The Boudoir Prep Collection
FOR ALL YOUR PREPPING NEEDS
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Timeline
Answering the question of when to do what.
2 MONTHS before
Start drinking water daily. Get into the hydration habit now. Your skin will thank you. Not a fan of of it? Use flavoring or drink sparkling water.
Start looking at outfits you might want for your session. Take a peek at the Wardrobe Guide above for some ideas & places to shop. It is filled with ideas if you want to get something new & ideas for pieces that you can find in your closet.
If you’re wanting new ink, this is the last chance for it before your session. I don’t recommend getting a new tattoo any closer to session day than 2 months.
If you get waxed or sugared, now is the time to schedule your appointment for 3-5 days before your session.
2 WEEKS before
If you regularly get your hair cut & colored, this is the time to do it. This allows for any color or cut corrections prior to your session. Don’t use this appointment to experiment with your hair! We want you to love your images.
Try on your outfits & narrow down your choices.
Water is your BFF!
3-5 DAYS before
Spend time with your body moving in ways that feel good to you. Stretch, yoga, even just mindful breath work. Your body is your partner in this experience so spend some quality time with it this week!
*If you’d like to stretch beforehand, here are some great ideas.Personal grooming of your choice (or none at all – this is YOUR session, do what feels best for you).
Stay out of the sun to avoid burning/tan lines. SPF is your friend if you must be out.
Avoid cupping or anything that will leave marks
Exfoliate & don’t forget your water.
Make a confidence-boosting playlist that makes you feel like your favorite self!
Start compiling your outfits & make sure they still feel good to wear!
THE DAY before
Journal about any intentions you may have for your session. If you want some ideas in setting your intentions, peep the Intention section below.
Wash & blow out your hair right before bed. This is especially important if you have fine hair, so it holds a curl or wave the next day.
Try on your outfits one last time & make it FUN! Have a sexy dance party in your outfits & release any nerves through movement!
Start packing your bag with your outfits, snacks, comfy slippers, & anything you want to have with you
THE DAY OF your session
Spend a good amount of time moisturizing your whooooole body in the morning!
Eat something light but filling. Posing is hard work, & we need you to stay energized! Fuel up, babe! You are a fire that deserves to burn bright!
Put on clear deodorant to avoid marks.
Arrive with a clean moisturized face, & your hair clean (or as you prefer it prepped if you have curly hair).
Wear something loose & comfortable to avoid lines/creases on the skin. Try a maxi dress.
Bring your sense of adventure! Yes, you might bring some nervousness with you, but that’s normal! By the time we’re 5 minutes into your session, we’ll be laughing & having fun. Then time will fly by.
WHAT TO DO
Sleep
Get your beauty rest—Photoshop can’t fix exhaustion!Lip Care
Brush your lips gently with a toothbrush in the days leading up to your session. Dry lips are tricky to fix in post-processing, so moisturize them well.Pamper Yourself
If you’re thinking about getting a manicure & pedicure, do it a few days before for a polished look. But you can also get a nail buffer from CVS & clean them up yourself.Moisturize
Hydrate your skin twice a day leading up to the shoot (but skip face moisturizer the day of to avoid shine).Plan for Traffic
Arriving rushed can ruin your vibe. Give yourself plenty of time to get here & settle in.Trust Me
My job is to make you look amazing through lighting, posing, & angles. You just need to show up, and I’ll handle the rest.
WHAT TO AVOID
Don’t Party the Night Before
Hangovers aren’t sexy! Instead, try a bubble bath or a yoga class to calm your nerves.No Red Wine
It stains lips & teeth. If you need a little liquid courage, champagne or white wine (in moderation) is a much better option. I recommend no more than two drinks.Don’t forget to stretch
Many of these poses, while they look effortless, are quite unnatural feeling. Take a few minutes on the morning of your shoot to stretch your arms, legs, hips, & especially your back. People are surprised to see how sore their muscles get after something as silly as a photo shoot, so any extra flexibility you can add by a quick yoga flow will only benefit you. For some ideas on stretching, click here.No Last-Minute Haircuts/Colors
Now’s not the time for drastic changes. Stick with what makes you feel most like you.Don’t Trash Talk Yourself
Negative self-talk only brings you down. If there’s a specific insecurity you have, let me know, and I’ll work with it. But remember, I’ll also make it my mission to show you how stunning you really are—even in the areas you don’t love yet.
The Goddess Collective
I’d love to invite you to our community! This is your private, womxn-only space to feel seen, supported, & celebrated—before, during, & after your session. The Goddess Collective is where past, present, & future Lovelies come together to share excitement, ease nerves, ask questions, & connect with others on the same powerful path. Whether you're hyped, hesitant, or somewhere in between, you're not alone here. This space was made for you.
Pinterest Boarding
I know sometimes it can be heard to articulate your own style or your session ideas out loud. If you’re the vision board type, feel free to create a Pinterest board & invite me to it! You can find me here. If you’re not a fan of Pinterest, you can always just email me (kayla@boudoirbykayla.com) or test the studio (336-405-8763) with any visuals.
Intentions
This is also optional & totally up to you. Setting the intention for your boudoir experience sets the emotional & mental tone. It’s not just about images. It’s about connecting with yourself, feeling empowered, & grounding yourself. When you set an intention, it turns the session into something personal, a reflection of who you are & where you’re at in your journey. It’s your chance to honor yourself, your body, & your growth in a meaningful way. If you're feeling up to it, you can get started with my Intention Guide below!
Anxiety
BEING ON YOUR PERIOD.
Yep, it’s the worst. No, it will not affect your finished product. I run an all-female studio & we ALL understand the plight of menstruation on photo shoot day. We keep Midol & feminine hygiene products on hand, & we have zero qualms with 30 bathroom breaks. Start your morning with some fresh fruit & a heating pad & we’ll take it from there. No worries about bloat or blemishes.
STRESS ACNE.
Yeah, it happens. Pimples suck. If you think for one second that every woman you see pictured on my website was magically pimple-free on the day of their session, you’re taking crazy pills. I retouch blemishes & bruises on every image you see. No problem. No stress. Let that pimple try it’s hardest to ruin your day, but your photos will not be a permanent reminder of it.
BODY ISSUES.
I long for the day that we’re all comfortable in our skin at all stages, for the day that we embrace our wobbly bits & beautiful side creases. That said, I know we all struggle with self-love & it’s an ongoing process. If that is you, I can assure you, that this isn’t my first rodeo. While this is a every bodies studio, I will also light & pose you in the most flattering possible way while I shoot you from the best possible angles. While I’m going to make it my very best effort to change your mind on what you consider to be your “flaws”, I don’t expect every woman to be ready for that yet.
So, one more time, louder for those voices in the back: YOU ARE AMAZING TODAY. NOT _ LBS FROM NOW, NOT POST-PLASTIC SURGERY….You. are. amazing. TODAY & I can’t wait to show you!