How to Prepare for a Boudoir Session

If you’ve booked a boudoir session, or you’re close to booking one, this is the guide that covers everything. What to do in the weeks before, what to do the night before, what to bring, what to wear, and what actually makes the difference between a session that goes okay and one you genuinely remember. Basically how to prepare for a boudoir session fully.

How Far Out Should You Start Preparing for your boudoir session?

4–6 weeks before:

If you’re planning to buy new lingerie or outfits specifically for your session, now is the time. Ordering online gives you time for exchanges if sizing isn’t right. If you’re doing the session as a wedding gift, also think about timing relative to your wedding, albums take a few weeks after your reveal to produce.

1–2 weeks before:

Start moisturising your skin consistently. This makes a genuine difference to how your skin looks on camera, particularly in areas like your shoulders, stomach, and thighs. Moisturised skin photographs cleanly.

A few days before:

Avoid spray tans, waxing, or any new skincare products that might cause a reaction. If you wax, do it at least 3–4 days before the session. Redness from waxing doesn’t always photograph out cleanly.

The night before:

Lay out everything you’re bringing. Get enough sleep, not because you need to perform, but because you’ll feel more like yourself.

What to Bring to Your Session

Outfits and lingerie.

Three to five looks is the sweet spot. More than that and you’ll spend too much time changing and not enough time shooting.

What photographs well: lingerie sets in solid colours (white, black, nude, deep red, forest green, blush); bodysuits; oversized shirts or open button-downs; thigh-high stockings; something meaningful to you.

What doesn’t photograph as well: very busy prints, outfits with obvious brand logos, anything that fits poorly.

We also have a client wardrobe at the studio you’re welcome to use. Ask Jake what’s available in your size before the day.

Accessories.

Jewellery that means something to you tends to photograph better than jewellery you grabbed because it seemed appropriate.

Shoes.

Optional. If you want to include heels, bring them. Beautiful bare feet also photograph well.

Food.

We provide snacks and drinks in the studio, but eating a proper meal before you arrive is different. Don’t arrive on an empty stomach.

Skin and Body Preparation

• Moisturise consistently in the week before your session, everywhere

• Exfoliate a couple of days before, not the night before

• Avoid new skincare products in the week before your session

• If you wax, allow 3–5 days for any redness to subside

• If you get spray tans, do it about a week before, not the day before

• Nails: tidy, not necessarily dramatic

• Hair: come with clean, dry hair, it’s done at the studio

Makeup at the Studio

Professional makeup is included in your session fee and is done at the studio before your shoot. Our makeup artist is experienced specifically in boudoir work, makeup that reads well under studio lighting.

It’ll look slightly more than your everyday makeup. Under studio lights, lighter makeup can disappear on camera. Bring reference photos if you have a strong style preference. Let the artist know about any skin sensitivities.

The Night Before

The most useful thing we can tell you: don’t try to pump yourself up.

The session is designed to handle wherever you arrive emotionally. You don’t need to show up ready. Lay out your things, eat a proper dinner, do something normal you enjoy, and go to bed at a reasonable time.

The Morning Of

Eat breakfast. A real one. You’re going to be at the studio for a few hours.

Wear something comfortable and easy to get in and out of to arrive. Avoid anything that leaves marks, tight waistbands, tight sock lines, anywhere that might be visible in photos.

Mentally Preparing

Most women arrive carrying some version of: I hope I’m okay with how the photos look. That’s reasonable and expected.

The things that tend to make a meaningful difference: deciding in advance that the first bit will feel a bit awkward, and that this is fine; being willing to follow direction even when positions feel silly; saying something if something genuinely doesn’t feel right.

You don’t need to arrive confident. You just need to be willing to show up and try. [Full fears guide: /boudoir-photography-fears-guide]

What Happens on the Day, Step by Step

• Arrive and settle in, welcomed into the studio, shown around

• Makeup, 45-60 minutes, settling-in time as much as anything

• Two hours of shooting, Sabrina directs everything, 3-5 outfit changes across 4 sets

• Snacks and drinks throughout

• Finish, leave with a reveal session booked for 2-3 weeks later

• Reveal session, see images, choose products, nothing purchased on shoot day

Common Pre-Session Questions

Can I bring someone with me?

Yes. A friend, partner, or family member is welcome.

What if my outfits aren’t right?

We have a client wardrobe you’re welcome to use on the day.

What if I’m having a bad body day?

You still come. Bad body days don’t reliably predict bad sessions. [More: /will-i-feel-awkward-at-boudoir-session]

How do I know my photos will be private?

They’re private contractually, not just verbally. [Full privacy info: /are-boudoir-photos-private]

So now you know how to prepare for a boudoir session, if you have any more questions, reach out!

Ready to Book?

Session fee $599. [Enquire here] or DM us on Instagram @apricotaura.

[Geelong studio: /boudoir-photography-geelong] [Melbourne clients: /boudoir-photographer-melbourne]

Apricot Aura is a private boudoir photography studio in central Geelong, Victoria.