The Journal · Why Not Boudoir

How to Prepare for Your Boudoir Session

The honest answer is that you don't need to do much, because the planning chat covers most of it. But if you like arriving prepared, this is the short list that actually matters.

Wardrobe: three to five options

Something structured, something soft, and something that's yours: an oversized shirt, a favourite jacket, the thing you wear when you feel most like yourself. Skip anything with tight elastic for an hour before the shoot so your skin is mark-free. Specific outfit planning happens in the pre-shoot chat, so you're never guessing.

Skin, hair and makeup

Come as the well-rested version of yourself if you can manage it, and hydrated skin photographs beautifully. Styling support is available if you want help planning looks. Whatever you'd normally wear on a very good day is the right amount.

The nerves are part of it

Nearly everyone arrives nervous, and it changes nothing about how the photos turn out, because every frame is directed. Where your hands go, where your eyes go, when to breathe. You can also bring a friend or partner: a familiar face in the room helps a lot of people relax, and they tend to make an excellent hype crew.

You'll see frames on the back of the camera as we go, which is usually the exact moment the nerves quit.

The one thing to actually decide

Where you'd like the session to land: fully clothed, lingerie, implied, or fine art nude. Decide loosely, because you can move that line either way on the day, and you're the only one who can.