Shower Boudoir Photography

I am so excited to introduce a new setup at the studio - Shower Boudoir Photography! This has been something I have been wanting to implement for a long time and the opportunity finally fell into place! These images are a little bit abstract, a little bit unexpected, and perfect for those sexy anonymous detail shots.

This faux shower setup offers you a unique add-on to your boudoir experience. While shower sets are not unique in the world of boudoir, they do offer an opportunity for me to use lighting creatively to capture raw and intimate images in my modern style.

Tacked on at the end of your boudoir session, this is a chance to play with posing and lighting. Show only as much as you’re comfortable. This setup will add a playfulness to your experience and has the added benefit of rounding out your gorgeous portfolio of images.

Can you imagine one of these as a high gloss metal print hanging in your master bath??? I can!

Want to add this to your session? Ask about boudoir shower sessions when booking!

Bridal Boudoir Photo Shoot Ideas

Many brides-to-be opt to celebrate their engagement or wedding with a bridal boudoir photo shoot. Not only are these sessions an opportunity to document this incredible milestone, but they also make a one-of-a-kind gift for your partner. Planning a wedding is stressful and full of details. If a boudoir session is something you are interested in, there are some important things to consider. Here are some boudoir photo ideas to help you prepare for your shoot.

• Consider when you would like to give this intimate gift to your partner. Will you do it privately before your wedding day? Will they receive it the day of your wedding? Will this be a gift for their eyes only on your honeymoon? Knowing the answer to these questions will help you with scheduling AND with the products you choose. Your photographer needs to know your deadline so they can plan, shoot, edit, and order your desired products.

• Think about how you would like these images to be displayed. Do you want a Bridal Boudoir Album? Would you prefer a discreet option like a Little Black Box with prints? Do you want a bold piece of wall art for your master bedroom or bath? Think about when you will be gifting these images and how you want to display your keepsakes!

• Find some inspiration. Search for bridal boudoir ideas so you can make a mood board for your photographer. This will help you to solidify your ideas and find a photographer whose work aligns with your vision. I love to use Pinterest to create my mood boards.

• Put some work into your wardrobe! You know when you will be gifting your partner. You know how you want to display your images. You have found your inspiration. Now it is time to take action! Talk to your photographer about how many “looks” you will have time for. Review your inspiration images and shop your wardrobe for items that match your vision. Bring several options so you get a diverse mix of images.

Hopefully this helps you know the right questions to ask yourself. Now here are a few ideas to get your creativity started!

For a truly bridal themed photo shoot, I suggest bringing white lingerie. I like to use bold contrast and bright white backgrounds to suggest a bridal theme without the addition of too many bridal props. Think white lace, white sheers, matching lingerie and the tasteful incorporation of a white veil.

Your bridal boudoir photos don’t have to be themed. You can also just decide that you want to look like the best version of yourself. I love photographing women in cozy sweaters, black bodysuits, a white sheet, or nude. Ditching the expected is more than ok! This is your celebration so you get to decide how you want to feel.

My goal for every shoot is to make you feel comfortable and confident. We can achieve that no matter what you are wearing!

Deadlines! When should you book your boudoir photo shoot?

**UPDATE**

This is a re-post from April - but the last minute requests keep coming! I will update this and re-post from time to time so it stays visible.

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How far in advance should I book my boudoir session?

Plan for a MINIMUM of 6-8 WEEKS before you need your product in hand! Read more for a full breakdown of the process.

I get a fair share of last minute requests. A version of this message hits my inbox pretty frequently: “I’m getting married in 3 weeks and would love to have boudoir photos to gift to my fiancé.” I have even received requests with less than a week to the wedding day!

The planning, executing, editing, designing, and ordering takes up anywhere between 15-20 working hours - a difficult amount of work to cram into a 1-2 week deadline. Not to mention that high quality products alone take anywhere from 2-4 weeks to be delivered. This experience is not one that you should rush.

The last thing I want is for you to miss your chance to have this experience because you don’t have all of the facts. I’m going to give you a peek behind the process so that you know exactly what kind of timeline you are looking at for your boudoir experience.

WEEKS 1-2

A portrait session with me is a fully customized experience. When someone decides to book their photoshoot, my work begins planning. I create an individualized style board, ask you questions, and set up my studio space specifically for you and your goals. This planning & communication typically takes place over 1-2 weeks.

WEEKS 3-4

After your boudoir photography wraps, I get to work selecting and editing photos for your viewing and ordering appointment which takes place 1-2 weeks after your session. This is where you select your photos.

WEEKS 5-8

As soon as you select your images and products, I place your order. Depending on the products you select, this order can take anywhere from 2-4 weeks to arrive. 

This timeline excludes existing clients who have already planned ahead and snagged a date on my calendar! Lots of hours and expertise go into creating your one-of-a-kind experience. This isn’t something you want to rush, so take your time preparing and asking questions so that you can schedule your session in time for whatever milestone you are celebrating!

Chicago Pin Up Photoshoot | A retro inspired boudoir photo shoot.

A couple of months ago I picked up a book on pin up photography and fell in love. I have always been careful not to dip too much into themed photography as it isn’t my style, but this book was filled with simple setups and gorgeous posing. It didn’t feature the themed costuming I normally associate with pin up photography and it sparked my imagination!

An idea started to form and I knew that I wanted to go for a classy, modernized, slightly painterly, pin up inspired boudoir photoshoot! I waited for the perfect subject and planned everything out. Then Kelly was on the schedule - a tall dancer with red hair and retro vibes - the stars aligned!

I am so pleased with the images that I captured. My best work always starts with a vision. When I know what I am trying to achieve, I can practice the lighting and the posing ahead of time and I am more clear on styling and direction. It’s incredibly fulfilling to see a vision through.

If you are looking for modern pinup photography in chicago, I have you covered!

Summer Updates + 7 Boudoir Shoots in June!

June was an insanely busy month for me with 7 boudoir photo shoots! My schedule was packed full with planning, editing, ordering products, and general management. Things have slowed down a bit now and I am taking some time to make a plan for what’s next!

My schedule was actually a little bit too busy for my liking. I am not the kind of person who enjoys working nonstop. I love taking portraits but I need to make sure I also take time to work on creative projects. Here’s what I have planned for the rest of the summer:

• I started July with a creative shoot. It was just what I needed to push myself into new territory. I hate getting stuck in a rut! I was inspired by Bunny Yeager’s Darkroom - a book I found in the basement of a bookstore in downtown Chicago. I wanted to work on something inspired by Bunny’s pin-up photography. I ended up with something a little bit modern, a little bit sculptural - complete with the pin-up vibes I was after. I can’t wait to share that session on my blog, so keep a look out for it!

• I have also been combing through my work and selecting images to submit to the next round of competitions. My first time submitting, I just wanted to see where I stood. Now I am hooked! Competitions are amazing creative deadlines and I plan on submitting twice as many images this time around. I wrote a post about my first submissions a few months ago. This new deadline is July 31st.

• I’m thinking about deleting all of my social media. It seems blasphemous to mention out loud, but it’s something I have thought about a lot. I have spent more hours than I care to mention trying to move the needle on social media. I compare myself to other photographers, my work starts to take on this kind of “sameness” and I worry about how quickly I am reaching success. That combined with the fact that I have learned very little, gained almost zero new clients, and have an overwhelming sense of anxiety about the whole thing makes me feel like it’s time to forge a different path to success. I’ll keep you posted!

Here are some of my favorite captures from last months boudoir sessions: