What Actually Happens During a Boudoir Session From Start to Finish

If you’ve ever thought about booking a boudoir session but hesitated because you weren’t sure what actually happens, you’re not alone. Most clients arrive excited, nervous, and full of questions. That’s completely normal. So let’s walk through the experience from start to finish so you know exactly what to expect.

Yes, including the wedgies. The intentional ones.

When You Arrive at the Studio

When you arrive, we ease into things. No camera in your face right away. We start with a tour of the studio so you can see the sets available. Each Experience includes a specific number of sets, and you’ll choose which ones you want to use based on your comfort level, personality, and overall vibe.

Once sets are selected, we plan wardrobe. We pair one outfit with one set. This keeps the session moving efficiently while making sure each look feels intentional instead of rushed or chaotic.

This part is relaxed and collaborative. You’re never guessing or on the spot.

Hair and Makeup

Four out of five sessions include professional hair and makeup.

If your Experience includes it, makeup comes first, followed by hair. Makeup can be soft and natural or full glam. There’s no single look you’re expected to choose. This is about how you want to feel, not fitting into a preset box.

Hair is typically styled in soft curls. Nothing stiff or overly structured. We’ll be moving, posing, flipping, and adjusting throughout the session, so softer hair photographs better and holds up longer. Structured, frozen styles don’t survive boudoir very well, and we want your hair to move with you.

If your Experience does not include hair and makeup, you’ll arrive ready to go, and we’ll still take time to settle in, review outfits, and ease into shooting.

Getting Into Your First Outfit

Once hair and makeup are finished, or once we’re ready to start for sessions without it, you’ll change into your first outfit. I help with final adjustments and make sure everything is sitting where it should.

This is also where an important announcement is made.

This is a wedgie-positive space.

Not only will I tell you when to adjust things, there are certain shots where I will guide you to intentionally adjust your outfit for the best lines and curves. It may feel awkward for about two seconds. Then you see the photos and it all makes sense.

The Shooting Part aka You Don’t Need to Know How to Pose

You do not need modeling experience. You don’t need to practice poses. You don’t need to know your angles.

I demo every pose first and then talk you through how to do it yourself. I guide you through hand placement, body angles, posture, facial expression, and breathing. You are never left guessing what comes next.

We move through each set and outfit at a comfortable pace. If something doesn’t feel flattering or comfortable, we change it. This is fully guided, collaborative, and supportive from start to finish.

Most clients are surprised by how natural it starts to feel once we get going.

Wrapping Things Up

After we finish shooting, you’ll change back into your normal clothes and we’ll sit down to talk through next steps. I’ll explain image delivery timing, how the ordering process works, and answer any remaining questions.

By this point, most clients feel relaxed, confident, and a little surprised at how much fun they just had.

The Takeaway

A boudoir session isn’t about performing or pretending to be someone else. It’s about being guided, supported, and photographed in a way that shows you what everyone else already sees.

You show up. I handle the rest.

Including the wedgies.