5 Pieces of Lingerie That Look Amazing in Photos
So, you are super excited because you just booked your very own Boudoir Photoshoot, but NOW WHAT. How to choose the perfect lingerie to compliment your beautiful self?
I’ll start by saying that I get women emailing me all the time worried about what they should wear in the shoot - and I have to say, it doesn’t matter as much as you think it does. I do recommend buying yourself things that you absolutely LOVE for your shoot, and also having a professional fitting to make sure you get the correct sizes. But don’t feel that you need to “fix” yourself with your lingerie options - we are here to celebrate your authentic self, not cover it or change it.
OK, ok, now let’s get to the good stuff:
Exhibit A : The Bodysuit
Bodysuits
Overview of the Perks:
Elongating / Slimming
Is flattering on every body type
Leaves enough to the imagination to be interesting but shows enough to be really sexy
A less revealing piece to start with while you get comfortable in your shoot and realize IT’S SO MUCH FUN
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: bodysuits look good on every body type. Thin, curvy, big breasts, small breasts - the bodysuit is friends with everyone.
BUT, I have found that lace bodysuits look the best - padded cups can get pushed around and gap away from your body when you are posing while laying down - so unless you really want the structure then I say go full lace, and ideally with a deep V-neck in the front and a thong back (see number 4 for more details on why thongs are the secret sauce).
Shapewear is the exception to this - it can look really classic and chic, I just recommend that if you do bring a shapewear bodysuit that you also bring a lace bodysuit so we can shoot different types of poses in them and have some variety.
Exhibit B : The High Waisted Panties
2. High Waisted Panties
Iconic / Classic Vibe
Can be control top
Draws attention to the face or an intricate bra
Looks good on every body type
If you are like many of my other clients then you feel a little self-conscious about your stomach - while I say it is best to make peace with the parts of your body that you don’t love, I also don’t want you to feel so self-conscious that you can’t enjoy your photoshoot.
High-Waisted panties can be the answer. They give a really classic feel to the photos and definitely have an “iconic” vibe - think Marilyn Monroe - which goes well with the look and feel of my photography. I love them on women of all sizes and a simple pair can be a beautiful way to draw attention to a gorgeous lacy bra or your beautiful face.
Exhibit C : The Lace Bra (the one in this photo is from Victoria’s Secret)
3. Lace Bras
Overview of the Perks:
Sexy peep of nipple but not fully exposed
Extremely feminine
Classy
So, this doesn’t have to be a shapeless bralette - if you have large breasts and are panicking at the thought of trying to hold them in place with just a piece of stretchy lace then fear not - lace underwire bras can give you the support you want with a delicate look (Bluebella has some beautiful options). If you have a smaller bust then I recommend also looking at lace long-line bras, they’re a great look.
Since embracing how you truly are and finding the beauty in your body are such big parts of my message I always steer women away from padded push-ups since they aren’t as true to what you actually look like. Will I still photograph you if your favorite bra is a push-up and you wear it? YES, I’m here for you and whatever makes you comfortable. But just remember, your breasts don’t have to conform to the shape or size that society is trying to tell you they need to be - they’re great the way they are.
On that note, the lace balconette bra shown above is a kind of magical unicorn style that looks incredible on every woman I have photographed wearing a similar style. It’s unlined and fully lace but has underwire and support on the sides of the cups for a push-up without the padding - it always looks good.
Exhibit D : The Thong (paired with a matching long-line bra)
4. Thongs
Overview of the Perks:
Adds a sense of “roundness” to your bum
Looks sexy and shows off the goods
Alriiight, I am fully aware that some of you are cringing, saying “Thongs just aren’t my thing…” or “I would rather die a thousand deaths than put that butt floss between my delicate cheeks” BUT(t) hear me out. This isn’t about what undergarments you think are most comfortable, it’s about which ones will show off your gorgeous body.
Thongs just usually look better in photos - I can use them to help give shape to your butt in ways that other underwear just doesn’t allow. They let the full glory of your backside be seen and TRUST ME, I will make sure it’s a great view - it is all in the posing.
So, while cheekies or briefs might be more comfortable for normal wear I always recommend that every woman bring at least one thong to her session. Thongs are your friend - embrace them (with your butt).
Exhibit E : The White Men’s Dress Shirt
5. White Men’s Dress Shirt
Overview of the Perks:
Classic
Can look effortless and sexy if intense lingerie isn’t your thing (or can be paired with lingerie for a great effect!)
If you bring your partner’s shirt it makes the photos a little more personal
Oh, a classic. These beauties have a casual, “morning after” kind of vibe and are absolutely flattering and sexy on everyone. I can’t say enough good things about a men’s dress shirt- it can be worn with just panties or with a full lingerie outfit underneath and feel effortless either way. I encourage all of my clients to bring one - white is minimal and doesn’t distract from your beautiful face, looks good against all skin tones and has a truly timeless look.
Pro tip: a nice alternative to the white shirt is a black blazer, which can be worn open with just panties - very chic and another alternative to a lingerie set.
BONUS: nothing at all!
If you aren’t really into a full lingerie set then doing the session nude or with implied nudes can be perfect for you (or even if you love lingerie, an “in-the-sheets” set can add great variety at the end of your session). It is one of my favorite looks, it’s cool and sexy without trying too hard.
A lot of ladies ask me if this means they have to run around naked in front of the camera and the answer is no, you can stay covered with the sheet as much as you like - the point is for you to feel beautiful and comfortable. Of course, if you DO want to do fully nude photos then no problem, you’re beautiful and you don’t need to hide behind anything.
All that being said, just keep in mind that while I do photograph exposed breasts and bums I do not photograph full frontal nudity - if you are fully naked I will pose you in such a way that your groin is not visible in any of the photos.
Conclusion
SO, I hope that helps as a starting point as you think about wardrobe for your Boudoir shoot. One thing that I always advise AGAINST wearing is Babydolls - Google away, I don’t have any photos to show you because I don’t photograph anyone in them. This particular style makes you look larger than you really are and takes away all of the beautiful feminine shape you have - and makes you look like a lacy rectangle.
I will use light and posing to make your curves look incredible so I really recommend that even the curviest of ladies wear something tight and form-fitting and skip the Babydolls (shapewear can actually look amazing in photos, as an alternative).
I also recommend that you bring at least 4 or more different outfits with you (we will likely only photograph 3) and make sure they are outfits that you love.
EXAMPLE of wardrobe you might bring to your photoshoot:
Lace bodysuit
Minimal, simple black shapewear bodysuit
Demi-bra and panty set
Long-line bra and panty set
High-waisted panties with a simple/chic bra
Your partner’s white dress shirt
And finally, if you are booked and wondering about your wardrobe just don’t over-think it! What you are wearing is actually not as important as you might think - I could do an entire session with a nude woman and make her look fantastic - so please don’t stress too much about it. Wear whatever you personally think is pretty, not how you think boudoir wardrobe should look.