Boudoir Prep: 5 tips for your upcoming session

One of the most asked questions I get is all about boudoir prep. And that’s with good reason. Most of you aren’t professional models. How would you know what to bring or how to get ready for your upcoming boudoir session?
I’m glad you’re worried about what to bring and how to prep for your session though. There’s nothing worse than showing up unprepared! Kind of like in showing up without your pencil for a test in school that you haven’t studied for. That gives me anxiety just thinking about it.
And that’s why I bring to you today, 5 boudoir prep tips to prep for your upcoming session.
Drink your water.
Drink plenty of water the week of your session. Remove those toxins. You and I both know your skin looks so much better when you’ve drank lots of water and avoided sugar.
Water will help your skin glow AND it will remove the bloat.
Plus don’t you just FEEL better when you’ve been drinking water only?
Book a spray tan.
There is something about a tan that makes you glow in the photos. But at the same time, I’m not going to promote a tanning booth for health reasons of which we are all aware.
The best alternative, and honestly probably better than a tanning booth is a spray tan. My girl, Missy, gives my clients a special discount, so be sure you book her about 2 days prior to your session for optimal results!
Come with a clean face and clean, dry hair at your scheduled time.
Hair and makeup are included in all of my sessions. And I am always asked how I want clients to show up. And by the way, the time you book is when hair and makeup starts. 🙂
As far as your face, just go through your normal routine, minus your makeup. You want to come with a fresh, clean face.
Hair on the other hand kind of depends on the person and their hair type. Does your style and hold better first or second day? Mine is best right after I’ve blow dried it. Second day hair for me is not ideal, but that totally depends on the person.
Bring more than enough outfits.
I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again. It’s always better to bring too much than not enough. If you book the 1 hour Lush session, which includes 3 outfit changes, bring 5-6 for a couple of reasons.
- You know how sometimes you feel so hot in an outfit and then the next day you put it on and you’re like what the heck? Yeah you don’t want that to happen at your boudoir session. Bring a few extra!
- If we have time, we will keep shooting.
Plan to be in the studio 3-4 hours.
Between hair and makeup and the session time, you will be in the studio 3-4 hours so if you need to find an excuse or make arrangements, be sure to do so! I want you to be able to 100% enjoy your session without worrying about getting back to real life. This is YOUR time!
Do you feel ready after these 5 boudoir prep tips?
If so, I would love to chat with you more about a session! Schedule a consult at this link. 🙂

Tracy Lynn is a boudoir photographer for brides-to-be in the St. Louis area, and a mentor + coach for photographers looking to level up their businesses with better systems and processes.