The key to an amazing boudoir portrait experience is planning exactly what you want to achieve from your shoot.

Preparation is everything!

Firstly, consider you endgame…. What has motivated you to do a Boudoir Photoshoot?

Do you want this to help to improve your self confidence and feel good about yourself?

Is it a bucket list type thing, you’ve always wanted to do but never plucked up the courage?

Are you wanting to do this because you’ve seen friends pictures and want the same or it’s been recommended by others?

Maybe your other half is trying to persuade you to do this.

Whatever your motivation for wanting this amazing boudoir experience we will help you plan every detail.

We will hold your hand every step of the way.

We can help you with outfit ideas and posing suggestions.

Hair and Make-up looks.

We’ll take care of everything.

You might want to consider this experience as the confidence boost you need to apply for that amazing job.

Perhaps you’d like it to throw another log on the fire of your fabulous marriage. (or re-ignite the embers)

Careful though, a Boudoir Experience can become addictive.

You start with the first photoshoot and then, many women come back every year, maybe to try a new look, a new idea, get some more pictures for the wall.

Some women only have one boudoir photoshoot for their lifetime and other women do it every single year.

So many clients stress about the little things as they get nearer to their shoot day that we spend lots of time on the phone calming nerves. If you’re worried then here are 10 great ways to prepare for your boudoir Experience so you can relax and feel confident on the day of your shoot!

Try on all your outfits

2-3 WEEKS BEFORE

Make sure you’ve tried on all of your outfits and everything fits well!

Doing this 2-3 weeks before your boudoir shoot gives you time to return, exchange, or purchase any new outfits if needed.

With outfits from your wardrobe, make sure they still fit and feel comfortable and are clean and ironed. Don’t leave this till the last minute, it’s major source of stress on the day.

Sleep and Stretch!

1-2 WEEKS BEFORE

A Boudoir photoshoot is hard work! Since you’ll be twisting and arching in some unnatural positions, I encourage all of my clients to stretch 1-2 weeks leading up to their session (I even send out a yoga video!) Doing this will help to accentuate all your gorgeous curves and ease any sore muscles you might have the day after your shoot.

Take care of your skin

1/2 WEEKS BEFORE

Glowing skin is your best asset when it comes to your boudoir photo shoot! The best route to glowing skin really is by drinking plenty of water and avoiding alcohol as much as possible. Exfoliate daily and moisturise your entire body. Your pictures will now radiate!

Not only does applying lotion keep the skin moisturised and hydrated, but it also imparts a subtle glow that looks stunning under the camera lights.

This beauty routine can help eliminate any dry patches or unevenness on your skin's surface, preventing them from standing out in photos.

Hydrated skin is healthy and radiant looking – exactly what you want for glamorous shots in your chosen outfits.

Aim to apply a nutrient-rich lotion regularly leading up to the session - it’s often overlooked but plays a crucial role in how well you photograph during this empowering experience.

••• Oh, and while we’re on the subject of skin….

Please try very, very hard to resist the urge to fake Tan.

No sprays, no gels, no lotions.

If you want a natural sun-kissed glow then get it from the Sun. Even better, book some sessions in a professional salon that has tanning beds, and do it in the nude (no unsightly lines this way).

The last thing you want is to a) look like a sexy pumpkin or b) have tan lines where your watch should be or, heaven forbid, streaky fake tan marks between your fingers and toes! (Ouch!)

That said, we’ve been advising this for 20 years always been ignored, so if you do show up with fake tan we will smile sweetly and still make you look amazing. Cos that’s what we do!

Get your roots & eyelashes done

If you colour your hair or have eyelash extensions, get them touched up a week or less before your session. Don’t make any dramatic changes to your appearance right before your boudoir shoot - just in case something doesn’t go according to plan!

Get a mani/pedi

2-3 DAYS BEFORE

Getting your nails done is a nice way to pamper yourself a few days before your photo shoot and having lovely nails will make your photos look that much more elegant and refined! If you can’t get in for a mani/pedi, just make sure your nails are clean and all polish is removed prior to your session.

Shaving/Waxing

2-3 DAYS BEFORE

If you have hair and it shows, it will be in the final images. If you want to do some personal grooming before your session (i.e. waxing or shaving) do it a few days before your photoshoot to allow any redness to die down.

Lay out out outfits, jewelry & props

So many clients arrive and discover that they’ve forgotten an essential wardrobe item prop that they wanted to use on their boudoir shoot.

Lay out all of your outfits, jewelry & props a few nights before, you can make sure you have everything you might want to use during your shoot and add in anything you may have forgotten or overlooked!

Iron and hang up outfits to avoid creasing and do this in plenty of time to avoid stressing out at the last minute.

Wash your Hair

NIGHT BEFORE

Wash and completely dry your hair the night before your boudoir session. This ensures your hair and makeup team works efficiently by working with clean and dry hair. Don’t apply any products (ie hairspray) on the morning of the shoot.

Bring Extra...Everything!

You want to do this right, and every detail should be perfect. If you're investing time and money into your boudoir session, the last thing you want is to have a rip in your lace corset or a run in your stockings the day of your shoot. If you have a backup, you can switch, and save the session. Although artistically "distressed" articles can look good in a photo, for most of us, unseemly rips (especially in certain areas) are the last thing that we want.

Red head wears multiple necklaces on her Boudoir Photoshoot

Wear Loose Fitting Comfy Clothes to the Boudoir Studio

Skip the bra, skip the socks, skip the watch, and forget that belt, those tight jeans, and anything else which could leave an impression in your skin.

Besides, you want to relax and feel confident, and tight clothes are only going to restrict you.

Now, all that’s left for you to do is