Knowing how to prepare for your boudoir shoot makes the difference between arriving anxious and arriving ready — so here’s exactly what I tell every client before they walk into my Ferndale studio.
Whether you’re already booked or still deciding, everything you need to know is right here.
Your Comfort Comes First
The moment you walk into my studio at 800 Hilton Rd in Ferndale, my job is to make sure you feel safe, seen, and completely at ease before we ever pick up a camera.
We start with hair and makeup — done by me personally. I’m a licensed stylist so this isn’t an afterthought or a hand-off to someone else. It’s the first hour of your experience and it’s designed to ease you in. We talk, we play music, we figure out your vibe. By the time we move to the studio space most women have already forgotten they were nervous.
I’ll guide every single pose from start to finish. You don’t need to know what to do with your hands or your face or your body. That’s entirely my job. Yours is just to show up.
Here’s everything you need to know about how to prepare for boudoir shoot day from someone who does this every week.
How to Prepare for Your Boudoir Shoot — Skin Prep Guide.
Start about two weeks out. You don’t need a complicated routine — just consistency.
Exfoliate regularly — two to three times per week leading up to your session. Smooth skin photographs significantly better than dry or flaky skin. A simple body scrub in the shower is enough.
Moisturize daily. Hydrated skin catches light beautifully. Focus on arms, legs, and any areas you want to emphasize.
Shave or wax 2-3 days before — not the day of. This gives any redness or irritation time to settle completely before your session.
Avoid new skincare products in the two weeks before. Now is not the time to try a new retinol or exfoliating acid. Stick to what your skin knows.
Stop self-tanner one week before unless you’ve been using it consistently and know exactly how it looks on camera. Uneven self-tanner is one of the most common pre-session mistakes.
What to Bring
Your outfits shape the entire feel of your session. Here’s how to think about it:
Bring 5 to 6 options. We’ll typically shoot 3 to 5 looks depending on timing but having extra options means we’re always choosing what works best — never forcing something that isn’t.
Think beyond lingerie. An oversized button-down, your partner’s shirt, a leather jacket, a cozy oversized sweater — some of the most powerful images I’ve made at my Detroit studio have had nothing to do with traditional boudoir lingerie. Bring what feels like you.
Colors that photograph beautifully: Classic black. Deep jewel tones — emerald, burgundy, navy. Nude and blush for something soft and romantic. Bold red if you want to make a statement.
Texture adds dimension: Lace, silk, fishnets, body chains, garters, robes — these catch light in a way solid fabrics don’t.
Try everything on before you pack it. Sit down in it. Lie back in it. Stretch your arms. If anything feels uncomfortable at home it will feel worse in the studio.
Accessories to consider: Jewelry you love, a meaningful necklace, heels if you want them, thigh highs, hats
What to Avoid Before Your Session
Tight waistbands and elastic — these leave marks on your skin that take hours to fade. Wear loose comfortable clothing when you arrive.
Underwire that sits high — same issue. If your bra leaves a mark wear a different bra to your session.
Heavy meals the day before — not because of how you’ll look, but because of how you’ll feel. You want to feel light and comfortable not bloated and sluggish.
Alcohol the night before — it dehydrates your skin and your eyes. Neither photographs well.
A completely empty stomach the morning of — eat something. A real session is 3 to 4 hours and you need energy to be present.
New workout routines in the days before — showing up sore makes posing harder and less enjoyable.
Your Full Preparation Timeline
4 weeks before: Start pulling outfits together. Shop early so you have time to try things on, return what doesn’t work, and ask me for feedback if you want it. I’m always happy to weigh in on specific pieces.
2 weeks before: Start your skin prep routine. Exfoliate regularly, moisturize daily, drink your water. Get a manicure and pedicure — hands and feet appear in more shots than most women expect.
3 to 5 days before: Shave or wax. This timing gives any irritation time to completely settle before your session.
The night before: Hydrate well. Eat something that makes you feel good. Lay out every outfit option so morning isn’t rushed. Sleep in loose clothing — no waistband marks. Get to bed early.
