What to wear for your boudoir photo shoot at the Chicago Boudoir Photography studio
Never done a boudoir photo shoot before and not sure what to wear? We’ve got you covered!
Three reasons to stop stressing about your boudoir photo shoot wardrobe:
We’ll be with you every step of the way. This guide will give you lots of tips on what to wear and answer most of your questions. Still not sure? Give us a call/text anytime!
The photo shoot is more about YOU and less about your wardrobe. When you look at a Victoria’s Secret catalog, the photos are more about the bra than they are about the woman - because they are selling bras! But your photo shoot will focus more on YOU and your unique beauty than it will focus on the outfits you are wearing.
We can make just about anything look good on camera. Promise!
TIPS
You are welcome to bring a variety of outfits and we will help you select the best ones for the camera.
The most important thing is to bring clothing items that fit you properly. If you love your wardrobe items, then you will feel confident — and that confidence will show in your photos! If you don’t love it, don’t bring it.
Try on everything before you come into the studio. Fit is more important than style.
Keep the tags on items that you might want to return if you don’t use everything during your shoot.
You don’t have to bare everything. A bodysuit or corset that covers your middle is often just as sexy (or even more so!) than a bra and panty set. Other items that cover a bit (but don’t cover everything!) are robes, stockings, high-waisted panties and garter belts.
Anything with a little texture will photograph well, including lace, mesh, beading or metal studs.
Black lingerie is always classic and sexy. Jewel tones such as purple, navy, red, turquoise and crimson also look good on almost everyone.
BRA & PANTY SETS
A matching bra & panty set in virtually any color or pattern is guaranteed to look great in your photo shoot.
TYPES OF PANTIES
In most cases, panties with a bit of lace and/or coverage (left) will photograph better than a G-string. However, there is one shot we love to do if you bring a great thong (right)!
BODYSUITS
I highly recommend bodysuits! Bodysuits are incredibly flattering on any body type and photograph really well. Bodysuits are sexy and also provide a bit more coverage than a bra and panty set without sacrificing style. Bodysuits come in many styles and look great with and without sleeves. Check out examples here, starting first with lacy bodysuits:
Strappy bodysuits and also super sexy and photograph beautifully:
Bodysuits with sleeves are also fabulous:
SHAPEWEAR
We recommend bringing at least one wardrobe item that has a little bit of lift, boning or wiring for extra shaping, such as a push-up bra. Shapewear works great for lifting and sculpting your curves. Look for slips that have the built in cups for extra support.
SHIRTS
An off-the-shoulder sweater or an oversized man’s shirt creates a sexy casual vibe.
NEXT-TO-NOTHING
Of course, for one of your looks, you are welcome to next-to-nothing or nothing at all ;) Our studio doesn’t offer highly erotic images (like crotch shots), but we are happy to shoot partial or implied nudity.
Here are our recommendations for lingerie shopping:
Our favorite in-store shopping in the Chicago area: Nordstrom / Victoria's Secret / Journelle / La Perla
Favorite places to shop online: Mentionables / Adore Me / La Senza
Budget picks: Yandy / H&M / Frederick’s of Hollywood / Forever21
Bridal lingerie: BHLDN Bridal / Claire Pettibone
Sites that carry curvy sizes: Torrid / Harlow & Fox / Hips & Curves / Burgundy Fox
More places to check out: ASOS / L’Agent (by Agent Provacatuer) / Oh la la Cheri / Anthropologie / For Love & Lemons / Free People /Anya Lust
SHOES
You will need at least one pair of fabulous high-heeled shoes for your boudoir photo shoot. And the higher the heel, the better!
We have black heels with red soles in sizes 5, 6, 7, 7.5, 8, 8.5, 9, 10 and 11 at the studio that you are welcome to wear for your shoot.
You may want to bring a pair of black shoes (to wear with your dark colored lingerie) AND a pair of nude or metallic shoes (to wear with lighter colored lingerie).
If you are getting married, bring your wedding shoes.
Before you come to the studio, peel off any labels or stickers and clean the soles of your shoes. The bottoms of your shoes are likely to show in many of your pictures. If your shoes are old and worn-out, it will likely show in the photos.
JEWELRY
Chunky necklaces, a long strand of pearls or a sentimental piece of jewelry are all great ways to add a bit of bling to your boudoir images. Bracelets and earrings will also look great with your lingerie. We also have a selection of earrings and necklaces at the studio that you are welcome to borrow.
HOSIERY
We love hosiery. Thigh-high stockings are a great addition to almost any lingerie outfit. Stockings can be worn with or without a garter belt. We recommend all varieties of thigh-highs: black, white, fishnet, lace – you just can’t go wrong. Not a fan? No worries - bare legs look great on camera too!
BRIDAL ACCESSORIES
If you are getting married, consider bringing your bridal accessories to your boudoir shoot, including your wedding garter, veil, shoes and engagement ring. We have garters, veils in various length and pearls at the studio that you can borrow for your shoot.
OTHER ITEMS
You are welcome to bring other wardrobe items to personalize your shoot, such as an off-the-shoulder sweater, a lace robe, a tank top, a sports jersey, a coffee mug, his police uniform shirt, a golf club or a special piece of jewelry. You are welcome to bring anything that makes YOU feel sexy!
We have the following items at the studio that you are welcome to borrow for your shoot: a man’s white shirt, a Chicago Cubs jersey, lace robes (white, red, black & pink), black heels with red soles, long pearl necklaces, sparkly earrings, bridal veils and bridal garters.
