Preparing for your boudoir shoot

I’m frequently asked about how to best prepare for a boudoir shoot — questions range from outfits to makeup to posing. But I have one piece of general advice about how to prepare: don’t.

It’s a good idea to pick a few outfits, and maybe bring an extra or two; I always say to plan on 3-4 outfits that you’re comfortable in, and one or two that push you out of your comfort zone a bit. Make up should be simple; personally, I think overdone makeup makes a boudoir shoot feel less authentic — remember, the goal is to capture your natural beauty; that’s hard to do if you’re wearing layers of makeup that you don’t ordinarily wear. I will coach you on posing, but you can always bring some photos you find inspirational.

But beyond those simple steps, there’s really nothing you need to do besides show up ready to have fun taking beautiful photos. I strongly discourage my clients from trying to “drop a few pounds” or lose a dress size prior to a shoot. If you’re already exercising and working toward a fitness goal, by all means keep doing that — just don’t do anything special for your boudoir shoot.

Part of what I love about boudoir is that compared to glamour photography, boudoir is more genuine. I don’t use Photoshop to make your skin look unnaturally even-toned, or to eliminate scars and stretch marks; indeed, one client actually requested that I include shots that emphasized a surgical scar. And why not? It’s part of her body, part of her story.

A boudoir shoot is most rewarding when you’re ready to accept yourself just as you are. That’s the only thing you really have to plan!