Morning of: Eat breakfast. Arrive in loose comfortable clothing. Come with a completely clean dry face and clean dry hair — no product, no makeup, no styling. I take it from there. Leave yourself extra time for Detroit traffic. This morning doesn’t get rushed.
What to Do With Your Body Before You Arrive
Boudoir posing is closer to yoga than it is to modeling. It’s about elongation, body awareness, and holding positions with intention. You don’t need to be flexible or fit — you just need to be able to hold a position for a few seconds while I adjust your angles.
If you want to feel more physically prepared, spend the few weeks before your session doing gentle daily stretching. Focus on opening your shoulders, loosening your lower back, and lengthening your spine. Cat/cow stretches, shoulder rolls, and gentle hip openers are especially useful.
Practice in front of a mirror. Play with poses. Notice which angles you like. This isn’t about finding the “right” pose — it’s about getting comfortable seeing yourself from different angles so the camera doesn’t feel like a surprise.
Mindset Before You Walk In
This is the preparation most guides skip. It’s also the most important.
A boudoir session is a few hours that belong entirely to you. Not to anyone else’s needs, opinions, or expectations. Just you, in a private studio, being seen exactly as you are right now.
Most women arrive nervous. That’s not a problem — it’s just where we start. The nervousness doesn’t mean you’re not ready. It means you’re doing something that matters.
If you need something to anchor to before you walk in:
I don’t need to perform. I just need to show up.
Whatever I feel right now is exactly right.
I deserve to feel exactly like this.
That’s enough. The rest happens once you’re here.
Frequently Asked Questions About Preparing for Your Boudoir Session
How far in advance should I book my boudoir session? Most clients book 6 to 8 weeks out to allow time for outfit shopping, and securing their preferred date. Spring and fall fill fastest at my Detroit area studio so if you have a specific date in mind reach out as early as possible.
What should I avoid the day of my boudoir shoot? Tight waistbands, underwire bras, and anything that leaves marks on your skin. Arrive in loose comfortable clothing. Avoid heavy meals but do eat — you need energy for a 3 to 4 hour session. Skip alcohol the night before.
How many outfits should I bring? 5 to 6 is the sweet spot. We’ll shoot 3 to 5 looks depending on timing but having extra options means we’re always choosing what works rather than forcing something that isn’t landing.
Is hair and makeup really included? Yes with every single session. I’m a licensed stylist so I handle everything personally — you arrive with a fresh face and clean dry hair and I take it from there. You don’t coordinate with a separate artist. It’s me the whole time.
What if I can’t afford a full wardrobe of lingerie? You don’t need one. Some of the most powerful images I’ve made at my Ferndale studio have been in an oversized t-shirt, a partner’s button-down, or a simple silk robe. Boudoir doesn’t have a dress code. Bring what makes you feel like yourself.
What if I’m still nervous when I arrive? You will be — and that’s completely fine. Every single client walks in with some version of nerves. We ease into it slowly. By the second outfit most women have forgotten they were nervous at all. The nervousness always gives way to something much better.
How long does the session take? Plan for 3 to 4 hours from arrival through your image reveal. Hair and makeup takes about an hour. The shoot itself is 1.5 to 2 hours. Then we sit down together for your private image reveal. We never rush.
Can I bring someone with me? My studio is a private one-client space and the experience tends to be more powerful when it’s just the two of us. If having a specific person there would genuinely help you feel safer reach out and we can talk through it.
Where is your studio? 800 Hilton Rd, Ferndale Michigan 48220 — just outside Detroit, easy highway access from Ann Arbor, Lansing, Royal Oak, Birmingham, and Grand Rapids. Easy parking on site.
Ready to book? Reach out here — no pressure, just a conversation.
Want to see what the full session experience looks like? Explore the experience.
Serving women across Detroit, Ferndale, Royal Oak, Birmingham, Ann Arbor, Lansing, Grand Rapids, and all of Michigan.