How to Prepare for Your Boudoir Session: A Complete Guide
Last Updated: 02/23/26
Preparing for a boudoir session comes down to a few things that actually matter: bring 6–8 outfit options, arrive with your hair done and your face clean (makeup is included), eat before you come, and wear something loose on the drive over so you don't have marks on your skin when you arrive. Most women spend 3–4 hours at the session total: about an hour in the makeup chair and 2 to 2.5 hours in front of the camera. You don't need modeling experience or any particular body type. Every pose is guided from start to finish. The rest of this guide covers everything else you'll want to know before your session at Fox & Vixen Boudoir in Pearland, Texas.
This guide covers how sessions work specifically at Fox & Vixen Boudoir in Pearland, Texas. Some details (what's included, how the process unfolds, and what to expect after your shoot) will vary at other studios.
What Happens During a Boudoir Session?
A boudoir session at Fox & Vixen runs 3–4 hours total. You'll start with professional makeup, about an hour with our makeup artist Amanda, who works around your preferences from natural to full glam. After that, you'll go through 5–6 outfit looks, guided through every pose along the way. There are check-ins and breaks as needed, and the session wraps when we have everything we need.
About 1–2 weeks after your shoot, you'll return for your private ordering appointment. That's when you'll view your images, choose your favorites, and select artwork, albums, or digital collections. Nothing is shared with anyone, publicly or privately, without your written permission.
Most clients say it was more fun than they expected, and more comfortable than they were worried it would be. The posing involves movements you may not be used to, so some women are a little sore the next day. The session itself is relaxed.
What Should I Bring to My Boudoir Session?
Bring 6–8 looks. We typically photograph 5–6 of them, depending on how the session flows, so having extras gives us room to choose what photographs best once we see everything in person.
Almost all of those looks will be lingerie-based. This is worth saying clearly so you don't underpack. A bodysuit with panties is a look. A bra and panty set is a look. A men's button-down worn open over lingerie is a look. A silk robe with nothing underneath is a look. A white sheet set is a look. Even a cozy oversized sweater, in our sessions, is typically worn with panties rather than as a full outfit.
The exception is one dressed look at the start (a little black dress or something similar), which gives you images that are easier to share publicly if you want them. Past that, plan for lingerie throughout.
The basics to pack:
Lingerie sets (matching bra and panty sets, bodysuits, bustiers, or a combination) to cover most of your looks
1–2 layering pieces to wear over lingerie (a silk robe, an oversized button-down, a soft sweater)
Something personal or sentimental if you have it (a partner's shirt, meaningful jewelry, a jersey). These are worn with lingerie underneath, not as standalone outfits.
One dressed look if you'd like "safe to share" images (a fitted dress or similar)
At least one pair of heels (nude or black in a thin, tall style elongates the legs best; bring statement heels too if you love them)
A note on lingerie: Bodysuits and bustiers photograph beautifully and work well for a wide range of body types. Corsets can be stiff and harder to move in. If you love yours, bring it, but practice wearing it at home first. Avoid anything designed as everyday shapewear (meant to be worn under clothes); the construction doesn't read the same on camera.
Pack everything the day before, try it all on to confirm the fit, and remove tags. Ill-fitting lingerie doesn't photograph well and can't be fixed after the fact.
If you're unsure about something, send us a photo ahead of time. We're happy to weigh in before your shoot.
What to Wear on the Day of Your Session
Arrive in something loose and easy to slip off: yoga pants, a loose dress, a zip-up hoodie. Avoid tight jeans, socks that leave marks, or anything that digs into your skin. Those marks can take 20–30 minutes to fade, and they show on camera.
Arrive with your hair clean, dry, and styled in whatever way makes you feel like yourself: soft waves, a blowout, your everyday style. We don't provide hair styling at Fox & Vixen, so this part is on you. (Some studios do include it, so worth confirming when you book anywhere.) Whatever feels natural and manageable is the right choice.
Arrive with a clean face. Professional makeup is included. Amanda will handle everything from there.
Eat before you come. Most of our sessions are in the evening, so make sure you've had a real meal during the day and haven't been running on empty since lunch. Going into a session hungry affects your energy and your focus.
How Should I Prepare My Skin and Nails Before a Boudoir Shoot?
