Boudoir Photoshoot Prep Guide

Rescheduling and Cancellation Policies

Your session date and time has been reserved just for you! All rescheduling requests will incur a $50 fee automatically charged to your credit card number held on file. Rescheduling requests with less than 14 days and additional requests (2nd, 3rd requests, etc.) will incur a $399 fee. Cancellations and no-shows will forfeit the entire session fee. If you paid a reduced session fee and then cancel, you are responsible to pay the remainder up to $399. All session fees and photo purchases are non-refundable and non-transferrable.

What to Bring to Your Photoshoot

Bring to your photoshoot:

1) WARDROBE ITEMS (lingerie)
2) ID (Even if you’re way over 18, we check ID for everyone)
3) CASH or CREDIT CARD to purchase a photo collection

What to Wear

  • Plan to bring your own lingerie. Bring a variety of outfits and we will help you select the best ones for the camera. You can also nude or implied nude (just sheets) for one of your looks.

  • Your photo session comes with time for 1-3 outfits. You can purchase camera time for additional outfits at the studio ($99 per outfit).

  • Many women worry that they are bringing the “wrong” wardrobe items, but we can make anything look great on camera. The photoshoot is less about what you are wearing and more about YOU. If you LOVE something, bring it! If you don’t love it, don’t bring it.

  • Anything with a little texture will photograph well, including lace, mesh, beading or metal studs. Black lingerie is a classic! Jewel tones such as purple, red, and teal look great too.

BRA & PANTY SETS

A matching bra & panty set in virtually any color or pattern is guaranteed to look great in your photoshoot.

TYPES OF UNDERWEAR

In most cases, underwear 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 stretchy thong (right)!

BODYSUITS

We highly recommend bodysuits! Bodysuits look great on any body type and photograph really well. Bodysuits come in many styles including lace, mesh, strappy and with sleeves.

NUDE or IMPLIED NUDE

One of your looks can be nude or implied nude. We don’t offer highly erotic images (like crotch shots), but we LOVE to create artistic nude images.

SHOES

We have black heels with red soles in sizes 5-11 at the studio that you are welcome to wear for your photoshoot. 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).

shoes.jpg

JEWELRY

Chunky necklaces, a long strand of pearls or a sentimental piece of jewelry are all fun ways to add a bit of bling to your boudoir images. Bracelets and earrings will also look great with your lingerie.

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 a white lingerie set and your bridal accessories (wedding veil, shoes and engagement ring).

OTHER ITEMS

  • You are welcome to bring accessories to personalize your photoshoot, such as a lace robe, a tank top, a sports jersey, a coffee mug, a police uniform shirt, a guitar or a golf club. You are welcome to bring anything that makes YOU feel sexy! 

  • We do NOT photograph live animals, sex toys, drugs, cigarettes or weapons (light sabers are OK!).

  • We have the following items at the studio that you are welcome to borrow for your photoshoot: a man’s white shirt, lace robes, black heels with red soles, long pearl necklaces, sparkly earrings, bridal veils and bridal garters.

MATERNITY

Coming in for a maternity photoshoot? All of the above info about wardrobe applies to you too! Bra & panty sets, body suits and robes with an open slit in the front all work well. Click HERE for more maternity inspiration.

Check out some maternity dress recommendations from Amazon here: Chiffon dress / Lace dress

Getting Ready for Your Photoshoot

  • Make plans to go out after your session – you’ll look stunning and you will want to celebrate! Need a reason to explain why your hair and makeup looks so fabulous? Just say that you stopped by a store to return something and they were giving away free makeovers!

  • Get a salon manicure and pedicure for your photoshoot because your hands and feet will show in many of your images. You can’t go wrong - we love anything from natural nails to bold red nails.

  • For most people, we do NOT recommend getting a spray tan. Your natural skin tone will usually look better on camera than a spray tan. If you get spray tans frequently and know that it looks good on you, then go for it! But this is probably not the time to try your first ever spray tan.

  • You do NOT need to reschedule your photoshoot if you are on your period. We have complimentary sanitary products at the studio if you need anything. You are welcome to wear a tampon during your photoshoot. Through the magic of photoshop, we can always remove any hormonal acne or bloat that comes with your period.

  • Come to the studio ready to feel empowered and with your best energy. We’re going to have a great time together!

The Day of Your Photoshoot

  • Arrive at the studio at your appointment time with your wardrobe items, credit card & ID. We’ll take care of the rest!

  • Bring cash or a credit card to purchase your photo collection. If you need to keep this purchase a secret, buy a Visa gift card or bring cash. Because we offer same-day viewing and ordering of your photos, plan to make your photo purchase on the day of your photoshoot.

  • You do NOT need to arrive early, as we may be with another client. Your confirmation email shows your arrival time.

  • Don’t come late - it will reduce your time in front of the camera.

  • Plan to spend 3-4 hours at the studio.

  • Arrive with a clean face (no makeup on) and clean, dry hair.

  • Wear loose clothing. Avoid anything that will leave red indentations on your skin, such as tight jeans or socks.

  • Wear a top that buttons or zips in the front so that you can change your clothes without messing up your hair and makeup.

  • During your photoshoot, we will show you exactly what to do, how to pose, and what to do with your hands and face. You don’t need to practice posing. If we suggest a pose that doesn’t work for you, just let us know. We can always make modifications.

