The first question I get after a woman books — sometimes the same day, before she's told anyone else — is "what do I wear?" It's the one part of the session you can see coming, and the part that feels like it's on you. So here's what I tell every one of them, starting with the part most women don't expect.
You don't have to figure this out alone
Styling help comes with your session, so you're never left staring at your closet on your own. By the time you walk through the door, what you're wearing is already settled. Nobody shows up guessing.
So read the rest of this as a head start, not homework.
What photographs well
The pieces that work in front of a camera all have one thing in common: they follow the shape of your body. Posing is most of what makes a boudoir photograph, and your outfit has to move with you — when you arch, when you turn, when you lie back.
A simple bodysuit does that better than almost anything. It stays where it's put, it shows your shape, and it gives us more poses to work with than any other piece you could bring. A two-piece set works the same way if you're happy showing a little more skin.
Beyond those two, think fitted. Lace or satin that sits against you. Something sheer over a bodysuit if you want layers to play with. A robe you can open and close.
The one thing I'll ask you to leave at home
Babydolls. I know. They're the first thing most women reach for, and they're pretty on the hanger. The problem is posing. A babydoll doesn't follow the curve of your body — it hangs away from you, and the second you move, it bunches and falls oddly. The photo ends up being about the fabric instead of about you, and it costs you shots. If it's already in your bag, put it back.
How much you show is your call
Some women want the covered end: a sweater slipping off one shoulder, a man's shirt, a bodysuit and nothing else. Some want the bold end. Most want both, in the same session. All of it photographs beautifully, and you decide where the line is. Nobody here will push you past where you're comfortable, and nobody thinks less of a covered look — some of the most striking images we've made are the quiet ones.
If you want your face in some photographs and not others, say so. It's a normal request and an easy one.
Bring something that's yours
The outfits women love most in their gallery are usually the ones with a story. Something from your wedding. His shirt. The piece you bought for yourself the week you decided to do this. Bring it and tell us why — we'll build a session around it.
The small things that matter more on camera than in the mirror
- Fit over size. Something that fits you well photographs better than something a size down. Pulling and gaping shows. Comfort doesn't.
- Go loose the morning of. Tight waistbands and bra straps leave marks that take hours to fade. Wear something soft on the drive in.
- Get your nails done. Hands end up in more frames than you'd think.
And if you'd rather not think about any of this
That's the point. Book the consult and the styling help comes with it. You turn up with a bag, and you already know everything in it works.
[Book a consult →](https://kimberlyminorphotography.com/contact-us)
