boudoir prep

How to Prepare for Your Boudoir Session

I'm Loren!

Wife, Momma, and Ohio Boudoir Photographer!  It's my mission every day to encourage and remind women they are worthy!

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Want a sneak peak into how I prepare my clients for their boudoir session?? How you prep has a direct correlation with how successful you feel your session went!!

Here are the tips that I email not once, but TWICE, to my clients!


I can not stress this enough. EAT BEFORE YOUR SHOOT! 

Not just a piece of toast, but an actual breakfast. You will burn calories and some clients have even compared their shoot to a workout. 

You will be tired. 
You may be sore the next day. 

PLEASE EAT.

Here are the most important things to remember:

  1. Start ordering/buying your wardrobe ASAP after booking 

If you wait until the last minute, you will be stressed out. Lingerie shopping is like buying jeans, you sometimes have to try on MANY pairs until you find ones that fit perfectly.

  1. Please TRY ON ALL lingerie! 

I cannot photoshop ill-fitting lingerie to make it fit properly. When things are too loose or too tight it will not be complimentary in pictures. Please do not bring loose nightgowns. In general, these are not flattering.

  1. I know it’s hard to find matching sets at some stores 

Please have an idea what you want to wear together. Keep in mind, when colors are slightly off in person, this is exaggerated in images.

  1. Get pampered with a manicure and pedicure!

Please remove chipped nail polish and get a manicure. If you aren’t a manicure type of girl then you can always get press on nails and arrive with them on.  

Soft blush colors, French manicure, and neutral colors all look great on nails. Try to avoid bright nails, busy patterns, and tips that are dark. This will make you look like you have dirt under your nails.

  1. Spray Tans

Please be careful with spray tans. There are good and there are bad spray tans! I highly recommend Nikki from Glow Spray Tan in North Canton

Read about my Spray Tan experience with Nikki here!

  1. Hair and Makeup Prep

Please arrive with a clean face and DRY hair that was washed the day before. Please don’t wash your hair the morning of the shoot. It will hold styling better when not freshly washed. Please also make sure your blow dry your hair after getting out the shower. It will hold your curls better!

  1. Outfits

Bring at least 6-8 outfit choices with you (more is definitely ok)! It is better to have more options! 

Try to choose a variety for outfits (ex. not all bra and panty sets). 

Body suits look great and you can find some great ones at H&M and Forever 21! 

We will shoot 4 outfits (unless your collection includes more looks). Please bring a variety of colors and accessories. AGAIN- Don’t bring all bra and panty sets. They are cute, but you don’t want to look like a bra and panty fashion show. I would rather you bring four various bodysuits and shape wear than four bra and panty sets. 🙂

Check out my Amazon list for outfit inspiration!

IF YOU ARE SELF CONSCIOUS ABOUT YOUR MIDDLE, DO NOT BRING ALL TWO-PIECE OUTFITS.

  1. Heels

Bring a variety of heels, skin tone, black, and a fun color (think red, pink, or blue). TALL HEELS, GIRLS. TALL HEELS. The longer the heel, the longer your legs. The higher/skinnier the heels the better. Avoid ankle straps on your heels. You will see the bottom of your heels in some pictures, so if they are old/worn, you will be able to tell. Avoid flower patterns/patterns in general. We don’t want the focus to be your feet, we want the focus to be your legs.

  1. Accessories

Bring accessories (sports jerseys, your significant other’s work shirt or work hat, a silk robe, jewelry). Sometimes props just won’t translate in pictures. If that is the case with your prop, I’ll let you know.

  1. Between outfit changes

Please bring a robe to stay warm in between outfit changes. You might also appreciate having a pair of slippers to walk around in between outfit changes!

  1. Bridal Details

If you are a bride, feel free to bring bridal lingerie, garter, veil. I have veils here at my studio, so if you don’t have that yet it is totally ok! If you have your dress, feel free to bring it as well. We can use it for one or two shots. I know that’s a lot of work though, so not bringing it is totally ok!

  1. Beauty Rest

Get lots of sleep the night before your session. Beauty rest is the real thing. Getting enough sleep will keep dark circles away.

  1. Posing

Practice posing in front of your mirror. It may feel silly, but practicing your “sultry” face will help you feel more comfortable the day of your shoot.

  1. Grooming

Do all your grooming a day prior to your shoot. Especially if waxing.

Read about my Brazilian experience with Sarah here!

  1. Hair Cuts + Color

Don’t try a new hairstyle or color the week of your shoot. Save anything drastic for after your shoot. PLEASE GET YOUR ROOTS DONE a week or so before your shoot.

  1.  What to wear to your shoot

I highly recommend coming to your shoot in a sheath dress or yoga pants (loose fitting clothing). Jeans and other tight clothing will leave marks on your skin that will show up in portraits.

  1. Don’t Forget…
    1. To remove all hair ties from wrists prior to coming in for your shoot.
    2. If you wear eyelash extensions, please get them filled the day before your shoot.
  2. Arrival

“To be early is to be on time”  That being said, please arrive 10 minutes early to your scheduled hair and makeup appointment.  If you are more than 15 minutes late we may have to reschedule

  1.  EAT BEFORE YOU COME…!

And just in case you are still reading and missed it up above – PLEASE EAT BEFORE YOUR SHOOT and absolutely EAT THE DAY BEFORE YOUR SHOOT.

  1. Girls just want to have fun!!

Most importantly! RELAX! I will tell you everything to do! How to pose, where to look, where to put your hands and feet, even how to stand. All you have to do is arrive!


There ya have it, ladies!! My top 20 tips on preparing you for your boudoir session! You’ll arrive feeling less nervous because you’ll feel prepared!

Are you ready to book your session, yet?! Let’s chat!!

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Dog OBSESSED, ENNEAGRAM 6 , POtty Mouth, Dreamer. 

Hi, I'm Loren.
Your New Hype Girl.

After photographing weddings for over a decade, Loren got serious offering boudoir sessions to all women.  Get ready to feel empowered, have your beauty showcased, reminded you are worthy, and get a massive confidence boost.

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Boudoir Photography Ohio located in Canton, Ohio

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