl body jewelry piece. The more you tell me over the phone, email, or even in person, we can make your boudoir session catered to you specifically and have fun with it. Seriously, the possibilities are endless. I know that it can be a bit overwhelming with figuring out what to bring to a boudoir shoot, but you can never go wrong with bringing TOO many things. I’d rather you bring it and we don’t use it than wish that you had brought it. I try to incorporate as many things as I can during your session.
What to bring to a boudoir shoot item #5: A few pieces of your own lingerie
Your outfit is the most important part of your shoot. My advice? Don’t be afraid to go bold! Choose something that makes you feel sexy and confident and takes you a little bit outside of your comfort zone. Stepping out of your comfort zone with a boudoir session will be the most amazing experience you’ll ever have. Allowing yourself to be vulnerable is very freeing. Choose pieces that you feel comfortable in but also try something a bit out of the ordinary. You just might surprise yourself! The best way to do this is by combining pieces that flatter your body type and bring out your best features. Think outside of the box–you may even want to bring lingerie in two different colors! Here at my studio, I have a lingerie client closet filled with sizes XS-4X, but I do recommend bringing a few pieces of your own. You might be asking, why do I need to bring my own lingerie when you have a collection full of it? I recommend bringing at least two pieces of your own because this way I know you have tried it on at home, feel comfortable in it and know that it fits well. We all know that women are all built uniquely different so not one size fits all. Different companies size differently. You could fit a size large at Target and a size small at Old Navy. The same goes for lingerie. A size large from Amazon might fit your breasts well in it, but a large from Shein might not. This is why it’s important to try these things on beforehand and to also book your Boudoir session ahead of time to be able to shop and try things out. Shein is a fantastic company with great products, but it also can take up to month to receive your product because they are international so that’s something else you need to take into consideration beforehand. I have had so many women say they ordered a bunch of things but they never made it in time for their shoot.
Another common question is, which type of lingerie do I choose when deciding what to bring to a boudoir shoot? Here is a list of recommendations that may help you: Lingerie For Your Body Type. Remember, you can always reach out to your Boudoir photographer for their recommendations as well. I absolutely love one pieces (for any body type). They are beautiful, sexy, and all different kinds of materials. I feel like they give off more of the “wow factor” with the larger variety of colors and patterns. They are flattering for every body type and I feel like more women feel comfortable in them as they conceal our most disliked part of our bodies: our tummies. When a person feels good in a piece, it truly shows in their final images. You can see the confidence grow with each pose, especially when they get to see how amazing they look from the back of my camera.
She brought this beautiful teal set and it was to die for! I am honestly like a kid in a candy store when I get to see what all of you lovely ladies bring to your Boudoir session.
Shoes/Heels
You don’t need too many shoes for a boudoir shoot because most poses involve no footwear at all, but if there’s one pair of shoes you should bring it’s a pair of heels. Heels help lengthen the legs and slim down the body, making them a must-have for any boudoir shoot. They also give your photos an extra pop of glamour and sophistication! You’ll see how they add extra flare to the photo. If you’re wanting to achieve an image like the one above, you’ll need to bring a pair of stilettos (skinny heel) and a form fitting G-string. It will not work with a thicker thong. As for the heels, head to your local Thrift store and find a cute pair for cheap!
Accessorize!
Lastly, don’t forget those little confidence boosters like nail polish or lipstick — anything that makes you feel beautiful inside out! These items are small reminders of self-love that will encourage you throughout the entire photoshoot process. So don’t forget them! With your fingernails, please make sure they are “nicely groomed”. We don’t want to see any chipped paint on your nails. If you don’t have time for a manicure beforehand, just apply a coat of clear gloss. You will have your hands near your face in images and we don’t want to take away the look because of your nail polish. Just make sure they look clean. The same goes for your toes!
For some themed sessions such as Valentine’s Day or Christmas, some women get professional manicures to match the holiday colors. I love it!
Boudoir Props
Are you into something in particular? Steam Punk? Dominant Posing? Heck, even Harry Potter? I’ve got you covered! Your boudoir session is catered around YOU and your personality. I love to get to know you and your story so let’s incorporate a few things into your session that spark your interest. I have a variety of Boudoir props to choose from but you are more than welcome to bring a few of your own. I have had women bring stick on pasties, gems, neck collars, nipple clamps, hats, full on sheer body suits, you name it. When deciding on which props and what to bring to a boudoir shoot, remember to ask your photographer first before you purchase it because he/she may already have it available to you. If you are booking a Couples boudoir session, you may be able to use a few of the props a bit more.
Here is a bunny mask and lace gloves from my client closet.
A boudoir photoshoot is ultimately about feeling comfortable in your own skin — whatever makes YOU feel confident is key! From clothes and accessories to things that make you feel like you — make sure you bring all these things with you on set for an amazing experience filled with beautiful photos! What to bring to a boudoir shoot is completely up to you and I can’t wait to see what we can create!
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