Boudoir Session Preparation Guide & Timeline
The week before your boudoir session is a time for preparing. I want your session to go smoothly and you look your best on shoot day! I have created a list to guide you through your preparation and a timeline to make sure you're prepared and arrive to your shoot stress-free!
Hello, Beautiful! I am SO excited to be photographing you! I like to over-communicate with my clients so they know exactly how to prepare and exactly what to expect throughout the whole process. Hope you don't mind! Feel free to re-visit this prep guide as often as you’d like.
First thing’s first: START REFLECTING
Exactly what kind of images are you hoping to walk away from your session with? Do you find yourself drawn to anonymous images that show off the body? Portraits? Editorial style? Have absolutely no idea? It can be very difficult to articulate your own style, so we don’t ask you to. Instead, the first thing that I ask clients to do is to create a "secret" Pinterest board for their photo session. If you are not a Pinterest user, you can also just send me some photos, but I find that the secret board on Pinterest is the best way for you and I to get a good visual of the concept we're going for. Go ahead and "follow" me HERE, and then, you'll have to "invite" me to your board so I can see it (Search for Laura Olson Photography)
Once that's done, I want you to create a Pinterest board titled "(YOUR NAME) Boudoir" (it's very important that you name your board with your name because otherwise I'll have multiple "MY BOUDOIR SHOOT" boards and won't know who is who) and, without thinking too much about it, I want you to PIN anything that speaks to you and your style. We have lots of boards on our page for you to reference, but you can also take it upon yourself to venture out into Pinterest or pin images directly from this page or the rest of our website!
Try to turn off your fear and over-thinking at this point. Don't say things like "OHH that's so beautiful, but I would NEVER be able to pull that off!" or "I WISH I could look like that!". That's not the point of this exercise. After pinning 25 or so images, I will very easily be able to get a visual of your style and the type of images you are interested in. Do you like sweet, and bubbly? Do you like dark, moody, and seductive? Do you like shots that capture the entire body? Do you like close-up teaser shots of body parts? Do you prefer more modest portraits? We'll find out together! The purpose of this is NOT to find photos to replicate! It is inspiration and now that we'll both know the kind of images you really like, it will be easier to deliver a set of photos that are YOUR STYLE, as long as it syncs well with my artistic style.
Wardrobe Tips
HONESTLY, and I'm not even close to exaggerating here, wardrobe is really not that crazy important for the way that I shoot. Please, please, please don't stress out over wardrobe. Don't feel the need to run out and buy all new things. I can do a completely versatile and awesome shoot with a single scarf, or the sheets, or a sweater. Truly. Don't stress about it.
Here's some wardrobe tips to calm your nerves and help you decide what to bring:
*THE NUMBER ONE WARDROBE RULE IS:::: Do NOT bring outfits that you don't love! I can't tell you how many women show up with outfits that prompt them to say "I really don't like the way I look in this one, but I'll leave it up to you!". If you don't like the outfit, it's likely that you won't like photos of you in the outfit. Leave it at home.
*Lingerie is NOT a must for boudoir. Don't be afraid to get creative! For a boudoir style shoot, a garter belt and thigh high fish nets would go great with a cropped sweater or graphic tee. A gorgeous bra can be paired with a long flowing skirt. Your favorite tank top can be paired with no pants. A SHEET can be used for everything. Your 20 year old favorite tee shirt paired with cheeky bottoms will get the job done just perfectly. This is about YOU and your authentic personality, not about being someone you aren’t.
For beauty or portraits, structured and/or statement pieces work amazing. Your favorite blazer or jacket, a cocktail dress with an interesting neckline, or just a bodysuit and jeans….we want you to look and feel like yourself (just on your best day).
When in doubt, just bring in some of your favorite wardrobe items and let me style them for you. It’s part of the service and I’m happy to do it.
My shoot style is very casual and fun but I will give you a ton of direction! We go for the “I woke up like this” look as often as possible. For that look, wardrobe is even LESS of a obstacle.
*Structured pieces and solids look great on camera as well as items with texture, and those that are form fitting to show your figure.
*If wearing thigh-highs, buy them 1-2 sizes TOO BIG according to the size chart on the back. Buying them in a size that supposedly "fits" according to the package size chart will likely result in the stockings giving a bit of thigh muffin top ;) We can get them to stay up for each "pose", or you can wear a garter belt to keep them from slipping.
