Akiko and David’s wedding at The Quadrangle Club

Swooning over this candlelit wedding at The Quadrangle Club

The ceremony was brief. Like five minutes brief. But in those five minutes, Akiko and David had everyone packed snuggling into the library at The Quadrangle Club on the campus of the University of Chicago welling up with tears.

There were no readings. There was no homily. The vows were short. This left little else to note (well, that’s not entirely true. the setting was breathtaking) other than a quiet sense of love between these two.

On getting to know the bride and groom.

Over the last year knowing Akiko and David, we’ve come to adore them. It’s hard not to. Incredibly thoughtful, kind, and easily disarming, we swooned right along with everyone else throughout their wedding. Like during a tug-at-your heart-strings moment when David open his gift from Akiko–Big Sur, a place they held dear, depicted through the painstakingly detailed, 1,000 miniature cranes she folded night after night while David traveled for work. Or the moment David’s sister, representing his late father, spoke at the reception about how clear it was they were meant for each other. We could go on, but wahhh, this is already bringing the tears back.

The vibe at The Quadrangle Club combined romance with abstract elements.

So, let’s get to the photos! We started at The Hyatt Regency McCormick Place, where the bride and groom were getting ready, then headed to the Science and Industry Museum and the campus of The University of Chicago, before ending at The Quadrangle Club. Definitely check out the decorations–a graphic designer by trade, Akiko’s vision, a stunning combination that was at once romantic and vintage and modern abstract, was brought to life by Juliet Tan Floral Design.

You can find the full list of vendors who made this wedding possible listed at the end of this post.

We hope you enjoy these as much as we do! xoxo-Maggie & Kelly

Interested in seeing more of our wedding photography? Check out the links below and visit our dedicated wedding photography site for more information.

Vendors:

Hotel: Hyatt Regency McCormick Place

Chicago florist: Juliet Tan.

Wedding Venue: The Quadrangle Club

Band: Harlem Natural

Bridal boudoir photos with Real Client Ms. N

By Maggie Rife Ponce

Congratulations Ms. N, a Revealed Client who was just married this month! We’re so happy for you and know you were the most beautiful bride. You were such a wonderful muse with lovely taste and a creative spirit. Thank you for allowing us to share your gorgeous bridal boudoir photos.

On the idea of this post, Ms. N said, “I’m so glad that our combined efforts are able to encourage more ladies to embrace their inner goddess-like divas!”

YAY! We’re right with ya!

How to Relax on Camera for Great Results [Step-by-Step]

By Maggie Rife Ponce

Beat the Butterflies: How relaxing into the experience leads to incredible results

What makes a stunning photo is more than just great light, composition, and background. Of course these elements are important, but how you show up emotionally also matters. Allowing yourself to relax into the experience can transform an image from flat to dynamic.

I know you’re thinking, “easy for you to say Maggie, you’re not the one in front of the camera.”

I get it. Seriously, I do. Just like you, I HAVE been the super nervous subject of a photograph.

From my experience both behind AND in front of the camera, the more left brain you can go, the better. If you can get out of your head and into the moment, it’ll come across in your pictures. If that seems impossible, here are a few steps walking you through how to relax on camera:

1. Show up. Showing up is half the battle. Doing a boudoir shoot is a pretty gutsy move. Going to a place to meet new people where you have to be seen in your undies is tough. You feel exposed and vulnerable. Brene Brown, an expert psychologist on this topic says “vulnerability is our most accurate measure of courage.”

You hear that? You’re being courageous just by showing up. For that reason alone you should feel proud and one more step closer to confident.

2. Breathe. I think breathing is a secret source of strength for most challenges. Before I delivered my first son I met with a doula coach who taught me techniques to deal with the pain. My favorite and most helpful technique was simple: breath awareness. She said come back to your breath when you feel overwhelmed. I think the same advice can be applied to boudoir.

When you feel nervous and like you can’t relax, Come back to your breath. Inhale and exhale through your mouth focusing on releasing any tension . Soon your body you will loosen up and before you know it you’ll feel much more comfortable. Plus, the act of breathing looks great on camera.

3. Think of a smile. The one thing that’s tough to adjust in post-production is expression. Worry can come through in your pictures. A great trick to keep negative thoughts at bay is to simply think of a smile. Why does this work? Research shows that when you smile, even when you just think of a smile, you activate the release of neuropeptides that work to fight off stress. It’s like gulping a chemical cocktail of dopamine, endorphins and serotonin, which help to relax you and can even lower your blood pressure and heart rate.

Physically, the thought of a smile instantly lightens your face–softening your eyes and raising the corners of your lips. This is the key to those serious, but pleasant pictures like below.

4. Have fun! You don’t have to take this experience too seriously. You’re in a safe space where we want and encourage you to enjoy yourself. When in doubt, shake it out.

Real Client’s Edgy Boudoir Photos

By Maggie Rife Ponce

Embracing the Shadows for Edgy Boudoir Photos

I’m totally in love with photographing soft, light, ethereal boudoir sessions. But for a change of pace, I’ve been eager to try shooting darker, shooting into the shadows, and shooting with a little more mystery.

A recent client was totally on board with this idea and let me play with her final look. I’m obsessed with the final results. Paired with her strappy body suit and uninhibited posing, the look is dark, edgy, and super sexy.

Photographer’s check back check week for a full tutorial on how to create this look in a light studio.

A Husband’s’ Change of Heart [Testimonial]

By Maggie Rife Ponce

A Message from a Boudoir Client’s Husband

Mrs. A came to us three years ago to have photos taken for her fiancé as a groom’s gift. For one of her outfits, she wanted to pay homage to his Marine Corp background by wearing a military jacket for the pictures. We loved how they turned out, so afterwards asked if we could use the images for our marketing material. At the time, Mrs. A’s fiancé was thrilled with his gift, but not to keen on the idea of her sharing the pictures.

Last month, I received a message from Mrs. A’s fiancé, now husband, declaring he had a complete change of heart.

He wrote, “Good morning Maggie. I pulled a bad husband move back when my wife had boudoir photos taken as a wedding present. I absolutely loved them, but when she told me that y’all would like to use a few of her photos (I think the military ones) I reacted poorly and basically told her I didn’t want those photos out for everyone and it really crushed her. We recently moved and I found my book and got me thinking about it and how wrong I was.”

He mentioned the confidence-inducing power of the pictures and said share away!

We totally understand his trepidation, but love that after reflection he felt pride instead of fear about her images being seen.

We hope others find courage in this post. Boudoir can be about creating a gift for your significant other, but it’s also the chance to enjoy the freedom and safety of a positive space, where you can express and celebrate yourself without fear of judgement or criticism. You might be surprised, like Mrs. A, when you find yourself wanting to share the end result.

Our favorite lingerie lines that embrace female empowerment

By Maggie Rife Ponce

THESE LINGERIE LINES ARE ALL ABOUT GIRL POWER

As bridal season approaches, we found ourselves getting so inspired by new trends in lingerie. As exciting as pretty lingerie is, it’s even more exciting when the company embraces female empowerment and let’s be honest, comfort. We’ve chosen some of our favorite lingerie lines and shared below what makes them so special.

Naja

Whether you’re looking for a funky design, fun colors, or something more classic or soft, Naja has great options. And what we love most about this line, aside from these playful selections, is their commitment to helping women in underdeveloped regions by employing them. Their Underwear for Hope program can turn buying a bra into a socially responsible action. “Two percent of every purchase you make goes toward supporting our entrepreneurial sewing program for women through local foundations. And for every bra purchase you make, you contribute directly to the employment of a single mother.”

True & Co

This company has a seriously beautiful instagram that we can’t get enough of. True & Co allows you to customize your bra search by answering a few questions about the fits of your bras and shape of the ladies. They also embrace women of all shapes and sizes. Their mission statement feels like something that we would have written for ourselves- “We believe that knowing what makes you unique powers the design of better products for women. We celebrate what makes you so wonderfully you.”

Thirdlove

For the best fitting bras in the world, check out Thirdlove. They take customization one step further in order to take the stress out of finding the perfect fit. You can download their app, take a picture of yourself in a fitted tank, and it can determine your size. They even have half sizes and take into account your breast shape. It’s taking all those awkward bra fittings out of the picture so you can get a bra that makes you feel good about you. “We realized that traditional bra sizing wasn’t serving countless women whose breast sizes weren’t ‘standard’, whatever that means. We had a new mission, and set out to design bras that would really fit real women.”