  • Take a deep breath and relax. It's perfectly normal to feel nervous before a boudoir photoshoot. But don't worry - you are in great hands and we will be with you every step of the way!

Professional Hair, Makeup and Lashes

Professional hair styling and makeup application is included with most photoshoots at our studio and instructions are below.
NOTE: If you have opted to do your own hair and makeup, please arrive at the studio with your hair and makeup how you would like to be photographed.

PROFESSIONAL HAIR STYLING

  • Arrive at the studio with clean, dry hair. Do NOT plan on having the artist blow-dry your hair. It is a myth that greasy hair curls better than clean hair!

  • The most common look for boudoir hair is loose, beachy waves. The artist will use dry styling, hair products and hot tools (curling iron and flat iron) to achieve a beautiful hair look for you.

  • An up-do hairstyle is NOT included in your session fee, but can be purchased for $75 (14 days notice required).

  • If you plan to bring a wig, remember that only 100% human hair wigs can tolerate the heat of a curling iron. If the wig is a synthetic blend, it will melt. Sometimes wigs ordered on Amazon are labeled as human hair, but are actually a synthetic blend. If you aren’t sure, do a test with a curling iron at home to see if the hair will curl. If you are unable to curl the wig at home, the stylist won’t be able to curl it either.

PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP

  • Arrive at the studio with your face clean and makeup free.

  • The signature look for boudoir photoshoot is a subtle smokey eye, eyeliner, sun-kissed cheeks and a pink or red lip.

  • The camera and lighting that we use at the studio requires a heavier makeup look than what you may be used to wearing. The hair and makeup artists are very experienced at using the right kind of makeup for a boudoir shoot and will make sure that you look fabulous. This is your chance to glam it up a bit!

  • Many women worry about blemishes or bruises showing in their photos. Don’t worry - whatever can’t be covered with makeup can always be photoshopped out.

  • Faux lashes are key to getting that super glamorous look in your boudoir photos. If you’ve never worn faux lashes before, they may feel heavy at first. But after the lashes are fully dry (about 5 minutes), you will hardly notice they are there. To remove the lashes after your photoshoot, just rub gently with warm water and/or makeup remover and they will slide right off.

  • A 2nd makeup look is NOT included in your session fee, but can be purchased for $75 (14 days notice required).

Directions to the Studio

Chicago Boudoir Photography is located at 896 Green Bay Road Suite 12 Winnetka, IL 60093.

We are located in the courtyard behind Hewn Bakery and across the street from BloOuts Bar and Grateful Bites. 

Arriving by train: Take the Metra to Hubbard Woods. The studio is a 3 min walk (.1 mile) from the Hubbard Woods Metra station.

Parking: Free street parking is available near the studio. Be sure to check the street signs and park legally. Do not park in a 90 minute parking spot as you will be at the studio for a few hours.

There is a free all-day public parking lot next to the McDonald’s located at 858 Green Bay Road.

Street view of Chicago Boudoir's luxury studio

Purchasing a Photo Collection

  • Right after we are done taking photos, you are going to view a slideshow of your images while you are still at the studio — the instant gratification is really fun!

  • Plan to purchase a photo collection on the day of your photoshoot. We have samples of all of the photo products at the studio.


    Available for purchase:

    - Digital images (enjoy on your phone and/or computer)

    - Luxury albums (8 inch or 10 inch)

    - Wall art (frames or metal)

    - Gift items (retro viewfinder, mini prints, metal wallet card, metal easel)

Retro Viewfinder

Retro Viewfinder

Wall art

8 inch Album

8 inch Album

  • Due to the custom nature of photography portraits, all sales are final. Prices listed do not include sales tax.

  • The session fee that you paid at booking does not apply toward your photo collection purchase.

We offer 2 payment options for photo collections:

  1. Pay for your photo package in full on the day of your photoshoot with cash or credit / debit card. We accept all credit and debit cards and cash (We do NOT accept Venmo, Zelle or personal checks).

  2. Apply for financing on your smartphone through Afterpay, Affirm, Klarna or PayPal Credit (+$50 financing fee). More info about payment plans here.

Photo Retouching / Photoshopping

We also offer complimentary photo retouching to make sure you look your best. Because you will see your images the same day as your photoshoot, they will NOT be edited when you first see them. Allow 5-7 business days for retouching.

Complimentary retouching on your photos will include: skin tone correction and smoothing, blemish and bruise removal, wrinkle reduction, waist nipping, body contouring and teeth whitening.

  • Tattoos: If you have a tattoo that you do not want to show in your images, consider bringing wardrobe items that cover it. Retouching to remove tattoos is not included, but can usually be accommodated starting at $25 per tattoo per image.

  • Tan lines, sunburns and tanning streaks: Retouching of tan lines, sunburns or tanning streaks is not included with photo purchases, but can be usually be accommodated starting at $25 per image.

After Your Photoshoot

  • You are going to leave the studio with an extra dose of confidence. Enjoy that empowered feeling for the rest of the day!

  • Your images will be sent to print and/or retouching immediately after your order is placed. Due to the custom nature of our work, all sales are final.

  • For your privacy, images that are not purchased on the day of your photoshoot will be deleted.

  • Digital images will be delivered to you in 7-10 business days via a password-protected gallery sent to your email address on file.

  • Print products will arrive on your doorstep in 4-6 weeks. Multiple items may arrive separately. Rush delivery available for $75.