*Have yourself properly fitted for lingerie if you will be wearing it for your session. I recommend going to a local lingerie boutique to have yourself properly fitted.
*Avoid tiny busy patterns as well as neon colors. They are often harsh on-camera and a bit unflattering so try to avoid them.
*Have several outfits picked out and we can go through them together before your shoot to determine what will photograph best. We will have time for 1 outfit (nude counts as an outfit, if you’re wondering) for every 30 minutes you are scheduled.
*Have extra wardrobe items! Bring at least 4-5 different outfits, a couple pair of shoes if you’re a shoe girl, and accessories only if you usually wear them. We may not use it all, but it never hurts to have options. Often clients will bring a smattering of wardrobe options and I’ll just style up some different looks that they maybe weren’t thinking and they end up loving them.
*Try to incorporate a variety of pieces into your wardrobe selections. Having 5 different bra and panty sets won't allow for a whole lot of variety in your photos. Rather, have something formal, something casual, something super textured and fun, something more modest, to something black and sleek...you get the idea.
*It doesn’t have to be complicated…in fact, I welcome simplicity! I love to work with concert tees, kimonos, sheets, oversized white button down shirts, swimsuits, tank tops, oversized sweaters, blazers, jackets and coats, or anything you love.
*Pressed and Pretty: Make sure your wardrobe selections aren't wrinkled, and cut all the tags off of your sheer items before arriving.
*Avoid props unless it’s your second shoot with me ! We want the focus to be on you.
*CONSIDER ARTISTIC NUDES for a super easy, low maintenance wardrobe option.
Skin
Waxing: If you are planning to wax for your session, please be sure to leave 3-5 days for you to heal before the session.
Shaving: Shaving can be done the night prior to the shoot, avoid shaving several days prior to the session to keep your skin smooth and not irritated. Consider products designed to help minimize razor burn if that is often an issue for you. Shaving the night before the shoot or the day of can help avoid this.
Tanning: Spray tanning should be avoided within a two days of the session. If you want to have a faux glow, please have it done at least two days prior to the shoot at a professional salon and do so in the nude. You want to avoid creating tan lines that can show up when you’re not wearing a lot of clothing.
Sunburns: Stay out of the sun for the week prior to your shoot! Day to day exposure is fine, but avoid long hours in the sunlight to avoid sunburns. Photoshop can do amazing things, but sunburns will have a negative impact on your shooting experience, and will likely be present in your final images. It will be significantly more expensive to have to remove sunburns during retouching. Be sure to wear sunscreen when you know you're going to be in the sun!
Stay hydrated! Drink plenty of water for the week prior to the shoot. This will keep you hydrated and help keep your skin glowing and smooth.
Skip the alcohol. Avoid partying or drinking the day before your shoot, as alcohol depletes the skin of vital nutrients and can have it looking dehydrated and dull, even in small doses. This goes hand in hand with the last bullet point on hydration.
Don’t get a new tattoo right before your session. If you want to have a new tattoo for your boudoir experience, be sure to get it done well in advance to allow healing time. You don’t want to be sticking to sheets or having any pain during your session. Having to constantly alter poses and outfits to account for this can result in less images from your session and an overall less enjoyable experience.
Moisturize! Supple is key for beautiful skin! Be sure to moisturize twice a day for the week leading up to your shoot. On the day of your shoot, use a non-bronzer illuminizing lotion. If you're having a hard time finding an illuminizing lotion without color, you can absolutely just go with an oil based lotion like Argan Oil Moisturizer or Coconut Oil Moisturizer. Don't use tinted lotions or anything with color, unless you have one that you are familiar with and use regularly. We will have some moisturizer at the studio for you to use if you don't have a lotion you love.
Face
Use gentle cleansers.
Skip heavily scented, super scrubby or foaming cleansers that are full of harsh chemicals. Exfoliating scrubs a can scratch the skinʼs surface and exacerbate oiliness, and chemical foaming agents can strip the skin of essential natural moisture and create flakiness. The drier the skin’s surface, the more prone your skin will be to break out from dry skin getting trapped in your pores.
Gentle creamy cleansers melt away makeup, protecting the skins vital fatty lipid layer, and prevent the skin from being overstimulated to produce oil.
