Wear what you already own and feel good in, and do not buy lingerie for this session unless you were going to buy it anyway. The pieces that photograph best are almost always the ones already in your closet: a good shirt, a sweater, a slip you sleep in, a robe.
Every boudoir studio publishes a "what to wear" list. Most of them are shopping lists. This one is shorter.
What photographs well?
Things that fit, in fabrics that move.
Fit matters more than anything. A $20 bra that fits perfectly photographs better than a $200 set that gapes. Try everything on the week before, sit down in it, lie down in it, and see whether it stays where it should.
Fabric matters second. Silk, satin, linen, thin knits, and lace all catch window light and show the shape of a body without clinging to every inch of it. Stiff fabrics and heavy shapewear photograph as flat blocks.
Colour matters third. Black, white, cream, and skin tones are safe. Deep jewel tones are good. Bright neon and busy prints pull attention from your face.
What should I bring?
Three or four options, and a few of them should not be lingerie at all.
Here is what ends up in most of my favourite frames:
An oversized button-up shirt. Yours, or a partner's.
A sweater or cardigan, worn on its own or slipping off one shoulder.
A slip, camisole, or bodysuit.
One lingerie set that fits, if you want one.
A robe or kimono for between looks and for the first frames.
Something with meaning: a piece of jewellery, a hat, a jacket you love, a jersey.
Bring more than you think you need. We will lay everything out and choose together. Nothing is wasted.
What should I not bother buying?
Anything you would only wear once, for this.
Babydoll lingerie hides your shape and tends to look like a bag in photographs. Complicated multi-strap harnesses take twenty minutes to get on and rarely sit right. Costume pieces, unless you have a real reason. Sky-high heels you cannot walk in; bare feet look better than wobbling.
If you want to buy one thing, buy a well-fitting bra in a colour you like from a shop where someone measures you.
What about heels and accessories?
Heels are optional. If you own a pair you love, bring them. They change posture and lengthen legs, but only if you are comfortable in them. Bare feet are beautiful and far more relaxed.
Jewellery: less is better. A single piece you always wear is a good detail. A lot of pieces is a distraction.
Nails: neutral or bare. Chipped polish is one of the few things I cannot always fix, so either freshly done or none.
What should I wear on the way to the studio?
Something loose.
Tight waistbands, socks, bra straps, and watch bands leave marks on skin that take an hour or more to fade and are difficult to retouch. Wear soft, loose clothing on the way in, take your watch and hair tie off in the car, and you will save both of us trouble.
Should I get a spray tan or a wax beforehand?
Only if you would anyway, and not the day before.
Spray tans can go patchy and orange under strobes, and they are not something I correct in retouching. If you want one, do it three or four days out with someone you trust. Waxing and shaving: at least a day before, so any redness settles.
Do not try a new skincare product the week of the session. Do not get a facial the day before. Drink water. Sleep.
Does Marggie do hair and makeup for every look?
Yes. She starts with a full hair and makeup application and then adjusts between looks if a change suits the outfit. If you want something specific, bring a reference photo. If you do not normally wear makeup, tell her, and she will keep it close to bare.
Is there a client wardrobe?
I would rather you wear your own things than pull from a client wardrobe, because they fit you and they mean something. If there is a particular piece you want and do not have, tell me when you book and we will figure it out.
What if I really do not know what to bring?
Bring everything you are considering, and we will sort it out in the studio. Or send me a photo of the options the week before and I will tell you which ones will work. That is a normal part of the process.
Written September 2026.