What to Expect During a Boudoir Photography Session (A First-Timer’s Guide)
If you're thinking about booking a Boudoir Photography session, but have no idea what to expect, and are maybe feeling a little nervous, you’re in the right place! It's completely normal to feel excited, curious, and maybe a little nervous.
Almost every woman who walks into my studio tells me the same thing:
“I’ve never done anything like this before!”
And that’s completely okay. In fact, most of my clients have never done a professional photoshoot of any kind.
After photographing hundreds of clients during the past 10 years, I can tell you that feeling nervous at the beginning is incredibly normal. The good news is that boudoir sessions are designed to feel relaxed, supportive, and surprisingly fun, even if you’ve never been in front of a camera before.
Read on to see exactly what you can expect.
Quick Answer: What Happens During a Boudoir Photography Session?
🏡 You’ll arrive at the studio and have plenty of time to settle in, get comfortable, and we’ll go through the outfits you brought and decide what to start with and make a little plan for our first look. I have a restroom/changing area and hangers to hang up your outfits, plus a small stash of robes, fabric and props we can go through to see if you’d like to use anything I have.
🥂 I have a selection of refreshments to choose from (and you can always bring anything you might want to have)
💄If you’re getting Hair & Makeup done, you’ll change into a robe or something comfy and hang out for about an hour while my makeup artist works her magic. If you’re doing your own hair & makeup,I build in some touch-up time for any finishing touches that might need to happen before we start.
📷 Then we’ll start the photoshoot in your selected outfit, and with the easiest poses. I usually demonstrate first so you see what we’re going for, and I talk you through all the details, like how to pose your hands, how to relax your face, where to look, all that good stuff. There’s time to settle in and get comfortable while we chat and move through poses.
Unlike a fashion shoot where the model is expected to move every frame, my style is to maximize the angles and shots I get from every pose, so you’re usually staying put for a little while so I can move around you.
✅ Most sessions last a few hours and are designed to feel relaxed and encouraging, even if it’s your first time doing something like this.
✅ You don’t need to know how to pose, bring perfect outfits, or feel confident beforehand. A good boudoir photographer will guide you through the entire experience from start to finish.
Boudoir Session Key Takeaways (TLDR)
• Most clients have never done a photoshoot before
• Professional hair and makeup usually start the experience but is never required.
• Your photographer guides all posing step by step
• Sessions are designed to feel relaxed, supportive, and fun
• The goal is to help you feel beautiful and confident exactly as you are
How Do I Prepare for a Boudoir Photography Session?
I have a longer post exclusively on this topic, but just know we cover it all when we have our Pre-session chat, and before your photoshoot, we’ll go over everything together so you feel prepared and excited for the day. (Want my full pre-session prep checklist? You get it free with the welcome guide when you inquire with me!)
We usually talk about things like:
What to wear, and how to shop your closet first before you buy anything extra!
The style of photos you love (and anything you don’t!)
The overall vibe of your session and how you want your images to feel (soft, romantic, powerful, dramatic, playful, organic, etc.)
Body prep best practices and tips to feel your best leading up to your session (I have some surprising tips!)
Anything else you want to talk about, questions, details
Anything printed you might want like albums, books, polaroids, and wall art.
One thing I’ve noticed after years of boudoir sessions is that clients often worry the most about outfits.
But the truth is that simple pieces often photograph beautifully. Lingerie is wonderful, but cozy sweaters, robes, bodysuits, or even just sheets can create gorgeous images. PSSSST! Deep dive into Everything to wear that’s not lingerie here!
The most important thing is choosing pieces that make you feel comfortable and like yourself.
Do all Boudoir Sessions Offer Hair and Makeup?
Most sessions begin with hair and makeup, and it’s one of the most relaxing parts because you get to sit back, chat, and ease into the day while being pampered.
Professional makeup is designed specifically for photography, which helps your features look polished on camera while still looking natural and like you. My sessions have professional hair & makeup as an optional add on, never as a requirement.
It’s totally up to you if it’s something you want to opt in for, but I don’t want you to feel like you have to in order for your shoot to be successful!
That being said, plenty of clients (at least half!) opt to do their own styling and it’s usually great and helps you feel most naturally like yourself which is so important. It’s totally doable!
How to decide if getting professional makeup done is right for you:
Professional makeup is a great choice for you if:
You never ever wear makeup, you don’t know how to do it, but you want to for this, and just need someone to take care of it (done!)
You want to try something new or out of your comfort zone and don’t want to risk messing it up and want to trust the skills of a pro (great choice!)
You just don’t want to worry about it and want some extra time in the chair to relax and leave it to a pro so it’s one less thing on your plate (honestly, same.)
You have a little extra in your budget and want to treat yourself.
