How to Prepare for a Boudoir Photoshoot: Real Advice, No Rules
Wondering how to prepare for a boudoir shoot?
The good news is there are very few "rules". Every person prepares differently. Some people book waxing appointments and carefully plan outfits, while others simply show up and trust the process.
As a boudoir photographer who has photographed hundreds of women, here are my biggest recommendations for preparing physically, mentally and practically for your session.
Frequently Asked Questions About Preparing for a Boudoir Shoot
How Do I Prepare for a Boudoir Photoshoot?
Should I Wax Before a Boudoir Shoot?
What Should I Eat Before a Boudoir Session?
What Should I Bring?
Do I Need to Lose Weight Before a Boudoir Shoot?
Should I Create a Mood Board?
What If I'm Nervous?
Hi, I'm Katie
and I am a professional photographer of over a decade, specialising in boudoir since 2020. I have worked with hundreds of people of all shapes, sizes, ages, cultures, backgrounds and beliefs. Yet all of them have come in wanting to change - wanting to feel stronger in themselves. And all of them have come out feeling exactly that.
My photography studio is in Melbourne, Victoria.
Do You Need to Prepare for a Boudoir Shoot?
Let’s get my general philosophy around who can get a boudoir shoot out there first. Everyone. Everyone who wants one. There is no “perfect body” required. I certainly do not encourage crash diets. There is zero pressure from me to look or be a certain way. And what you put into any preparation is personal. Let’s dive in to how that can look.
Before Your Boudoir Photoshoot
When you first inquire with me I like to have a video call with you, so we can meet effectively face to face.
What this helps do is break down that barrier of feeling like you're going into a really awkward first date.
Imagine just showing up to this experience that you've probably never done before, and you're about to get most of your clothes off for this stranger who's going to tell you to get into these really awkward positions and take photos of you.
I don't think that's a really comfortable position to be in! And so I think it’s really important to break down that first barrier for you by at least having some sort of face to face, initially with a video call, so you can see that I'm just a goofy idiot who likes to swear a lot and I know - I know because everyone has told me - that you will feel at ease pretty quickly.
Plus you might get to see one of my cats saunter into the video. Probably Jetty as Charlie will be yapping at the pigeons.
In that call I'll tell you what you do and don't need to prepare for - ultimately, it's really personal to you.
What Should I Do the Morning of My Boudoir Shoot?
Hydrate
Hydrate all day every day baby! You need energy, you need sustenance, you need to not have a headache, you need glowing skin. Hydrate in the morning and throughout!
Eat Breakfast
No, having breakfast on the day of your shoot will not make you look bloated or like you have gained 10kg. Eat! You will need the energy. Have a hearty meal that makes you feel good.
Do Something That Makes You Feel Powerful
When I did a boudoir shoot for myself (and I've done a few), with the most recent one I did, I did some power lifting in the morning, because nothing makes me feel like I can take on the world than lifting some heavy fucking weights.
My powerlifting morning boudoir shoot
by Nakita Fox photography
another boudoir shot
by Tracey D’Arcy-Wright photography
When I am lifting, I do not look at myself in the mirror and over criticise myself. When I am lifting really heavy weights, I am a badass.
So I encourage you to do what makes you feel amazing the morning of your shoot. Whatever it is - HYDRATE.
For others, it might be a big sleep in (and trust me, I did that too). For someone else, it might be yoga, it might be hanging out with their dog. For someone else, it might be a run, it might be a big eggs bene, (and that was probably me too).
Beauty Prep Before a Boudoir Session
Should I Wax or Shave Before a Boudoir Shoot?
If you want to. Do what makes you feel good, this shoot is for you. At Poledoir, I do not care what body hair you do and don't want to get removed, because that is entirely personal and up to you. I do not do heavy post processing when it comes to skin retouching. Sure, there's always the pesky pimple that pops up overnight, or the bruise when we walked into the door (*raise your hand*)
If you do get a wax or shave, just make sure you know how long it takes your body to settle with the redness and bumps, and time accordingly.
