Sessions
Guides
Before your session
A little preparation, then you can leave the posing to Ckenzie. Here is what to check, what to pack and what to expect when you arrive.
Before your session
01/In the days before
Read your booking details, choose the looks you feel good in and try everything on at home. Tell Ckenzie what you are looking forward to, what makes you nervous and anything that would help you feel comfortable.
02/The night before
Put your outfits, accessories and photo ID together. Check your arrival time and the directions in your booking email. Getting those small things ready means you have less to think about in the morning.
03/On the day
Eat before you come, bring water and wear something comfortable. If you booked hair and makeup, follow your earlier arrival time and the artist’s preparation instructions. Once you are here, Ckenzie guides you.
Your booking
Your booking email is the place to check your session, date, arrival time and studio directions. Keep it somewhere you can find easily on your phone. If something looks wrong, contact Ckenzie before the day rather than trying to work around it yourself.
Check that your agreement and deposit are complete. The remaining session balance is due ten days before your session. Use your invoice for your own amount and due date; it also records payments already made. If a payment does not look right, ask Ckenzie to check it.
Hair and makeup happens before the photography portion of your appointment. Your arrival time may therefore be earlier than the time you had in mind for the shoot. Use the instructions in your booking, and ask if you are unsure.
What to wear
You do not need a drawer full of new lingerie. Start with something you already enjoy wearing: a bra and panty set, a bodysuit, a soft robe, a shirt or a knit. Think about the coverage and mood you want rather than what you imagine you are supposed to wear for boudoir.
If you would like ideas, Ckenzie’s wardrobe collection brings together 21 approved pieces: teddies, matching sets, robes, slips, garters, stockings and heels. You can browse by category and go directly to the product on Amazon.ca. The collection explains its affiliate links before you shop.
Pick your own size and colour on the listing. A link is an outfit idea, not a promise that every variation will fit or be in stock. Check the size chart, pieces included, delivery date and return terms. Give yourself enough time for a try-on and a different choice if needed.
Try it on
An outfit should let you breathe, sit and move without spending the session pulling at it. Try it on standing and seated. Check cups, waistbands and straps. If a piece feels uncomfortable at home, bring a familiar alternative rather than hoping it will feel different on the day.
Try stockings with the actual garter belt you plan to wear, and practise the clips. Some stockings stay up by themselves; others need support. Check the product description instead of assuming they all work the same way. Pack small accessories together so you are not searching for a missing strap at the studio.
Heels are optional. You are welcome to bring a pair you love and arrive in comfortable shoes. Bare feet are welcome too. You do not need to walk around in shoes that feel unsteady to have a beautiful session.
The week before
There is no required beauty routine, manicure, tan or hair removal for your photographs. Body hair is your choice. Keep to routines that suit you, and leave enough time for anything you normally do so you are not rushed before the appointment.
If you are thinking about a new look or treatment just for the shoot, talk to Ckenzie about the photographs you want first. You do not need to experiment with unfamiliar products or make a last-minute change to look ready for the camera.
Tell Ckenzie about anything that affects your comfort or movement. That might mean wanting seated poses, a slower pace, step-free access information or a particular amount of coverage. You do not need to share a medical history to ask for a change that helps you feel comfortable.
The day before
Lay out your chosen looks and check each piece is clean and ready to wear. Remove any packaging and check that you have everything needed for the outfit. Bring the number of looks agreed for your session rather than packing for an unlimited number of changes.
Read your directions, plan your journey to St. Albert and check the weather. The studio is a private home space, so the precise address is shared in your booking information rather than on this public guide. If you cannot find that email, contact Ckenzie in advance.
You do not have to make yourself feel completely confident by bedtime. A little nervousness is welcome. The practical preparation is simply there to leave fewer things for you to organise in the morning.
Hair and makeup
Professional hair and makeup is an optional add-on, not an automatic inclusion with every session. When you book it, an extra hour and fifteen minutes is reserved before the photography begins. That preparation time is part of your studio booking, so follow the arrival time you are sent.
Arrive with a clean face and clean, dry hair unless the artist has given you different personal instructions. Tell Ckenzie about the look you want, your usual makeup preferences and any product sensitivities the artist needs to know. A reference photo can help explain a style, but it is not a requirement.
If you have not added the service, come with your hair and makeup as you want them photographed. There is no requirement to wear a certain amount of makeup. Ask before the appointment if you want to add or change the service so the extra time can be arranged.
Your bag
Pack for your own session and the looks you agreed with Ckenzie. The essentials fit in one bag; anything extra should have a reason you want it in your photographs. Keep delicate pieces together so they arrive ready to wear.
The morning of
Have something to eat before you come rather than arriving hungry. Bring water and allow enough travel time that the journey does not become the stressful part of your session. There is no special diet or workout you need to complete beforehand.
Choose loose, soft clothing for travelling. A button-down or easy-to-remove layer can also be useful after hair and makeup. Bring the outfit you intend to be photographed in rather than spending the journey in uncomfortable straps or heels.
Arrive sober. If you are unwell, delayed or dealing with an unexpected change, contact Ckenzie as soon as you can. Your booking agreement covers changes to your appointment; this guide is preparation advice and does not replace those terms.
At the studio
You do not need to arrive knowing how to stand, where to look or what to do with your hands. Ckenzie guides the posing and checks in as you go. Tell her when something feels awkward or tiring so it can be adjusted.
Your coverage is your decision. Wearing lingerie does not commit you to wearing less, and agreeing to one photograph does not mean you have agreed to every pose. You can pause, decline an idea, keep a layer on or ask for another approach.
If you want a support person, discuss it with Ckenzie before the day. Do not assume there is space for extra guests. Children and pets should not be brought to a boudoir appointment. For a couples session, both people should understand the plan and feel comfortable with it.
Your kind of session
Women’s Empowerment: tell Ckenzie what this session means to you and which looks feel most like you. Check your booking for the number of outfit changes rather than planning around a general article.
Couples: choose looks that work together without needing to match. Talk to each other about coverage and comfort ahead of time. Each person should bring what they need, and any hair and makeup arrangements should be confirmed for the right person.
Bridal: bring wedding accessories only if you want them in the photographs. A veil, meaningful jewellery or another personal detail can make the session yours. If the photographs or an album are a gift, discuss the deadline before booking rather than assuming a delivery date.
Mini sessions: choose your favourite look first and check the outfit allowance in your own booking. Christmas Boudoir Minis use one outfit. Those shorter appointments are easiest when the main outfit and its accessories are decided before you arrive.
After your session
Ckenzie will explain the gallery and selection process for your session. Use the instructions that accompany your private gallery to choose your favourites. The number of included photographs depends on the session you booked; your booking details are the reference for that.
If you are considering extra images or an album, ask about the options and price before ordering. Let Ckenzie know about a gift deadline early. Printed products and digital photographs do not necessarily follow the same delivery schedule.
Your photographs are not made public simply because you booked a session. Public sharing needs your written permission. Ask about anything in the agreement or gallery instructions that is not clear before making a decision.
One last thing
A boudoir session is not a test of how well you dress, pose or feel about your body. Bring the pieces you want to wear and the questions you still have. Ckenzie’s part is to guide you through the photographs with care.
If you are deciding between outfits, start with the wardrobe guide. If your question is about your appointment, ask Ckenzie directly. That is more useful than trying to follow every tip you have read online.
Before you go
Join Ckenzie’s letters and it’s yours, with her What to wear guide: the pieces that photograph beautifully and how many to bring.
See what’s in the guideAny questions?
Big or small, call or text us any time before your session.
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