Contact us at 773-273-9063 or email [email protected] to book your session.
For many brides, posing in front of a camera wearing lingerie can be nerve-wracking. However, you can rest assured that you are not alone in this feeling. Our team of professionals working on your bridal boudoir shoot understands how important it is for you to feel comfortable and confident throughout the process.
It starts from the moment you reach out.From the moment you step into our studio, you’ll be greeted by a group of compassionate and experienced women dedicated to creating a warm, welcoming atmosphere. They aim to make you feel pampered and empowered while capturing your unique beauty through stunning photography. You can trust that you are in good hands and will walk away from your boudoir photo shoot feeling more confident and self-assured.
With your wedding on the horizon, we know you probably have a million things on your mind. We want to ease your stress, so we’ve put together 10 tips for your boudoir bridal photography shoot to ease your nerves and increase your confidence.
Choose a photographer you feel comfortable with: Look for a photographer with experience in boudoir photography and whose style matches your preferences. We know how intimate a boudoir is, and trusting your photographer is a massive part of feeling confident about your pictures.
The first thing we do is schedule a phone call to talk through all your questions and let you know what to expect. You can hear our voices and get to know us a bit. We want to help you feel relaxed and prepared for the experience.
One way to feel more confident during a bridal boudoir shoot is to plan and set aside a few hours for the session. Doing this allows you to avoid feeling rushed and gives you enough time to relax and enjoy the experience.
During the shoot, allow yourself to fully embrace the moment and focus on enjoying yourself. Don’t worry about time or feeling like you must rush through poses or outfit changes. Having a few hours to work with can help you feel more comfortable and confident, ultimately leading to better photos.
Bring a variety of outfits that you feel comfortable in and that make you feel beautiful. We have an article dedicated just to this topic that you can check out here: bridal boudoir outfits. This could include lingerie, robes, or other sexy clothing. Also, we welcome you to bring your veil, garter, and wedding shoes, as they are great accessories to evoke those wedding day feelings!
If you’re feeling overwhelmed with too many choices, start by limiting yourself to a black, a white, and a color option. Black is always sexy and timeless, and white is appropriate for the occasion.
If white is not your thing, blush or nude are always great alternative colors. A color choice will also offer a nice accent for variety in your photos. Consider a color that flatters your complexion. Not sure which one flatters your skin tone? Check out this article to learn more.
Even if you’re not a heel kinda gal, we recommend wearing them for your bridal boudoir photos. Although they may not be the most comfortable thing in the world, heels create the look of elongating your legs, working your muscles, and lifting your booty. The effect is worth popping those heels on for a bit!
Our must-have list always includes a nude pump for all our boudoir sessions, and a black pump is a bonus. A simple stiletto heel is amazing, but if that’s not your jam, a strappy pump or a block heel are great choices too.
If there’s ever a time to pamper yourself, the months leading up to your wedding are it. With the day you say “I do” on the horizon, you’ve got the best excuse for extra self-care. We recommend a few specific services before your session to enhance your boudoir look:
Practicing good self-care leading up to your bridal boudoir shoot is essential for feeling confident and ready for the day. Start by drinking plenty of water, which helps keep your skin hydrated and glowing. Eating healthy foods such as fruits, vegetables, and lean protein will also fuel your body to feel its best.
In addition to nourishing your body, ensure you get enough rest in the days leading up to your shoot. Try to get a solid night’s sleep before the shoot day to help you feel refreshed and ready to go.
Sure, confidence can come from within, but experts have agreed that confidence results from your relationships and experiences. So, practice this mantra: “I’m in good hands.” We want you to remember that you are in good hands. You’ll be in a safe, judgment-free environment surrounded by a team of women whose primary goal is to help you feel supported.
If you’re feeling nervous or anxious, try practicing deep breathing and relaxation techniques to help calm your nerves. We’re here to help you relax, as well. We’re going to pamper you as you deserve!
Once you arrive, we’ll help you make final decisions about your outfits if you hesitate about what to wear. We’ll then send you to hair and makeup, where a fantastic artist gets you glammed up. We choose to work with artists who are not only super talented but also have abundant positive energy. By the end of the application, you’ll look like the best, most refreshed version of yourself.
