Figuring out what to wear for your photoshoot can be intimidating, but don't sweat it - we can do a lot with very simple, minimal pieces. Here's some tips to think about your wardrobe options.

Only Bring What You Love

If you're on the fence about an item, don't bring it. The sexiest thing you can wear is confidence. If a certain piece makes you feel less than great, skip it. You don't need me as a second opinion if a big part of you is saying no - that's ok, listen to it. That said, if a bunch of items spark joy for you...bring them all!

If you want it in the shoot, bring it

If your Pinterest board has any props you want (such as veils, flowers, books, tea cups, heels, etc.) make sure you bring them. If there's anything you want to know if I have on hand at the studio, make sure you ask ahead of time.

Try On Everything You Bring BEFORE The Shoot

I have had many, many times where someone brings an entire suitcase full of belongings and I ask, "what do you feel the best in" and in response I get..."I don't know, I'm trusting you." Yes, please trust me to take amazing photos of you, but also realize that...I'm not a magical wizard of lingerie who can see a tangled up suitcase of schtuff and know exactly what will look great on you. I don't know what fits you and what doesn't and we're not going to do an entire fashion show before the shoot. You're welcome to try things on and take a photo and send it to me before the shoot and I will gladly give opinions! But you do need to edit before the shoot - how do you feel in the pieces you're bringing? Yes, bring variety so we can have fun with different colors and textures and styles...but make sure they all fit, look tidy, and you like wearing them.

Think Outside the Lingerie Box

Be creative! Show your personality! Pair a crop top with a cheeky bottom, your favorite band t shirt with stockings, wear just an oversized sweater or button up shirt, put a bra (or nothing) under a blazer, live your Janis Joplin fantasy and don a ridiculous amount of jewelry with nothing else, a bra and just a skirt, wear nothing but a towel or sheet. Traditional lingerie is of course welcome, but don't feel like you need to go out and get a full garter set because you're doing a boudoir shoot. My Pinterest board is FULL of boudoir images showcasing personality, unique outfits, cute, playful, sultry, free women wearing all kinds of things. Get inspired!

Get Fitted

Wearing a properly fitted bra set is super important - an improperly fitting set will dig into your skin, which is both uncomfortable and not a good look, and won't properly support or accentuate your features. Here's an article on measuring your bra size that is helpful if you can't make it into a local spot. But I highly recommend going to a local lingerie boutique to support a small business and be properly fitted. And if you're wearing thigh highs, go a size or two up to that they don't dig in and give you muffin top legs. Remember, all your items should lay flat against your skin - so go a size up if you need to. Are they creating indentations in your body that aren't there without that piece? That's a sure sign it's too small.

Avoid:

Small, busy patterns (which don't photograph well)
Neon colors (they can cast weird colors on your face/body)
Ill fitting items (too tight/too loose)
Worn out items with stains, holes, pilling fabric
Wrinkled clothes (press beforehand)
Loose baby doll lingerie (it will make you look bigger)

Consider:

Artistic nudes
Blazers
Body suits (highly recommended for all body types)
High waisted panties
Simple bra/bralette
Ultra revealing cocktail dresses
Fitted slips
Crop tops
Torn up short shorts ala Daisy Duke
Silk button up blouses
Pumps with a thin heel

Black, White, & Nude Underwear

I have several one size pieces such as robes, kimonos, jackets, etc in the studio wardrobe that you're welcome to wear. Just BYOU (bring your own underwear). At the minimum, a black and nude-to-you color set will work perfectly.

Sideless Thongs

If you're interested in doing artistic nude, or implied nude, shots but don't want to actually be nude - consider getting a sideless thong (also called strapless panty or a c-thong). This is a thong with adhesive strips that attach to your body and keep your lady bits covered while not showing a panty line. Find an example of this in my Amazon list The other option is to get a thin g-string thong (like the super duper itsy bitsy string), but make sure you get a size or two up from what you would normally wear so that it's not digging into your skin - it should fit smoothly, with no crease in the skin. Most of my clients who do nude just go nude, so this is not at all required.

Add Variety!

If you bring 5 different bra and panty sets, there's only so much variety that we can work with. Try to bring something light, something dark, something modest, something revealing, something formal, something casual, etc. If you're unsure about styling, bring several items and I can do the styling for you! Likely we'll do 4-5 outfits, but you're welcome to bring more so we have lots of options. But please try on everything before you bring it and have some idea of your favorites.

