Valentine’s Day Boudoir

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

This year also marked the launch of our portrait branch.  We decided to take our unique approach to boudoir–a commitment to helping women feel as great as they look–and bring it to portraits. Since this launch, we’ve already had some wonderful glamour, lifestyle, and family photo shoots. As an added bonus, we were able to reconnect with some of our past boudoir clients and photograph them in completely new ways.

In addition to our team of makeup artists,  we also added the talented stylist, Emily McClaren, to our team. She’s great at helping ladies feel their best by taking away the stress from outfit selection. We had the pleasure of collaborating with her on Fox Chicago traffic reporter Jenny Milkowski’s portrait session.  Emily was great at finding the perfect pieces to bring out Jenny’s fun, playful personality.

 

HOW TO MAINTAIN THE SURGE OF CONFIDENCE AFTER YOUR BOUDOIR SESSION

Some people think a boudoir photoshoot is just about taking “sexy” photos.  But at Revealed, it’s so much more. For most clients, it’s a transformative, healing experience.  For women struggling with body image, self-worth, and staying connected with their sensuality,a boudoir session can be a big step toward a healthier, more positive place. It takes courage to be photographed, especially in your underwear. At first, you may feel a bit exposed and vulnerable. But what comes from the experience is so much more than just photos of you looking great; it’s the after-effects of doing something outside your comfort zone. When you’re courageous, when you show up for yourself, you’re choosing to be your own advocate. And when you make that choice, your self-worth comes from within.  It’s less reliant on those around you.  That’s why we believe a boudoir session is sooo much more than just sexy photos.

So how do you keep that surge of confidence?  It’s not always easy, and staying in that place of positivity may mean making a lifestyle change. Here are some tips for keeping the confidence long after your session ends…

1. Say no to body shaming.
   We’ve all done it. Made those self-deprecating remarks criticizing our  “trouble areas.”  But really, what purpose does it serve?  Do we feel better afterwards? Does anything change?  No. In fact, we’re probably just keeping ourselves in that same cycle of negative thinking.  What would happen if we just stopped it all together? Instead of paying homage to our insecurities, we celebrate our attributes: the things about ourselves we love.  Not there yet?  That’s ok. Just start with squashing all that self-hate. The rest can be tackled later.
2. Surround yourself with Chargers.
   There’s a theory that people fall into two categories: chargers and drainers.  Drainers are those people who leave you feeling tired and uncertain, while chargers inspire you, build you up, make want to be your best self. Build your network out of chargers and you’ll have a great support system to keep you feeling great. 
3. Invest your time wisely.
   Similar to the idea of chargers and drainers, it matters where we invest our energy.  Do an inventory of where you spend the most time. Is it in areas or activities that build you up and help you grow?  If the answer is no, ask yourself why, and reflect on how much value that activity is really adding to your life.
4. Do something every day that makes you feel awake. 
   “Awake? What’s that mean?”  It means you’re living outside of the status quo. You’re not settling for comfortable.  Dance in your underwear. Sing in the shower. Strike up a conversation on the El. Sign up for a language class. Remember, the reason you felt so confident post-shoot was because you challenged yourself to do something big and bold. Don’t stop there. 
5. Own your sensuality. 
   Wherever you’re headed, go forward without shame or fear. Celebrate your own unique and wonderful spirit. Embrace your femininity. We don’t mean wear gobs of makeup and high heels every day (although there’s nothing wrong with that, either!), We’re talking about something deeper: your own, unique feminine energy that comes from within.

How to get the best Boudoir Photos?

When I first spoke on the phone with this client, she said she wasn’t super girly, that she didn’t wear a lot of fancy lingerie, but wanted to do a boudoir shoot nonetheless.  “I’m with you!”  I told her.  “When I’m home, you can find me most days wearing what my husband calls a ‘jump suit,’ my gray sweatpants with my gray sweatshirt.”

We love when our client’s break the mold.  We don’t believe you have to be society’s standard of anything to do boudoir. Your photoshoot should be whatever you want it to be.  If you want to wear a baseball cap and a t-shirt, that’s fine by us. If you want to wear garters, a corset, and be draped with pearls, that’s cool too.