In the week before your session, moisturize daily: arms, legs, shoulders, anywhere that will be visible. Exfoliate gently 1–2 days out. Skip spray tans; they frequently photograph orange and can't be corrected in editing. If you're getting a wax, do it 2–3 days before to give your skin time to settle.
For nails: your hands and feet appear in a lot of images, so this matters more than most people expect. Neutral tones, soft pinks, nudes, and French tips all work well. Remove chipped polish or apply fresh color. Dark or neon shades, heavy nail art, and heavily worn tips can be distracting in studio lighting. Press-ons are a perfectly good option if you want a polished look without the salon appointment.
Don't try new skincare products or treatments in the week before. If something causes irritation, there's no time to recover.
If you wear lash extensions, have them filled 1–2 days before. If you don't wear extensions, we'll apply lightweight false lashes during your makeup application (you can opt out if you prefer).
Do I Need to Know How to Pose?
No. Posing is fully guided, from the position of your shoulders to what to do with your hands. We will direct you throughout the session: how to angle your chin, where to rest your gaze, when to breathe and relax into a pose. Nothing is left for you to figure out.
Many clients feel slightly awkward in the first few minutes. That's completely normal. Once you start seeing previews on the camera, something shifts. What starts as unfamiliar usually becomes genuinely fun. As Ms. A told us: "I loved the entire experience, the outfit changes, the poses, the sets! I felt SO free and safe."
How Do I Communicate My Preferences Before the Session?
You don't need to have everything figured out in advance. At Fox & Vixen, a private Pinterest board is part of our prep process. After booking, you'll receive a link and we'll ask you to pin 10–15 images that reflect the style and energy you're drawn to. It doesn't need to be a complete plan. It just gives us a read on your aesthetic before shoot day.
If there's something specific you'd like to celebrate (a feature you love, a comfort level you want us to stay within), tell us. And if there's something you'd rather not highlight, tell us that too. No judgment in either direction. The session is guided around you, and you can adjust anything at any time.
There's no pressure to go bolder than you want to. Some women arrive planning to keep things relatively covered and don't end up changing their approach. Others surprise themselves. Both outcomes happen regularly.
As Ms. C put it: "I am extremely shy and wanted to keep it more conservative. Angi and Mike were very respectful of that, so you can show as much or as little skin as you want. It really was a great experience — and also FUN!"
What Happens With Makeup on Session Day?
Professional makeup is included in every session. You'll start in the chair with Amanda, who'll check in about your preferences before she begins: how natural or glam you want to go, whether you're comfortable with false lashes, anything you'd like to avoid. Camera lighting reads differently than natural light, so the makeup will likely be a bit more defined than your everyday look, but always within your comfort range.
Hair styling is not included at Fox & Vixen. Arrive with your hair done in whatever style makes you feel like yourself. Other studios may handle this differently, so confirm what's included when you book.
What Happens at the Ordering Appointment?
At Fox & Vixen, images are viewed at a private in-person ordering appointment about 1–2 weeks after your session, not via an online gallery. You'll view a curated selection of the strongest images from your shoot. We edit those before showing you, so what you see are the images we consider the best representations of the session. You'll choose your favorites and select from artwork options including albums, wall art, and digital collections.
Most clients are surprised by how they feel at this appointment. As Ms. P described it: "I was comfortable and at ease during the shoot… and surprised at how much I liked the final photos."
If you're participating in the Over 40 & Fabulous project, you'll also choose your project image during this appointment: the one that will be featured in the magazine and exhibited publicly. We'll help you make that selection.
Will My Photos Be Private?
Your images are never shared without your explicit written permission. Some clients keep everything private. Many choose to release select images. Some release them all. Even if you give broad permission, we only ever share images you loved enough to order.
You can also set limits on what's eligible to share: nothing showing nudity, only certain looks, nothing above the waist. Your preferences define what we'll ever use.
The one exception is the Over 40 & Fabulous project. Because the project is built around public celebration (a magazine feature and gallery exhibition), each participant releases one selected image for that purpose. It's part of what makes the project what it is. The rest of your images remain private unless you choose otherwise. If complete privacy is important to you, a standard boudoir session is the right fit.
