What to Wear for Your Photo Session! Part Two: For the Boudoir Babes [Clarksville Boudoir Photographer]
Yesterday I talked about how to prepare for family photo sessions in terms of outfit choices and how to coordinate so that the entire fam bam looks amazing (see that post here), and in today's post I want to focus on wardrobe choices for my ladies' boudoir sessions!
Boudoir doesn't have to mean you’ll be posing for those cheesy “sexy” shots all in lingerie! I want to showcase who you are as a woman, and make YOU feel beautiful and empowered first and foremost! These sessions are often done as gifts for partners, but I’m always going to be focusing on YOU and making you feel like a queen! You deserve to feel confident and sexy, so focus on finding one outfit (or prop!) that is true to who YOU are and go from there.
Shopping for a boudoir is a fun experience, and I recommend buying a few options to work with. Pulling from your current closet is also a good idea, but because you will be getting all dolled up for this experience, it's nice to treat yourself and buy something new. During our session, we will have time for about 3 outfit changes, so I want to make sure we incorporate what is important to BOTH you AND whoever you are doing the photos for.
So, my top three recommendations for outfits would be:
1. Bring something that leaves something to the imagination and is more covered up, so to speak. This could be a men's button down shirt (i.e. one of your partner's favorites), a body suit, a sheer or more scandalous type of dress, etc! The possibilities are endless here. We will always start in an outfit that is less “lingerie” and more covered to get you "warmed up" and feeling confident! I’m a huge fan of body suits as they can cover up areas we women are often self conscious about (cough cough, tummies) but can still be super sexy! I also really like it when my clients have cozy sweaters/sheer shirts to tug and play with, much like this gorgeous gal below is wearing.
2. OK, so remember how I said you don’t HAVE to wear lingerie? You really DON’T… BUT. I will say that it’s always good to have one outfit be something that I would call a “classic lingerie” piece that YOU feel sexy in. This could be a bra and panty set, a negligé, a robe, etc. If your first outfit was NOT a bodysuit, I would highly recommend this outfit being one, and have it look more lingerie-esque (think something lacy or plunging or sheer)! It can be fun to have a corset, thigh highs/stockings, and maybe even a garter belt here. And you can get as scandalous as you want (or are comfortable with!) in our shoot! For this outfit, really choose something that flatters YOU. If you’re worried about a specific body part—like tummy, or small chest, or small booty, bring something flattering for that area (such as high waisted panties, a push up bra/corset with maybe even those inserts that I call “chicken cutlets” like these here or panties that are cut to accentuate what you got!). This outfit I will want you to try on and send me a pic of so that we can make sure it really is something that you will both look and feel gorgeous in! 🔥
And again, just a quick note— please do not feel like you HAVE to have some tiny little piece of lingerie for this outfit. I am a HUGE fan of bodysuits and just normal clothes that can become more sexy and risqué! Think bodysuits with fun necklines, leather jackets with see through shirts, or a short or daring neckline dress. Get creative! I also have quite a few different outfits in my client wardrobe we can pull to use too!
3. The last outfit I would try to have, is something that speaks directly to YOU and who you're doing this shoot for. This could be just a prop or accessory. Are you or your spouse a musician? How about a guitar? What about a mask to add an element of surprise and unknown? Doing a bridal boudoir? How about just a veil? What about JUST a tie? Do you work from home—maybe just working at your computer! Celebrating a milestone—how about just a cake with your birthday suit!? Maybe a fun fur jacket... or just a really awesome statement necklace. Or even birthday suit and implied nude! There are SO many options!... let your imagination run wild here!
Here are some general tips and suggestions for planning your outfits:
Make sure the outfits you're going to wear look new or barely worn... this is the time to splurge on yourself! We don't want things that look super worn in. Also be sure to take off all tags and cut off visible labels (carefully!) because we don't want them to distract from YOU at all!
Don't forget your feet! For shoes, I often will have you barefoot both outdoors and inside, but I also recommend bringing at least one pair of shoes for the shoot (as well as shoes to walk around in outside like flip flops so you don’t have any marks on your feet/ankles/legs from shoes or socks)! Look for heels/boots/shoes that make your legs look nice and long (kitten heels will photograph short so be aware of that). You don’t HAVE to have shoes for the session either— barefoot is 100% fine!
Accessories and props are so fun! I recommend bringing one or two pieces of jewelry that you usually wear or feel sexy in. I also love something that has meaning for you (think about what you do and love, or your partner does/loves… for me as a photographer, I’d probably bring a camera and have shots where I’m using it as a prop in my session!).
Be sure to try on everything BEFORE you come to our session. Make sure you feel comfortable in it and like how you look in it! You likely will be a little uncomfortable wearing it to get your photo taken, but you should think you look good in it first and foremost!
Some good places to shop for your Boudoir Session are:
Amazon is awesome for this actually! There’s pretty much anything you could want here in all price ranges!
Revolve this has a lingerie section but it also has just normal “sexier” clothing options too
Forever 21 again has lingerie but some of their outfits would work well too
Target I can’t even tell you how many sheer dresses and tops, along with bodysuits or bathing suits I’ve found here that are great for boudoir!
Mura this is an Australian clothing company but they have some sexy little numbers that are fun for boudoir— caveat—*be mindful of shipping and know that their return policy is you pay for return shipping and then its store credit I think*
Free People good for the boho look and dresses, along with crop tops and lacy bralette
Lulu’s has a whole lingerie section but also lots of crop tops and they carry other fave brands such as free people. Their return policy is the BEST too!
Yandy more traditional lingerie
Fredericks of Hollywood again same as above
Victoria's Secret this was probably your first idea of where to shop— I do love them, but they can be pricey and why spend hundreds on something you wouldn’t wear again? So I’d say find something you know you WILL wear from here again!
Adore Me this is like designer lingerie for every body type!
Journelle this can be good for lingerie inspiration! think classy lingerie, and definitely worth checking out
Hanky Panky same as Journelle and Adore Me, as well as good options for stuff you’d likely wear again but still look great in
Elle Macpherson everyday sexy pieces you will wear again!
AMAZON! I’ve linked a ton of my faves at this link! (**note: as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.)
and even places wherever your normally shop for clothing!
Once you have booked your session, I will also send you an email of how to prep for your session; which will include reminders to take off tags, ensure the bottoms of shoes don't have price tags on them or look dirty, to be hydrated and eat before!, and so much more. I also plan to write a blog post on this SOON so be sure to check back! I promise this session will be like a fun party where you and I listen to music and I basically worship YOU for being absolutely, breathtakingly beautiful.... you won't want it to end, I promise!
