OUDO

Lingerie Guide
what to bring to your photoshoot
Welcome
3|| Wardrobe

4|| Your body type – flow chart

5|| Bras
Push ups

S
Demi-cut / balconette
o, you’re ready to take the plunge and
have your very own luxury photo shoot Underwire
– congratulations! It’s one of the most
Strapless
empowering and fun-filled experiences a person
can have, and we plan to make you feel as strong, T shirt
beautiful and sexy as you really are.
Our stylist has created this Lingerie guide to give 7|| Underwear
you all the advice and knowledge you’ll need to
Bikini
personalise your photo shoot and bring out the
best of your assets (as well as taking all the stress G string
and worry out of underwear shopping!).
French knickers
Just don’t forget – the sexiest thing you can bring
to your shoot, is your self… Boxers
High waisted

9|| Corsets and bustiers

Corsets
Mark Lait Bustiers
Founder
Courtiers (The Hybrid)

11|| Alternative Selections

Dressing gowns
Teddies
Shapewear
Slips and Nighties
Clothing

13|| Accessories
Garter belts
stockings
Jewellery
Shoes

15|| Colour choices

 wardrob
Okay, first things first – what’s in your
wardrobe? More than any other kind of
photography we’ve engaged in, having the
right ensemble for a boudoir shoot makes ALL
the difference.

Feeling comfy in your undies will An estimated 85% of Australian

translate to feeling comfy in your
photoshoot. We want you to relax and
enjoy the experience. Fortunately,
wearing the right clothes can
hide a multitude of sins as well as
accentuate all those fantastic features
you want to show off at the same
time, whether it’s your personality or
your bottom!
If you’re like most women, your
knowledge of lingerie could easily fit
in your underwear drawer, with room
to spare.
women are still wearing the wrong bra
(I was equally guilty of this for many
years – a catastrophe for someone
with an ample E chest).
The good news is, we don’t expect
everyone to know what will flatter
them (you’re busy, busy girls, after
all), so in this guide we’ll share with
you all you need to know about
lingerie and the boudoir wardrobe
and how you can customise your
wardrobe to match your personality
and taste for your photo shoot.

3 | Boudoir Photography Perth • 1300 61 66 34

 Types
Body
Are your shoulders and Is your stomach your Are your hips your
NO NO
hips the same width? widest part? widest part?

YES

Do you have a clearly YES YES NO

defined waist?

NO YES

Banana Hour Glass Apple PEAR STRAWBERrY

Includes shorter Includes plus sized Includes figures Includes women Includes figures
and stockier hour glass figures with petite build with generous hips with smaller breasts
builds or more and short waists and lean middle
generous hips as well as tall and
slender figures
Hour Glass

Strawberry
Banana

Apple

Pear

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 Matching bra and panties are an obvious
bras Demi-cuts and
choice amongst most women for their boudoir Balconette Bras
shoot as we can usually find at least one set in This bra style is wonderfully versatile
– it offers support but allows more
our house without having to search elsewhere. of the upper breasts to show and
creates more cleavage. What’s not to
It’s also the most popular everyday underwear love? Many women, including myself,
often prefer this type of bra to a push
option and can work well for most body types, up bra as it can accommodate both
smaller and larger breasts and works
providing you pick up the right style and with what you have, creating natural
fit. Here we’ll talk you through some of the proportions for your photos. Like any
bra, and I cannot emphasise enough,
different styles and what they can do for you! it is so vitally important that it is well
fitted. Which leads me on to this…

A word to the wise...

As a balconette bra offers partial
Push Up Bras covering (a half cup, basically) there
is a chance of (excuse the bluntness)
For an all round uplifting experience, look no further than the push up bra. It’s nipple exposure. Just to be clear -
all in the name after all. Push up bras can make breasts appear larger and can this is absolutely a case of personal
provide much sought after cleavage for smaller breasted women. preference. Many women don’t mind
a bit of nipple here and there and find
For women who want to bring a push up bra to their photo shoot, it is it adds a playful and sometimes very
imperative that they also bring along a fitted bra which, when lying down subtle sexiness to their images! The
main thing is to go with what makes
won’t create a gap between breast and bra. Similarly, push up bras are not
you comfortable.
recommended for our larger busted ladies – you’ve already got the goods!
Ideal for: Apple, Hour glass,
Ideal for: Banana, Pear Strawberry
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 Strapless Bras
Don’t worry ladies, it really is what is
says on the tin.
This type of bra can work so
well for women who have a
delicate chest and neck area.
Or for those with an athletic build
who want to show off how lean
they are.
They are generally the friend of the
smaller chested woman, though
again, I would recommend that a
client who brought a strapless bra
to their shoot also bring a well fitted
bra for poses that require raising
the arms or lying on their back (see
push-up bras).
Ideal for: Banana, Pear