If you’re nervous, consider bringing someone you trust to the shoot. They’ll gladly offer support and encouragement throughout your boudoir photography journey.
Don’t be afraid to communicate with your photographer throughout the shoot. Let us know if you feel uncomfortable or have any specific ideas or requests. It’s normal to have a few jitters as we start the session. We’ll start slowly, with plenty of coaching through simple pictures to warm you up.
And no worries! We’ll provide easy-to-follow directions as we guide you through multiple poses that enhance your beauty and confidence. And if you have any posing ideas, please share!
By following these 10 tips, you’ll be amazed at how confident and comfortable you are during your bridal boudoir shoot, flowing through the experience in a way that leaves you feeling exhilarated, like you climbed a mountain. A bridal boudoir photoshoot might be the release you didn’t even realize you needed before your wedding day.
Remember to relax, have fun, and enjoy the experience!
The breakup, we’ve all been there at one time or another. You know, that place after a recent breakup where you feel just a bit salty. Even when the person’s great and there’s no bad blood between ya, sometimes you can’t help but wanna do something to feel good about yourself.
For some of us it means a fresh haircut (guilty) for others it’s a trip (guilty again). For Ms. L, after calling it quits with a recent beau, a boudoir photography session sounded fun and empowering.
We could not have vibed better with her. She felt like an instant friend. The energy in the studio, the light was extra glowy from a recent snowfall, and together we created some super exciting pictures. Afterwards she wrote:
“To the ultimate entourage and my new favorite girl tribe,
Ms. N delighted us when she unpacked her bag to reveal a pair of high-waisted bottoms, a simple navy bodysuit with the right amount of side exposure, and super fun fur jacket among other gorgeous pieces.
She was inspired by the seventies–wanting a bit of a throwback feel to her session. With an effortless beauty and understated demeanor, we kept the session pretty simple. We stripped the white comforter from the bed and put the mattress on the floor in one scene. In another, we turned the edison light bulb chandeliers on and set her loose against the railings of the loft after the sun had just set.
See all her photos for yourself, then for more inspiration, check out Ms. E’s edgy style and Ms. J’s vintage look.
Get the look:
We immediately felt a click with Ms. M when on the morning of her boudoir photoshoot. She said things like, “I want the pictures to feel…” and talked about scenes versus poses and vibes versus looks. She was all about embodying a woman connecting with an intimate side of herself. Basically she spoke our language.
We eagerly embraced her vision, queuing into the energy she radiated. Rather than offering detailed steps like, “put your hand here and slowly raise the sides of your mouth for a half smile,” we took a more cinematic approach, coaching her more on a mindset instead.
It’s inspiring and invigorating to see someone lean into the experience so much. We also loved that she started her session with a non-traditional wardrobe piece–a simple black dress. It just goes to show alluring a woman can be while still completely dressed. If you love the look as much as us, check out here and here for to get your hands on your own LBD.
You know us for our boudoir work, but every so often, Kelly and I will photograph a wedding. In December we headed to dreamy Palm Dessert, California to capture the nuptials of Jennifer and Todd. The wedding was so swoon-worthy, with the dusty colors of the dessert as a backdrop, a bride’s creative vision, and a surprise flash mob at the end. Needless to say, we were in heaven.
We’re extra grateful to Splash Magazine for featuring the wedding last week. Read how a playful tiff between Jennifer and Todd upon first meeting lead to a lifetime together via this link.
