Fun and Flirty! You and Me This Morning Aly Bockler Boudoir Photoshoot
WCIU You and Me This Morning’s Aly Bockler came by the new studio to for her very own boudoir session!
Aly consulted with stylist Jen Burton beforehand, who pulled this gorgeous silk robe and draped strands of beads along her neck. A huge Blackhawks fan, Aly and Jen decided we had to incorporate a jersey into the shoot, which was not only a nod to her favorite team, but also showed off her fantastic legs!
The shoot was SO fun! Aly’s laughter delighted us the whole day. We didn’t want it to be over by the end. At least we got to relive it all over again when Aly aired a brilliant segment on You & Me This Morning complete with footage of her jumping on the bed. Check it out here!
Revealed Studios at Tickled Pink – Fundraiser for Breast Cancer
This year, Revealed Studios is one of the official sponsors of Tickled Pink for Bright Pink! Join us to support those affected by breast cancer!
About Tickled Pink
Tickled Pink is a dynamic group of marketing, event and design professionals united by a drive and passion to help those affected by breast cancer. Since 2005, this group of unique individuals has thrown one of Chicago’s most beloved annual charity events, which to date has raised more than $1,000,000 in support of breast cancer. For more information, please visit www.tickledpinkchicago.com. For the second year in a row, Tickled Pink is excited to partner with Bright Pink.
About Bright Pink
Bright Pink is the only national non-profit organization focused on the prevention and early detection of breast and ovarian cancer in young women while providing support for high-risk individuals. Bright Pink arms young women with knowledge, options and a great attitude, and offer companionship and empathy during their journey. Bright Pink empowers them to take control of their breast and ovarian health and in turn, grant them the freedom and peace of mind to live a beautiful and fulfilling life. For more information, please visit: http://www.brightpink.org/.
Join Tickled Pink for Bright Pink on Friday, February 28, 2014!
For the past 9 years, Tickled Pink Chicago has cemented its reputation as one of Chicago’s most exciting and anticipated charity parties of the year! Join us this year as Chicago’s social scene gathers yet again for a party more memorable than any in years past. The evening’s entertainment includes a fabulous DJ, live band and high-energy dance floor. Delectable food and beverages will be provided from over 15 of Chicago’s top restaurants. Proceeds from Chicago’s most inspired party with a purpose will benefit Bright Pink and fuel their lifesaving work. Tickets are available for $95 through January 31st, 2014. Following the early bird sale, tickets will be available for $125. Limited tickets available at the door for $125.
TP4BP Host Committee
A mix of the city’s biggest influencers, members of the Chicago media and well-heeled VIPS. You can meet them onsite selling boas and raffle tickets at the fabulously pink affair.
Mark Beier (Mark Bar/Shred 415), Heidy Best (BECLOTHESMINDED), Ally Cooke (CS Magazine), DC Crenshaw (Game Time Dime), Amelia Eaton (CHICago Life Blog), Kathy Hart (101.9 The MIX Chicago), Nike Jefferson (Chi Town Fashionista), Candace Jordan (Candid Candace), Graham Kostic (Glossed and Found), Erica Bethe Levin (Cheeky Chicago), Ashley Lobo (NBC.com), Nina Mariano (Marianos), Andrea Metcalf (NBC), Susanna Negovan (SPLASH), Anthony Ponce (NBC), Borris J. Powell (Fashion Designer), Marcus Riley (NBC), Alicia Roman (NBC), Megan Taylor (Fig Media), Val Warner (Windy City Live), Carrie Williams (TCW), Matt Woodburn (1st Ward Events), Kelli Zink (Celeb TV), Jessica Zweig (Cheeky Chicago)
This is why we love our job! Real client opens up about her experience.
Recently we received an email from a boudoir client. By the time Laurie and I read to the end of the page, we were both in tears. Her words reaffirmed just why we love our job so much! We love being able to connect with our clients as one woman to another. It completely fills us with joy and reignites our passion knowing the ladies walking through our door leave feeling better about themselves.