Skip getting a facial. As we've already discussed, harsh chemicals can dry out your skin. This week you want to treat your skin with kid gloves, and undergoing any chemical treatments or using too active of a skincare regimen may stimulate the skin to break out or even cause an allergic reaction.
Moisturize. Get in the habit of using moisturizers and eye creams leading up to your shoot to have your skin looking hydrated and healthy.
BRUSH YOUR LIPS. Sounds weird, right?! Dry, cracked lips are very hard to fix in post processing. In the days leading up to your photoshoot, use your toothbrush while brushing your teeth to also make a few passes over that pucker of yours. This will help shed dead skin. After that, apply a moisturizing lip balm...repeat repeat repeat.
Use lip balm. Make sure to regularly use lip balm and avoid smoking the day before your shoot. A gentle lip scrub can help remedy already dry lips, but you want to avoid dryness if at all possible.
Hair
Clean up the eyebrows. If you want to have your eyebrows waxed or threaded, be sure to schedule the appointment for at least a few days before your boudoir session. Otherwise, an eyebrow trim/touch up at home could be done a day or two before the shoot. Don’t try anything new here, you don’t want a small mistake to be documented and be feeling self-conscious. .
Factor in time. If you want to make a change to your hair (dying, cut, etc.), schedule it at least one week prior to your shoot. You want to avoid any risk of mistakes happening because you got your hair dyed the day before the shoot.
Hands
Manicure. Go a few days before your shoot and get a manicure and pedicure! This will give you a finished, polished look. Chipped polish can’t be photoshopped. You want your nails to look their best. A manicure can help achieve this, but is not required. You just want them to be trimmed and neat for your session. You can stick with neatly shaped, clear nails. Soft, neutral colors work well for fingertips. OR you can show your personality with fun colours! Toes can get away with any color. Think about the outfits you’re bringing and be sure to choose a color that will compliment your choices.
Clean your ring. If you're wearing a wedding ring, make sure it looks its best. You'll definitely want to be showing it off in your session.
Using a toothbrush and toothpaste is a great day-to-day way to clean your bling, but most professional jewelers have sonic cleaners that make it sparkle like the day it was born. Many will even clean your ring for free. Especially if you return to the jeweler from where you bought it.
If it’s been a long time since your last professional cleaning, take the ring in right away. If there are any loose stones in your setting, they may get shaken loose, so it’s a good idea to allow a few days in case the jeweler needs to re-set anything.
Session Prep Timeline
ONE WEEK PRIOR TO YOUR SESSION:
Drink plenty of water — staying hydrated will help your skin glow for your session
Avoid being in the sun for long periods of time and don’t visit the tanning bed or get a spray tan for the first time right before your session! I will touch on this below!
Moisturize your skin and face. Use lip balm daily. Exfoliate, moisturize, hydrate!
Wash your face with gentle cleansers — nothing too aggressive or drying on the skin
If you have tight hamstrings, stretch to loosen them up. Runners and those who spend a lot of time sitting often have tight hamstrings. Several poses may stretch them and keeping them loose can alleviate discomfort.
3-4 DAYS BEFORE YOUR SESSION
Clean up your eyebrows now if you are planning to
Wax. You will be in your underwear or less for your boudoir shoot. Consider your bikini line if you don’t usually.
Clean your wedding ring if you’re wanting to wear it during your session. (Also clean body jewelry)
THE NIGHT BEFORE YOUR BOUDOIR SESSION
Shave if you’re not waxing. Go slow! Avoid cutting yourself and use lotions that aid in razor burn. If you’ll have time the day of the shoot, you can do this then.
Skip alcohol and parties. Alcohol wreaks havoc on the skin, even in small doses. It depletes the skin of vital nutrients and and can leave it dehydrated and dull. Drink lots of water instead!
Sleep! Get a full night of rest. You want to be hydrated and well-rested for your boudoir session.
THE DAY OF YOUR BOUDOIR SESSION
Arrive with a clean face and hair. Remove all traces of your makeup from the night before, and be sure to moisturize and use your eye cream and lip balm. This will help your stylist have a clean canvas to work with and have you looking your best!
Arrive with loose-fitting or no underwear/bra. You want to avoid tight bras and underwear to avoid having lines in your skin. These take a while to disappear and can draw attention away from you in your photos.
Eat a healthy meal before you arrive. You want to eat something nutritious and filling to keep you running on fuel because it is a work out!
