What Happens During a Boudoir Session? A Step-by-Step Guide for First-Timers

“I almost cancelled.”
I hear some version of that sentence almost every week.
Sometimes it’s because she spent twenty minutes standing in front of the mirror convinced she picked the wrong outfits. Sometimes it’s because she woke up feeling bloated. Sometimes it’s because that little voice in her head spent the entire drive reminding her of every reason she shouldn’t be there.
And then she walks through my studio door. We hug, we laugh, hair and makeup starts. We talk about life, kids, work, relationships, vacations, reality TV, whatever comes up. And along the way, the shoulders that walked in practically touching her ears start to relax. By the time we’re halfway through shooting, she’s looking over at the back of my camera saying, “holy shit… that’s actually me?”If you’ve been wondering what really happens during a boudoir session, I want to pull back the curtain a little because the unknown is usually the scariest part.

Before Your Session

The experience starts long before you ever step into the studio.

After you book, I’ll send you a prep guide that walks you through everything from shopping to skincare to what to bring. You don’t have to figure it all out on your own.

You’re not expected to know what photographs well. You’re not expected to know how to pose. You’re not expected to walk in looking like you’ve been practicing in the mirror for six months. That’s my job.

Hair and Makeup

One of my favorite parts of the day happens before I ever pick up my camera.

While you’re getting your hair and makeup done, we get to know each other. We laugh. We go through your outfits together. The nerves are still there, but they’re usually a little quieter.

Professional hair and makeup isn’t about transforming you into someone else. It’s about helping you feel put together enough that you’re not worrying about fixing your eyeliner while you’re trying to enjoy the experience.

Choosing Your Outfits

One of the biggest misconceptions about boudoir is that you need an entire drawer full of expensive lingerie. You don’t.

The prep guide is going to tell you everything you need to know about finding and choosing the right outfits and options for you. Bodysuits, two pieces, fishnets, pasties, lacey strappy, sheer… There’s loads of options than can feel overwhelming, especially if you’ve never done this before. My favorites are bodysuits. They come in a variety of styles and flatter every body. And I always recommend my clients to work with their own closet too – sheer white t shirts, denim, booty shorts, crop tops, knee high socks.

I also have a client closet available if you want options.

The goal isn’t to wear what Instagram tells you boudoir should look like. The goal is to photograph you in pieces that make you feel amazing.

What Happens During Your Boudoir Session

This is the part everyone builds up in their head.

“What if I don’t know what to do with my hands?”
“What if I’m awkward?”
“What if I make weird faces?”

Here’s the thing… You don’t have to know any of that, thats MY job, not yours.

I pose you through every single thing. From your fingertips to your toes, I’ll tell you exactly where to look, where to place your hands, when to point your toes, how to angle your chin, even how to breathe.

You don’t need modeling experience, you don’t need to know your angles, you just have to show up.

The Part Nobody Expects

This is my favorite part. Somewhere between the nervous laughter and the last outfit, something changes. She forgets to perform.

She stops worrying about sucking in her stomach every second. She stops wondering if she’s making a weird face. She starts laughing without thinking about what her smile looks like.

For a little while, she’s just herself. Thats the woman I’m photographing.

Seeing Your Photos

A few weeks later, we’ll get together again for your reveal. This is when you’ll see your finished images for the first time and choose your favorites. We’ll design your album, wall art, or whatever collection feels right for you.

Almost every woman comes in convinced she’ll like a handful of photos and almost every woman has a really hard time narrowing them down.

Turns out we’re usually a lot harder on ourselves than anyone else ever is.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to wear lingerie?

Not at all. Wear whatever feels like you. Lingerie is just one option.

What if I’m nervous?

Good. Seriously. Almost everyone is.

Being nervous doesn’t mean you shouldn’t do it. It means you’re stepping outside your comfort zone.

Do you pose me?

Every single second. You never have to wonder what you’re supposed to be doing.

Can I keep my photos private?

Absolutely. Nothing is ever shared without your permission.

Do you Photoshop my images?

Yes, but thoughtfully. I’ll remove temporary things like blemishes or bruises while making sure you still look like you.

What if I’m plus size, over 40, a mom, or not photogenic?

Then you’ll fit right in. Those are the women I photograph every single week.

Final Thoughts

Almost every woman who walks into my studio thinks she’s going to be the exception. The awkward one, the one who isn’t photogenic, the one who’s somehow impossible to photograph.

And almost every one of them says the same thing before they leave. “I can’t believe that’s me.”

Or maybe even more often… “I wish I’d done this sooner.”

If you’ve been wondering whether a boudoir session is for you, maybe the better question is whether you’re done waiting for the version of yourself that finally feels ready.

Because after photographing women for more than a decade, I’ve learned something.

She usually already is.

Hopefully now you have a much clearer picture of what happens during a boudoir session and why so many women tell me they wish they’d booked sooner but if you want to see more like behind the scenes of what happens during a boudoir session, upcoming sessions, and all the chaos of what I’m up to I’m going to send you to my instagram.

My studio is located in Sherrill, NY, and I regularly photograph women from Syracuse, Utica, Rome, Oneida, and all across Central New York. Some drive over an hour for their session because they want an experience where they never have to wonder what to do. Everything from professional hair and makeup to posing and product design is handled for you.

If you have questions about the experience you can leave your information here and I’ll reach out to you!