Read Amelia’s words below:
In her own words, Amelia talks about her boudoir photo shoot
“Recently I had the privilege of doing a boudoir photo shoot with Maggie and Laurie at Revealed Studios. For quite a while I’ve admired their amazing work and secretly wanted to be photographed by them. However, like a lot of women I’m not comfortable being photographed and am not overly confident in my skivvies. I did it anyway. Part of what convinced me (besides their gorgeous work) to listen to that little voice saying “Go For It” is that I am at a point in my life where I have deep gratitude for having a healthy body (no matter what it looks like) and a healthy mind. Also I became a grandmother, which has had a way of making me want to stay connected to myself as a woman no matter my age or stage in life (a lesson I learned as a mom).
Despite the nerves, she felt wonderful by the end
The experience was wonderful and I have images that I truly love! I could go on and on as to why I wholeheartedly recommend these awesome ladies and encourage you to “Go For It” if you’re considering a shoot. Here are some of those reasons:
Not for one second did I feel that my body was being judged. Period.
They listened to my concerns and put my mind at ease. I told Laurie and Maggie my worries/body issues and they were not dismissive and assured me they would photograph me as I wished and “fix” anything in the end I didn’t like. (BTW, there was nothing I didn’t like!).
They offer all kinds of help in preparing for your shoot. They helped in choosing what to wear, my accessories, my hair, etc. Maggie and Laurie were available to answer questions at any point.
They listened to my ideas as to the different types of “looks” I wanted. I really liked having input into my shoot. They let me be me and really “got” what I wanted. Their shoots are not formulaic or full of robotic poses, it’s very personal.
It’s fun. Really. Everything in the process is fun, planning what to wear, getting hair and makeup done (I had Jaycie who was Awesome!) and the actual shoot, it’s all fun. We laughed so much throughout the day! Laurie and Maggie are warm, easy going and a blast to be with, yet are total professionals. I didn’t want the shoot to end – who would have thought?
Unexpectedly it’s a confidence builder. I’m proud of myself for pushing through my comfort level to do something I never thought I could do. Just a glimpse at some frames they shot of me during the day left me walking with my head higher and a bounce in my step. I felt beautiful and I couldn’t believe that the girl in the photos was me. I carried that confidence home with me and continue to reflect back on it.
There’s beauty in all of us. I actually got kind of teary viewing my photos because seeing myself through their lens made me see myself as pretty where I usually see faults. I feel like these images show me as I truly am, who I am, they show the real me in an intimate and meaningful way. What a gift these two women have to find that inside their clients and to Reveal it (AHA!!), not just any photographer can do that. Thanks, Laurie and Maggie!”
Let’s go natural! Fresh face minis–A timeless gift for you or a friend this Valentine’s Day
Feel beautiful in your own skin this Valentine’s Day 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: 20-minute slots on Feb. 15th from 10am-3pm.
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.
Whether for yourself (which we 100% encourage) or a treat for a friend or family member, there are so many reasons this makes a great, unique gift. We can say from first-hand experience (yes, Kelly and I went “fresh face” for this promo) that they’re super fun. There’s something really nice about getting the chance to feel seen, to play, and get expressive. And because they’re shorter and less of a thing to prepare for than boudoir, it feels like less pressure. Not to mention, it’s winter, and we could all use a break in the monotony of winter.
What should I wear? Pants are optional because we’ll be focusing on your beautiful face. 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.
Is this a boudoir session or a portrait session? Think of this as boudoir-(ish) portrait session. No heels, no backbends, no beds. But you know, if you wanna show some cleavage, we’re not gonna stop ya. You’ll get to be you, which we promise is even better.
Can I wear makeup? Ya, girl, you-do-you. In these samples, you’ll see a range of “fresh faces”. Some wore just concealer, others did a full application of foundation. A few curled their lashes and skipped mascara. Kelly and I each wore our basic “daily makeup” which means light foundation, blush, and mascara. Just go with whatever makes you feel good.
Do I get to choose my own background? We’re keeping options simple and classic for this special. You can choose from a white or black background. Depending on what you wear or the color of your hair, one option might make more sense over another, which we’ll advise you on.
What if I want more than 30 minutes? The more time the merrier! You’ll just have to reserve and pay for an additional slot when you book.
We can’t wait to capture your natural beauty! If you have any additional questions, send us a message at [email protected] or call 773-273-9063. Also, scroll down to see Kelly and my fresh face pics.
New Year’s Eve – What we’re thankful for this year
Last night I celebrated the New Year with a group of close friends. During dinner we shared our resolutions for 2014. Answers ranged from being more positive, creative, and patient to committing to a workout and being open to new experiences. This conversation got me thinking about Revealed.
