Bridal Boudoir Photography

Looking for the perfect gift to blow your fiancé’s mind? Bridal boudoir is where it’s at!  Sure, it’s a gift for them, but the experience is all for you!

What is bridal boudoir photography? 

For many, a wedding is one of the most important milestones in their life. We say it over and over again because we truly believe it. Boudoir is not just about taking sexy pictures. Boudoir is about the experienc! It’s embracing who you are right NOW.  Leading up to your wedding is the prime time for doing just that. It’s a chance to document your hard work leading up to your wedding day. Resulting gorgeous photos you’ll be proud of for years to come.

What to expect:

Expect to feel amazing! When you first walk in, you might have some nerves, but those will quickly fade. Replaced soon with all good vibes.  The confidence building starts before you even arrive.  We’ll connect on the phone to talk through all your questions. We’ll also ask YOU questions to personalize your experience better.

If you want to opt out of the phone call, no problem! Here’s a walk-through of a typical session:

1.  Arrive 5 minutes before your session.
2. Lay out your three to five outfits. Extra options are encouraged!
3. We’ll narrow them down together.
4. Head to hair and makeup. We’ll then decide on the flow of your session based on your phone call and outfits.
5. After hair and makeup, the magic begins! Don’t worry about practicing beforehand. We’ll lead you through all the poses like a fitness instructor.
6. The photo shoot will last between 2-3 hours. Expect to feel a bit sore. These are your everyday poses!

The bridal boudoir experience is so much fun! But don’t take our word for it; click to read real client testimonials. 

“As someone who usually hates pictures of myself, I can’t believe how good they turned out. I’ve struggled with body image my entire life, so this was way out of my norm. Maggie and Kelly are pros from start to finish. They make you feel comfortable and beautiful in your skin. They found the best parts of me and helped me shine. I wanted a gift for my husband for our first anniversary that was really special. In some ways, I think I gained more from this experience. You’re in great hands… I highly recommend it. It’s empowering, and you’ll feel really proud of yourself after it’s finished. I say, take a deep breath, and go for it. You won’t regret the experience. I felt prettier in these pictures than I did on my wedding day. #girlpower”

What should I wear to my bridal boudoir?

A full bridal boudoir photography session comes with three looks. You can always bring more to be safe. We’ll help you narrow them down. So, what type of pieces work best for the camera?  We have a full guide you can check out here.  We recommend shopping for timeless pieces you’ll love looking back at 10, 20, and even 50 years from now. Email us at [email protected] to receive our complimentary style guide. It’s full of tips for finding the right pieces. It also includes a list of our favorite vendors based on price range. In the meantime, here are a few suggestions to get you started:

• Keep it classic. Think of a bra and panty set, teddy, or bodysuit in a neutral color (nude, blush, black, navy, or deep red).  You can dress up any of these options with garter belts and thigh highs or dress them down with a sweater, simple t-shirt, or man’s button-down to reflect your style. Going classic is a great way to achieve results that stand the test of time.
• Spice it up. Try a sultry number you probably don’t wear to bed regularly.  We love strappy, lacey mesh pieces. Remember, the most important thing is to FEEL good in whatever you’re wearing. If bumless panties aren’t your thing, then don’t force it.
• Fit is key. Try on your looks in person or with an assistant to ensure you’re in the right size. Many stores offer this as a complimentary service, or if you’re shopping online, check the return policy, then order multiple sizes. You can always try them at our studio, and we can help you decide.
• A nod to your partner.  Bring in something from your partner’s closet.  White shirts, ties, or sweaters are all fan favorites over here at Revealed.
• Bridal Inspired. We also love seeing veils, garters, or sets in white, blush, or cream.

What happens after the session? 

Once we finish, we then schedule a review session within two weeks of your shoot in which you’ll come back to the studio and go over all your beautiful pictures.  We will have plenty of options and variety to show you with light retouching done on all the photos. It is during your “reveal” that you can choose your favorites and decide how whether you’d like to purchase prints, products, digital files, or a combination of the choices. 

What sort of products and digital files do you offer?  

