What to Bring to a Boudoir Shoot: A Calm, Practical Checklist
You don’t need a new wardrobe for a boudoir session. What works best is clothing you feel like yourself in, plus a few simple pieces that play well with light. Here’s a checklist you can go through calmly the evening before, followed by the questions I hear most often.
Once you book, I send you a personal preparation guide tailored to your concept. This article is the general starting point.
Key takeaways
- Two or three outfits are usually plenty.
- Comfort matters more than labels. Try everything on at home: sitting, lying down, moving.
- Smooth textures, lace, silk and knitwear catch light beautifully.
- You don’t need to buy anything new. An oversized shirt or a favourite jumper often makes the best frames.
- From the La Maison package up, you can also use the atelier wardrobe.
The checklist
Outfits
- Something you love. Lingerie you feel good in. It doesn’t have to be new or expensive.
- Something simple. A plain set or bodysuit in a neutral colour.
- A shirt or a knit. An oversized man’s shirt, a soft jumper, a cardigan. They give you lots of freedom and reveal only as much as you want.
- Fabric. A length of silk, linen or tulle that can be draped. Perfect if you’d rather not be photographed in lingerie alone.
- Optional: stockings, a robe, a blazer, a dress that means something to you.
Accessories
- Jewellery you wear every day, or something with a story.
- Heels, if you enjoy walking in them. If not, leave them at home.
- An object from your life: a book, a flower, a letter. Small things can say more than any pose.
Practical bits
- Loose clothes with no tight elastic or seams for the journey, so they don’t leave marks on your skin.
- Water and a small snack.
- Your favourite music, if you’d like it playing.
- Touch-up makeup, if you’re doing your own.
Colours and textures
There’s no single colour that “looks best”. There are colours that suit the mood of the session:
- Black brings contrast and elegance, and looks wonderful in black and white.
- Nudes, creams and skin tones are soft and subtle, lovely in bright interiors.
- Deep shades like burgundy, bottle green or navy add atmosphere in lower light.
Texture often matters more than colour. Lace, silk, satin, tulle and chunky knits come alive in side light. If you can’t decide, bring two options and we’ll choose together on the day.
Skin and makeup
You don’t need to do anything special. Do what you’d normally do to feel good, but don’t try new products or treatments right before the session. From La Maison up, makeup and hair are done by a professional makeup artist, so you can arrive bare-faced.
Frequently asked questions
How many outfits should I bring?
One or two for La Découverte, two or three for La Maison, more for La Couture. If in doubt, bring extra and we’ll choose together.
Do I need to buy new, expensive lingerie?
No. What matters is how it feels and how it fits. A favourite comfortable set beats a new one that pinches.
What if I don’t feel comfortable in just lingerie?
You don’t have to be photographed in it. A shirt, a knit, fabric or a dress make beautiful, intimate photographs without revealing more than you want. We talk about boundaries in the consultation.
Can I use your wardrobe?
From the La Maison package up, you can add to your outfits from the atelier wardrobe.
For the bigger picture, read How to prepare for a boudoir photoshoot, and for what the day looks like, What is a boudoir photoshoot. Any questions? Write to me.