As a boudoir photographer, I’ve seen it all—lace, laughter, and the occasional “I can’t believe I’m doing this!” moment. Let me take you on a journey through a typical (though hilariously unpredictable) day in the studio.
9:00 AM – Chai and Confidence The day begins with a strong cup of tea, because no one ever captured the perfect sultry gaze on an empty caffeine tank. As I sip my liquid motivation, I physically prepare for the day’s session, cleaning, making the beds, etc. Then I sit down and review the pre boudoir questionnaire which let’s me know a little more about my client today, what she’s looking for, what she likes, doesn’t like, and more. My client, let’s call her Sarah (because everyone knows a Sarah), arrives promptly at 10:00, nervous but excited. She’s never done anything like this before, and the mixture of nerves and anticipation is palpable.
10:00 AM – The Pep Talk The first few minutes are spent chatting, easing Sarah’s nerves. I casually mention that everyone feels nervous at first. I show her the studio space, all the sets, and then we head up front for hair and makeup. Just like that, the atmosphere shifts from “OMG what am I doing?” to “I’m ready to rock this!”
10:10AM – The Glam Squad Before we dive into the wardrobe, it’s time for the real magic to happen—hair and makeup! Enter the glam squad, the unsung heroes of boudoir photography. My hair and makeup artist, who I’m convinced has magical powers, greets Sarah with a warm smile and immediately sets to work.
This part is like watching an artist with a canvas. Sarah’s nerves start to melt away as she gets pampered and prepped. The conversation flows naturally, with everything from the best dry shampoo (because who has time to wash their hair every day?) to the latest Netflix obsession. By the time the makeup brushes have danced across Sarah’s face, she’s transformed—not just in appearance, but in attitude too.
Professional hair and makeup do more than just enhance your features; they build confidence from the inside out. And honestly, who wouldn’t feel like a million bucks with perfectly winged eyeliner and voluminous curls?
11:00 AM – Wardrobe Wonderland We dive into the wardrobe selection, where Sarah lays out an array of lacy, silky, and sometimes sparkly options. It’s like playing dress-up but with much better lingerie. She picks up a red number and says, “I feel like this one says ‘I’m confident,’ but this black one says ‘I know how to take control.’” We both laugh, agreeing that lingerie has a language of its own.
11:15 AM – Pose Like a Pro We start with some simple poses to break the ice. I guide Sarah through each one, demonstrating by striking poses myself. Yes, I do get into the poses too—just imagine a fully clothed photographer attempting a seductive pose. It’s as funny as it sounds. Sarah loosens up as we laugh about how ridiculous I look trying to balance on one leg while holding my camera at the same time.
12:00 PM – The Arch Incident We’re mid-session when the inevitable happens: the quintessential boudoir arch pose. You know the one, where you’re supposed to look effortlessly sexy but you’re balancing on the top of your head and your tippy toes while arching like a mad woman. Sarah attempts it, and we both crack up when she ends up looking more like a drunk cat than a boudoir goddess. But hey, that’s the beauty of boudoir—embracing the real, the raw, and the ridiculously fun. After another demo and some more guidance, she nails the pose.
12:30 PM – The Magic of Lighting (and Snacks) Now, it’s time to get the lighting just right. I adjust my setup while Sarah takes a quick snack break and outfit change. Because let’s be real, posing like a diva is hard work, and those granola bars won’t eat themselves. With the lighting perfected, we dive back in. This time, Sarah is fully in the zone, channeling her inner supermodel. The camera loves her, and so do I.
1:00 PM – Wrapping Up and Reviewing the Magic After the session comes to an end, Sarah packs up and heads to lunch because boudoir is a workout and at this point she’s hungry. While she’s enjoying lunch, I’m culling and editing the photos.
2:00 PM – Sarah is a mix of “Is that really me?!” and “Wow, I look amazing!” while she clicks through her final images. There’s nothing more satisfying than seeing a client realize just how stunning they are. Sarah narrows down the images to her favorites, we finalize product picks, album covers, and metal choices, and then she’s done!
3:00 PM – The Goodbye and the Afterglow Sarah leaves with a newfound confidence. I’m left with a memory card full of images and a heart full of joy. Another day, another amazing client, and another reminder that boudoir isn’t just about the photos—it’s about the experience, the laughter, and the little moments that make each session uniquely beautiful.
And as I shut down the studio for the day, I can’t help but smile. Because tomorrow, there’ll be another Sarah, another boudoir arching incident, and another story to tell.
Cheers to that!
