Okay, real talk.
Clients always ask me “what do I wear for my session?” It’s the question that causes the most anxiety. I’ve had women message me in a panic the night before their shoot convinced they don’t own anything good enough, or they bought fifteen things from Amazon and now they’re drowning in lace and have no idea what to keep. Both of those are normal, and both are fixable. Wardrobe is the part that feels the biggest before a session and matters the least once we start.
I’m here to help you. This is the only guide you’re going to need.
First, Breathe
You do not need to buy a bunch of new things to have an incredible session and images.
Some of my favorite boudoir shots have been in an oversized flannel and cotton underwear. Some of the most powerful images I’ve taken have been of women in absolutely nothing. The outfit is a tool, not the point. The point is you, and I promise we can work with whatever you bring.
Here’s what I want you to understand before you spend a dollar: the camera is reading your face, your posture, and how you carry yourself far more than it’s reading the label on your lingerie. A woman who feels good in a piece she already owns will always photograph better than a woman who’s tugging at something new that doesn’t fit right. Comfort is not the enemy of a sexy image. It’s the whole foundation of one.
That said? A little intentional planning goes a long way. It’s the difference between showing up scattered and showing up ready. So let’s do this.
The Magic Number: 3 to 5 Outfits
The recommended number of outfits to bring is somewhere between 3 and 5. You might not go through all of them, but having options takes the pressure off any single look. We’ll also get variety in your gallery: different moods, different aesthetics, and different versions of you.
Three to five is enough to give us range without turning your session into a fashion show where we spend more time changing than shooting. If you bring two, we can absolutely still make it work. If you bring ten, we won’t get through them and you’ll have spent money and stress you didn’t need to. This range is the sweet spot.
Think of your outfits in terms of a range:
- One that feels classic and timeless
- One that feels a little edgier or more playful
- One that feels you in your everyday life (a partner’s shirt, your favorite robe, something that tells your story)
If you build your picks around those three anchors, you’ll cover a lot of ground with very little effort. Everything else is a bonus.
What Actually Works in Boudoir
Lingerie (yes, the obvious one). You don’t need to spend hundreds of dollars. A simple bra and underwear set in a solid color or a subtle pattern photographs beautifully. Lace always reads well on camera. The thing that matters most here is fit. A set that actually fits your body will always look better than an expensive one that gapes or digs in. Try things on before your session so there are no surprises. Avoid loud prints that compete with your face, but don’t stress too hard; I’ll help you sort it out when you arrive. If you’re shopping, department stores and everyday brands carry sets that photograph just as well as designer lingerie, so buy what fits and flatters rather than what costs the most.
Bodysuit options are also gorgeous and can feel a little less exposed if you’re working up your nerve. They give you coverage and shape at the same time, which is why they’re such an easy first outfit for anyone who’s nervous. One thing to watch: check the fabric before you buy. A quality bodysuit holds its shape, while a thin, cheap one can bunch or wrinkle under the lights. Win-win when you get the fit right.
Robes. A silky robe, open, draped, barely-there, is one of the most universally flattering things I photograph. It adds elegance, movement, and a hint of mystery. A robe also gives us something to work with in the moment; it can be pulled off the shoulder, cinched, or left to fall, and every one of those reads differently on camera. It’s one piece that quietly does a lot of the work.
Oversized button-down shirts / flannels / tees. This is my personal favorite. There is something about a woman in an oversized men’s dress shirt, half-unbuttoned, that is chef’s kiss every single time. It’s intimate without being fully exposed, and it tends to feel less vulnerable for women who are nervous at the start of a session. Often by the time we get there in the shoot, women are far more comfortable and we can push a little further, but having this as a starting point is gold.
Bodysuits and corsets. These are stunning and very editorial. A well-fitted bodysuit photographs beautifully and gives great shape. Corsets add drama and structure, and they do real work for your silhouette. One note on corsets: if you’re bringing one that laces up the back, plan to have it snug but comfortable, and give yourself time to get into it. If this is your vibe, go for it.
A meaningful outfit. Did you wear a certain piece on your wedding day? Is there a dress that made you feel incredible at a specific moment in your life? Bring it. Some of my most meaningful sessions have incorporated something with a story, and that shows up in the images in the best way. When a piece means something to you, it changes how you hold yourself in front of the camera, and that’s the part I can’t fake or pose into existence.
Colors That Photograph Beautifully
For lingerie and outfits, these tend to be the most universally flattering on camera:
- Black (always classic, always stunning)
- White and cream (soft, romantic, bridal energy)
- Deep jewel tones — burgundy, emerald, navy
- Blush and dusty rose
- Nude and skin-tone pieces (creates a seamless, artistic look)
These aren’t rules so much as safe bets. They photograph well across skin tones and lighting, and they tend to keep the focus where it belongs, which is on you. If you’re torn between two options, leaning toward one of these colors is usually the easy call.
What to avoid: Very bright neons and busy patterns can sometimes pull focus from your face. That said, if a bold print is authentically you, we can absolutely make it work. Don’t change your personality for the camera.
Shoes: Do You Actually Need Them?
Short answer: no. Long answer: also no, but they can be really fun.
Heels add length to your legs and can make a pose feel more deliberate and powerful. If you have a pair you love, or one that makes you feel like you’re about to walk into a room and own it, bring them. Nude and black heels are the most versatile and pair with almost anything you bring. But plenty of my most gorgeous sessions have been completely barefoot. You do not need to go buy heels if they’re not your thing. And if you love the look but not the feeling of standing in them, a lot of the best heel shots are seated or reclined anyway.
The Stuff You Might Forget (But Shouldn’t)
- Body jewelry / accessories — anklets, layered necklaces, ear cuffs, anything that feels like you
- Thigh-highs or stockings — underrated, incredibly photogenic
- A blanket, sweater, or piece of fabric that’s special to you
- Your partner’s shirt if this session is a gift for them
None of these are required, but they’re the details that make a gallery feel like it belongs to you and not just anyone. Lay them out with your outfits the night before so nothing gets left on the dresser.
What About Hair and Makeup?
Hair and makeup is handled in my studio before we pick up the camera. My team gets you fully glammed before we ever start shooting, so you don’t need to arrive with your hair done or a full face on. It’s one less thing for you to manage, and it means the version of you in the gallery is polished from the very first frame.
If you have inspiration for a specific hair or makeup look, save a couple of reference photos and bring them; my team would rather see exactly what you’re picturing than guess. And if you’re not sure, that’s fine too. We do this every day and we’ll guide you to something that suits your features and the mood you’re going for.
Come comfortable. Come as you. We’ll take it from there.
Still Not Sure? Ask Me.
I mean it. Before your session, I love doing a little virtual “wardrobe consult” over email or DM. Send me photos of what you’re thinking about bringing and I’ll give you honest, hype-girl feedback. If something isn’t working, I’ll tell you, and I’ll help you find a better option before your session day instead of on it. We can troubleshoot together.
This is supposed to be fun. The styling part should feel exciting, not stressful, and I’m going to make sure it does. Nobody has ever regretted asking me a question first, so don’t sit on one.
Got questions or ready to get your session booked? Reach out; I’d love to hear from you.
Come hang with our community of incredible women in the meantime. We talk about everything from session prep to the moments that cracked us open in the best way.
Your forever hype girl, Julia
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