Ok, we’re guilty, We LOVE pretty things. So when it came time to decide what we wanted to offer our clients, we scoured the market for the best boudoir products to represent our work.  Our products include three different options for a boudoir book, they are:

• Heirloom album — made with archival material, museum-grade paper and ink, and European leather or Japanese Silk — This beauty is a luxe option that will last a lifetime. 
• Premium fine art album–with thick pages and professional printing, this a wonderful alternative to our heirloom option. 
• The standard album is a thinner option. It is a great choice for anyone on a budget. 

We also have loose prints tucked inside fabric and glass boxes and digital files that we can load onto a crystal thumb drive or available via a private gallery. If that’s not enough, you also have the option to see your bridal boudoir photography as wall art with local framed prints on torchon paper.

The gift to your groom or bride that keeps on giving…

Your groom or bride-to-be will be over the moon with this boudoir gift. Over the years, we’ve heard the best reactions from our client’s partners, who are thrilled with this present. But nothing makes us happier than the gift of leaving YOU feeling amazing about yourself. It’s priceless and why we love our work so much. 

How much do bridal portraits cost? 

On average, our bridal clients spend between $1,000 and $2,500. We offer bundle packages that include the session, hair and makeup, and products priced for value.  If one of those isn’t right for you, you can create your own via our a la carte menu. Check out our boudoir at a glance page to get a sense of your options. 

Tips to prepare for your bridal photography session.

We’ve had clients come in at the last minute and still walk away beyond thrilled with their experience, but a little prep beforehand can make everything that much more meaningful.  Here are a few recommendations you can keep in mind leading up to your session. 

• Two months before your wedding: book your boudoir session. For the planners out there, booking farther out is even better. We find that giving yourself at least two months between your session and wedding allows plenty of time to have a final product in your hands. 
• One month out: Schedule your beauty appointments. This could include facials, mani/pedis, haircut and color, spray tanning, waxing, etc.  None of those are necessary, but clients commonly do all before coming in. You want to avoid redness or irritation from facials. Schedule at least a week before your session is a good idea for proper healing.  As for spray tanning, the experts at our favorite local GlowOut here in Chicago suggest doing it three to four days beforehand for a nice, even tone that reads great on camera.
• One week out — Time to get sneaky.  Good luck if your significant other doesn’t know you’re doing the session!  Just kiddin’ if you need “excuses,” we’ve heard everything from “I’ve been asked to model for a friend who’s into photography” to “Sephora was doing free makeovers” to “Girls brunch turned into a try out new products.”  We know it feels a little deceitful at the time, but it’ll be worth it. Promise.
  • Organize your looks, pairing outfits with accessories. 
  • Don’t forget your shoes! A pair of nude or black pumps go with everything. Anything more is a bonus. 
  • Hydrate and rest. 

What other brides have said about their bridal boudoir photography experience?

“One of THE BEST experiences I have ever had and it was all because of Maggie and Kelly at Revealed – they are truly amazing. I had done a lot of research on boudoir photographers in Chicago and really felt that Revealed was the best fit for the photos I wanted to give my husband as a wedding gift (and to be honest, this was something I REALLY wanted to do for myself, too!). I can’t say enough great things about Maggie and Kelly – they are professional, personable, comforting, and just generally awesome at what they do. Even though I was a little nervous going into it, I had the best day at their studio and left feeling empowered, confident, and just – free. I was thrilled that the experience itself was great but when I got to see the photos, I was completely blown away. They are so talented at making you look your best and I could not believe how amazing the photos turned out.

Based on my husband’s reaction, I’m fairly certain that this was the best gift I have ever given him or will ever give him but at the end of the day, I am just so happy I decided to do this for MYSELF. I tell all of my girlfriends that if they ever decide to do a boudoir photo shoot, they need to call me first so I can send them to Revealed.”

–Ms. K

“Before doing this photo shoot, I was, like many, super nervous and anxious in front of the camera. Kelly and Maggie are absolute pros at making you feel comfortable, sexy and by the end of the shoot, the best of friends! I couldn’t recommend them more for an incredible experience to gift yourself, or even a partner (if they’re lucky enough). I trust them whole-heartedly to any woman looking to “reveal” a part of themselves, literally and figuratively, that they haven’t accessed before!”

–Ms. F