Three Things to Consider When Choosing a Boudoir Photographer

By Maggie Rife Ponce

WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE CHOOSING A BOUDOIR PHOTOGRAPHER

Finding the right boudoir photographer is a lot like finding a good OBGYN. Both are specialists in their field and BOTH will be seeing you in your underwear. The whole being semi-naked in front of a stranger is reason enough to do your homework (not to mention the end result!) As with an OBGYN, you want to know your photographer has plenty of experience, your best interests in mind, and (this next one is crucial for people not used to being photographed) a good “bedside manner.”

Knowing where to start your research and what to look for can be overwhelming, especially when there’s so much information on the internet. To help you avoid decision regret, we’ve determined the three most important things to consider when choosing a boudoir photographer:

Read their Reviews
- Start first by seeing what others say are saying. A confident boudoir studio should proudly share testimonials on its website under its reviews section (often called “testimonials” or “raves”). There, you can read stories from real clients and get a sense of the atmosphere, philosophy, and shooting style of the studio.
- Yelp or other online review services is another great resource. We’re thrilled to be Chicago’s #1 on ranked boudoir studio on Yelp.
Review their Work
- What does their portfolio look like? Take time to go through a variety of shoot examples. Does your taste align with their style? Are they shooting in only one scenario (such as natural lighting) or is there variety to their work showing a range of skills?
- Check out their blog! This is a great way to get to know a photographer’s work AND personality. You can really learn a lot through a blog. It’s where they show a range of images from one shoot, rather than just the BEST image in their portfolio.
Click their Bio
- Visit their ‘About‘ section to learn background information. What makes their heart go pitter-patter?
- Tip to the wise: a phone interview is even better. It all goes back to bedside manner. Call up the studio to get a feel for the company’s vibe. Talk with the studio manager or photographer when available. You can really get a sense about someone just from hearing their manner on the phone (we all know people who are super suave in print, but awkward in person and vice versa.)
- Also, word to the wise, if you’re working with a studio with more than one photographer, make sure you ask who will be taking care of you. Ask specifically to see their work and bio information so you’re more comfortable come the day of your boudoir session.

Looking into these three things when deciding whom to hire as your boudoir photographer should help you find the perfect one for you. But just in case, we’ve created a list of our Top 20 Questions to Ask When Pre-Screening a Boudoir Studio. We’ll post it on the blog next week. Many of these questions can be answered through a quick visit to a studio’s FAQ and philosophy page, but hearing the answers in a photographer’s own words can be very comforting.

We hope you find this helpful! Feel free to leave comments below if you have any other follow-up concerns! Or better yet, give us a call 😉 773-273-9063

Welcome to the World, Theo!

By Maggie Rife Ponce

Bringing home the baby…

Congratulations to Maggie on the birth of her baby! On February 19th, Maggie and her husband welcomed their sweet baby boy, Theo, into the world! Maggie and Theo are both happy and healthy, and judging by the big smiles on both their faces today, they are both settling into their new lives quite well.

I’m so happy for Maggie, and so happy that she finally gets to hold this little guy, who she couldn’t wait to meet for the last 9 months. Maggie is currently enjoying her much deserved maternity leave, but we’re looking forward to welcoming her back in May. We’re also looking forward to spending some quality time on the job with this little nugget.

Click here to see Maggie’s own maternity shoot.

Ms. C looks the picture of a blushing bride

By Maggie Rife Ponce

Real client Ms. C surprises husband with a bridal boudoir shoot

She was nervous and excited like most of our clients, but as her bridal boudoir shoot progressed we could see her confidence grow with each picture. With such positive energy (and legs like that!) it’s no surprise she’s a yoga teacher. Her photos made for a beautiful album for her future husband, who we’re told, tried to convince her they should keep out out as a coffee table book even when guests came to visit!

We love when a gift for him turns out to be an even bigger gift for yourself! Not to mention, if you are getting married, a great way to celebrate and add on to your pre-wedding festivities.

The Power of Boudoir Photography

By Maggie Rife Ponce

WHAT BOUDOIR PHOTOGRAPHY MEANS TO US

You might have heard about boudoir as a sexy gift for your special someone. But we see it as so much more. Boudoir is an empowering experience that can be incredibly transformative.

