The short answer: anything that makes you feel spectacular. The longer answer is below, because “anything” is not much help when you are standing in front of your wardrobe the night before. This is the practical advice I give every client, from lingerie fit to what to wear in the car on the way.
Start with how you want to feel
Before you think about specific pieces, think about the mood. Do you want the photos to feel soft and romantic, bold and powerful, or relaxed and playful? Soft usually means ivory, lace, sheer fabrics and morning light. Bold means black, structure, heels and stronger shadows. Playful might be your partner’s shirt, a rugby jersey or a big knit and bare legs.
Pick one or two moods and let the outfits follow. It makes your gallery feel coherent instead of like four different shoots stuck together. We talk this through at the consultation, so you do not have to decide alone.
Lingerie: fit matters more than fashion
The most common lingerie mistake is size, not style. Pieces that are too small dig in and create lines that were not there before. Pieces that are too big gape when you move. If you are buying something new, consider getting properly fitted, and try everything on at home, sitting and lying down as well as standing.
Styles that photograph well on most bodies include:
- Bodysuits. One clean line from shoulder to hip, flattering when lying down and seated.
- High-waisted briefs. They define the waist and stay put in every pose.
- Bralettes and soft-cup bras. Comfortable, unstructured and easy to move in.
- Matching sets. Simple and timeless. A good set in black or ivory is never wrong.
Take tags off before you arrive, and wear new pieces around the house for an hour so you know they are comfortable.
Beyond lingerie
Some of the best boudoir images involve no lingerie at all. A crisp white shirt, buttoned once or left open, is a classic for good reason. An oversized knit jumper with bare legs feels cosy and intimate. A silk robe adds movement every time you turn. Jeans and a simple singlet are relaxed and very you, if that is your everyday style. A plain sheet from the bed is endlessly adaptable and lets you choose exactly how much to show.
Something with a story behind it works well too: your partner’s shirt, the jersey of the team you both follow, or, for brides, your veil. The bridal boudoir page has more on that.
Plan three or four looks
In a session of up to 90 minutes, three or four outfits is the sweet spot. Fewer, and the gallery can feel repetitive. More, and you spend the session getting changed instead of being photographed. Bring one or two spares so we can choose together on the day.
I usually suggest arranging them from most covered to least. Starting in a knit or a shirt gives you time to settle in. By the time you reach the lingerie, you will be warmed up, laughing and far more relaxed than you expected.
Stockings, heels and accessories
Heels lengthen the legs even when you are lying down, so bring a pair if you like them, even if you never wear them out. Stockings, with or without a suspender belt, add texture and a classic feel. Keep jewellery simple: a fine necklace, earrings that mean something, your rings. If you wear glasses every day, bring them. A frame or two with glasses on can look more like you than any without.
Hair, makeup and nails
Do what you would do for a big night out, then add a little more, because the camera softens makeup. Lashes and a defined brow make a real difference. Matte or satin finishes photograph better than a heavy shimmer. For hair, loose waves are the most versatile and move beautifully when you lie down or turn your head. Nails do not need to be done, but chipped polish shows, so either fresh or bare.
You might like to book your own hair and makeup artist for the morning of the shoot. It is not essential, but it can be a lovely part of the day and helps you feel ready before the first frame.
What to avoid
- Tight clothes on the way. Waistbands, bra straps and socks leave marks that take time to fade. Arrive in something loose.
- A fresh fake tan. Streaks and patchy palms show up. If you tan, do it a few days ahead.
- Very busy prints and neon. They pull the eye away from you.
- Anything you are not comfortable in. If you keep adjusting it, it will show. Leave it at home.
Outfits for each setting
A hotel suite suits lingerie, robes and heels, with crisp bedding and big windows doing a lot of the work. A studio gives full control over light, so bolder colours and structured pieces shine there. At home, your own clothes and bed make the most personal images, and knits and shirts feel right at home. Outdoors in Wellington, plan for the wind: layers, a long coat or robe between frames, and pieces that move well rather than anything that needs to sit perfectly still.
Not sure which setting suits your wardrobe? Have a look at boudoir sessions in Wellington, then send me a message and we will match the outfits to the place. Once you know what you are wearing, the boudoir poses guide shows how it all comes together.