The year 2013 brought many amazing people into our lives. We met clients who left us humbled by their courage to try something new, ignited our creative senses, and filled us with joy during their sessions. It was a year of change. The more we fell in love with this work, the further our devotion grew to our mission of making women feel beautiful. So, taking a big leap, Laurie and I signed a lease to a brand new studio space for shooting everything from boudoir, portraits, and families, all of our own!
I’ve choked up more than once while laying flooring, painting walls, and cleaning windows. It’s our very own studio! Our path to this sweet, bright, inviting space on Damen and Cuyler started in downtown hotels, moved to the lovely rooms of Ponce Studios, then migrated temporarily to my own home. After reading the journey we took to acquiring this spot, you can imagine the utter excitement and happiness Laurie and I feel at having this space for Revealed to grow and flourish.
We have much more to tell about the studio, including all the details about our opening date and specials we’ll be running. You can see more pictures showing the work in process at our instagram page and follow us on our facebook page for specials you won’t find on our blog. Here’s looking at you, 2014, we’re ready!
This Fall we collaborated with makeup artist Jen Johnson, jewelry designer Zurina Ketola, and florists Joanne Leiman of Flowers Flowers to create this gothic inspired Chicago bridal shoot. Follow us on Pinterest to see the styleboard, full of rich burgundy and the hair that inspired model Brooke’s bouffant up-do.
I know, we’re terrible, how can we share just one? Just think of it as delayed satisfaction. Many more to come from our fall bridal shoot with the beautiful Brooke. Check back Thursday for all our favorites!
Curious what a Revealed Studios session is like? Read a firsthand account below.
“A few months ago, my good friend Maggie Rife Ponce approached me and asked me to be a model for one of Revealed Studios photo shoots. She and her partner, Laurie Peacock, had this idea to shoot me at Montrose Harbor at sunrise. I think there were a few reasons they thought of me for this specific concept; one is that, as a baker, I am all too familiar with being up before the sun. I said yes, although, I don’t think I could have been more nervous. I had to keep talking myself into it more and more as the day of the shoot approached. I was very familiar with their work, and I loved it, but I’m not the girl who likes to get her picture taken. In fact, like most women, I don’t always feel great about the way I look. I’m the girl who always makes fun of how awkward she is–why would I want someone taking photos of that? What made me even more nervous was being the center of attention, having two people with their eyes just on me.
After arriving to the beach, it took me a little while to warm up to this idea, but Maggie and Laurie made me feel so comfortable. They are two of the warmest women you will ever meet, feeling silly or uncomfortable didn’t last very long around them. They both understand that posing is not a natural thing to do. While one photographed the other would coach and do poses as well.
The sun was barely up before I started to find the whole experience actually fun. Laurie and Maggie both became so enthusiastic about everything! Whether they were excited about a certain setup, or the way my hair was blowing, or a pose, I received constant affirmation. I seriously don’t know if my self esteem has ever been higher. And it wasn’t because I had my makeup done and felt pretty; it was because I truly felt beautiful and was having fun. Maggie and Laurie are both so creative and passionate, but they also figure out your personality, and with such ease, capture that not only in the photographs, but also in the whole photo shoot process. During makeup, throughout the shoot, wrapping everything up, Maggie and Laurie become your friend and your biggest fan.
Before I did this shoot, I would have never guessed that I would have allowed myself to be in that situation, but after it was over, I wanted to do it again. I didn’t understand why it had taken me so long, why I had been so worried about it. I recommend the whole experience, especially to those who may be more reluctant. And to those, who say yes and make an appointment with these wonderful ladies, take a deep breath, relax, don’t allow yourself to be nervous, and have so much fun.”
As a female centric business, we find inspiration in many places, from sigh inducing scenes in our favorite movies, to the pages of fashion magazines where the sets send our creative wheels spinning. When it comes to the business though, we find confidence in the success stories of other female entrepreneurs out there making it happen.
In a new blog post series, we’ll be running short features on those women changing the World. We’re starting today with Spanx founder, Sara Blakely. One night before a party, out of desperation, the thirty something grab her scissors and in a brash move, severed her panty hose just above the knees. The rest of the night, she walked with comfort, knowing her rump looked smooth and her tummy felt supported. She thought, this is it, these footless panty hose are going to change the way women wear clothes.