Underwire Bras
Many other styles of bra will be under-wired including the balconette and push-
up. Put simply, all it means is that wire has been sewn into the
lower portion of the cup area for added support.
They are a worthwhile investment for any woman, of any breast
size – particularly for women who have had children or undergone
significant weight loss.
Ideal for: Apple, Hour Glass, Strawberry, Pear

T Shirt Bras
We’ve all got one. I have yet to meet a woman who doesn’t, but in most cases
these are not the most flattering underwear to bring to your boudoir shoot – I
concede that there are always exceptions to the rule, and there are options
to dress them up, but if I had to pick my least favourite, it would be this one.
These bras are typically made with soft cotton fabrics and minimal decoration
in order for it to appear invisible under a t-shirt. In this respect, they are
enormously practical and functional, but I want you to consider this:

Boudoir is as much about you transforming into the woman you

6 | Boudoir Photography Perth
idealise yourself to be as it is a commemoration of yourself now.
So, who do you want to be when you come in? Who are you? If a
t-shirt underwear ensemble is who you are and who you envisage
yourself to be, then that’s what you should bring – don’t be afraid
to be a little more adventurous either…
• 1300 61 66 34
 undies
Bikinis G Strings
Though not noted to be the sexiest of Also known as a thong or a Brazilian cut brief, these are for women who have
briefs, they work well for those of us junk in their trunk. With minimal fabric at the back, it’s perfect for showing off
who are concerned about coverage the curves you often sit on. Apart from being a fantastic item to bring to your
(they usually sit on the hip and cover shoot, it also serves a practical function for our day to day lives – avoiding
the front and back completely). I like VPL (visible panty line) through our outer wear.
to call them “modesty” pants, and Ideal for: Hour Glass, Banana
they are probably the most popular
type of brief there is, largely, I think,
because we didn’t realise there
were other, more flattering types out
there…and they’re comfy!)
This type of underwear has a
somewhat youthful and shy
personality about them. Colour
and detailing can introduce new
personality traits like playfulness
and femininity!
They will definitely compliment
women with athletic or lean figures.
However, for women who have
insecurities about their thighs or
tummy (like myself), there are better
and (more exciting options) for you.
Ideal for: Banana, Hour Glass,
Strawberry
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 French Knickers
I’ve sometimes heard them called the “cheeky
panty” which I think is wonderful – after all,
despite having more coverage, it’s still a
popular and effective way to show off a bit
of bum. Traditionally, these types of knickers
have earned their popularity by being cut in
a way which reveals more of the lower part
of the bottom. More on show than in a bikini
brief, and less than a thong, it’s generally
regarded as the happy medium, leaving more
than enough for the imagination without
sacrificing elegance.
It is definitely my favourite underwear for a
few reasons; selfishly, because for those of
us with less in the back than we’d like…it can
give the illusion of having more and creating a
roundness for flatter bums, and secondly, they
just photograph so well.
Ideal for: Hour Glass, Apple, Pear, Strawberry,
Banana

Tip: For extra points, lace,

lace, LACE.

Boxers
Also known as boy briefs, these are created to
sit on your waist and look like…well, shorts!
When done right, these can add playfulness to
your shoot and portray a very personal type of
sexiness. Who wears the pants in the family?
You do.
This type of brief will work well for girls with
lean stomachs and thighs, for the rest of us
they can be a bit problematic (especially if the
fit isn’t right. For women with larger tummies
or tummy insecurities, you can wear a singlet
with the boxers which will hide this area and
still look sexy!
I will say at the point however, that very rarely
does it work if you bring in your partners’
boxers – the thought is wonderful, but it will
ultimately do no favours for your body. My
best advice for this is to get boxers which are
made for you, but in the same colour/style as
your partners, or as I like to call it, win/win.
Ideal for: Bananas, Hour Glass, Pear