Day-Before and Day-Of Checklist
The day before:
Drink extra water
Moisturize thoroughly, exfoliate if you haven't
Pack your outfits, try everything on, and remove tags
Organize shoes and accessories
Take care of nails
Lay out a loose outfit to wear to the studio
Get a full night's sleep
Day of:
Eat a normal meal. Don't skip it
Shower, moisturize, skip deodorant (it can transfer to clothing)
Arrive with clean skin and styled hair
Wear something easy to slip off (nothing tight)
Bring water and a light snack if you want it
Arrive no more than 10 minutes early
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a boudoir session take? Plan for 3–4 hours total: approximately 1 hour for makeup and 2 to 2.5 hours for the shoot. This includes outfit changes, posing, and breaks.
Do I need to lose weight before my session? No. The session is designed to work with your body as it is right now. Posing, lighting, and wardrobe selection all account for what you're working with. That's the photographer's job, not yours. We've worked with women at every age and every size, and that's not a courtesy statement.
What if I feel nervous? Nearly every client feels nervous. It doesn't go away immediately, and it doesn't need to. What consistently happens is that the nervousness fades as the session progresses. Ms. J described it this way: "As the shoot progressed, I felt more and more comfortable. I was surprised that I was so comfortable by the end."
Do I have to wear lingerie? Lingerie photographs beautifully and we'd encourage you to include at least a couple of looks. That said, a fitted sweater, a silk robe, a soft oversized shirt. These all create genuinely striking images too. If you'd rather start with something that feels less revealing and work from there, that's a completely normal way to approach the session.
Do I have to be nude? No. Nudity is entirely your choice. Some clients stay fully covered. Some choose implied nudity (a white sheet, a sheer robe). Some go topless or fully nude for some or all of the session. There's no expectation in any direction, and you can change your mind during the session.
Will I be retouched? We edit temporary blemishes (a bruise, skin irritation, something situational). We don't reshape your body or alter your proportions. If there's something you'd like us to leave exactly as it is, just tell us.
Can I bring a friend? Yes. A supportive female friend is welcome. Some clients feel safer and more relaxed with someone they trust nearby for outfit decisions and encouragement. Meeting with any new photographer is still meeting a stranger, and having a trusted person in the room is a reasonable thing to want. Others prefer the session to be private. Either is fine. It helps to let us know in advance if you're bringing someone, so we can plan accordingly.
What if I don't like my photos? It's rare, but if the images genuinely don't reflect what you hoped for, we'll work with you to make it right. Our goal is for you to have images you love. That said, almost every client who walks in thinking "I won't look good in photos" ends up at the ordering appointment feeling differently. As Ms. S put it: "I look at the pictures and I see the most beautiful version of myself."
How far in advance should I book? Start your consultation as soon as you can. We'll set your session date during that call. For the best selection of dates (especially evenings), book 4 to 6 weeks out.
Need finished products by a specific date? Here's how to plan backward:
8 weeks before your deadline: Session date
6 weeks before: Ordering appointment (2 weeks after session)
Your deadline: Products arrive (4 to 6 weeks after ordering)
Optional buffer: Schedule your consultation 12 weeks out if you want extra prep time
Note: Products ship once your order is paid in full. We can sometimes rush things, but there's risk your items won't arrive on time.
Where is Fox & Vixen Boudoir located? Our studio is at 3506 Northhampton Ct, Pearland, TX 77584, in the Houston metro area. We work with clients from across the greater Houston area, including Sugar Land, Clear Lake, The Woodlands, and the surrounding communities.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
The best way to move forward is a consultation call — a direct conversation where you can ask anything, get a feel for how we work, and decide whether this is the right fit. There's no commitment involved in the call itself.
If you're 40 or older and curious about the Over 40 & Fabulous project specifically, that's worth mentioning when you reach out. It's a different experience than a standard session, and the consultation is where we walk through how it works.
Written by Mike Fox | Fox & Vixen Boudoir Photography | Pearland, TX Mike Fox has been photographing boudoir portraits since 2012, working alongside his wife Angi to create a studio environment that's guided, personal, and specifically built around the experience of women over 40. Mike and Angi have been selected to speak at Shutterfest, one of the photography industry's leading conferences, two years running — teaching classes on their Over 40 & Fabulous project and lighting. Fox & Vixen serves clients across the greater Houston area.