Everyone comes into the studio with insecurities. Everyone. It’s so normal and understandable. So hearing someone’s disbelief and joy in their pictures, well, that is what fills my heart to the brim. We could all use a little more self-love. Especially us ladies.

Why IS boudoir so empowering?

I’m sure to some people, what we’re doing at Revealed is something akin to glamour shots, but to us, boudoir photography is more than just taking pretty pictures. It’s about encouragement, healing, embracing the now. It’s about letting go of fear, self-criticism, and comparison and coming into the best version of yourself and no one else.

Our Most Popular Boudoir Products You Just Can’t Resist

By Maggie Rife Ponce

These Must-have Boudoir Products are Sooo Swoonworthy

We get asked again and again what our most popular boudoir products are when it comes to showing off those sexy, seductive photos. As a boutique boudoir and glamour portrait studio, we want to give our clients only the best. These three products aim to please, making them our top sellers:

PREMIUM FINE ART ALBUM

Our #1 selling boudoir product is our premium fine art album. This 10″ x 10″, 20-page album includes up to 32 of your favorite flirty pictures arranged in a custom-design for a magazine like feel. It’s the perfect way to see the experience of your session. Images are often paired together in sequences and new surprises await with the flip of a page. There are four main features we love about this album:

It Lays Flat: Unlike a typical book or magazine that curves in the middle, when you open a page, any page, the album will lay flat, displaying your images without any awkward distortion from folding paper.
The Matte Board Pages: Our printer using the best fuji printer paper out there to achieve gorgeous color and tones for your images. What stands out about the premium album is that after each spread is printed, it is then adhered to a thick matte board. This gives it a sturdy feel and peace of mind that you’ll have this product without any dog ears or page bends for years to come.
The Folded Divide: This is by far our favorite feature of the premium fine art album. Rather than having a split in the middle of the pages, this version instead has a simple subtle fold, allowing us the chance to design with one big, beautiful image stretching across two pages. Talk about a piece de triumph.
Custom Cover Choice: You get to choose your own cover, from a variety of silk fabrics to four different vegan leather options. Your selection can reflect your taste and style be it traditional, bold, or romantic.

While this is our most popular boudoir product, we also offer it for our portrait and maternity sessions as well.

STANDARD FINE ART ALBUM

Love the idea of an album but not ready to take the plunge on the premium version? No problem! A similar choice is our standard fine art album. It’s also 10″ x 10″, 20 pages, and custom designed with up to 32 images. The difference between the two versions is with the standard album, the pages are thinner, unmounted, and divided by a split in the middle.

ULTRA SEXY IMAGE BOXES

As one recent client said, this boudoir product is all about the “slow drip.” Images boxes are perfect for those who want to parse out their gift giving, offering little teasers from their boudoir session. Talk about patience! We can imagine this will drive the receiver crazy in just the right way. More about this product:

Loose Prints: Comes with 10 5 x 7″ or 20 4 x 6″ prints nestled inside this beautiful, intimate image box. This is a great option for those who want to do the “slow drip release” or frame prints.
Pick Your Cover: Choose your favorite color of silk or vegan leather.

FINE ART PRINTS

Really make a statement with gallery display or custom-framed enlargement for your home. If you’re nervous about displaying your images, during our private review consultations for choosing your boudoir products, we walk you through exactly which pictures work best as wall art (often anonymous detail shots). We’ll also advise where your pictures are best showcased, be it the bedroom, bathroom, walk-in closet, or even living room (see below for inspiration).

How a Real Client Nailed a Smoldering Boudoir Session [Photos]

By Maggie Rife Ponce

Ok, stop it. Real Client MS. K looks beyond gorgeous in her smoldering boudoir session. From start to finish, she’s absolutely breathtaking. So how did she achieve this naturally sexy feel without looking like she was trying to hard?

SHE LIVED IN THE MOMENT

What makes Ms. K’s photos so stunning (beyond her beauty) is how she allowed herself to let go and really embrace the moment. It’s one thing to look super smokin’ in a perfectly posed picture, but the magic really happens when you step away from your left brain thinking and embrace what the shoot is all about–feeling sexy and confident.