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 & Bustier
Corsets and Bustiers are truly a fantastic
option for any woman to wear for their
boudoir shoot, especially women with curves.
If you have larger breasts or a lovely hour
Corsets
glass figure (or you want one) then this is the
section for you. Though very similar, there
are a few differences between the two; mainly
that a corset will cinch the waist to make it
smaller, and a bustier, well, gives what it says
– more lift! I always encourage woman to buy
themselves at least one good quality corset
or bustier as it’s also a surprisingly versatile
wardrobe component. It can be dressed up or
down as you like! Not only that, but it’s the
easiest way to hide your tummy if you’re not
confident about that particular area.
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 Corsets
The best corsets on the market are
ones that are made with steel boning
as this is strong enough to completely
redefine a woman’s shape. If in doubt,
the better a corset is made, the more
it will do for you.
Typically, a corset will be
done up at the back with
lace tied at the waistline
for optimum support and
comfort. The tighter you
pull the lace – the smaller
the waist.
One of the most popular style of
corset is an overbust corset, which
covers breasts as well as cinching
in the waist. Corsets are generally
a better option for women with
smaller breasts as, although they
are designed to cover the breast
area, they do not have fitted cups to
accommodate breasts and they have
a nasty habit of popping out during
posing changes in the studio. Corsets
can also make women look much
flatter chested than they already are if
they’re not careful, but if your priority
is getting a smaller waist then a corset
will certainly do this!
A word to the wise: If there’s one
downside to the corset, it is this.
Breathing. The smaller you want your
waist, the more difficult it may be to
breathe. Generally, in a photo shoot,
corsets are done up tight enough
to give a defined and curvaceous
waistline without compromising
breathing or mobility as we need to be
able to move you around in the studio!
Don’t worry, we’re always happy to
help with fittings in the studio.
Ideal for: Hour Glass, Pear,
Banana, Apple
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Bustiers
If you are a larger breasted lady,
then this lingerie may be a great way
to give yourself extra lift that you
might not get with a conventional
bra. Bustiers will always have cups
to accommodate breasts and many
find them for comfortable to wear
as they’re not usually made with the
same type of boning that are used
in corsets. Although bustiers are
generally a bit shorter than corsets
(falling on or above the waist line)
they’ll still give you a beautifully sleek
and defined shape and will definitely
take any attention away from the
tummy area.
Bustiers don’t tend to use lace, but
rather a hook and eye combination
either at the front or the back.
This can sometimes be a little bit
troublesome as some areas will be
easier to fasten than others, but
again, in the studio there will always
be someone willing to assist
with wardrobe.
Ideal for: Apple, Strawberry,
Hour Glass
Cortiers – the hybrid
There are many types of lingerie
out there that are a beautiful blend
between both the corset and the
bustier. Some corsets will have cups
for breast accommodation, though
usually they won’t have quite the
same waist cinching power that an
authentic corset will have I have also
seen many bustiers which are laced at
the back or longer on the torso like a
corset would be.
The truth is, you have to go with what
works for you.
Another benefit of these hybrid
corsets (or cortiers as I’ve come
to calling them) is they are
generally not as expensive as
a conventional corset.
Ideal for: Apple, Pear, Strawberry,
Hour Glass, Banana
 Alternative
Selections

Outerwear Dressing Gowns

I know what you’re thinking – “But this is a boudoir shoot!”. I know, I know. I recently added this item to the list
Bizarrely enough however, every day clothing can work so well in a boudoir as it often goes unmentioned, but
shoot! Sometimes it’s those extra items of clothing like, leather jackets, ripped dressing gowns, whether silk or lace
jeans, a band t-shirt or an off the shoulder jumper which make the shoot have become one of my all time
complete and can be just as sexy as lingerie. Our all time favourite thing preferred things to bring into the
women bring to the studio is their partner’s button down shirts, come to think studio. They can be dropped off the
of it, it’s probably their favourite thing too. shoulder and blown in the wind to add
drama to your portrait. They can also
The beauty of bringing every day items to your be used to creatively drape you for
flattering results.
shoot is that you can mix and match and be
creative. Not only that, but it will make your
images all the more personal and individual.
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 Teddies and Bodysuits
Timeless and classic pieces which cover the torso as well as the lady garden,
these garments are also sometimes referred to as a one-piece and are another
favourite of mine. Their sheer and delicate quality scream feminine and can
flatter most body types and quite often, these will also have cups built in to
give lift and support for busts.
Many will come with garter straps – yet another wonderful little detail to
consider for your shoot as this creates elongated lines that follow from hips
to legs.
As teddies are generally lacy or sheer, they create their own silhouetting effect
which gives us a peek at the goods, but also hides a multitude of sins!
A Word to the Wise...
Whatever you do, stay clear of the string teddy. These
are pretty much attire reserved for those who have the
body of a 18-year-old gymnast, and on a normal body
can distort the figure so it looks out of proportion!
Not good.

