Your boudoir session is booked, which means it’s time for the fun part: getting ready.
While it can be tempting to overthink everything from your outfits to how you’ll look on camera, preparing for your session doesn’t require a major transformation. A few practical steps can help you arrive feeling comfortable, prepared, and ready to enjoy the experience.
Here’s what’s actually worth focusing on before your session.
Keep Your Routine Familiar
The week before your session is not the time to completely change your routine. Skip the last-minute diets, intense new workouts, unfamiliar skincare treatments, or dramatic beauty changes. These can leave you feeling sore, irritated, or simply unlike yourself on the day of your shoot.
Instead, stick with what you know works for you. Your body doesn’t need to be part of your preparation checklist.
Plan Your Outfits Ahead of Time
Choosing what to wear is one of the biggest parts of preparing for a boudoir session, and lingerie is only the beginning. Bodysuits, corsets, robes, slips, oversized button-downs, sweaters, and other pieces can all photograph beautifully. Consider bringing options that give you some variety throughout your gallery.
Most importantly, try everything on ahead of time. Make sure each piece fits comfortably, remove tags when necessary, and pack any coordinating accessories you want to bring. If you’re unsure what to wear, Chérie Amour provides wardrobe guidance to help you prepare.
Keep Skincare Simple
A consistent skincare routine is usually your best bet leading up to your session. Continue using products your skin is already familiar with, moisturize regularly, and allow enough time between waxing or shaving and your appointment for any irritation to settle.
Avoid introducing new products, aggressive treatments, or anything else that could cause an unexpected reaction right before your shoot.
Think About the Small Details
There are a few finishing touches you may want to consider before your appointment. If you’re getting a manicure or pedicure, choose something that works well with the outfits you plan to bring. Keep your lips, hands, and feet moisturized, since they may appear in close-up photographs.
Planning a haircut or color appointment? Schedule it far enough in advance that you have time to adjust if the result isn’t exactly what you expected. None of these are requirements. They’re simply details worth considering while you prepare.
Get Some Sleep and Stay Hydrated
Two of the simplest preparation tips are also two of the most useful: drink water and get a good night’s sleep. Pack your outfits and accessories ahead of time so you aren’t scrambling the night before. Eat normally, stay hydrated, and give yourself enough time to rest.
You’ll want energy for your session, especially since posing can be more physical than it looks.
You Don’t Need to Know How to Pose
No modeling experience required.You don’t need to study poses on Pinterest, practice expressions in the mirror, or figure out what to do with your hands before you arrive.
Your photographer will direct you throughout the shoot, including posing, positioning, expressions, and adjustments along the way. Your job is simply to follow their direction and communicate if something feels uncomfortable.
Don’t Use Someone Else’s Gallery as a Checklist
Looking through boudoir photography can be helpful when you’re gathering inspiration, but it shouldn’t become a list of ways you think you need to look. Every gallery is created using different styling, lighting, posing, sets, wardrobe, and final image selections. Your session will have its own combination of those elements.
Save inspiration you genuinely like, then focus on what you want from your own photographs.
Ready for Your Session?
A little preparation can make session day easier, but there’s no need to overcomplicate it. Plan what you can ahead of time, avoid any major last-minute changes, and leave the photography to us.
Chérie Amour Boudoir will take care of the posing and direction so you can focus on enjoying your session.
Book your boudoir experience.