Wardrobe Tips
The #1 Wardrobe Rule
Do not bring outfits you don’t love. We can’t tell you how many people show up with outfits and say something like: "I don’t really like the way I look in this one, but maybe you can make it work." If you don’t like the outfit, chances are you won’t love photos of yourself wearing it either.
Leave it at home.
The goal of wardrobe for your session is simply to bring pieces you genuinely enjoy wearing and feel confident in.
Our Shooting Style
Our style is modern, clean, and timeless. We focus on you being the main character, not the wardrobe, not the trends, and not anything that will feel dated years from now. Because of that, we guide clients toward wardrobe choices that are classic, simple, and reflective of who you are, rather than overly trendy pieces that may age quickly.
You are investing a lot of time, energy, and money into this experience, and we want you to feel just as good about these images years from now as you do the day they are created. Simple, intentional pieces tend to photograph best, such as:
• Structured pieces – blazers, tailored jackets, corsets, structured bodysuits
• Solid colors – black, cream, neutrals, deep reds, earth tones
• Texture – lace, ribbed knits, silk, satin, leather, velvet, chunky sweaters, sheer fabrics
• Well-fitted silhouettes – bodysuits, tailored suits, high-waisted briefs, fitted boxer briefs, slip dresses, button-down shirts that follow the shape of your body
These allow the focus to stay exactly where it belongs, on you.
We also recommend avoiding tiny busy patterns and neon colors, which can sometimes photograph harshly or pull attention away from you in the final image.
Bring Variety
Rather than bringing several versions of the same outfit, aim for a small variety of looks. Examples might include:
• Something casual
• Something structured or elevated
• Something textured or cozy
• Something sleek or minimal
Many clients also choose one look that feels relaxed, one that feels powerful or elevated, and one that feels a little more daring. As a general guideline, we photograph one outfit every 30 minutes of shooting time.
And yes, nude counts as an outfit.
Studio Wardrobe
You will also have access to our studio wardrobe during your session. Our collection currently leans more female and femme-forward, but we are slowly building our men’s wardrobe selection as well.
Most clients do a hybrid approach, bringing a few favorite pieces from home and pairing them with items from the studio wardrobe. Some people bring everything from home, while others choose to style their entire session using pieces from our collection.
There’s no right or wrong approach. When you arrive, we’ll go through everything together and help style the pieces in a way that photographs beautifully.
Wardrobe Tips for Women
Lingerie is not required for boudoir. Some of our favorite looks actually come from simple pieces such as:
• Oversized sweaters
• Button-down shirts
• Graphic tees with cheeky bottoms
• Bodysuits
• Blazers or jackets
• Sheets or scarves
• Garter belts and thigh highs
You can mix pieces creatively.
For example:
• A cropped sweater paired with garter belt and stockings
• A beautiful bra paired with nothing else
• Your favorite vintage tee with bottoms
The goal is to reflect your personality and style, not to look like someone you aren’t.
Highlight Features You Love
Wardrobe can help draw attention to features you love.
Examples:
• Love your legs → shorter silhouettes or stockings
• Love your chest → plunge necklines
• Love your bum → thongs or cheeky bottoms
• Love your shoulders → off-the-shoulder pieces
If there are areas you feel less confident about, wardrobe can also help soften attention with sleeves, layers, or texture. Lighting and posing will also support this.
Wardrobe Tips for Men
We love photographing men in pieces that feel natural and authentic to them.
Great options include:
• Well-fitted boxer briefs
• Grey sweatpants
• Athletic or athleisure wear
• Cut-off jeans or casual shorts
• Work attire or uniforms
• Open button-down shirts
• Suits or structured pieces
We currently carry limited wardrobe options for men, so it’s important to bring items from home. As we continue building our men’s wardrobe collection, we’re always happy to help coordinate outfit ideas with you beforehand.
Wardrobe Tips for Couples
Couples sessions are all about contrast and connection. One of our favorite classic combinations is:
• A masculine partner in structured clothing or a suit
• A feminine partner in lingerie or softer fabrics
But couples can also explore:
• Cozy casual looks
• Coordinated neutrals
• Elevated date-night outfits
Don’t be afraid to dress up while you have the chance.
What Not to Bring
While we love creativity, there are a few wardrobe choices that tend to photograph poorly.
Try to avoid:
• Tiny busy patterns
• Neon colors
• Ill-fitting lingerie or bras
• Items you constantly adjust or feel uncomfortable in
• Wrinkled clothing
If you’re unsure about something, bring it anyway. We can always go through everything together and decide what will photograph best.
Color Analysis
If you’re unsure what colors photograph best on you, Jakie offers a personal color analysis service exclusively for our clients. This helps identify the tones that naturally complement your skin tone and features, making wardrobe decisions easier and ensuring your images feel cohesive and polished.
Many clients find this helpful not only for their session, but for building a wardrobe that works for them long after their shoot.