Doing your own makeup is a great choice for you if:
You love playing with makeup and it’s relaxing to you (I did my own wedding makeup for this reason!)
You have a signature style or specific look that you love to do and want to look just like that (You know your face best!)
You are super natural and don’t really want to see or wear any makeup (it’s never required!)
You want to save a little money on the experience.
Do I Need to Know How to Pose for Boudoir Photos?
This is easily the biggest fear people have before their session! The good news is that you don’t need any modeling experience at all.
During your boudoir session, I guide you through every single pose. I’ll show you exactly where to place your hands, how to position your body, and how to move from one pose to the next.
We always start with very simple poses, usually not looking at the camera at all, and then slowly build from there. Most clients tell me that after just a few minutes they stop worrying about the camera and start realizing something surprising.
They’re actually having fun.
Will My Boudoir Photoshoot Feel Awkward?
No! Well, yeah. A little. At first. Unless you’re a self-confidence superstar most people find being photographed in their underwear a little awkward at first (no, really!?) that’s totally normal. But once you settle in a little and get started, I swear it’s not actually awkward, really! Boudoir sessions are usually much more relaxed than people imagine.
There’s music playing, plenty of encouragement and small talk, and lots of guidance along the way. I also build in time between poses so it never feels rushed.
Many clients say their photoshoot ended up feeling more like laughing and hanging out than doing a formal photoshoot. And yes, laughing during a boudoir session is completely normal, encouraged!
When Do I Get to See My Photos?
Some studios do same-day image viewing, but I intentionally don’t. After lots of trial and error, the truth is that after your session, you’re going to be pretty tired, and probably hungry, and it’s really nice to have a little space from your photos before seeing them all. I can definitely show you a few back of camera previews if you want, but most clients opt to wait and see the full finished, edited, color graded art pieces in their final form, instead of wading through a mountain of raw photos right after we take them (exhausting!) let me do that, and go get a drink with a friend or dinner with your partner :)
My turnaround time varies based on my current workload, but I aim for 1-3 weeks to get images to you in a gallery. For printed items you’ll want to add in a week for creation and shipping, with the caveat that rush speeds are possible for last minute deadlines for a fee based on the total.
After I edit your images, I’ll send you a private online gallery to enjoy at your leisure, alternately we can arrange an in-person or virtual viewing to look through them together (more than happy to celebrate with you!)
Over the years, I’ve heard so many clients say the same thing when they see their photos:
“I can’t believe that’s me.”
Because often, it’s the first time they’re seeing themselves the way others see them. Beautiful. Confident. Radiant.
Your favorite images can become stunning albums, wall art, or keepsakes that remind you of this moment in your life.
Is Boudoir Photography Only for Certain People?
Not at all.
Boudoir photography isn’t about being a certain size, age, or personality type. It’s about celebrating yourself exactly as you are right now.
You don’t need to lose weight first.
You don’t need to be a model.
You don’t need to feel confident before you walk in.
In fact, many women book a boudoir session because they want to feel more confident.
And very often, that confidence happens during the experience itself.
I have had clients aged 18 to 80, confident to terrified, introverted to outgoing. I’m here to meet you wherever you are and help create and experience that will help you feel amazing.
Can I travel to work with you? Do you travel to my state or only do Boudoir Photography in Boulder and Denver?
Absolutely! Many clients travel from Boulder, Denver, Fort Collins, and surrounding Colorado areas for their boudoir session. I especially love seeing my northern Colorado friends and mountain town gals, shout out if you’re coming from Aspen, Winter Park, Colorado Springs, I am always so humbled and honored that you drive to see me! I love having out of town guests!
If you’re planning to fly out to work with me, definitely plan a mini-vacation if you can, Boulder is a lovely place to spend a few days and there is plenty to do! Choosing a photographer who specializes in posing and creating a comfortable atmosphere can make all the difference, especially if it’s your first time doing a photoshoot.
I am available to travel as well if you’d like to fly me out, and I do post my travel dates on my website and instagram so make sure you check and see if I’ll be in your area soon! California and Vegas are frequent trips :)
Thinking About Booking a Boudoir Session?
If you’ve been curious about boudoir photography but feel a little unsure, you’re not alone.
But after years of photographing women in my studio, I can tell you that you’ll leave feeling excited, empowered, and incredibly proud of yourself, and that feeling lasts long after the photos are taken.
If you’re thinking about doing a boudoir session and still have questions, you’re always welcome to reach out. I’m happy to help you decide if the experience feels right for you.
I hope this guide was helpful to you and that if you book a boudoir photoshoot it helps you feel more assured and prepared and excited. I really believe everyone should have this experience in their life and the lasting confidence it gives you is invaluable. Hope to hear from you soon!
Petra