It’s one thing to look super smokin’ in a perfectly posed picture, but the magic really happens when you step away from your left brain thinking

BE PROUD OF THE SKIN YOUR IN

But how? I know some of you might be thinking, “easier said then done, Maggie.” Well, I’m here to help. Like a dance or yoga instructor, I love to help guide clients to that place. Seriously, I get so much joy when I sense that shift happen during a shoot. When someone goes from thinking, thinking, thinking, to just moving.

IT’S PART PLAY, PART FANTASY, AND SO MUCH FUN

The most important thing to remember is you’re in good hands. No one wants you to look better in your pictures than my team at Revealed. We take soooo much pride in the final product. We want you to walk away with a surplus of sass–thinking, “I’ve never looked better.”

It begins with our incredible makeup artists, all of whom are rockstars (you can check them out here). We also pay special attention to the tone set from the moment you walk through the door. We want you to feel like you’re hanging out with friend’s for the day in a space where you feel encouraged to express yourself. We’re your coaches, offering feedback to to help you look your best. When in doubt, I’ll even do the moves right along with you. Before you know it, you’re not straining to do a pose, but rather channeling your own Sasha Fierce and moving like a model.

So yes, boudoir is about getting jaw-droppingly beautiful pictures, but it’s also about the experience. It’s about having fun, enjoying the moment, even tapping into your sensual side. We won’t judge, promise! In fact, we’ll we’ll cheer you on, “work it!”

Real Women of Revealed Feature: Freedom After a Controlling Relationship

By Maggie Rife Ponce

THE DECISION TO LEAVE WAS A HARD ONE, BUT HEALTHY ONE

In our latest feature for our Real Women of Revealed Series, Courtney S. shares how walking away from her marriage was one of the hardest things she’s ever done, but also the healthiest, leading to freedom after a controlling relationship.

The first thing you notice about Courtney is her vibrant red hair, followed closely by her raspy, unbridled laugh. Spend just ten minutes with her, and you’ll feel like you’re old friends. She is uninhibited, spunky, and the perfect amount of inappropriate.

It’s hard to picture, but less than two years ago, this ball of fire felt trapped in an unhealthy relationship, yearning to get out.

Back then she was like a faded version of herself, self-conscious of every action, filtering what she said and how she moved for fear of critique from her husband.

When I finally stepped outside of it, I realized, this is not me and I’m becoming a part of something that I don’t believe in.

Her breaking point came when during a trip they took with friends, someone asked, ‘how can you be with someone so verbally and mentally abusive?”

At the time, so used to living with her every move questioned, hearing an outsider make note of his controlling behavior struck like an ember to her skin.

I thought, “Oh my God, other people know? I’m not the one creating these problems, the anger, the unpleasantness. And then when I finally stepped outside of it, I realized this is not me. I’m becoming part of something I don’t believe in.”

Courtney says, it’s like this experience, “When you see yourself from a different view. I didn’t even realize what had happened in that relationship until other people had said them to me.”

“I was going to be 30 and in my head, I kept saying, I’m not going to be 30 and still doing this. I can’t. Thirty is going to be for me. I can’t let this person run my life and tell me what I’m gonna be.”

HOW SHE SURVIVED THE DIVORCE

When Courtney told her husband she was leaving, she said she felt relief and a sense of freedom. Still, there were days she was weepy and emotional, and others where she thought she could climb a mountain. It was a roller coaster of emotions. All of a sudden she was on her own again. She felt fear about the unknown, but when it came down to it, she knew she’d figure it out. “You have to.”

THE AFTERMATH

Over the last year and a half, she slowly reconnected with herself. While with her ex-husband, they lived in a dark, garden apartment that felt like a dungeon to her. Now she has a third floor unit with lots of windows. “I’m obsessed with light. [The lack of light] is very signifying of our relationship.”

After feeling like everything was held over her, being able to say, “this is me ,” was a significant change. “My whole wall was all Ani Difranco posters and the girliest shi*t I could have.”

She did a lot of journaling and focused on letting go of the guilt she carried with her after leaving.

My mom said, I never realized how unhappy you were until I saw how happy you are now.

Slowly but eventually, the vibrant Courtney you see in these pictures began to take shape. She came to realize “that I’m a lot stronger than I thought I was. Just to be myself is freeing in a lot of ways. I’m going to be sensitive, I’m going to cry, and that’s ok. It’s very freeing to just be able to be you.”