Bring outfit on hangers to avoid wrinkles, if possible!
Be Sure To..
*…plan ahead. Nothing puts a damper on a fun and relaxing photo shoot like feeling rushed or late! You should plan for traffic and arrive about 5 minutes before your scheduled start time.
*…make a playlist! Music will really help you get into the super model zone!! We will have a killer playlist playing when you arrive but there is a bluetooth speaker at the studio to stream your tunes if you bring them!
*…bring a lightweight, soft robe without any undergarments on while getting your makeup done. OR wear loose fitting clothes. This will allow for any marks from tight bras, etc to even out so they don't show up in your images.
*…trust me. I won't make you do anything that is going to make you look bad. I know how to make a woman look good with killer poses, strategic lighting, and appropriate camera angles. I've got you covered. Don't stress. (Easier said than done, I understand.)
Don’t You Dare…
*…go to the tanning bed or spray tan for the first time before your shoot. I LOVE a golden glow and often get spray tans by reputable professionals on the Sunshine Coast. However, I can’t tell you the amount of times clients have shown up to shoots with burns from a tanning bed, or uneven tan from spray tans. This is really difficult to photoshop and takes a lot of time to correct. If you are considering tanning please get a spray tan by a reputable professional and try it a few times before your session. Here is an article about sunless tanning that I found really helpful by Meagan from Paragon Makeup.
*…bring a construction hat (or other props). If you have jewelry that has sentimental value, absolutely bring it! But avoid jerseys, military apparel, weapons (yes, really), sports equipment, masks, etc etc etc.
*…party the night before your shoot. If you're nervous, try a bubble bath and a yoga class. Avoid alcohol to keep your skin happy, hydrated and radiant.
*…drink red wine before your session. Don't drink a bottle of red wine right before you show up in efforts to calm your nerves! It will stain your teeth and you will not photograph your best if you’ve had too much alcohol before your session. HOWEVER, I will have champagne in the studio, as well as coffee, sparkling water, and other non-alcoholic beverages.
*…forget to stretch. Many of these poses, while they look effortless, are quite unnatural feeling. Take a few minutes on the morning of your shoot to stretch your arms, legs, hips, and especially your back. People are surprised to see how sore their muscles get after something as silly as a photo shoot, so any extra flexibility you can add by a quick yoga flow will only benefit you.
*…get a new haircut/color immediately before your shoot. Now isn’t the time to experiment with a whole new look, as tempting as that is. (Guilty!)
*…talk smack on yourself. I don't want to hear about how you hate your hips. I want to hear about how you LOVE your legs. A great attitude will go a long way in having a fabulous and upbeat experience! HOWEVER...if you really feel the need to discuss the thing that bothers you the most about your body, just let me know by saying "I love my ___, but my biggest insecurity is my ___". I will be extra careful to play down your "flaws"...but I will ALSO make it my challenge to take the best damn image featuring your ____ so you have a new-found appreciation for it ;)
SO….What Are You Worried About?
It happens all the time…a client’s photo shoot is a few days away and she begins to panic. I get a terrified e-mail in the middle of the night begging for me to talk them off the ledge. They want to cancel, they just haven’t had the time to prepare, you name the excuse, I’ve heard it. So let me be proactive here and tackle the most common trepidations I hear, so that maybe you won’t be hyperventilating in the middle of the night on the day before your session.
*STRESS ACNE. Yeah, it happens. Pimples suck. If you think for one second that every woman you see pictured on my website was magically pimple-free on the day of their session, you’re taking crazy pills. I retouch blemishes and bruises with ease on every photo you see. No problem. No stress. Let that pimple try it’s hardest to ruin your day, but your photos will not be a permanent reminder of it.
*BODY ISSUES. I long for the day that women are comfortable in their skin at all stages, for the day that women embrace their wobbly bits and beautiful side creases. That said, I know women well enough to be realistic and understand that many women struggle with self love and no matter how much I tell them they are beautiful, they wish they would have lost just a few more pounds before their session. If that is you, I can assure you, that this ain’t my first rodeo. The majority of the women that come in to see me are working on loving themselves, but struggle. They don’t approve of the size of their thighs, their belly pooch, their dimples. I take women’s feelings very seriously and never want to make anyone uncomfortable. While this is a body positive studio, I will also light and pose you in the most flattering possible way while I shoot you from the best possible angles.
