In desperate need of inspiration? We’ve got you! Bridal boudoir styling tips below!
One of the most common questions we receive during a boudoir phone consultation at Revealed Studios is “What do I wear?”
The answer, “skies the limit!”
Boudoir is an opportunity to express your many sides. Let your imagination run wild. During a session, there’s time for three to four outfits. You can do a variety of looks, from the girl next store, to va va voom bombshell. We love seeing clients take inspiration from their hobbies. Do you like to cook? Are you an athlete? Love a good book? Or maybe you’re a dancer just waiting to show your moves. Show off what makes you, you!
How about wearing an apron, pumps, and not much else? Try out the sporty look with knee-high socks, a jersey, and boy shorts. Bring your favorite book, some plastic frame glasses, and a simple nightie. If you’re a dancer at heart, don’t forget your pumps for your twists and turns!
Still struggling to come up with ideas? We’ve created a series of boards for inspiration! Over the next few weeks, we’ll be releasing a series of posts with fashion boards to get the creative juices flowing. To start here’s our bridal boudoir styling inspiration board.
Wanna see what other clients have worn for their sessions? Check out our bridal boudoir gallery.
When it comes to choosing a boudoir photographer, there is a lot to consider.
For the most women out there, doing a photo shoot with a complete stranger–in your underwear–is not an everyday occurrence. We compare it to skydiving. It’s scary, thrilling, and a huge leap of faith. And just like skydiving, you want to make sure you’re working with professionals who know what they’re doing. Here’s what we recommend looking for when making a decision:
They’re experienced with a variety of body types
They inspire confidence, even over the phone.
They’ve been in your shoes.
They’re comfortable with a variety of shooting conditions.
They’re easy to talk with, quick to respond to your inquiry, and have a fast turn-around time.
At Revealed Studios, we are very committed to our mission of making every woman not only look beautiful, but feel beautiful too. As female photographers, we can totally picture how nerve-wracking it can be to walk into a new space knowing you’re about to strip down to your undies. That’s why when we started shooting boudoir, we asked ourselves, “if this was me, how would I want to be treated?”
Our answers:
We’d want to be well-prepped
Photographed in a great environment
Work with warm, kind women.
Know our images would be kept private unless we say otherwise
Feel confident the experience would be fun
Have beautiful results.
Those became the standards to which Revealed is committed.
PREP: For us, building trust with a client starts before you even walk in the door. It begins with an initial phone consultation, where we virtually walk you through a session and answer your questions. Think of us as your doctor, hairdresser, or even therapist! The consultation call is your chance to have every last question on your mind answered. Nothing is off limits. We’ve heard queries of where to buy lingerie, to concerns about cellulite, to the pros and cons of a Brazilian (ouch!) And if another question pops up before your shoot, call us back or check our website where we have loads of helpful information like answers to frequently asked questions, background information on Maggie and Laurie, bios of our makeup artists, and videos from real shoots to give you a behind-the-scenes look into what our sessions entail.
THE STUDIO: We’ve intentionally designed and arranged the studio to be a comfortable and relaxing space that is also photogenic. Light from three directions fills the room where we shoot, keeping things bright and inviting. We have furniture and interior design elements that offer different backgrounds, creating distinct looks for all your outfit changes.
THE PROFESSIONALS: At Revealed, we’re are all about lifting women up, celebrating our femininity, and providing an empowering experience. We believe women are multi-faceted: maternal, professional, sexy, soft, playful, powerful. Through boudoir, you can connect to the different sides of yourself that you might not reveal on a day-to-day basis. This is your time to rock your heels or go barefoot, shake your bootie, or show off your hard-worked-for glutes. The Revealed Team is here to facilitate that connection. Our amazing makeup artists highlight and enhance your features, bringing out an ultra-polished version of yourself. With over 20 years of combined experience, Maggie and Laurie are well-practiced in helping clients quickly feel comfortable and bringing out their best qualities on camera. We work together to direct you into flattering positions and playful postures. It’s fun and liberating. We’ll be there the whole way to cheer you on and capture you shining!
PRIVACY: Your images are safe with us. We provide a contract when you book your session spelling out the confidentiality agreement. The gist: we never post any work without written consent from our clients.
THE PICTURES: We strive to take beautiful, artful images of our clients. We’re inspired by editorial shoots in fashion magazines, moving moments in the movies, epic vocals from our favorite songs, classic paintings from the Renaissance, finely designed pieces of clothing, and so much more. Taking pictures is our passion. We count ourselves beyond lucky to feed our creative spirit while offering an uplifting service to women of all ages. If you have a spouse/partner, we shoot with them in mind, without forgetting that you are the star. Your final images will be sexy, tasteful, playful, gorgeous, and stunning. Collaborating with you and our makeup artists on styling, the final outcome is often breathtaking. We love sharing the pictures during the review session, because often clients can’t believe they’re looking at pictures of themselves. It’s a joy–and the most rewarding part of our job–to see the delight in their eyes and the boost in confidence when our clients see the final images.
THE FINAL PRODUCT: We offer a broad selection of finely crafted products matching the fine quality of your images. At Revealed, we’re creating artwork that will stand the test of time so we’ve selected products to match that standard. No Walgreens prints here. Our vendors use calibrated printers on the finest archival materials. That way, your images will look new for decades to come. Whether it’s a custom-designed album or a selection of loose prints in an image box, you’ll receive a high-end product to remember this once in a lifetime experience.
