Boudoir Photography Session Prep & What to Expect

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Hydrate – If you aren’t already in the good habit of drinking plenty of water, this is the time to start. Consistency with water will help your skin glow, reduce bloating/swelling, and give you consistent energy. The benefits of being properly hydrated are numerous and you will love the way you feel. 

Hair Styling Plan – This is the right time to make a hair styling appointment if you want to freshen up your look. Make your appointment for about 1-2 weeks before your session so your cut or color has time to settle in a bit. This is not the time to experiment with new colors or styles in case you don’t like the way it turns out. 

Skin Care / Beauty Treatments – This is a great time to make any other skin care or beauty treatment appointments that you normally do (such as exfoliating, dermal, facials, etc.). Make the appointment for 1-2 weeks before your session or however many days you feel is best. This is not the time to experiment with new treatments in case you have an adverse reaction. 

Hair Removal Plan – If you use a salon service for hair removal, make your appointment or plan now. You know your own skin so make the appointment with enough time for your skin to recover from the treatment, some people get redness for a day or more. If you’ve never used a salon service for hair removal, you may not want to experiment with a new treatment in case you have an adverse reaction.

Jewelry Cleaning – If you will be wearing jewelry during your session you may want to schedule a cleaning now. Having your wedding ring or diamond necklace cleaned to a sparkly shine will look great in your photos. 

Find Your Foundation – Whether you’re doing your own make-up styling or if its included in your session, you will want to have a foundation that matches your skin tone. If you have sensitive skin, make sure your foundation is appropriate for your needs. I do have some foundations available but it’s impossible to have every color possible and many of them are not made for sensitive skin. I can mix and match some shades but having your correct color will make things look much better. Plan to get a color match at a reputable beauty counter about 2 weeks before your session (unless you spend a lot of time outside in the sun, then color match 3-7 days before your session.)

Tanning – Spending time outside in the sun is pretty common, especially once the weather warms up. Beware of tan lines as they can be difficult to fix in editing later, and avoid sunburns at all costs. Sunburnt skin is incredibly difficult to fix later. If you usually do a tanning bed, make your appointment for about a week before your session. I generally advise against spray tan or tanning lotions within a week of your session in case it looks a bit unnatural or orange toned. This is not a good time to experiment with tanning products as they can have unpredictable results. Most people do NOT need to tan in order to look good in their photos. If you are concerned about this, let’s talk about it. 

Manicure / Pedicure – If you will be using a salon for your nails, make your appointment now for a few days or up to a week before your session. If you don’t want to use a salon and plan to do your own at home that’s just fine! Clean nails and skin will go a long way. If you decide to use a color on your nails be sure you are happy with how it will show up in your photos and how it will match your outfits or over all styling. Bold and bright colors will become a focal point, classic French tip or pale colors will blend in with a classic look. 

Clothing Shopping – If you are going to be ordering any clothing online, find it this week and get it coming in the mal. This way you have time to try it on and get a replacement if it doesn’t fit. If you’re buying from a store, make plans to go shopping right away in case you can’t find what you want. Then you still have time to order. If you’re purchasing clothing through me, we will be setting up a clothing fitting appointment for this week in case we need to order anything. 

Moisturize Skin – If you don’t already have a good skin moisturizing routine, this is a good time to start. Use your favorite lotion or oil, applying daily. You’ll love the way your skin looks in photos when it is hydrated, moisturized, and healthy. Dry or ashy skin will show in your photos and is difficult to edit. 

Appointments For Hair & Skin Care – This is the week you should be doing your appointments for skin and hair care treatments. This gives plenty of time for your hair and skin to recover and for the look to settle in. 

 Avoid Alcohol And Excessive Salt – This is a good time to start limiting alcohol and salty foods. Your skin will thank you and you will have a brighter glow. Avoiding salt will help you beat the bloat and feel your best for your shoot.

Lingerie Prep – You should have all of your clothing by now (if you’re still waiting on a few items, don’t panic.) Make sure everything fits properly and any adjustable straps are correct. Remove all tags (even your panties!) from your clothing items, especially if the fabric is sheer or lace as the tags will show through. 

Appointments For Mani/Pedi And Skin/Hair Care – This is the week you should be finishing up any remaining skin or hair care appointments along with your manicure/pedicure.  

Pack Your Bag – Make sure you have all of your outfits and accessories including shoes. Bring your foundation and any other make-up we will need to complete your look (or for you to do touch ups if you’re doing your own styling). Bring a bathrobe, button up, or zip up shirt and loose, comfy bottoms to wear if your session includes styling. It’s helpful to give your skin time for any elastic or clothing lines to fade before you put on your outfits to start shooting. Also, grab a pair of slippers to keep your feet comfy when moving around the studio space. 

Review Directions – Review the directions to the shoot location and make sure you are planning to leave in plenty of time. Watch for road closures or other things that may cause you to take longer.

Shower And Wash Your Hair – Wash and dry your hair before bed the night before your shoot. This helps your hair to be in the right condition for styling the next day. Don’t use any product or treatments once it’s dry, it may cause issues with styling. 

Scrub The Soles Of Your Feet - Many of your photos will show your feet and even if you plan to wear shoes, there may be a few shots bare foot. There are a couple poses that will show the soles of your feet and making sure they are nice and clean will go a long way in making your photos look great. 

Hair Removal, Shaving – If you shave, you can do that the night before or day before your session depending on how your skin reacts to shaving. If you use another type of hair removal treatment, plan ahead so your skin has time to recover and will no longer have redness or irritation by the time you come in for your shoot. 

Get A Good Night Sleep – Make sure you go to bed early and get plenty of sleep. Arriving at your session well rested will help you to have a great experience and feel your best. 

Clear Deodorant – Use a clear deodorant the day of your shoot. White chalky deodorants can rub off on your clothing and show up. Often times a gel deodorant will dry clear.

Eat Light – You’re going to want to have something in your tummy before your big day! I know you’re going to be nervous so eating something light is a great way to stay energized for your session. You will be getting a snack after we shoot and while you wait to see your photos, but you don’t want to get hungry part way through. 

Allow Extra Time – Leave with some extra time to account for traffic, stops, and any other needs. The last thing you want is to be rushed and stressed out because you’re worried about being late. Stop for your favorite coffee, take your time on the drive, and arrive relaxed for your shoot. 

  BEFORE YOUR SESSION…

· I’m your personal consultant for all things Boudoir. You can ask me anything.

· We always do a phone consultation.

· We generally do at least 1 in person consultation, sometimes 2.

· I’ll be offering plenty of support & advice along the way.

· Add on services available upon request; custom clothing, sets, locations, and more.

DURING YOUR SESSION…

· We will meet at your appointment location/time (usually my home studio).

· Your session length of time depends on which Session Experience you booked.

· Once you arrive, get comfy! Relax while you’re pampered.

· Hair & Make-up styling is first if it’s included in your package. 

· Once it’s time to start shooting, I’ll guide you through some fun poses and your session plan (outfits, hair & make-up styling, sets, etc.)

· You’ll get to see some images on the back of the camera as we go to prove how beautiful you are. You’re confidence will skyrocket!

· All that you need to do is enjoy the experience!  You’re going to love it, I promise. 

AFTER YOUR SESSION…

· After you’re done, get back into your comfy clothes.

· Relax with your favorite beverage and a snack in the massage chair while I prepare your images for viewing.

· When the reveal is ready, we will go through your images one by one. I'll help you narrow down your favorites. 

· Then I’ll help you decide the best way to take them home to enjoy forever. 

· Once you know what you want, we can discuss payment and delivery timeline.

· Payment plans are available for image purchases.