I’ve photographed all kinds of women, all extraordinary in their own way. I’ve got some tricks to ensure that I am featuring the attributes that women most love about themselves, while paying special care to downplay areas of concern. While I’m going to make it my very best effort to change your mind on what you consider to be your “flaws”, I don’t expect every woman to be ready for that yet.
So, one more time, louder for those in the back: YOU ARE AMAZING TODAY. NOT 15 LBS FROM NOW, NOT POST-PLASTIC SURGERY….You.are.amazing. TODAY and I can’t wait to show you!
*POSE ANXIETY. This one’s easy. You don’t have to know how to pose…not even a little bit. I will walk you through every step of the way. I will get into the poses myself and have you mirror me. If we didn’t get it right on the first try, I’ll gently redirect you. It’s not YOUR job to take amazing photos, it’s mine. And I’m obsessed with taking amazing photos.
*BEING ON YOUR PERIOD. Yep, it’s the worst. No, it will not affect your finished product. I understand the plight of menstruation on photo shoot day. I keep extra strength Advil and feminine hygiene products on hand, and we have zero qualms with 30 bathroom breaks. Start your morning with some fresh fruit and a heating pad and we’ll take it from there. No worries about bloat or blemishes.
*BEING THE ONE CLIENT THAT I AM UNABLE TO GET A GOOD PICTURE OF. If you’re thinking that all of the women featured on the pages of my website and social media are models, you’re sorely mistaken. I have NEVER….EVER had a client who didn’t love their photos. You don’t have to love EVERY SINGLE ONE of them, but you will love most of them. And you will be shocked that you could love photos of yourself this much. I WILL rock out your photo session and I WILL get a whole bunch of killer images of you. I always do. But if you come into the shoot with an open mind and with trust in me, we’ll get EXTRA. And extra is always good. I’ve never met a woman who I couldn’t capture beautifully. That includes you.
What to Expect...
A couple of days before you shoot, you can expect to get a confirmation from me, just making sure we are on the same page about your makeup start time, shoot start and end time, and location...and I'll also ask if you have any last minute questions!
On the day of your shoot, your hair and makeup will be done by the MUA unless you’ve requested a natural beauty shoot. You should have your face clean and moisturized, and your hair dry and ready to be heat styled when you arrive. Make sure to wear loose-fitting clothing or a lightweight robe while getting makeup done and let us know in advance if you have any skin allergies at all. While you're getting lovely, I will take a peek at your wardrobe selections and start putting together looks so we can hit the ground running when you're done with hair and makeup. Once you're done with makeup, you can get into your first look and throw a robe on over it.
Once the shoot begins, you can expect me to give you tons of encouragement and direction. I will not expect you to super model pose throughout your shoot. I will show you what to do, and encourage improvising whenever you feel comfortable.
The poses generally aren't very comfortable and your shoot will give you more of a workout than you anticipate. But I assure you, I know what I'm doing. Get a good stretch in the morning of your session, and the evening after your session. A couple of ibuprofen might need to happen for those lower back aches, but it will allll be worth it!
Your shoot time will FLY by. That's a good thing!! That means it wasn't awkward or boring. Just the right amount of fun!
At the end of your shoot, we will help you pack up your things, and we’ll collect your final balance if you haven’t already paid online. We’ll also give you a high five because, GIRL, you rocked it.
Within 2 days of your shoot, you will receive your personal online gallery with proofs, where you can pick your favourites that will be digitally retouched.
Within 2 weeks of your shoot, you will receive your final digitally retouched images. Most clients find themselves upgrading their album and adding images, and also purchasing a piece or three of wall art.
Within 6 months of receiving your images, you’ll want to do this again. Trust me!
Homework
AHH, I bet you didn't think you'd ever have to do homework again, did you? Think again, beautiful! First, I want you to head on over to Pinterest and create a secret board called "(YOUR NAME) Boudoir". Follow me, and then invite me to join your board that you’ve named “YOUR NAME PHOTO SHOOT”, and I want you to spend some time pinning images that speak to you. See my tip on this up above in the "Planning" suggestions. Don't put too much thought into your pins, I just want to get a general idea of the aesthetic style you’re drawn to. If you don't have a Pinterest account and don't feel like creating one, then just email me a sampling of at least 20 different images you've found online that you like.