Okay, real talk — this is the question I get more than any other. More than “how long does it take” or “will you see everything.” More than pricing. Women obsess over what to bring, and honestly? I get it. It feels like the one thing you can control before you walk in.

So here’s what I actually tell my clients, after doing this for years in Chicago.

Three to four outfits. That’s the sweet spot.

Not two (too limiting), not eight (you’ll stress yourself out). Three or four gives us variety without turning your session into a costume change marathon. We want to spend time on you, not on zippers.

One of those should be something you already own that makes you feel like yourself. Not something you bought specifically for this. That old silk slip you never wear anywhere. Your favorite bralette. The thing that lives in your drawer and makes you feel good when you put it on for no reason. That’s the one I want to shoot.

What photographs well in our studio

Our space in Chicago is dark and moody — we shoot with warm, low light that wraps around you. A few things work really well in that environment:

• Cream, ivory, soft white — they almost glow against a dark background
• Deep, saturated colors. Burgundy, forest green, navy. They look rich and intentional.
• Blush and terracotta tones. I shoot a lot of women with warm undertones and these are consistently stunning.
• Black lace or satin. Classic for a reason.

What I’d avoid: busy prints, neon anything, and fabrics that wrinkle badly. You’ll spend half the session smoothing things down and it’s just annoying.

Lingerie vs. “lingerie”

You don’t have to wear traditional lingerie. I want to say that clearly because I know some women come in with the idea that boudoir photography means a specific thing — tiny, lacy, performative. It doesn’t have to be any of that.

I’ve had clients shoot in a sports bra and boxer shorts and the images were incredible. I’ve had clients wear nothing but a vintage slip their grandmother left them. I’ve had clients come in a full suit and photograph the undressing. The “what to wear” question really just comes down to: what feels like you?

A few things people forget

Shoes. If you have heels you like, bring them — even if you’ve never worn heels in your life. You don’t have to walk anywhere. They just change the line of the leg in a way that’s hard to replicate otherwise. That said, bare feet are also beautiful. It’s a choice, not a requirement.

Your nails. Hands show up in a lot of shots. A fresh manicure — or even just clean, moisturized hands — makes a difference. Doesn’t need to be a full set, just neat.

And something that smells like you. Perfume, a candle you love, whatever grounds you. It sounds weird but it helps with nerves. Your brain associates smell with safety and comfort in a way that nothing else does.

When in doubt — just ask

I do a full consultation before every session. Bring photos of things you’re considering, screenshot outfits from Pinterest, describe the vibe you’re going for. I’ve been doing this a long time and I can tell you pretty quickly what will work and what won’t. That’s part of what you’re booking.

You don’t have to figure this out alone. Reach out before your session or book and we’ll talk it through together.