Boudoir Prep Guide

Thanks for trusting us with your boudoir photo session. We’re so excited to share your journey.

First Things First

If you haven’t already, please be sure to electronically sign the contract that was emailed to you. If you have any questions about it, please send an email to hello@schulerstudios.com. We may not see or respond to DMs on Facebook and Instagram.

Here’s a quick recap of the important points.

  • Your session date is reserved just for you. If you need to reschedule, be sure to get in touch ASAP by email or text.

  • Reschedule requests with less than 14 days notice and additional rescheduling requests will incur a $100 reschedule fee.

  • Cancellations and no-shows will forfeit the entire session fee.

  • Due to the custom nature of photography services, all sales are final.

What to Wear

The most important thing about your wardrobe pieces is that they fit you properly and you should feel comfortable and confident wearing them.

Woman wearing red lingerie set with strappy details, featuring a bra and high-waisted garter belt, standing in a doorway.

Don’t Stress About the Outfits!

During a one-hour photoshoot, we usually do three outfits. and having extra outfits allows us to pick out the ones that look best in photos.

But that does not mean you need to go out shopping for five new lingerie pieces!

While lingerie is typical for boudoir, it is by no means required. There are plenty of non-lingerie options that may already be in your wardrobe. And if it is within your comfort zone, one of your “outfits” can be your birthday suit.

Lingerie

Woman in black lingerie lying on wooden floor, arms extended above her head in a classic boudoir pose.

Bodysuit

Bodysuits are our favorite for the simple fact that they almost always look amazing on any body type or shape. If you don’t love the idea of baring your midsection a bodysuit will provide you the coverage you desire while still creating an incredibly sexy look.

Woman in white lingerie lying on a bed with light-colored sheets.

Bra and Panty

Any body type can be flattered by the right bra and panty set. Hipster and cheeky styles of panties are the most overall flattering. A good bra completes the ensemble, but the most important thing having the right fit.

Corsets and Bustiers

While they both cover the midsection, corsets and bustiers differ in function. Corsets have stiff boning but usually no cups and focus on cinching the waist. Bustiers have built-in underwire cups and focus on defining and lifting the bust.

Teddies

Like bodysuits, hug the body contours to highlight your curves, but they usually have a sexier vibe, either by being more revealing and/or sheer. Some have have built-in cups and therefore more support than a typical bodysuit.

Lingerie Boutiques in the Baltimore-Washington Area

Le Bustiere Boutique
Washington, DC

A La Mode Intimates
Woodbridge Center, Annapolis
Fells Point, Baltimore

Bra-La-La
Maple Lawn, Fulton, MD

Shopping for Lingerie Online

Non-Lingerie Options

When most people think of boudoir, they think lingerie. But there are plenty of other possibilities, many of which you may already have in your wardrobe.

Here are some ideas:

  • Robe or kimono

  • Oversized sweater or tee shirt

  • Jeans and a crop-top

  • White button-up or flannel shirt

  • Any dress from cute and sexy to formal

  • Vintage nightgown

  • Coats and jackets

Woman wearing a fur-lined coat and pearl necklace, posing against a light background.
Woman wearing a white lace robe posing against a dark background.
Woman posing in a white crop top and black shorts in front of a mirror, with one arm raised and eyes closed.
Woman wearing a red plaid shirt and knee-high socks kneeling on a blue bedspread.

Nude and Implied Nude

For the adventurous, one of your “outfits” can be nude, implied nude, or semi-nude (topless or bottomless). For implied nude we aim for a classic look and use strategic posing, fabric drapes, or props for cover. Your comfort is of paramount importance. If you are considering this option, discuss your boundaries with the photographer before the photoshoot. Remember that you are always free to opt-in or opt-out of nudity at any time.

Woman holding a bouquet of white flowers against a dark background.
Nude Portfolio

Session Prep Tips

Here are a few dos and don’ts on preparing for your session (don’t worry, we’ll send you reminders!).

Woman applying makeup in front of a mirror, wearing a red outfit, with curly hair and a nose ring.

Aesthetic Treatments

Planning on visiting the local MedSpa before your boudoir photoshoot? Most aesthetic treatments (botox, filler injections, etc.) require about two weeks to fully heal.

The Week Before Your Session

  • Stay hydrated! Drinking plenty of water will make your skin glow.

  • Stay out of the sun to avoid tan lines and sunburn.

