One of my favorite parts about being a boudoir photographer is seeing all of the amazing wardrobe and styling options that my clients bring to our Connecticut boudoir studio. It’s so much fun to go through each item and decide how we will use it in the session. Since I’ve been at this for over 16 years now, I’ve learned a few things and I want to share them with you!

1. You don’t have to wear shoes for your boudoir session.

   This one is a biggie, because so many people think they need to go out and buy a new pair of heels for their photoshoot. And don’t get me wrong - you can absolutely go on a shoe shopping spree! If you’re like me and love heels, by all means, please bring those stilettos into the studio (we may even do a “shoe portrait”). But heels are not required, and when if you’re doing an outdoor photoshoot, they can even be a hindrance.

2. If you’re having your hair styled at the studio, the best way to prepare is to wash it the day before and let it air dry.

   Again, there are exceptions to this “rule.” If you have super curly hair and want to have straight hair for your session, I’ll ask you to come with it already straightened. Or if you have curly hair and want to work with your curls, we may advise you to dry with a diffuser to avoid frizz. There is a misconception that you have to come with “dirty” hair, or hair that hasn’t been washed in 3-4 days - this is incorrect! We want you to come with clean, dry hair that hasn’t had a heat set on it so that when we do set your hair with a heat tool, the curl/shape holds.

3. Bring any clothing item or accessory that you think could work for your session.

   I want to see it all! I love options, so when you come into the studio with a huge suitcase trailing behind you, I get very excited! Of course this isn’t necessary - you can arrive with 2 perfectly selected outfits and we’ll rock those out. But if you can’t decide and/or if you have multiple items that could possible fit the vibe, bring them! I’ll take a look at everything you bring and help put the pieces together in a way that fits the style of your session.

4. You don’t have to arrive with super long acrylic nails (unless that’s your style!).

   While you definitely want to tend to your nails before your shoot, I want to make sure you feel like your nails are authentic for you. If you normally have a bare nail, then a nude or neutral polish is the way to go. If you prefer a pointy stiletto nail but don’t want them to be long-lasting (like an acrylic set would be), then feel free to bring press-on nails! These days press-on nails come in all shapes, lengths, colors, and designs. Plus it’s a fast, cost-effective way of ensuring your hands look pretty during your session.

5. If you get stuck and aren’t sure what to wear/bring for your shoot - reach out to me!

   I am here to help you find the right pieces that will make you feel like the gorgeous goddess that you are! The most important thing is that your items fit properly and that you feel confident wearing them. If you hit a roadblock when planning your session, get in touch with me so I can send you links and options for what to wear. I have a list of resources at my fingertips and I’m always happy to share the knowledge!

Those are my 5 tips for styling a boudoir session, and I hope it was helpful for you to read through them! Have any additional tips? Feel free to leave them in the comments!