Stephanie photographing a client in the Brooklyn Boudoir Studio
If you’ve never done a boudoir photoshoot before, the unknown part is usually the hardest.
Not the outfits. Not your body. The not knowing what’s going to happen.
This post is here to calmly walk you through the process — no hype, no transformation language, no dramatic promises. Just a clear picture of how a boudoir session actually works, from planning to finished images.
First: Timing (This Is the Part People Often Miss)
If you want albums or prints in hand by a specific date — a birthday, anniversary, or just because — plan to start about two to three months ahead.
That gives us room to:
Schedule your shoot without rushing
Prepare thoughtfully
Review images together
Produce and deliver finished artwork
Boudoir is not a last-minute thing, and it’s better for everyone when it’s not treated like one. The last thing I want is for us to stress, but instead have a fun and relaxed time together, with plenty of space to breathe.
Step 1: Booking the Session
Once you reach out, I’ll give you all the details you need to make an informed decision about doing a shoot together, and we schedule your shoot date.
At this stage, you’re not expected to have everything figured out. That comes later. Booking simply secures your spot on my calendar and gets the process moving.
Step 2: Prep, Guidance, and Getting on the Same Page
After booking, you’ll receive a prep guide that covers the practical things people usually worry about: what to bring, how to prepare, and what to expect.
You’ll also get a short homework assignment — nothing intense — designed to help me understand your style, preferences, and what you’re drawn to visually. This isn’t about performance; it’s about alignment.
I’ll check in with you to see if you’d like a consultation. Some people love talking things through. Others prefer email and some just want to read and reflect. All of these approaches are fine - I’ll never force you to get on a call.
As your shoot approaches, I’ll send last‑minute reminders, a packing list, exact location and parking info so you have everything you need at your fingertips. Nothing feels forgotten or rushed.
Stephanie will give you all the information you need leading up to the photoshoot.
Step 3: The Day of the Shoot
When you arrive, we don’t jump straight into photos.
We chat first. We settle in. We give your nervous system a minute to catch up.
You’ll then have professional hair and makeup done. This is not about becoming someone else — it’s about polish and ease. Once hair and makeup are finished, the artist leaves so we have full privacy for the shoot.
Step 4: The Photoshoot Itself
The session lasts about 90 minutes, and it’s paced intentionally.
We start simple and more demure. Nothing intense, nothing rushed. As you warm up, we gradually move into images that feel stronger, bolder, or more “rawr” — only if and when that feels right to you.
You are never expected to:
Know how to pose
Look perfect
Be “on” the whole time
That’s my job.
How I Direct (Without Forcing)
Direction doesn’t mean barking instructions or locking you into shapes.
It looks more like:
Conversation
Light, sometimes silly jokes
Movement prompts rather than frozen poses
Paying attention to your body language and energy
Adjusting in real time based on what feels best for you
If something doesn’t feel right, we don’t do it. Full stop.
Consent isn’t a form you sign once — it’s an ongoing conversation throughout the shoot.
At the reveal and ordering appointment, Stephanie helps you select the photos you want to keep. Everything is lightly retouched so what you see at the reveal is what you get - no mysteries.
Step 5: Reviewing Your Photos
About 2–3 weeks later, we meet again — either on Zoom or in person — to review your images.
This is a guided process. The images you see will ALL be lightly retouched, color corrected and many will be in black and white. You don’t need to use your imagination to know what the final photos will look like - you will see the photos that you will get. You’re not left alone to scroll and decide in a vacuum. We talk through what you’re drawn to, what feels like you, and how you want to enjoy the images moving forward.
Step 6: Final Images and Delivery
Once selections are finalized, your images go into production.
About 3–4 weeks later, your finished artwork is ready. Depending on what you’ve chosen, you’ll either pick it up or have it delivered to you.
At that point, the experience is complete — unrushed, considered, and intact. It’s less of a “goodbye” and more of an, “Until next time.”
A Few Things Worth Saying Out Loud
A boudoir photoshoot does not require:
Confidence from the start
A certain body type
Prior experience
A personality overhaul
It does require:
Professional guidance
Clear communication
Respect for your boundaries
Time and space to ease in
That’s what makes the difference between an experience that feels performative and one that feels grounded.
If you’re the kind of person who wants to know what you’re walking into — not be sold a fantasy — this is how it works.
No surprises. Just process. if you want to read more about choosing the right boudoir photographer for you, I blogged about it here.