Slips and Nighties Shapewear

Silky and smooth, a slip will always
work well on a slim build. Traditionally,
slips were to be worn under clothing
in order for the outer wear to hang
soothly (not to mention to prevent
people seeing through the fabric to
your knickers).
Shapewear is one of those things
that I feel every woman should treat
herself to as they can absolutely
transform your shape, especially
under every day clothing, but when it
comes to a boudoir shoot, it can be a
bit hit and miss…

The slips and nighties we can find Generally, shapewear comes as an

these days are much, much sexier opaque fitted underwear designed to
control your figure, and luckily these
and are designed to be seen in all
days they have become a little more
it’s body hugging glory. They’re
pleasing to they eye, but by and
essentially a dress, just not one you
large, they are not exactly sexy. Or
would wear out to dinner… comfortable.
What I like about slips is that they
can sometimes fit into the shapewear Because of the fabric used, it does
category, in that they define body provide heavier coverage than other
shape and are a more conservative options, which can be useful for those
lingerie item, but they generally show wanting to hide stretch marks or
a little more skin which alludes us scars, but I wouldn’t use shapewear
to what’s underneath. Nighties are as your go-to first option.
generally not as figure hugging but
Having said that, there are times when
can be flattering on someone who
shapewear can be dressed up with
wants to create the illusion of a fuller
lacier or sexier items of lingerie to
waist if the fabric tapers out. With
compliment it – if in doubt, consult
regard to length – the best length
your stylist before the shoot!
to go for is just under the bum
remember, the shorter it is, the longer
your legs look!
Also, like bustiers, many slips and
nighties have cups stitched into the
dress for support, though they are
sometimes not a friend of the larger
breasted woman.
Ideal for: Pear, Hour Glass, Banana

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13 | Boudoir Photography Perth
Jewellery
Jewellery is very much a personal thing.
Whilst I myself go for the “less is more” motto
when it comes to bling, I admit that I have
seen some phenomenal pieces in my studio
that have made me think twice. After all, like
garters and stockings, jewellery is an equally
playful prop in the studio! They can add
colour, texture and form into a photograph as
well as adding sentimentality or character to
the shoot. Pearls for instance are timeless,
classy and soft. Diamonds are confident,
sparkling and robust. We have several items
of jewellery in the studio, but I always advise
my clients to bring their own too! It’s a great
way to bring out your personality. One of my
all time favourite pieces was a tiara which a
Accessories
woman brought in that had a dangling crystal
heart on it which drew our attention to her
eyes – absolutely breath taking!
Garter Belts
and Garters
Garter belts sit on the waist and are primarily
used to to hold up stockings with attached
garters or fasteners. In some cases, like
with bustiers and slips, garters may be built
into the lingerie and a garter belt won’t be
needed.
Garter belts can be a great way to show off
a good waist, but also as a way to elongate
lines on the body with the garters hanging
down.
Many women panic a bit when it comes to
attaching their thigh high stockings to their
garters as, for many of us, it’s not something
you do everyday and can quickly become a
battle of war as you realise one side is too
tight and another too loose.
There is a remedy for this; don’t fasten them.
That’s right, just let them hang.
The reason I say this is because during the
photo shoot, you’ll be directed into a number
of positions from laying down to sitting to
standing. In any of these changes in position,
the likelihood is that the garters would need
to be adjusted each time, and quite frankly, it
will drive you nuts!
What is important is that you
buy the right type
of stocking…
Ideal for: Strawberry, Pear, Hour Glass,
Banana
• 1300 61 66 34
 Stockings
You absolutely must bring stockings!
I cannot emphasise enough how
wonderful stockings are. I really can’t.
Not only for they define and elongate
the legs, they also smooth out the
legs and can be used as a prop during
the photo session for some truly
spectacular shots.
The best stockings to buy are ones
with rubber on the inside of the top
rim which help them to stay up. Also,
the wider the rim, the better, bear in
mind, that for most of up, the higher
part of the leg is often the thickest
and squishiest!
As the thighs are generally an area
that women are concerned about,
I always recommend getting a size
bigger than you think you need as
the ones with rubber linings can
sometimes be a bit tight and can
create unwanted folds and creases
in the thigh (not to mention it will be
uncomfortable).
Shoes
Heels are an all time favourite for this
type of shoot as they will naturally
lengthen the legs as well as add
fantastic definition (don’t worry, you
won’t have to walk in them much if
this is something you’re not used to).
Black and nude match everything
so they’re regarded as my no-
fail options, but frankly, the more
exotic the heel, the better! You can
coordinate the colour of your shoes
with your outfit or simply go for
neutral lingerie with a pop of colour at
the toes!
If you’re going to the heel option,
avoid ankle straps. On a shorter leg,
this will only make the leg appear
shorter (and shapelier) but also
means that you’ll spend much more
time getting in and out of them during
the shoot. The same can be said for
shoes or boots with lots of laces
or straps.
Boots, whether thigh high or at the
ankle can work really well and let’s
face it, we’re not all addicted to heels.
We’ve done some spectacular shoots
with girls wearing their favourite pair
of converse attired with a G-string or
cowboy boots.
It’s all about who you are.
A Word to the Wise...
Flats and thongs. We have
yet to find a way to make
these sexy, and we’ve
looked. Hard. A better
alternative would be to
forego shoes altogether and
simply go with stockings
or a pedicured
au-naturelle look.