Amazon List

I made an Amazon list to help get you started with some wardrobe choices. This is definitely not meant to be exhaustive, but can give you a good head start on searching around. I highly recommend everyone getting a body suit of some kind because they're just so flattering on everyone. Most of the list is showing black items, but feel free to use these links as a jumping off point for color items. Check out my Amazon list here (that one is mostly body suits, not lingerie). Here's a link to curvy girl specific options.

Continue below to see dressing for your body type

DRESSING FOR YOUR BODY TYPE

CURVY BODIES

Wear form fitting items! Think bodysuits, tight dresses, and nothing at all….especially for voluptuous bombshells. Loose items will make you look bigger and shapeless. The exception here is for sheer/see through items (such as chiffon or lace robes), but even then make sure it has a defined waist.
Defining your waist is essential. You can do this through corsets, especially "basque" styles that have a waist cinch or line around the waist. You can also opt for high waisted panties that really help to accentuate the waist.
Remember I will pose you so that we can see your figure and celebrate it!

SQUISHY MIDDLE BITS

If you're super self-conscious about your middle bits...please bring things other than two-pieces. (This really depends on how self-conscious you are about your belly - if the only time is when you're sitting down and you see some squish you'll be fine in a two-piece.) You're better off sticking to fuller coverage items. So if you do decide on a two piece, opt for high waisted bottoms. But for most of your wardrobe, think items like slips, sheer dresses, chemise lingerie, corsets, and body suits. Avoid any "baby doll" one pieces with excess fabric around your middle though because they wind up making you look bigger. You can also be draped in a white sheet or a blanket, or look good in an oversized sweater. Make sure you try on everything before the shoot.

FLAT-BUTTS

V Shape booties should stay away from V shaped bottoms (thongs or any type of bottom that has a strong taper like a V).
Opt for fuller coverage bottoms, like boy shorts, briefs, bikinis, full panties
Go for details: colors, patterns, lace, scalloped edges, anything that creates for visual weight at the bottom of your booties. Even the cute silky lounge/nightwear bottoms (as long as they're short enough to see some booty peeking out)
Play around in the mirror with different styles to see what you like best. And don’t worry, I’m a PRO at creating curves in posing where there aren’t any otherwise! I can get a killer booty shot with any level of curve (or lack thereof).

SHORTER LEGS

High waisted bottoms, especially with high leg openings will give you legs for days
High heels with a THIN heel rather than chunky! Avoid shoes with thick ankle straps or a square toe. Nude shoes naturally elongate the legs.

THIN/NO CURVE

That’s all in the posing-girl! Form fitting options and nothing at all work great as I pose the heck out of you to make you look and feel bodacious.
Consider thinner straps to make your body look bigger, or add details like lace and scalloped edges, so long as they aren't so big they're swallowing you up
Teddies and body suits can be very flattering - especially the ones with high waist/leg openings
Pull your thong up to sit on top of your hip bones or even all the way to your waist to give more curve

SMALL CHEST

Underwires and bralettes are lovely, as well as NO BRA AT ALL (my personal favorite for small chested women!) And also, small boobs rock. So please don’t feel the NEED to create extra “oomph” unless it’s something that really concerns you.
If you're "pear" shaped and want to balance out your curvy bottom, try a top that has either a wide neck line and/or has some flowy fabric up top

MOM BOOBS

If your breasts are a bit lower or “floppier” than you’d like them to be, just be sure to snag a bra with some support, or form fitting bodysuits that will keep them at bay. You'll also find some boob lifting nipple covers in my amazon shopping list. Posing will play a huge role here, and I’m really good at that. So…bring your mom boobs my way and we’ll embrace the hell out of them!

SURGERY SCARS & STRETCH MARKS

My personal belief is that scars tell a story. Sometimes clients wish they didn’t have to be permanently reminded of that story, and other times, clients embrace their scars and say they’re a part of them. For this reason, I will never edit out a scar or stretch mark unless a client specifically requests it….and if they do, in fact, request that retouching, I will happily do that at no additional charge. This is a VERY personal topic and it’s not my decision to make. I welcome scars and stretch marks, but I also support a woman’s choice in the matter.

Trust The Process

We're all in different places on the journey on loving our bodies. I want to show you how beautiful your body is. Maybe you haven't seen photographs of yourself that you love yet, but I'm here to change that. Posing, lighting, angles, and just helping you to relax will all go a long way in showing you the best possible way that your body can look. All you've got to do is show up, and I'll take it from there.

Places to buy lingerie:

I hate to say it, but in a pinch you can find a fair amount of good stuff on Amazon.

Other online retailers:

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WHAT TO WEAR & HOW TO DRESS FOR YOUR BODY TYPE