You may also enjoy reading these other posts:
Our Approach: how we help empower and affirm every woman through boudoir photography.
What a throw-back. Check out this pinup inspired boudoir shoot.
Real client, Miss D., wanted a pinup inspired boudoir shoot. So with red lip, her gorgeous curves, and those baby blues, she more than nailed the look. We love how she styled her shoot, selecting figure hugging dresses, a sapphire robe, and of course, her hubby-to-be’s plaid shirt. If it wasn’t his favorite already, we know it is now!
Thanks for visiting! For more, take a peek into our world at Revealed by visiting our instagram page.
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!
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.
If you haven’t seen our new behind the scenes boudoir video, you should check it out. We are very excited about this video collaboration with our client, Ms. A, makeup artist, Jaycie Lynn, and Guy Bauer Productions.
Ms. A decided to be photographed by us, because she is finally at peace with her body. We had such a great time photographing this stunning grandma.
Maggie and I are so passionate about our mission to make every woman feel beautiful. From makeup and hair, to clothing and then the portrait shoot, it’s wonderful to see our clients’ confidence grow and their eyes begin to sparkle.
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!
Ms. A, an upcoming 2014 bride, wanted to surprise for her husband-to-be with sexy, yet tasteful, pictures as a gift for the wedding.
During hair and makeup, we brainstormed ideas with her, coming up with locations and accessories for each outfit. We even planned to use our in-house lockers for a slightly kitschy tip of the hat to her fiance’s love of Nebraska football.
Laurie and I were thrilled with the session. Ms. A rocked the shoot, showing her sultry, sassy, and sweet side. We’re sure Mr. A will love his very special wedding present come next year!
After the shoot, Ms.A, who has been keeping up on our twitter and facebook tips on “How to look great on camera” wrote this to us, ” loved your tip on Revealed about breathing with your mouth open! Looking back at my pictures, it really does make a difference! You guys are just great at making people look good!”
Earlier this week we featured boudoir photos of Jaycee Gossett from her modeling portfolio session. During that same shoot, we set up the studio lights and let Jaycee’s million dollar smile shine!
For Jaycee, her past modeling, dance, and teaching experience help her feel confident on camera. But even she asked for a little Beyonce to help loosen her up.
If you’re feeling nervous, music helps to relax and even bring you out of your shell. We love when clients tell us their favorite artist — our musical inspirations can instantly change our energy. And even if you need a little extra boost, just make like Beyonce and adopt an alter ego. We all have a little Sasha Fierce in us.
At Revealed Studios Laurie and I (Maggie) love celebrating the bride-to-be by creating stunning boudoir photos. During a few of our recent shoots, our clients have brought along their bff’s for company. Of course, with so many great friends together, it turned into a gigglefest. When the bride was finished with makeup, the friend’s were so impressed with the final outcome that two decided to have their own done for the night!
Between all the laughter and ohhs and ahhs, Laurie and I looked at each other with the same idea in mind (as often happens to us), “What a perfect activity for a bachelorette party!”
With all your girls together, start with hair and makeup by one of our very talented artists. Then, we’ll snap pictures of everyone looking fierce, as well as the super fun memories of your time together. And yes, there will be champagne! It’s a celebration, right? The best part about the experience is you’ll all be ready for the night out afterwards!
Of course, for the bride-to-be, this is a perfect time for the boudoir shoot you’ve been thinking about, especially since you’ll have your girlfriend’s there to support you!
In Chicago for a weekend bachelorette party? Contact us to inquire about a party.
Below are images from real bride-to-be, Ms. A, who will be getting married in April of 2014. Check back soon to see the pics from her boudoir session!
Here’s a hot client shoot as inspiration. She gave a boudoir album to her groom as a wedding gift. ¡¡¡Muy caliente!!! Her curves are so lovely and were fun to show off.
We all come in different shapes and sizes. I (Maggie) have what is called an apple figure, fuller on bottom, smaller on top. For some women, the most flattering poses are those that minimize shapely areas (see Laurie’s previous post of curvy women). I spend my time in front of the mirror working my body into different yoga postures to enhance my curves. From years of practice, I’ve found the right poses (and tricks), sure to make thinner girls feel confident and look their best.
1. “Lean in.” Sheryl Sandberg’s words aren’t just good advice for the future female executive of the World, they are also good advice for smaller busted women. Lean that chest forward, making it appear larger.
2. Shape with a capital “S.” Create the illusion of more curves, by pushing the shoulders in the opposite direction. Pop those hips to the left, while directing your shoulders to the right.
3. Work your assets! If you’re like me, and your fuller on the bottom, than work that shape. Or maybe it’s not about your private bits, but rather your lovely pout, doe eyes, or some other feature. Whatever the body part, show it off!
4. Confidence is the most attractive quality of all! There’s an old saying. Fake it till you make it! Every time I switch roles and find myself behind the camera, I feel butterflies in my belly. It’s a little scary to find your body the center of attention. That’s why Laurie and I will help coach you along the entire time. We’ll even do the poses right along with you!!
The Specifics–
Fresh Face Mini FAQs: 
Laurie and I were thrilled with the session. Ms. A rocked the shoot, showing her sultry, sassy, and sweet side. We’re sure Mr. A will love his very special wedding present come next year!
After the shoot, Ms.A, who has been keeping up on our 