Avoid Sunburn and Fresh Spray Tans
Sunburn - a nightmare to edit and I won’t extensively do it either. So just … don’t get sunburned! Also it’s not good for you. Wear sunscreen babes!
You can get a spray tan but please make sure it’s had a couple of days to settle so we avoid any stains on furniture or lingerie.
Should I Get My Nails Done?
The only thing that I insist on is for you to have your nails done.
Either nothing or a fresh set. I have press on nails in the studio if you need.
Because nothing looks more manky than three weeks of nail polish regrowth. And also by nothing, I mean at least have evenly cut and filed nails - because if you've got beautifully done makeup and hair and these nasty nails, including toenails, it just really is a weird juxtaposition in your photos. And I am not photoshopping that.
Minimal makeup and no nail polish, still a worthy babe
What Should I Bring to a Boudoir Shoot?
Lingerie
A few weeks before your shoot, we get to meet face to face at the photo studio in Brunswick, Melbourne, so you can try the lingerie that I have in the client wardrobe. We don't do this on the day, and the reason for that is because it actually takes quite a lot of time. While it’s a fun experience, we do it a few weeks prior because if we did it on the day we start racing the clock, you get sweaty, you get flustered, we start chasing the sun, and it's just not fun.
So the lingerie will already be available for you, but if you want to bring your own, you absolutely can.
Oversized Shirts and Jackets
Want to do a slow undressing as part of your shoot? Got a shirt that is your favourite of your partner that you want to tease. Yes, bring it!
Personal Items
Bring your comfort squishmallow. Bring 5 cans of diet coke cos you can’t be without it. Whatever you need to feel comfortable and relaxed.
Special Props
Some people also like to come to their shoot with a mood board, and I love it! I've had a few people who have come to me and be like, I want to do exactly this theme. I had one woman who wanted to pose with her Dungeons and Dragons dice and book, and that was really fun. So she prepared by having a few shots in mind, and obviously brought all of her things. And I recently had a lovely man want to do the same thing! Another client wanted to cosplay as her fiances favourite characters, so she sourced the outfits and wigs for those photos.
We had a few takes to get this shot - I was finding dice a few days after
the DM rests amongst his dice
Creating a Mood Board for Your Boudoir Shoot
Pinterest Ideas & Sharing Inspiration With Your Photographer
It’s completely welcome and okay if you have got some specific poses or styles you want done. Don't leave it to bring up on the day as it might mean that you won't get that shot done as your photographer hasn’t had the means to prepare for it.
Ask your photographer if it's possible. Ask your photographer what you need to prepare if you're not too sure - there's probably nothing they haven't heard before. And not just around a shot that you might want, but around any concerns, any fears that you might have.
Questions to Ask Before Your Boudoir Shoot
Does My Photographer Help With Posing?
At Poledoir, we have this covered. See a piece I wrote here with some posing tips.
Do They Have a Client Wardrobe?
Not everyone does. Poledoir has an extensive wardrobe of over 100 styles, shapes, sizes and colours plus accessories such as body jewellery, crowns, harnesses…
Can I Bring Specific Ideas?
Please do! Ask about what you have in mind. It is also completely okay to have no ideas and just leave it to me - most people do.
What Happens on the Day?
If this information isn’t readily available on the photographer’s website - ask them. You should have no surprises around your shoot. I wrote here about the experience with Poledoir, and you can also see all inclusions in packages here.
What Not to Do Before a Boudoir Shoot
Don't Wax on the Day
Don’t Spray Tan Less than 48 hours Before the Day
Don't Skip Breakfast
Don't Pick at Your Skin
Don't Stress
The Most Important Boudoir Prep Tip
The best way to prepare for a boudoir shoot isn't losing weight, buying expensive lingerie or trying to become someone else.
It's showing up as yourself.
Everything else is just details.
