Prepping for your session
This guide is FILLED with everything you need to know or didn’t realize you needed to know before your shoot. Lets get down to it!
Prepping for your boudoir session is half the work! We know that you might be experiencing all kinds of anxiety in the days leading up to your session, so proper preparation will help the entire process run smoothly.
ARRIVAL:
Plan to arrive ON TIME for your session. Please do not arrive more than 10 minutes early and please do not be late. There is parking on the streets that is free on the weekends or any day of the week, the MGM Casino parking garage is free all day. You can exit through the stairs and walk straight to State St. You do not need to enter the casino. There are no signs for our studio outside because we are located in a shared office building so look for Sol Karibe and Northern Soul Cafe and the door to our building is right in the middle. It is locked at all times so call/text and we will come let you in!
You’ll arrive at our studio with fresh hair and fresh face. What does this mean exactly? Fresh hair means washed the same day as your session or the night before and FULLY dried.
Fresh face means clean, moisturized face with not an ounce of makeup. Also, get comfy! Wear sweats or even pajama bottoms to the session, or anything that isn’t constrictive and could cause seam lines down your legs. We have robes in the studio that you can change in to if you’d like, but no need to dress to the 9s when you show up.
CLIENT CLOSET/WARDROBE:
We have HUNDREDS of pieces of lingerie in every shape, size, and style, as well as a variety of shoes ranging from sizes 6-11, as well as lots of fun accessories for our clients to wear during their session such as robes, some body jewelry, stockings, etc.
If you plan to wear any of our pieces, you’ll need to bring a pair of nude and a pair of black g-string thong underwear to wear underneath. (Victoria’s Secret, SKIMS, Fashion Nova, Amazon, and Aerie stock them ONLINE.) Should you choose to bring any of your own pieces, be sure to bring items that you not only feel fabulous in, but that fit properly. Jerseys and costume items are not permitted. (We find that they do not give off the overall vibe our clients are looking for, nor do they allow them to show off the amazing shape of a woman’s body. We want to give you the most shape we can and celebrate those curves, so leave the jerseys for those phone selfies!)
GROOMING:
If you shave or wax, please do so within 3 days of your shoot to avoid any redness or bumpiness. Tendskin is wonderful for those of you who are prone to bumps and redness. You do not need to modify your grooming habits to anything you wouldn’t normally do if you do not want to. I promise I am not zooming in on your hoohaw! LOL
Start moisturizing REGULARLY any areas that will be exposed, and pay careful attention to feet to ensure they are groomed, clean, free of dry or calloused skin, and nail polish is not chipped.
Please refrain from all tanning! We will not remove any difficult tan lines, and self tanners can leave residue on our garments. We will not allow the session to continue should we discover that you have gotten a spray tan, as it can ruin our linens, furniture, and lingerie. Do not worry about having no tan or that your skin is pale. Our edits are very warm and glowy, you will look sun kissed without any of the work!
We suggest that if you plan to have your nails done, have fun with color! Hands are everywhere in boudoir photography, and glitter, designs, and painting the ring finger a different color tend to draw the eye away from your beautiful self. Toes can be painted as well but we suggest that you follow the same rules.
STRETCH!!!
Be sure to stretch before your session. We will have you arching and bending. Stretching helps to mitigate unavoidable soreness the next day. Practicing some Light Yoga Flows will get you comfortable with posing if you are totally new at this!
HAIR AND MAKEUP:
If you have makeup ideas for our hair and makeup artist, please bring them. Know that if you haven’t had professional makeup done before, it may feel much more intense than daytime makeup. You might look in the mirror and think she has gone overboard, but trust me – she hasn’t. Camera ready makeup is a little more intense. If you don’t have any ideas on how you’d like your makeup done, simply let her perform her magic based on your wardrobe selections and your overall beauty. She is incredible at doing anything from a natural glow to a total glam look! Makeup application includes full airbrush foundation and fake lashes.
For Hair, We always suggest wearing it down. It allows for me to move and play up your hair in your session. The usual go-to is a voluminous curl of some sort but she can do anything from beachy waves, bombshell curls, or even sleek and straight! If you have naturally curly hair and would like to work with your curl pattern just arrive with your hair dried and she will reform and work your curls. If you prefer a more blown out look blow dry your hair and she will sleek and smooth it and style it from there.
PERIODS AND BREAKOUTS:
Menstruation happens! I swear 7/10 clients realize down the road that their period lines up with their session. You can absolutely still do your session while on your period, we just ask that you wear a cup, tampon, or disc during your shoot and if you use the client closet you will need to use a panty liner which we have in the studio. Be sure to drink lots of lemon water before your session and though you may feel bloated, I promise it will not effect your images. If you are prone to heavy bleeding/cramping please let me know as soon as possible if this will be an issue and I will do my best to reschedule you.
Breakouts and blemishes… Ugh 3 days before your shoot and you get a giant zit on your chin!? Don’t stress. Try to keep it from peeling as much as possible and use WitchHazel, this will help clear it up. Our HMUA will cover and blend it for you and I will touch up anything noticeable like blemishes and bruises while editing. It will be like it never even happened. ;)
INJURIES AND LIMITATIONS:
My poses are meant to be modified. I will check with you throughout your session to make sure you are comfortable and able to do a pose but please let me know if you have any past injuries or limitations that may effect your flexibility. I will always modify poses to work best for YOU not the other way around. The same goes for your comfort level, I will check in with you throughout the session to make sure you are comfortable both mentally and physically. Please speak up if you have any hesitation about a pose, outfit or idea. I want my studio to be a safe place and I never want a client to feel like they did something they were uncomfortable with.
FRIENDS AND FAMILY:
While we understand there might be some anxiety leading up to your session and you may want to bring moral support, We allow you to bring ONE guest with you for the hair and makeup portion of the session but ask they they run off to grab coffee or hang out outside the studio during the shoot itself. We want you to have the opportunity to let your guard down completely and not have an audience or feel embarrassed. Likewise, children are NEVER permitted. Please make sure whoever you are bringing with you is the BEST hype person in your life. I will kick out anyone who is even remotely negative!
We are so excited to work with you and create gorgeous, timeless artwork that represents how gorgeous you are!
Shelby Chari
Mon Chari Boudoir
Have more questions??