Frequently Asked Boudoir Questions - Arielle Roth Boudoir | Inclusive, Full-Service, Michigan Boudoir Photographer

Frequently Asked Questions

Below you’ll find answers to the questions I hear all the time about boudoir sessions at my private studio in Downtown Bay City, Michigan, including pricing, privacy, posing, prep, outfits, payment plans, image delivery, and what actually happens before, during, and after your session.

Still have a question after reading?

Ask me. Seriously.

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How Much Are Your Boudoir Sessions?

Boudoir packages start at $750.

Each session includes access to my private Downtown Bay City studio, full posing guidance, use of the 400+ piece client closet in sizes XS-5XL, professional retouching, final images in both color and black and white, a print release, and a same-day reveal and ordering appointment.

Select packages include professional hair and makeup, additional images, Polaroids, an album, and other extras depending on what you choose.

Payment plans are available for all packages. You can choose the package and payment option that fits your budget, timeline, and session date.

I’m Single. Can I Still Book?

Absolutely. You do not need a partner, wedding, anniversary, or special occasion to book a boudoir session.

A lot of my clients book simply because they want to. Some are celebrating a milestone. Some are healing from a hard chapter. Some are getting to know themselves again. Some are documenting this version of their life before it changes. Some are just tired of saying “maybe someday.”

Those are all reasons enough.

Your boudoir session does not have to be for anyone else. It can be completely, entirely, privately yours.

Can I Keep My Photos Private?

Yes, always. Your images are never shared on my website, portfolio, social media, or marketing materials without your written permission.

During your reveal and ordering appointment, you’ll choose the privacy level that feels right for you. You can keep everything completely private, allow anonymous/detail images only, share selected favorites, or give fuller permission if you want to.

Your privacy, comfort, and consent matter more than content. Always.

Can I Bring a Friend to My Boudoir Session?

I totally understand why you might want to. Boudoir can feel nerve-wracking, especially if this is your first session, and having a friend there may sound like it would make everything easier.

However, I do not allow bringing an additional person to your session (couples sessions excluded).

Your boudoir session is a private, personal experience, and it is usually easier to settle in when there is not another person in the room watching, reacting, giving opinions, or accidentally pulling your focus out of the moment.

I’m Older or Not as Thin as the Women on Your Website. Can I Still Book?

1000% yes. Boudoir is not only for one age, one size, one body type, or one version of confidence. I photograph women of different ages, sizes, shapes, life stages, and comfort levels in my Bay City studio.

So no, you do not have to be younger, thinner, more toned, more confident, or more anything to book.

I Don’t Know How to Pose Myself. Will You Help With This?

Yes, you are not expected to know how to pose, where to look, what to do with your hands, or how to magically become comfortable in front of a camera.

That is literally why you are booking me. Every pose is guided from head to toe. I’ll show you what to do, adjust your angles, fix your hands, move your hair, help with facial expressions, and pay attention to all the tiny details that make a huge difference in photos.

And the women you see on my website? Not models.

They are all real women who also walked in saying some version of, “I have no idea what I’m doing.”

I’ll handle the posing. You just have to show up.

Where Will My Boudoir Session Take Place?

Most boudoir sessions take place in my private studio in Downtown Bay City, Michigan. The studio is cozy, private, and designed specifically for boudoir, with soft natural light, access to my 400+ piece client closet, and everything we need to make the experience feel comfortable and guided from start to finish.

I’ve got the space covered.

I will also travel for select sessions or photograph in hotel suites, Airbnbs, or private homes depending on the session, location, and what we are creating. If you have something specific in mind, we can talk through whether it makes sense and what would be needed.

Do You Do Body Altering or Photoshop?

Every final image you choose is individually edited by hand, but my goal is not to edit you into a different person. I’ll clean up temporary things like blemishes, bruises, redness, lint, weird fabric marks, or anything that would not normally be part of you. I’ll also adjust lighting, color, skin tones, and the overall polish of the image so it feels finished and intentional.

What I do not do is major body altering. I’m not here to erase every stretch mark, line, scar, curve, softness, or sign that you have lived a life. Those things are not automatically problems to fix.

Your final images should feel like the best photographed version of you, not some stranger who vaguely borrowed your face.

Do I Do My Own Hair and Makeup?

Professional hair and makeup is included with select packages, including Glow Up and Luxe AF.

When it is included, hair and makeup happens at the studio before your session. It gives you time to settle in, relax, and ease into the day before we start shooting, which is honestly one of the biggest reasons I love having it as part of the experience.

It is done in a style that helps you feel prepared, polished, and camera-ready in a way that still feels like you.

Whether you want something soft and natural or a little more bold, we’ll talk through the look so it matches your style and comfort level.

And if you choose a package without hair and makeup, you will still be guided, posed, supported, and photographed with the same level of care.

What Should I Wear?

Whatever makes you feel comfortable, curious, bold, soft, spicy, romantic, dramatic, or like you want to try something new.

Sessions include 3 outfits, and we’ll choose pieces based on your body, your comfort level, and the kind of images you want to create. You can bring your own lingerie, bodysuits, robes, oversized shirts, sweaters, personal pieces, or anything that feels meaningful to you.

You’ll have access to my 400+ piece client closet in sizes XS-5XL, a full lingerie guide, and personalized outfit help before your session. We can talk through what you already own, what you’re thinking about buying, and you can request any pieces you’d like me to pull from the client closet beforehand.

Are Albums or Prints Included in the Package?

Your package includes a set number of fully edited digital images, delivered through your private online gallery.

Albums, wall art, prints, and additional digital images can be purchased separately during your same-day reveal and ordering appointment.

You do not have to decide any of that before your session. Once you see your images, we’ll go through your options together so you can choose what actually makes sense for you, whether that is digitals only, an album, wall art, prints, or a mix.

Payment plans are available for additional purchases, so you do not have to pay for everything all at once.

One note: if you choose a payment plan for products or additional images, digital downloads become available once that payment plan is completed.

How Far in Advance Should I Book My Boudoir Session?

Sessions can be booked up to 12 months in advance, and I recommend booking as early as you can if you have a specific deadline.

At minimum, sessions must be booked at least 2 weeks in advance, but if you need your images, album, or prints for a wedding, anniversary, birthday, Valentine’s Day, holiday, or other specific date, I recommend booking 2-3 months in advanced.

That gives us time for your session, image selection, editing, proof approval, product ordering, shipping, and any little timeline hiccups that nobody wants to deal with at the last second.

When you reach out, let me know your deadline so we can make sure your session date actually makes sense for what you need.

Because “I need this album next week” is a level of chaos I would love to avoid for both of us.

How Do I Book My Session With You?

You can book your session directly through my Schedule a Session page or reach out through my Contact Form if you have questions first.

Once you choose your date, package, add-ons, and payment option, I’ll send your invoice and contract within 48 hours so you can officially reserve your spot.

You have a few payment options:

Pay in full, which includes one free session add-on, excluding Polaroids and adding a partner
50/50 split, with half due at booking and the rest due 7 days before your session
3, 5, or 7 payment plan, depending on your package, timeline, and session date

All session balances are due 7 days before your session.

After you’re booked, you’ll receive your prep information and access to your private client portal so you know exactly what happens next.