Ask a Boudoir Photographer: "I want to do a boudoir photoshoot, but I don't own any lingerie!"
Do I Need Lingerie for a Boudoir Photoshoot?
Question:
“Hi Chicago Boudoir, I’ve been thinking about doing a boudoir photoshoot for a while, but there’s one thing that’s stopping me. I’ve literally never worn lingerie before. I don’t own any and I wouldn’t even know where to start. Do I need to have lingerie to do a boudoir session?”
Answer from Chicago Boudoir:
Nope! You absolutely do NOT need to own lingerie to have a boudoir photoshoot. And trust me, you are definitely not the only woman who has said this to us!
A lot of women come into the studio saying, “I have no idea what I'm supposed to wear!” Some have never owned lingerie before, and some have never even worn it before. That’s completely okay.
You don't need to be a lingerie expert, or even consider yourself a “lingerie person” to have an amazing boudoir session!
Helping you figure out what to wear is part of what we do!
You Don’t Have to Be a “Lingerie Person”
Boudoir isn't just for women who already have a drawer full of lace and heels.
Some women arrive at the studio with outfits they’ve been saving for years. Others show up with a couple of simple pieces they bought specifically for their session. And some women have never bought lingerie in their lives.
There is no right or wrong way to prepare for you boudoir photoshoot and everyone is different on how they find their personal lingerie style!
Your boudoir photos should feel like you—just maybe a slightly more confident, dressed-up, “look at me!” version of you.
And that might mean a gorgeous lace set. Or a bodysuit. Or a robe. Or something completely different.
You don't have to become a lingerie person to do boudoir.
Boudoir Outfits Can Be Surprisingly Simple
You don't need a complicated lingerie wardrobe to create beautiful boudoir photos.
A lace bodysuit, a pretty bra and underwear set, an oversized button-down shirt, a robe, a sweater or even something you already have in your closet can photograph beautifully.
Sometimes the simplest outfits are my favorites because the focus stays on you—not the outfit.
The lighting, posing and way we photograph you are what create the finished image. Your outfit is just one piece of the whole picture.
We Give You a Lingerie Guide (With Photos and Links)
Once you book your session, we don't just send you off to figure out your outfits on your own.
We go over what to expect for a boudoir photoshoot at Chicago Boudoir, and you'll receive our lingerie guide with photos, outfit inspiration, shopping suggestions and tips to help you figure out what will photograph beautifully.
And if you want an easy place to start shopping, you can also check out our Amazon lingerie shopping list, where we've already rounded up some of our favorite options to help make the shopping process easy for you!
We Also Have Pieces at the Studio
We have a variety of pieces and accessories at the studio that you are welcome to incorporate into your session, including robes, shoes, button-down shirts, jewelry and other styling pieces.
We don't provide bras or underwear for hygiene reasons, but these studio pieces can be really fun for layering and creating different looks.
Sometimes a simple bra and underwear set plus a gorgeous robe and a little jewelry is all you need for a completely different look.
Can You Do a Boudoir Photoshoot Without Lingerie?
Absolutely! Lingerie is not a requirement for boudoir photography.
Some women love lingerie. Some don't. And some want their photos to feel more romantic, cozy, artistic or even a little playful.
You can create beautiful images with a robe, an oversized shirt, a sweater, soft sheets, blankets or other pieces that feel more comfortable to you.
Boudoir is about the way you feel, not checking a box that says “wear lingerie.”
We can work together to create looks that feel like you and still give you those gorgeous, confidence-boosting boudoir images you're hoping for.
You Only Need a Few Pieces
You don't need to show up with a suitcase full of lingerie!
Most women bring 1–3 outfits for their session, and we can create multiple looks from each one by changing accessories, adding a robe or layering different pieces.
A few well-chosen outfits can give us plenty to work with.
And remember, you don't have to buy three brand-new lingerie sets just because you're doing a boudoir photoshoot. Bring things you already own, shop for something new, borrow something fun—or use some of the pieces we have at the studio.
We Help You Style Everything
One of my favorite parts of the process is helping women figure out what actually works in front of the camera.
When you arrive at the studio, we'll look through what you brought and decide together which pieces will photograph best.
Sometimes it's as simple as adding a robe, changing the way a piece is worn or adding some jewelry or shoes.
And if something you brought doesn't work the way you imagined? No big deal. We simply move on to something else.
You won't be standing in the studio wondering, “Okay...now what?” I've got you every step of the way!
You Might Surprise Yourself
One funny thing we hear from women all the time after their session is this: “I can’t believe I almost didn’t do this.”
Many women who had never worn lingerie before their photoshoot end up loving how they look and how confident they feel during the experience.
When you've never worn lingerie before, it's easy to assume it's just “not you.” But sometimes seeing yourself photographed in something completely outside your normal wardrobe can be a really fun experience.
You may discover that you actually do like lace. Or bodysuits. Or that little black robe you've never would have picked for yourself.
And you might discover that the woman looking back at you in those photos is more confident, sexy and comfortable in her skin than you realized! Hear real boudoir testimonials from woman at Chicago Boudoir!
Ready to Plan Your Boudoir Photoshoot?
If the only thing standing between you and a boudoir session is “But I don't own any lingerie!”—I hope we've officially taken that excuse off the list.
You don't need a lingerie drawer. You don't need to know how to pose. And you definitely don't need to know exactly what you're doing before you walk through our studio doors.
A quick phone consultation is a great place to begin. We can talk about the experience, answer your questions, and walk you through how preparing for your session works.
You can call or text 312-425-2946 to schedule your complimentary phone consultation.
Ask a Boudoir Photographer Series
This article is part of our Ask a Boudoir Photographer series. Many women have questions, concerns and hesitations before booking something as personal a boudoir photoshoot, and that’s completely normal. In this series we answer questions that real Chicago women ask us all the time about boudoir photography. If you’d like to read more in this series, you can explore other questions and answers here. And if you have a question of your own, please text us at 312-425-2946 or email it to hello@chicago-boudoir.com.