Nashville Luxury Boudoir Wardrobe Guide
Congratulations on embarking on a journey of self-celebration with your boudoir photography session! This experience promises to be empowering, deeply personal, and above all, a celebration of your unique beauty.
Another key to a successful session lies in selecting the right wardrobe that not only dazzles but also accentuates your natural allure. Remember, simplicity often speaks volumes.
Our philosophy is 'less is more,' and we encourage embracing this through your wardrobe choices.
Your attire is a pivotal element of the session, and we often find that artistic nudes can profoundly capture the essence of your empowerment. We encourage you to consider this option for a truly liberating experience.
Many of our clients find delight in exploring our carefully selected client wardrobe, while others prefer to bring their own special pieces. To assist you in this exciting preparation, I've compiled a helpful guide. This guide is designed to ease your selection process, ensuring you bring pieces that resonate with your personality and body type. Please don't hesitate to reach out with any questions as you navigate this part of the journey; I am here to guide you every step of the way.
Our focus is on celebrating you in the most authentic way.
Sometimes, overly elaborate outfits and props can distract from the true star of the show - you. We strive to create a space where you feel empowered and connected to your femininity, sensuality, and inner strength.
Choosing inappropriate attire can detract from the beauty of your images. This could be due to poor fit, unflattering colors, or patterns that don't translate well on camera. Remember, authenticity is key. There’s no need for excessive jewelry or hiding behind costumes and props.
For an exquisite lingerie experience, we obviously highly recommend Chestnut and Honey Holly’s own Lingerie Boutique. We offer private shopping experiences included in some collections, Chestnut and Honey also offers personally curated private experperiences as well.
Another local lingerie boutique that we love is Darlin' Nashville. Kathryn McGinnis, the owner, offers private consultations and fittings at her boutique in Houston Station. She'll guide you in selecting lingerie that compliments your session, she is very familiar with our style and can offer her experienced recommendations. If you're interested in her services, let me know, and I'll arrange a personal consultation for you.
In our Client Wardrobe, you'll find a diverse array of pieces, including lingerie, robes, tanks, shoes, and jewelry, catering to all women and some men ( we have a few pair of lounge pants, joggers, silky pj bottoms and t-shirts). We provide these without a rental fee for full sessions. However, we don't stock panties, so if you're considering a two-piece ensemble, you'll need to bring your own.
Embrace this journey with confidence and excitement. We're here to ensure your boudoir session is not just a photoshoot, but a transformative experience celebrating your individuality and grace.
As part of ensuring the best possible experience and photographs, there are a couple of essentials you need to bring. These are necessary for hygiene and comfort when utilizing our diverse client wardrobe:
1. Nude Seamless Thong or G-String: This is crucial for wearing under our wardrobe pieces. It should be in pristine condition and seamless to ensure it remains invisible under the garments, offering a smooth and flattering look.
2. Black Seamless Thong or G-String: Similarly, a black option is essential. Again, it should be seamless and in like-new condition for the same reasons as above.
These items are key to maintaining hygiene standards and ensuring that our wardrobe pieces fit you perfectly, highlighting your form in the most flattering way. We take pride in offering a luxury experience, and part of that is ensuring every detail is perfect, right down to the undergarments you wear beneath our exclusive client wardrobe.
The key is to choose lingerie that not only fits well but also makes you feel confident and beautiful. Here are some suggestions for lingerie that flatter different body types:
Hourglass Figure:
- Teddies and Bustiers: These are excellent for highlighting your waist and balancing your proportions.
- High-Waist Panties and Bra Sets: They accentuate your waist and enhance your natural curves.
Pear-Shaped Body:
- Babydolls and A-line Chemises: These flow gently over the hips, highlighting the waist and balancing your lower half.
- Detailed Bras: Bras with lace, embroidery, or other details draw the eye upward, balancing your figure.
Apple-Shaped Body:
- Empire-Waist Lingerie: This style cinches just under the bust, flowing over the midsection.
- Teddy or Bodysuit with Ruching: Ruching helps to create a flattering silhouette, especially in the tummy area.