The details:
Bride’s gown: Anne Barge, Bella Bianca Bridal Couture, 12 W. Maple; Bellabianca.com
Groom’s attire: custom Armani, Saks Fifth Avenue, 700 N. Michigan; Saksfifthavenue.com
Bridesmaids’ dresses: Badgley Mischka, Rent the Runway, 710 N. Wabash; Renttherunway.com
Groomsmen’s attire: Vera Wang, Men’s Wearhouse, 535 N. Michigan; Menswearhouse.com
Wedding planner: Tamara Bolton-Bryant, Sensorium Events; Sensoriumevents.com
Floral: bouquet of blush, ivory and deep burgundy flowers with wineberries, seeded eucalyptus and gold accents
Sweets: Champagne, strawberry and German chocolate cupcakes, Over the Rainbow Desserts; Romanblas.com
Videographer: Lux Media; Luxmediasd.com
Invitations: Minted; Minted.com
Feel beautiful in your own skin with a fresh face mini portrait session. Come to the studio au natural (whatever that means for you) and we’ll take it from there. Whether you go completely bare-faced, put on your regular day-to-day makeup, or just a quick swipe of mascara- we’re here to make you look and feel gorgeous.
The Specifics–When: 30-minute slots on Feb. 15th from 10 am-3 pm.
Where: The Coach House of 4553 N. Wolcott Ave.
Price: $99 deposit.
Only pay for the ones you love.
An online gallery will be posted within 72 hours where you can purchase digital files, prints, and other products.
Frequently Asked Questions:
We do suggest wearing something simple on top like an oversized t-shirt, simple tank top, button-up shirt, or off the shoulder sweater. Something that has a looser neckline will give us more room to play.
2. Is this a boudoir session or a portrait session? Think of this as boudoir-(ish) portrait session. No heels, no backbends, no beds.
You’ll get to be you, which we promise is even better.
3. Can I wear makeup? Absolutely! Whatever fresh-faced means to you is great for us. In these pictures we have some gals skipped foundation altogether and let their natural texture show through. Others opted for a swipe of gloss and no mascara. Whatever makes you most comfortable works for us.
4. Do I get to choose my background? We’re keeping these simple and classic. You can choose from white or black, and depending on what you wear or the color of your hair, one option might make the most sense. If you’re unsure, just send us an email beforehand to [email protected].
5. What if I want more than 30 minutes? Whoa who! We’d love more time with you. Just reserve two slots at the time of booking.
When Ms. E came in for her session, we asked her if there was anything she had in mind for her photo shoot. A professional in a creative field, we knew she had killer taste and experience on sets of photo shoots. Her only request was for an anything but basic boudoir photo shoot.
We happily welcomed this request, eagerly leaning into the challenge. So what goes into creating a “anything but basic” smokin’ hot boudoir session?
Put some thought into your style. Take some time to browse our website and other sources of inspiration (Pinterest, movies, magazines). Consider what sets you apart as a person and own it. Maybe it’s your signature cat eye. Maybe it’s your killer salsa moves. Maybe, like Ms. E below, it’s your love of layered gold necklaces. Whatever the case, embracing your tastes can lead to results that really represent YOU.
No, we don’t mean get naked. What we’re referring to is opening up emotionally. Let yourself go a bit. One of our favorite women in the world is such an inspiration in this category. Diane Keaton is always so charming and captivating in any role she plays because she really connects in whatever role she performs. We know how hard it can be to let your guard down, (in fact, we’re dedicating an entire future post on ways to work on this), but magical results come when you trust yourself and trust us.
Creative Freedom.So you’ve committed to your session, your looks are chosen, and you’re killin’ it at savasana. What else makes for incredible boudoir photos?
Giving your photographer creative freedom is really one of the best things you can do for yourself. Trusting your photographer instills confidence and creates room for creativity. We want nothing more than to make remarkable pictures, not just for our clients, but for ourselves. We love this work and we often get as excited about our client’s photos as they do.
“How do you get us to do all that? All of your photos look like the women mean it and that’s my favorite part…”
Last week we posted the first set of photos from Jen’s photo shoot. Today we’re excited to share the rest. The first person to see these pictures was the subject of course. On a quiet Friday evening, Kelly sent the link to Jen via a text message (the two have been friends for some time now). Her response was such a charming testimonial. ”
And yes, an occasional thumbs up slips into our boudoir photos. 
Jen’s unencumbered presence was a gift to photograph. She said she was nervous and like all our sessions, there was an open bottle of bubbly for some extra encouragement. But truly, you’d never know there was a question of confidence from the way she moved. The best way to describe it is “in the moment.”
