Here’s what to expect at a boudoir session with me: you arrive on a Tuesday or Thursday morning, grab a drink, and get your professional hair and makeup done right in the studio (it’s included). Then you change into your outfits, I pose you through every shot while showing you the back of the camera, and right after, we do your same-day reveal. The whole thing happens from 9am to 1pm. It’s slow, silly, judgment-free, and all about you.
You pull into the parking lot at 707 E 41st St.
You sit in your car for a minute. Maybe five.
You check your face in the visor mirror. You think about texting me that you’re “running late” even though you’re early. You think, very briefly, about driving home and pretending this never happened.
Babe. I know. I know that car-sitting moment so well.
Get out of the car. Come on up the stairs to Suite 205.
Let me walk you through the whole day so there are zero surprises.
Because honestly? Knowing what to expect at a boudoir session takes so much of the scary out of it. The unknown is what keeps you sitting in that car. So let’s make it known.
What happens when I first arrive at my boudoir session?
When you arrive, we say hi, get you something to drink, turn the music up, and just talk for a bit before any photos happen. It’s only you, me, and my hair and makeup artist in the studio.
That’s it. No rushing. Nobody’s pulling you straight into lingerie the second you walk in.
Hey girl, how are you? Oh my gosh, I am so excited to see you. I can’t believe it’s finally here. How are you feeling?
That’s me. That’s literally what I’m going to say.
And a lot of women tell me in that first few minutes, “I feel like I already know you.” Because you kind of do. You’ve been watching my stories for months. You know my terrible humor. You know I’m going to swear. You know I’m going to hype you up like it’s my full-time job, because it is.
If you need a minute at any point, take it. Get a drink. Breathe. I’ve got you.
How does hair and makeup work for a boudoir session?
Professional hair and makeup is included in every session, done onsite by my hair and makeup artist, and you choose the look so you recognize yourself when you open your album 20 years from now.
Full glam? Love it. Natural and fresh-faced? Love it. Red lip and a slicked-back bun? Ma’am, YES.
I don’t want you looking at your photos one day and wondering who that stranger is. I want you to go, “That’s me. Damn.”
What to Expect at a Boudoir Session Once the Camera Comes Out
Once we start shooting, expect loud music, constant direction, a lot of laughing, and me telling you exactly what to do with every part of your body.
Two outfits are included in every session. Whatever you chose: lingerie, an oversized sweater, jeans and a crop tank, your partner’s flannel, something from my closet in sizes XXS–6X (bring a black and a nude seamless thong if you’re using it). You’re never required to be a “good girl” in here.
We move between my sets: the shower, the tub, the bed, the couch, the neon, and more. And we take it slow. The whole day is about you and nothing else.
You’ll hear me say things like:
“Oh my God. Oh yes, bitch. There it is.” “Ma’am!” “Holy shit.” “You fucking did that.”
And at some point, you’re going to laugh at something truly stupid I say, and that’s usually when I get my favorite shot of the whole day. We’re just here to have a good fucking time.
Do I need to know how to pose for boudoir?
No, you don’t need to know how to pose, because I direct every single pose for you.
I’m going to tell you where to put your chin. Your shoulders. Your hands. Your hips. Your pinky toe. (Yes, your pinky toe. It matters. Trust me.)
You don’t have to be a model. You don’t have to have “angles.” You just have to listen to me and breathe.
Your stomach is there, your arms are there, and I’m not going to pretend they’re not. I can’t take away your body, and I’m never going to edit it. But I can pose it and flatter it in the best way possible.
Will I get to see my photos during the session?
Yes. I show you the back of the camera during your session, so you can see exactly what I’m seeing in real time.
And girl, this is my favorite part.
Because you walked in seeing the things you don’t love. We’re human. We see those things automatically.
Then I flip the camera around, and you see something else.
A lot of women go quiet. Some laugh. Some cry a little. So many of you tell me some version of, “I didn’t know she was still in there.”
She was. She always was.
What happens after my boudoir session?
Right after your session, we do your same-day reveal in the studio. You see your images and choose your products that same day: albums, metal prints, acrylic Diamond blocks, digital galleries. Many clients pick and plan for their collection when they book, so this part is pure fun.
Your digital images arrive in a private online gallery within 7 days, and your products are in your hands within 4 weeks. Then it’s just you, in your car, probably texting your best friend “OMG” in all caps.
As for retouching, here’s what I promise: very light skin smoothing that keeps your texture, and I only remove things that won’t be on your body two weeks from now. I don’t edit bodies. Scars stay. You will not look like Barbie butter skin.
Frequently Asked Questions About Your Boudoir Session Day
Can I bring a friend to my boudoir session?
No. The only person in the studio is the person being photographed (for couples sessions, the two of you), plus me and my hair and makeup artist. No friends, support people, or kids during studio hours. It keeps the space private and safe for everybody, and I promise I’ll be your hype buddy.
What if I start crying during my session?
That’s completely okay, and it happens more than you’d think. Take a minute, grab a tissue and a drink, and we’ll keep going whenever you’re ready.
What if I don’t like how I look in a pose?
Tell me, and we’ll change it. I show you the back of the camera throughout your session, so you’re never left guessing how something looks.
How long does a boudoir session take?
Your whole session day runs from 9am to 1pm on a Tuesday or Thursday. That covers everything: hair and makeup, your shoot, and your same-day reveal and ordering.
What should I plan for right after my session?
You’ll be done by 1pm, so plan something easy and low-key, like lunch, a coffee, or just a quiet drive home. Skip the stressful errands so you can actually enjoy how you feel.
Do I have to change outfits in front of you?
Your comfort comes first, every single time. Tell me what feels okay for you and we’ll go from there, no questions asked.
Stop Sitting in the Parking Lot, Babe
You’re going to sit in that car for a minute on your session day. I know you are.
That’s okay.
But don’t sit there for two more years first.
Text or call 605-857-5800, email hello@marandamarie.com, or reach out at https://marandamarie.com/contact, and let’s get your date on the calendar. I’ll have the music up and a drink waiting. 🥹
Xoxo, Maranda
About Maranda
Maranda is the boudoir photographer behind Maranda Marie Photography in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. She’s been photographing women (and couples) since 2018, has captured hundreds of clients in her moody, set-filled studio, and is a mom of two girls and one bonus son who gets the last-on-the-list life firsthand. Call or text 605-857-5800 or visit marandamarie.com/contact.