A Word to the Wise...

I know as I write this I
will be making myself
unpopular, but I highly
recommend trying your
stockings before coming to
the shoot. I know, I know.
It’s a pain, but there’s
nothing worse than getting
to the studio, looking great
in your fantastic new
lingerie and then realising
that the stockings you’ve
bought aren’t quite the
right size.

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Colour can be an important component to your overall boudoir look,
and finding the right colours can be difficult. The rule of thumb is this:
black always works. It’s classic and can readily be found in all of the
lingerie styles that I’ve talked about in this guide.
If you do want to add some colour
into your shoot however, the best
thing to do is go with your skin colour
and tone.
Are you an Autumn or winter? What
colour are your eyes, hair? These
are good questions to start asking
yourself, and to make it easier for
you, I have a few tricks to quickly
suss out which one you are.
Skin tones are categorized by the
seasons –spring, summer, autumn
and winter. The season you belong
to is determined by the tone and
contrast of your skin.
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choices
colour
If you have a warm tone, your skin
has deeper undertones of gold and
yellow with visible veins appearing
greenish. A cool tone means your
skin is pale or dark with pink or blue
undertones and the veins will normally
look blueish.
Now that you’ve determined your
tone, it’s time to check your contrast.
If you have clear skin, it means there
is high contrast between your hair,
skin and eyes with slightly translucent
skin. Muted skin is indicated by less
contrast with ash tones that appear
softer in color
 The seasons
Spring
You can count yourself as spring if
you are warm and clear. You may
likely have light/strawberry blonde or
auburn hair with light blue or green
eyes. Your skin is extremely light and
you may be freckled and/or have rosy
cheeks and burn easily in the sun.
Wear: Pale, soft colors look best.
Colors like ivory, peach, true reds,
clear blues, camel, light pink, coral,
golden yellow, golden brown, aqua
and bright greens are flattering.
Avoid: Dark and dull colors. Black
and white may also be too much of a
contrast for your skin tone.
Summer
You are summer if you are cool and
muted. Your skin is pale and pinkish
or you have a complexion that easily
tans. You’re a natural/ash blonde or
have brown hair and light eyes.
Wear: Pastels, neutrals, and muted
colors look best. Colors like lavender,
rose, mauve, pale yellow, and light
blue are flattering.
Avoid: Black and orange. Any intense,
vivid colors may be too harsh and
drown out your summer skin tone.
Winter
The winter is cool and clear with stark,
dramatic skin. Asians, Africans and
Caucasians with very pale skin and
dark hair all find themselves in this
category.
Wear: True white, true black, cool
grays, navy blue, deep reds, bright
pinks, jewel tones (emerald, royal
blue, royal purple), and icy pastels are
all flattering.
Avoid: Beige, orange, gold, brown
and other washed out shades may
lead to a faded and ashy look.

Autumn
A warm and muted tone and contrast means you fall under autumn. You likely
have light golden skin that burns easily under the sun with brown or blue eyes.
You may have red/brown/darker honey/golden blonde hair.
Wear: Earth tones that are rich and muted look best. Caramel, beige, burnt
orange, gold, dark reds, olive, ivory, camel and rich brown are flattering
Avoid: Cool shades give a pale appearance. Clear, bright colors and black and
white will make you look faded while pink is maybe less flattering.

tone WARM COOL

Yellow undertones Pink or blue
with green veins undertone
CONTRAST with blue veins

CLEAR
High contrast
between hair,
SPRING WINTER
skin & eyes

MUTED
Less contrast with AUTUMN SUMMER
softer tones

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WESTERN AUSTRALIA 6156
1300 61 66 34

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