This client, a trained carpenter, marathon runner, and tattoo enthusiast was understated and natural.  The lovely Anjelica Bannos put some curls in her hair, bumped up those striking eyes, and added a touch of bronzer, but kept the rest of it pretty clean.  Then, with a great soundtrack playing in the background, and a few directions here and there, we just captured her more-or-less doing her thing.

Be Generous in Heart: Chicago Boudoir Holiday Special

While waiting in line this morning at Starbucks, I heard the attendant burst, “Oh my gosh, thank you!”  She turned to her coworker and said, “He gave us a $20 tip!”

The customer’s act of generosity served not only to make her day, but lift my spirits.  It made me think to myself, if we can’t be generous financially, let’s give and give and give with kindness.

So this holiday season, inspired by that customer’s gesture, we want to give back the best way we know how…through our photography.  For every gift card purchased, we’ll match the value.   Because we love what we do and we believe a good picture is as powerful as a great therapy session.

**Valid up to $400

Overcoming butterflies for her boudoir photos in Chicago

When Ms. E arrived to our studio for her boudoir photos, she was nervous but excited.  She’d booked the photo shoot during a trip back to the US from Japan, where she’s been living for the last four years.

After a little champagne and a makeover by the oh-so-talented Jaycie Ganek (who miraculously curled and styled alllll of that amazing hair before I even finished my coffee), Ms. E quickly went from shy and self-conscious to feelin’ it.

Kelly and I had so much fun taking her pictures. At one point (see photos on gray background in red outfit), Ms. E asked if we’d turn the song up (Beyonce’s Partition), then she went to town dancing, shaking those hips, and of course, working the fan Queen Bea style.  I could tell she was having the time of her life.

When I asked what inspired her to book the session, she said with a smile it was just something she wanted to do for herself.

We love seeing how great she felt. She was so positive and comfortable. By the end of her shoot, we were walking taller too, inspired by her confidence.

Ms. Wolf embraces her inner dom with a bondage boudoir shoot

Most of the time, this stunning lady is wowing clients with her incredible makeup skills. But this lady also happens to be a natural on camera.  It’s amazing to see how she works her angles and embraces the moment, especially when rocking a bondage boudoir look.

Emily came in for a shoot for two reasons, one, her amazing new cut and color (very Demi Lovato in all the right ways) and also to model for Kelly, our studio manager and photographer in training. The results are stunning!

If you’re ever in Emily’s makeup chair, be sure to ask her for tips!  She’s great at coaching people on how to let go and relax for the camera. 

Artistic Boudoir Photography

Making our couch look good, this real client stuns in her boudoir session

Fine Art Boudoir photography is such a joy. We can’t get enough of these pictures!

Sometimes the most striking images are simplest. No complicated setups or flashy props, just gorgeous window light and good energy.

Ms. B is stunning beyond words.  After three babies, the youngest less than a year old, she decided to do something to reconnect with a side of herself that is often pushed to the back burner as a mother. We loved being able to create this experience for Ms. B and help her feel that sense of self again.

For similar posts, check out “Mother of three wows in Boudoir Shoot” and “A delighted client becomes a new friend.”

An intimate photography session with Ms. M

We’re blown away by Ms. M’s intimate photography session.  She relaxed and had fun during her shoot. It definitely shows in these images.  She looks totally confident and natural! Exactly what we want for all our clients.

A another way of referring to boudoir, this a chance to show a side of yourself that may not come out often. It’s a little sexy and very beautiful.

Call 773-273-9063 or email at [email protected] For more examples of our work, visit our bridal, and light, and boudoir portfolios. Check out our instagram for a peek into our latest shenanigans.

Sometimes less is more. A natural boudoir photography session.

A few weeks back we shared studio manager and apprentice photographer, Kelly Feldmiller’s first photo shoot.  This week, we have part 2 of that natural boudoir photography session with the lovely Ms. N.

I’m so proud of Kelly for stepping out of her comfort zone and pushing herself to take these pictures.  She’s such a natural–capturing Ms. N’s spirit and also creating stunning, artistic imagery.

See more from Kelly’s work and a peek into our world at Revealed by visiting our instagram page.