Keep in Mind:

Remember that this is a once in a lifetime photoshoot and these images are buy-it-for-life (how many things do we have like that anymore?!)
Invest in yourself! This experience will pay off in the decades to come, as you will treasure these images more with every passing year
Purchasing one or two high quality items is better than several low quality items

Places To Buy Lingerie:

Consider buying your lingerie at a brick & mortar store so that you can try it on.

In Person Stores To Consider:

Aubergine Vintage Emporium, Petaluma (Vintage store with tons of lingerie. So many unique pieces to try!)
Honey Birdette, Santa Clara (She's spendy but worth it!)
EVGENIA, Nicasio (My fav lingerie in the world & it's in Marin County!!)
Victoria's Secret (search for your closest store)
Department stores
Vintage stores
Mall shops
In a pinch I've even seen some decent stuff at Target
Do a search for "lingerie store" in your maps app of choice and you'll find ones local to you (sometimes it's a regular store that has an intimates section)
Local naughty shops or costume shops - some of them have quality stuff, but often it's a lot of cheap pieces but at least you'd be able to try it on

Online retailers:

If you're going to purchase online:

Take your measurements and compare them to the website's size chart
Consider buying multiple sizes and returning what doesn't fit
Give yourself plenty of time before the shoot in case you need to exchange/return

Amazon, Temu, Shein

It's best to avoid Amazon, Temu, Shein, & other shops like them
The quality and fit are generally very bad
I've seen too many women bring in items that are cheaply made and poorly fitting and it shows

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.

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

We love traditional lingerie, but consider having one outfit that's different. 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. 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:

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 Instead:

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 Most of my clients who do nude just go nude, so this is not at all required.

Add Variety!

If you bring only black 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.

Likely we'll do 3-4 outfits, but you're welcome to bring a couple extra options. But please try on everything before you bring it and have some idea of your favorites.

Continue below to see dressing for your body type

DRESSING FOR YOUR BODY TYPE

CURVY BODIES

Wear form fitting items! Loose items will make you look bigger and shapeless. The exception here is for sheer/see through items (such as chiffon), 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.
High waisted panties will really help to accentuate your waist
Bodysuits, fitted teddies, corsets, dresses, bra/panty sets with high waists
Remember I will pose you so that we can see your figure and celebrate it!

Hip Dips

If hip dips bother you, consider bottoms that are fuller/have more fabric.
Styles to consider: briefs, high waisted panties, boyshorts, hipster, etc.
Styles to avoid: G-string, thong, and potentially bikini (if it's a fuller bikini it could work)
For body suits you might like the look of fuller coverage better (e.g. ones that cover the tops of your hips
For hip dips, I can create flattering shapes thru posing so if one of your outfits has a thong we can work with it, but try to avoid bringing only thongs

SQUISHY MIDDLE BITS

If you're super self-conscious about your middle bits...please bring things other than two-pieces. (As in, don't make 2 pieces your entire photoshoot wardrobe)
One two piece set is all good, but bring a variety of other styles as well.
If you do decide on a two piece, consider high waisted bottoms.
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 booty. 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.

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

Lace 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 you really like the look of.
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 with cups. You can also find some boob lifting nipple covers if you want extra gravity defying help. 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.

Consider the Backdrop Options

You'll be able to choose between 3 different backdrop options. You'll only have ONE option at your shoot, but we can create many different looks from that one backdrop. See the options below and think about finding outfits that will coordinate with the one you're drawn to.

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WHAT TO WEAR & HOW TO DRESS FOR YOUR BODY TYPE