Blakely’s passion and dedication pushed her forward, despite road block after road block. Her “crazy invention” has now become a billion dollar business as a result of her tireless commitment to the brand.
She has now expanded her mission beyond helping women feel and look beautiful through her products, by creating the Sara Blakey Foundation, which is “dedicated to helping women globally and locally through education and entrepreneurship. By finding the future female entrepreneurs and leaders of the world and giving them the “leg-up” they need to succeed, the whole world will benefit.”
Watch her share her story during a TED talk herehttp://www.inc.com/sara-blakely/the-spanx-story-how-sara-blakely-turned-footless-pantyhose-into-a-business.html.html
Having some fun while in Austin – Editorial photography on location
During our September trip to Austin, Texas, we partnered up with actor Jake Glascock and friend/occasional model, Beth for a fun, editorial photo shoot. On the last day of our visit, feeling very inspired from the vibe of the city, we hopped in Beth’s jeep and headed out to the country. We drove for miles, waiting for the perfect spot to jump out at us. “Stop!” Laurie and I both shouted, “There!”
We whipped a quick left, and headed down a looong winding road, stopping at the base of a big, beautiful oak. Certain this is where we wanted to start, Beth did what any good Texan woman would, and climb right up that tree, ignoring the bark scraping her legs because the shot was “just too good.”
We loved working with Jake, who used his acting chops, to create playful, charming expressions reminding us of our favorite lead men, Paul Newman and Robert Redford. Then, when we found the rusted, old truck, like a true professional he turned up the heat, helping to make this cinematic shoot possible.
To see behind the scenes pictures from our trip, including all our favorite Austin spots, check out our facebook page and instagram profile.
Looking for editorial photographers or interested in booking your own stylized photo shoot? Email us at [email protected] or call (773) 273-9063
After our recent announcement that we’re now offering corporate portraits and headshots, we received a call from Gibsons Steakhouse asking us to come by to photograph a few of their staff from Gibsons and their sister restaurants. Our goal was to create environmental portraits of Gibsons cooking staff, LuxBar mixologist Matthew “Choo” Lipsky, and Quartino Chef John Coletta.
For these portraits, we used both natural and studio light. Laurie and I scouted locations within the restaurants by looking for clean backgrounds, which still gave a sense of the atmosphere. LuxBar had beautiful natural light in the upstairs bar coming through the East facing windows. However, it was a little strong, so in the below image we filtered it by using the transparent side of our reflector.
At Gibsons Steakhouse and Quartino, we wanted to give the portraits a sense of the warm, inviting environment. These two Chicago staples are famous for making customers feel like their dining in their family’s home.To achieve this, we brought in studio lighting. We balanced the ambient light with our main key light, in this case, the AlienBee B800 with an umbrella attached. We used a neutral density filter to lower the strength of the flash plus a warming gel to match the existing tungsten color temperature. Throw in a dash of Revealed Studio charm, and voila, success.
Chicago portrait photography with GlowOut Chicago (previously Golden Girl)
We are ultra excited to celebrate another female owned business, Golden Girl Chicago, started by the lovely Jenn Dies in 2007. This salon brings a natural golden tan to the ladies of Chicago, without the harmful damage of the sun’s rays. We’re not only in love with their services, which include much more than sunless tanning, but also their shared commitment to treat every client like a million bucks! It’s a vendor match made in heaven!
We’re happy to announce Golden Girl Chicago is a preferred partner of Revealed Studios. Mention us when calling to book your appointment for a sweet treat for your first visit! For those out there looking for a natural, sun-kissed skin before their shoot, skip the tanning beds and call these gals. You’ll leave looking and feeling fabulous!
These girls are not only gorgeous, they’re also super talented! They all have a skill they specialize in at the Salon–custom spray tanning, hair, makeup, and a variety of other services.
As promised, here are the pictures from Luvabull dance, Brittany Brown’s dance portrait session at North Avenue Beach. We had such an amazing time collaborating on this shoot with Brittany and makeup artist Emily Wolf. These two gals are soooo inspiring!
Check back soon for more dance shoots taken throughout the city.
The Specifics–
Fresh Face Mini FAQs: 