  • For most people we do not recommend getting a spray tan. If you get spray tans frequently and know that it looks good on you, then go for it. But this is not the time to try your first ever spray tan.

  • Avoid exfoliating your face using any products that contain AHA/BHA for three days before.

  • A salon manicure and pedicure is recommended, but optional.

  • Any hair trimming and coloring or eyebrow shaping are best done in the week before.

  • Be mindful of your underarms. If you like to wax, we recommend three or more days before to avoid redness and irritation. Or shave one day before.

The Day Before

  • Make sure you have all your outfits and accessories ready

  • Remove any visible tags from your lingerie pieces

  • If you plan to wear heels or other shoes, make sure the bottoms are clean

  • We recommend packing everything in your car the day before (especially if you’re trying to keep it a surprise)

  • Avoid any foods that are likely to make your skin break out

  • Take it easy on the alcohol and drink lots of water

  • Relax and get a good night’s sleep

Important Things to Bring to Your Session

  • WARDROBE ITEMS and accessories

  • PHOTO ID (even if you’re way over 18, we do check ID for liability)

  • CASH or CREDIT CARD to purchase your photo package

  • PHONE (may be needed if you opt for a buy now, pay later plan)

Your Big Day Has Arrived!

What to expect at your boudoir session

Photographer taking a picture of a woman posing on a bed in a studio setting.

Good Morning!

Getting Ready

  • Your hair should be clean and dry, but without any product

  • Your skin should be moisturized but free of makeup

  • Eat the same breakfast you always eat - don’t change your routine

  • Hydrate! (I know, we sound like a broken record)

Getting to the Studio

  • Double-check the directions and traffic conditions

  • Give yourself a little extra time to ensure a stress-free and on-time arrival

  • Keep us informed of your ETA so we can greet you and help with your bags

Your Boudoir Session

Arrival

We’ll give you a quick tour of the studio and, if you want to play music from your device, we’ll get you set up with WiFi.

You can unpack your outfits for a quick review of the options.

Before hair and makeup, it’s time to change out of underwear or anything elastic and into some loose-fitting clothes.

Hair and Makeup

Before getting started, be sure to discuss the desired look with your stylist. For example, more on the natural side vs full-on glam.

Expect to be in the makeup chair for about one hour or a little more, depending on hair length and texture.

The Photoshoot

The photoshoot itself will last about one hour and typically have three outfits, or “looks”.

For each look we will move around to several places within the studio and explore a variety of poses.

Image Viewing and Sales

Guess, what? You’ll get the instant gratification of seeing your images on the same day!

While you are packing your things and grabbing a snack, the photographer will take a quick pass through the photos to get them ready for viewing.

Next you will go through the images and pick out your favorites and decide what to purchase. Please be prepared to pay for your photo package at the session.

See our Pricing Guide. Note that prices may change from time to time, but we will always honor the prices in your contract.

Packages and Pricing

Paying for Your Photo Package

Payment Options

We accept cash and major credit and debit cards.

If your photos are a surprise gift and you want to keep the transaction secret, paying with cash is the obvious solution. Also consider a reloadable Visa card. The maximum amount you can put on a reloadable card depends on the issuer, but in some cases it may be up to $5,000 or even $10,000.

Buy Now, Pay Later

There are an increasing number of Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) options (also called “point-of-sale loans”). Two that have worked for us are PayPal Credit and Affirm. These platforms allow you to split up your purchase into multiple payments interest-free (but be sure to make your payments on time!). If you are planning to utilize these options, please do your research and create any necessary accounts before your session.

Tipping

Tipping your makeup stylist would be a nice gesture of your appreciation. There is absolutely no need to tip the photographer.

After the Session

Enjoy that empowered feeling for the rest of the day. Make plans to do something special afterwards to celebrate your beauty and courage.

Woman with long curly blonde hair and red lipstick looking to the side, wearing an off-shoulder outfit.

Product Delivery

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

  • Digital images will be available in 5-7 business days and are delivered via a password-protected gallery sent to your email address. You will have 30 days to download purchased images.

  • For your security and privacy, all images that are not purchased will be deleted immediately and the password-protected gallery will be removed as soon as you have downloaded your images.

  • Printed products may take 2-6 weeks depending on the type of product. Rush delivery is available for some products at an additional cost.

  • Most clients choose to have products shipped straight to their doorstep. Keep in mind that different products may arrive at different times. If you prefer, items may be shipped to the photographer for pickup all at once.