Rectangle Body Shape:
- Bralettes with Matching Panties: These can create the illusion of curves.
- Garter Belts and Stockings: Adding layers and textures can create more dimension and interest.
Inverted Triangle Body Shape:
- High-Waisted Briefs: They add volume and balance to your lower half.
- Longline Bras or Camisoles: These help to elongate your torso and balance broader shoulders.
For All Body Types:
- Lace Robes or Kimonos: A beautiful addition to any lingerie set, adding a touch of elegance and mystery.
- Bodystockings: They come in various patterns and designs and can be a bold and empowering choice.
For Individuals Seeking Gender-Inclusive Options:
- Boxer Briefs with Lace Details: Combining masculine and feminine elements.
- Non-Wired, Soft Cup Bras: Comfortable and available in various styles that cater to different aesthetics.
Remember, the most important aspect is how the lingerie makes you feel. It should empower you and reflect your personal style. We encourage clients to bring multiple options to their session, ensuring a range of looks to choose from.
Here's a quick rundown of items to avoid
Props: Boudoir photography with Holly Douglas & Co is about showcasing your authentic self, so props that might be used in pinup photography are not recommended. The emphasis is on you and your natural beauty, without distractions.
Heavily Worn or Damaged Items: Items that are tattered, soiled, or scuffed can detract from the elegance and luxury of the images. We strive for photographs that are timeless and refined.
Men's Shirts: While the idea of wearing a men's shirt can be appealing, it's often better to opt for a similar style that's tailored to fit your body. This ensures the garment complements your form in the most flattering way.
Ill-Fitting Lingerie or Clothing: Lingerie or clothing that is either too tight or too loose can be unflattering and uncomfortable. It's crucial to choose items that fit you perfectly to ensure you look and feel your best.
Sex Toys: These are not appropriate for a boudoir session with Holly Douglas & Co. The focus of our photography is on elegance, empowerment, and celebrating your individual beauty in a tasteful, respectful manner.
Padded Bras: We encourage you to embrace your natural shape. Padded bras can often look unnatural in photos. Instead, opt for lingerie that flatters your natural figure.
Remember, the key to a successful boudoir session is to feel comfortable and confident in what you're wearing, as this will reflect in your photographs. Bring items that make you feel beautiful and empowered, aligning with the ethos of celebrating and embracing your unique self.
For your nails:
We go over this more in our Prep Guide but consider a classic French Manicure or a subtle, neutral color such as nude. Elegant shades like black, white, grey, red, or burgundy are also great choices. A touch of glitter can add a bit of sparkle. We suggest avoiding overly bright or vibrant colors like blues, greens, yellows, oranges, purples, and pinks to ensure they don't distract from the main focus of your images.
Self Tanner, Spray Tans and Tanning Beds:
It's crucial to keep in mind that spray tans or tanning bed tans are not suitable. If you arrive with such a tan, unfortunately, we will have to cancel your session without a refund. Spray tans do not photograph well and pose a risk of staining our furniture, carpets, bedding, and wardrobe items. Additionally, tanning beds can lead to skin redness and blotchiness, which we do not correct in post-processing. Embrace your natural beauty – your authentic skin tone will capture magnificently in photographs, and we encourage you to come just as you are, celebrating your natural elegance.
Tattoos (Artistic or permanent makeup) -
IF YOU SHOW UP WITH A FRESH TATTOO OF ANY KIND YOUR SESSION WILL BE CANCELLED WITH NO REFUND AND WE WILL CHARGE THE APPLICABLE FEES YOU AGREED TO IN YOUR CONTRACT
Tan Lines
Editing out tan lines can be an extraordinarily challenging task. If you prefer your images without tan lines, we suggest avoiding sun exposure for a week or two before your session. Alternatively, consider booking your session during the off-season, between November and April, or before you head off on your holiday.
If tan lines do make an appearance, we have a couple of options. We can engage a specialist to edit them out, though this would incur an additional fee due to the complexity of the work. Otherwise, you can choose to embrace the tan lines in your photos — some find them quite alluring! Another practical solution is to select outfits that cleverly conceal any tan lines.
