The Best Stretches to Do Before Your Boudoir Session (And When to Do Them!)
Preparing for a boudoir session isn’t just about picking the right outfits or getting your hair and makeup done—it’s also about making sure your body feels comfortable, confident, and relaxed. One way to ensure you feel your best? Stretching!
Stretching before your session can help with posture, flexibility, and overall ease, allowing you to move more naturally and feel less stiff in front of the camera. Here’s a simple stretching routine to do before your boudoir shoot, along with the best timing for each stretch to get the most benefits.
When Should You Stretch Before Your Boudoir Session?
✔ 3-5 Days Before: Start incorporating gentle stretching into your daily routine to help improve flexibility and ease any muscle tension. ✔ The Night Before: A short stretching session before bed can help relax your body and promote better sleep, so you wake up feeling refreshed. ✔ The Morning of Your Session: A light stretch before your shoot can help release any stiffness and get your body feeling loose and comfortable.
Best Stretches to Do Before a Boudoir Session
1. Shoulder & Chest Openers
Why? Boudoir sessions often include poses that highlight the curve of your back and shoulders. A chest opener helps improve posture and prevents stiffness.
How to do it:
Stand tall and clasp your hands behind your back.
Gently pull your hands away from your lower back to open up the chest.
Hold for 20-30 seconds.
✔ When to do it? Every day for a few days before your session, and again the morning of your shoot.
2. Hip Openers (Seated Butterfly Stretch)
Why? Many boudoir poses involve seated or lying-down positions that require flexibility in your hips. This stretch helps loosen them up.
How to do it:
Sit on the floor with the soles of your feet touching.
Gently press your knees toward the floor while keeping your back straight.
Hold for 20-30 seconds.
✔ When to do it? The night before and morning of your session.
3. Spinal Twists
Why? This stretch helps relieve lower back stiffness, which can make movement and posing feel more natural.
How to do it:
Sit cross-legged or lie on your back with your knees bent.
Gently twist your torso to one side while keeping your hips grounded.
Hold for 15-20 seconds on each side.
✔ When to do it? Daily leading up to your shoot, especially if you tend to hold tension in your back.
4. Neck Rolls & Shoulder Shrugs
Why? A relaxed neck and shoulders create effortless-looking poses and help you avoid stiffness in your photos.
How to do it:
Slowly roll your neck from side to side.
Shrug your shoulders up toward your ears and then release them.
Repeat 5-6 times.
✔ When to do it? The day before and right before your session.
5. Gentle Backbend (Standing or on Knees)
Why? Boudoir photography often involves arching the back for elegant, confident poses. A backbend stretch helps create natural curves.
How to do it:
Stand or kneel with your hands on your lower back.
Slowly lean backward, opening your chest and stretching your spine.
Hold for 10-15 seconds.
✔ When to do it? The night before and just before your session for a confidence boost!
Final Thoughts
A little stretching can go a long way in helping you feel relaxed, confident, and comfortable during your boudoir session. Incorporating these gentle stretches in the days leading up to your shoot will help you move more naturally and feel at ease in front of the camera.
Most importantly, listen to your body—if a stretch feels good, hold it longer. If anything feels uncomfortable, modify it to fit your needs. Boudoir is all about embracing yourself, and a few mindful movements can help bring out your natural confidence!
Now that you’ve got the stretching part down, are you ready to book your session?
Click the contact button below, and let’s get started!
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