Preparing for Your Boudoir Session - Lingerie

In the next post about preparing for your boudoir photo session I wanted to write about lingerie.

You can find lots of ideas for what to bring by looking through my portfolio or at the bottom of the info page. You can also find articles about lingerie here on this blog.

There are endless ideas for lingerie and accessories and I won't go through them. There are a couple things you should bring though:

• Panties - bring a couple in different colors so you will have plenty of options.
• Sexy bra - choose one that flatters you and makes you feel great, this is one time you shouldn't worry about comfort.
• Heels - a classic black pair of stillettos, strappy or peep toe, choose your favorite sexy pair to complete your lingerie outfit
• Thigh highs - optional, if you like them, they can really add to the sex-appeal of any lingerie
• Corset - this one is also optional, but oh-so-flattering and sexy on everyone.

Bring these items as part of your recommended amount of oufits for your shoot, or in addition so can create variation in your outfits.

Just a note on why I put a recommended number of outfits for each session - it's not to limit you or make it hard to choose, it's because that is the number I have found works best for the time and amount of pictures we will be taking. If you have another outfit you want to bring, do so, we will try and squeeze it in. Through experience I have found that focusing on variations in posing and expressions is far more important than trying to do a marathon of outfits where you are dashing to change, take a few frames, and then dashing back to change again. I want you to spend your energy in front of the camera getting quality images.

Prepare your lingerie by packing ahead of time everything you will need so you don't forget something (it happens all the time). Bring dresses or other items that will wrinkle on hangers if possible. Cut the tags off any sheer items and all bras (they have a tendency to slip out and tags are not sexy). Bring any jewelry and accessories you may want to use with you.

We start out boudoir sessions by laying out your lingerie in order of how we will do the shoot. Generally we start with the outfit you are the most comfortable with and move to the most risque. We take a look at what you have brought first for a couple of reasons. First it helps the makeup artist know what style and look you are going for as well as the colors the makeup should compliment. It also prepares me to know which backdrop we will be working with for each one, so while you are getting ready I will prep the scene and the lights.

Don't worry if you don't have a lot of lingerie, I love simplicity and some of my favorite shots are done in just panties or even just draping with a sheet. Fancy undies aren't required.

On the way to your shoot wear something comfortable that won't leave marks on your skin and a top that you can get off without ruining hair and makeup.

And, as always, let me know if you have any questions about what to bring to your boudoir photo shoot.

Preparing for Your Boudoir Session - Hair & Nails

The next thing I wanted to write about in my little series about prepping for your boudoir photos is hair and nails.

Hair:
I highly recommend having your hair (and makeup) professionally done by my artist. She knows what looks great on camera and how to give you a sexy boudoir look. If you will be having your hair styled in my studio come with it clean and dry. It's tempting, but try not to pull it back into a ponytail. Elastics leave mark in your hair.

Don't have your hair cut drastically different from what you are used to right before your shoot. However, a trim to freshen up your style is a good idea. This will help your hair look it's healthiest (healthy = sexy). 
Freshening up your hair color is also a good idea. You don't want roots showing in your pictures. This is really hard to touch up digitally. Again, this isn't the time to try something new or drastically different, stick with what you know looks good on you.

If you are doing your hair yourself or having it done at your own salon remember that for pictures it generally looks good with a little more volume than normal. Curly, wavy and straight can all be sexy. Leaving it down and loose is usually prefered over formal up-dos. Remember that boudoir pictures are about a sexy bedroom look, not a fussy prom style. Take a look at Victoria's Secret catalogs for some inspiration.

Nails:
The best advice here is to just make sure they are neat with no chipping polish. Your hands and feet will show in the pictures so make sure your nails look nice. Getting a manicure and pedicure before your shoot will help you look great, but you can also do your nails yourself. Try to stick with neutral colors like pale pink, ivory, and even nude polishes look sexy. If you want a more dramatic look stick with a classic red that looks good with your skin tone. I don't recommend intricate designs or wild colors. Your hands aren't the focus of most of the shots and you don't want your nails distracting from the overall picture.

Remember not to stress out. There is not only one hairstyle or nail length/shape that is considered sexy. Choose what you like and what looks best on you. These pictures are all about celebrating you.

Preparing for Your Boudoir Session - Skin

I wanted to write a series about getting ready to have your boudoir photos taken. A lot of this advice is found elsewhere on my blog, website and in the client section of my website. However, I wanted to compile it all in one tidy place. Look forward to more posts about preparing for your boudoir session.

Starting with skin is logical since that is what you will be showing a lot of. Here are a few tips to help you look your best:

1. Sunscreen
I can't stress this enough. Slather it on every time you go out, even in the winter. The sun can do a lot of damage to your skin by aging it and drying it out. It is never too late to start. If your past includes lots of tanning and sunning yourself that's okay, just start now. Buy a daily face lotion with an SPF 15 or higher. Also get in the habit of applying an SPF containing body lotion as well. Your neck and chest are the most vulnerable to the aging effects of the sun followed by your hands and arms.

2. Tanning
If you feel like you MUST get a little color before your boudoir session (I don't recommend it) try going sunless since it's safer. Spray tans and self tanning lotions tend to look orange and fake under studio lighting so don't over do it. Try out the product weeks in advance so you know what to expect and how it will look on you. When you apply it again before your shoot I suggest doing it a week in advance so it will have time to fade into a natural color. Keep in mind that with editing and filters we can create a soft warm look to your photos, so don't worry if your skin in pale. Besides, natural-colored dewy skin is sexy, look in fashion magazines if you don't believe me.

3. Exfoliate
Scrub your skin with a good gentle exfoliating body wash. This will reveal beautiful glowing skin. It really does make a difference! Focus on your elbows, knees and heels where your skin tends to be dry and dull. Start this as soon as your book your session. If your skin appears a little red after exfoliating then do it the day before your session and not right before.

4. Moisturize
This is another thing to start doing the moment you book your session. Get in the habit of applying a light body lotion all over after your shower or bath. Again, remember to focus on your elbows, knees and heels. Your skin looks much younger when it's properly moisturized. Before your session you can apply a light lotion that absorbs well. Don't apply anything too greasy or shiny, it won't look nice in the pictures. 
Moisturize from within as well by drinking plenty of water. Your skin does look better when you aren't dehydrated. Drinking water will also prevent your body from retaining water which will help you feel a little slimmer.

5. Waxing/Shaving
If you have waxed before without any problems then just do so a few days before your session to give any redness and swelling a chance to disappear. Otherwise stick with shaving and do so the day of. However, you know your skin the best. Do whatever you know will look good. Besides legs and underarms don't forget your bikini line. Also schedule an appointment (or do it yourself if you want to) to have your eyebrows shaped.

6. Face
If you are having professional makeup done at the studio arrive with your face clean and moisturized, ready for makeup. Don't worry about any breakouts, makeup and a little digital retouching will take care of that. However, a handful of times we have rescheduled shoots for cold sores.

Remember these are all just tips and ideas. Do what works best for you or what is recommended by a doctor or dermatologist. Remember that you DON'T need to stress about your session. This list wasn't created to make you worry about doing and not doing a bunch of complicated things. You are beautiful and your pictures will show that!