A Complete Guide to Your First Boudoir Shoot

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If posing in your underwear makes you want to run and hide, you’re in the right place. This is the ultimate guide on how to rock your first boudoir shoot.

Stepping into a boudoir photographer studio can feel super intimidating if it’s your first time. Even though I take a lot of photos of myself, I was really nervous when I had to take off all my clothes! After having an awesome experience, I’m giving you the inside scoop on how to feel comfortable and confident at your first boudoir shoot.

You are going to learn some quick body confidence tips, how to choose a good photographer, and where to find boudoir shoot outfits that match your style.

After learning these tips and tricks, you’ll feel fully prepared and excited to be the star of your photoshoot.

This post is a complete guide to your first boudoir shoot.

A Complete Guide to Your First Boudoir Shoot

1. Find a Good Photographer

When you step into a boudoir shoot, you are agreeing to be vulnerable and exchange energy with (possibly) a complete stranger. So your photographer has to be someone that you trust! The best way to find a good boudoir photographer is by word of mouth. Poll your friends or local communities you know to see if they have any recommendations.

Body positive, feminist, and LGBTQIA+ groups are most likely to have members with trustworthy recommendations. If that doesn’t yield any results, hop on Instagram and find a boudoir photographer in another city and DM them to ask for a boudoir photographer near you. And if you’re looking for boudoir photography in Philadelphia, I highly recommend Swiger Photography and Cheyenne Gil, especially if you’re looking for a plus size friendly boudoir shoot.

2. Go Shopping for Boudoir Shoot Outfits

You’re already investing in your boudoir shoot, so it just makes sense to find 2-3 confidence-boosting boudoir shoot outfits to go with it! You are really in the driver’s seat when it comes to what you want to wear during your shoot.

Take a day to pop into shops and try on all kinds of things: matching bra and pantie sets, mesh shirts and fishnet stockings, fluffy dreamy robes, and more. Or order all of those things online and try them on at home. Your boudoir self is going to dress a little differently than your everyday self, but what you wear should still feel authentic to who you are.

Pro tip: I highly encourage a thong or two because you will be amazed at how fantastic your ass looks when you get those photos back!

Check Out a Few of My Fave Places to Shop for Boudoir Shoot Outfits Below

3. Build Your Body Confidence

This is one of the harder parts: feeling confident in your body. This is a life-long journey but here are a few tips to quickly boost your confidence before your boudoir photo shoot:

Find people on Instagram who have a similar body type. Scroll boudoir photography pages and save the images of people who look like you. Try to recreate these posts and check yourself out in the mirror.
In a moment when you’re all alone in your home, put on a playlist of fun and sexy songs that you can dance to sensually. Yes, I said sensually. Close your eyes, feel the music, touch and feel your body. Get lost the music and yourself and just let it all go. Do this at least once a week leading up to your boudoir shoot.
Put on your boudoir shoot outfits and have a mini photoshoot at home. Use your phone’s timer or ask a friend to help! You can send these photos to a lover as a sneak preview or just keep them to yourself to look back on. For bonus points, film a video of yourself dancing to your sensual confidence playlist.

4. Ask a Million Questions

Don’t be afraid to ask questions! Your photographer should communicate with you several times before the shoot with what to expect the day-of. No question is too silly or too small! Can I change in private? How accessible is the building? Do you routinely clean the beds and couches? Should I come with my lingerie already on? Can we listen to my favorite playlist while we shoot? These are all questions your photographer can answer BEFORE you step into the studio and into that more vulnerable state.

5. Deep Breath. Relax. Have fun!

The worst thing you can bring to your boudoir shoot is a negative attitude. Your photographer is there to make sure you look good so be sure to listen to them. They will give you directions on posing, what to do with your face and hands, and cheer you on because DAMN YOU LOOK LIKE A MODEL! You might feel like you want to hide certain parts of your body or that you only be photographed from a certain angle. Hear me when I say your photographer knows what they are doing and they will make you look like a dreamy sex deity if you give them the chance. Be open, be curious, and don’t forget to laugh! You got this!