For any other woman struggling in an unhealthy relationship, Courtney says the best thing you can do is “go with your gut. If it’s telling you something’s not right, there’s a reason. The other side of your brain might be saying ‘no, it’s ok…’ and sometimes things are good on paper, but if you’re feeling it, there’s a reason.”

She knows other women might feel like they’re letting themselves or other people down by leaving, but “They’re gonna love you no matter what you do.”

When asked what the experience of being photographed was like, “it’s symbolic that you start fully clothed, and slowly you take off a little more and become a little more comfortable. You shed a little of your outer shell, protective barrier and by the end you feel like you.”

We’re so happy to feature Courtney as part of our on-going series, Real Women of Revealed -a collection of photos and stories of inspirational women we feel exemplify beauty beyond appearance. Click here to see more from this series.

Surprise, I’m pregnant! 36 weeks pregnant!

By Maggie Rife Ponce

Revealed Studios’ Owner on Pregnancy Photos and more…

I’ve kept this pretty under wraps on the blog till now, but with four weeks left, I thought it was time to share the news. I’m pregnant 🙂 Here’s a little more about my pregnancy journey and the changes to come.

Thoughts on pregnancy

Sigh, where to begin…pregnancy is an easy thing to feel consumed by. For nine months, your daily routines are rearranged. You’re suddenly eating, sleeping, and moving differently as you serve as a vessel for a whole other being. It’s a wild and, at times, challenging experience. You find yourself repeating to yourself, “it’s worth it,” each time you get an elbow to your rib or a sneeze that makes you tinkle. It’s not that bad (really, it’s not), but there are definitely times when you want to take a time out. Sometimes I catch myself fantasizing about being able to just unstrap my belly and instantly go back to normal.

Documenting this moment with pregnancy photos

Earlier this month, when I was feeling the most spent, I asked our amazing studio manager and dear friend Kelly to snap some pictures for me. While Kel is a rock star studio manager, shooting on a professional camera is new to her. I had full faith that I could set her up with my gear to snap a few images to have as keepsakes. She blew me away! I ended up with waaaay more pictures than I imagined (looks like someone on her way to associate shooter ;)).

This spontaneous maternity session was a wonderful reprieve from the sense of challenge I was feeling. It was a perfect reminder how powerful your perspective can be. The session helped me to shift my focus, to relish in the magical transformation that was happening. It was a chance to celebrate this time in my life and recognize the purpose behind the discomfort.
It’s silly, considering I see the power of photography on a regular basis with our clients, but I was moved more than I expected. I felt proud looking at the transformation in my body, wider-growing hips and all. I’m so happy I asked Kel to take these pictures for me, and now feel like I understand even more how therapeutic a great photo shoot can be.

How this all illuminated my understanding for our work

This experience only further confirms my deep love and passion for what we do at Revealed. Whether it’s boudoir or beauty portraiture, I feel like I’m living my fullest truth when helping women feel more comfortable in their own skin. I’ve learned so much through this pregnancy. I won’t share it all now (I’ve already written a novel), but one thing my amazing doula has taught me about is the shame that too many women feel about their birth stories, whether self-inflicted or as a result of other people’s words. We’ve talked a lot these last five weeks about how hard we women can be on each other and ourselves. My deepest wish is for Revealed to be a sacred place for women to feel comfortable and encouraged.

On leave for a bit…

In February I’ll be stepping away from shooting to prep for labor, then (God-willing!) welcome our little guy home. But fear not! Studio operations will continue while I’m out. Kelly will be the point-person for Revealed. Like I said earlier, she’s a total rock star and will take good care of all clients. I’m sooooo lucky to have an incredibly talented and lovely sister-in-law Maria Ponce who will be shooting in my stead, as well as the wonderful Elizabeth Nord. I’ve had the pleasure of working alongside both women, and can say with full confidence that they’ll take amazing care of anyone they’re shooting, both through their talent and personalities.

If you’re thinking of booking a session, please check out their work: Maria Ponce and Elizabeth Nord.
I’m planning to be back in action by mid-April or early May (motherhood is all new to me, so I’m staying flexible at this point).

Thank you to all our followers for their love and support. I so appreciate your positive energy and can’t wait to introduce you all to BP (Baby Ponce as we like to call him!)