Preparing for Your Boudoir Experience with Ash & Thistle Artistry:

What to Expect and How to Get Ready

Boudoir photography is more than just beautiful photos—it's a personal journey of empowerment, confidence, and self-love. At Ash & Thistle Artistry, I aim to create an unforgettable experience, making sure you feel comfortable, confident, and radiant.

In this guide, I’ll take you through what to expect during the consultation, how to prepare your body leading up to the session, and how to set yourself up for a smooth, worry-free experience on the big day.

1. The Consultation: What It Is & What to Expect

Before your boudoir session, I’ll start with a consultation. This can be done over the phone, text, or in email. The goal is to get to know you better, understand your vision for the shoot, and go over important details like wardrobe, hair and makeup, and posing ideas.

What We'll Cover:

Vision & Goals: Why are you booking a boudoir session? Whether you’re marking a milestone, boosting your self-confidence, or creating a special gift, knowing your goals helps us tailor the experience to you.

Wardrobe Planning: We’ll discuss outfit ideas and how to use your wardrobe fitting session to ensure you have the perfect look for the shoot. You’ll also get to see props, wigs, and explore creative themes, including our special Rain Room Bonus Set if you're booking during the summer months.

Posing & Comfort: If you’re nervous about posing, don’t worry—I’ll walk through what to expect. I'm here to guide you every step of the way and make sure you feel completely at ease. Posing is 100% my job you are never expected to know what looks good from my point of view, after all posing is one of the many reasons you are selecting me.

Hair & Makeup Expectations: If you’ve chosen hair styling, we’ll go over your preferred look. I want to ensure you're ready to shine, so I recommend preparing your hair by showering the day before your session to give us a fresh canvas for styling.

2. Body Prep: How to Prepare in Advance

We want you to feel your absolute best on the day of your session, so we’ve put together a body prep checklist to help guide you in the months and weeks leading up to your boudoir shoot.

3 Months Out

Exercise & Wellness: If you have specific fitness or wellness goals, now is a great time to focus on them. Whether it’s strength training, yoga, or simply moving your body more, this is about feeling strong and energized—not about changing your body.
Skincare Routine: Start hydrating your skin regularly and consider using a gentle exfoliator once a week. Add in a rich moisturizer or body lotion to keep your skin soft and supple.

2 Months Out

Hair & Nails: If you’re planning on any significant hair changes (like a new color or cut), now is the time to experiment, giving yourself time to adjust before the session. For nails, whether you prefer gel, acrylics, or natural nails, decide if you want to book an appointment closer to the date for a polished finish.
Wardrobe Selection: Start finalizing your outfits. Think about pieces that make you feel confident and sensual—whether it’s lingerie, silk robes, or a favorite cozy sweater. If you're doing a Rain Room Bonus Set, now’s the time to pick your best white cotton pieces for that perfect wet t-shirt look.

2 Weeks Out

Waxing & Shaving: If you’re planning to wax, aim for about 7-10 days before the session. This allows your skin time to calm down and any redness to fade. For shaving, a few days before is ideal, depending on your preferences.
Hydrate & Exfoliate: Increase your water intake to keep your skin glowing, and start gently exfoliating your body to remove any dead skin cells. A regular magnesium lotion or hydrating serum can be a great addition to keep your skin soft and nourished.

2-3 Days Before

Rest: Prioritize sleep! Rest is key to feeling and looking your best in photos.
Hair Care: If you're opting for hairstyling, give your hair a good wash the day before the session. Clean hair is much easier to style, giving us the best results for your shoot.
Nails & Grooming: Give your nails a final touch-up, and make sure you’re feeling good about your grooming routine—whether it’s a fresh shave, wax, or just your regular routine.

The Day Before

Shower & Skin Prep: We highly recommend showering the day before (especially if we’re doing hair styling). Clean, dry hair is essential for creating the best styles, and freshly washed skin will feel smooth and look radiant in your images.
Moisturize: After your shower, lather on a rich body lotion, paying special attention to any dry areas like elbows, knees, and feet.
Hydrate & Rest: Drink plenty of water and aim for a solid night’s sleep. You’ll want to be feeling fresh and energized for your session.

3. On the Day: Stepping Into Confidence

The day of your session is all about embracing who you are, your desires, and reconnecting with your femininity. When you arrive at our studio in Napoleon, Ohio, I’ll take care of everything from outfit coordination to hair and makeup, ensuring you're comfortable and relaxed.

I’ll guide you through each pose, creating a safe space for you to express yourself, whether it's through sultry or playful shots. We often include fun bonus sets—like wigs. Rain Room, Crystal room, red room and so many more sets—to make sure your session is a unique reflection of you. After your session, you’ll have the opportunity to view your gallery right away, where you can choose your favorite images for your collection.

4. Aftercare & Continued Self-Love

Once your session is complete, don’t let the self-love stop there!

The journey continues with our Aftercare program and VIP community just for past clients which includes a 6-week body image workbook, designed to help you reflect on your session and build long-term confidence. Each week includes reflection prompts and challenges, such as spending 30 minutes in nature or journaling about limiting beliefs. This aftercare program helps you sustain the confidence and empowerment you gained during your boudoir experience.

5. Celebrate Yourself

Consider joining our VIP community, where you can participate in challenges like our 30-day selfie challenge. It’s a fun and supportive way to continue celebrating your body, confidence, and growth.

Remember, this boudoir experience is all about you—embracing your story, your body, and your unique beauty. At Ash & Thistle Artistry, I am here to ensure you feel confident and empowered, both during the session and beyond.

Ready to Book? I can’t wait to help you prepare for this incredible soul filling experience. Get in touch today to schedule your consultation or book your boudoir session at our Napoleon, Ohio studio.