There’s nothing to be ashamed about with boudoir photography

Before I start, I should probably tell you, this topic gets me pretty riled up. I am oh-too-familiar with shame. Like most of you, I can think of countless times in my life where I’ve questioned myself, saying “maybe it was my fault.” When I became a boudoir photographer, I grappled with whether it was “ok.” The worst shaming came from a close family member, who made me feel like a straight-up pornographer. I felt like the biggest disappointment ever for what I was doing. While it hurt deeply at the time, the experience forced me to go deep and ask if I could really stand behind this work. And guess what? That deep dive led me to not only to a “yes,” but to a definitive “hell yes.”

We still have a long way to go…

We’ve come leaps and bounds from our parents’ and grandparents’ generation, but we’re still evolving as a society. There is more acceptance and knowledge about female sexuality than ever before. But what does it look like? What does it mean?  It can be hard to really “get it” in this time of content overload. There is SO. MUCH. CONTENT. The internet has literally given us access to answers and imagery on everything! Like…everything. Yesterday I learned what a keto crouch was. And that’s tame compared to what I could have come across. Where we used to turn to our moms, our sisters, and our friends to talk about “sensitive topics,” or ask what was happening with our bodies, we now find whole streams of conversations anonymously online.

What we’ve learned from being boudoir photographers

In so many ways, this is A-MAZ-ING, but it also makes us vulnerable to both misinformation and unreasonable standards (think: insta-perfect figures, zero context behind who that swimsuit-perfect body really belongs to, or all the “work” that went into making it look so flawless, be it under the knife or in photoshop.)

Having met and photographed hundreds of women in their undies, we’ve become really familiar with the topic of shame and female sexuality. By this point, we’ve realized our work is sorta…its own version of therapy.  Sometimes, nothing is more healing than good ol’ girl talk where nothing is really off the table. What we’ve learned from all these conversations is that a lot of you are in the process, like us, of affirming yourself. Your whole self. Sexuality included.  Eek!  Yep, I’m gonna go there.

What’s Sexy is different for everyone

We’ve met many women who are just beginning to connect with their sensuality. Some identify more with their masculine energy (“tom boys”) and are ready to nurture their feminine sides; others are healing from past trauma and see boudoir as a safe way to begin opening parts of themselves they’d previously sealed shut. And every once in awhile, we meet the rare unicorn who comes in like the sexually enlightened version of the Dalai Lama.

What We Do vs. pornography

We’re not a pornography studio. How we create our imagery, the intention behind our process, even the way we select our images is done with a wholly different goal in mind. Our pictures are sexy. There is NO SHAME in that. It’s ok for you to be sexy and it’s ok for us to capture it. But, we reject, like big-time reject, the ‘male gaze’ idea of what’s sexy. What is the male gaze?  Oh boy, that’s a whole other blog post, and I’ll tackle that one, I promise. In essence, it’s the perspective that dominates movies in Hollywood and the porn industry.

Contrary to what some people may assume, our audience is first and foremost…you. Yes, the pictures might be a gift for your significant other, and lucky them.  But it’s you we really have in mind when we’re taking the photos. Imagine being able to let go of all your fear, shame, and doubts and let yourself be free. This will look different for everyone. For some, it may be as subtle as a sideways smile they suddenly make without thinking; for others, it could be letting their hands explore their body. We don’t set expectations on you. Our job is to be the reassuring force that says, “You’re good. You’re free. Go with it.”

When “Sexy” Happens

During shoots, some women want a good deal of direction (and we’re always happy to give it.) But eventually, the nerves will slip away. It’s kinda like dancing. It can feel awkward at first, then suddenly you’re just grooving.  You’re in the flow and it’s so damn beautiful. That’s when “sexy” happens.

Interested in booking your own photoshoot?  Contact us here or call today at 773-273-9063. Want to read more articles like this?  Check out the links below for related content:

• Find Your Courage to Be Yourself, Flaws and All
• Confidence Inspiring Fine Art Nude Photoshoot
• What one real client had to say about her photoshoot

In the comfort of her own home, Ms. S leans into a sexy boudoir session, and the results are amazing!

What makes this latest photoshoot with Ms. S such a sexy boudoir sesh? For one, we love that it took place in her home, an apartment therapy-worthy space in Chicago’s Pilsen neighborhood.  It the setting felt intimate and personal, and probably added an extra sense of comfort for Ms. S.  We also think she embodies a fully liberated woman— self-confident and comfortable expressing her sensuality.

If interested in a boudoir session in your home, visit our contact page to learn more.

“I feel like I can conquer the world with the right lingerie. And to this, I celebrate.” With pieces all the way from France, Ms. J stuns in her lingerie photography session

Sometimes one boudoir shoot just isn’t enough. Which was the case for Ms. J, who came in for her first session last February.  In July we received an email with the subject line: “Virgo season, bday shoot.” Before we even opened the message we knew we’d already be on board for whatever she had in mind.

Her idea was to showcase the gorgeous pieces of lingerie she picked up in Paris over the summer in a sultry hotel setting. After some speedy research, we decided on a suite at The Waldorf Astoria, loving the clean lines, neutral color palette, and floor to ceiling windows.

When we arrived, Ms. J had each item laid out on the bed before us in a layflat design that would make an editorial stylist proud. When we saw the lingerie in person we knew exactly why she wanted to do another photoshoot. This time around though, we’re letting her share in her own words…

“I feel like I can conquer the world with the right lingerie. And to this, I celebrate.”

“I have no idea where my love for lingerie comes from…all I know is how I feel when I’m wearing it. Empowered.On my last visit to Paris, I decided to do a Tour de Dentelle. Tour of Lace. My journey brought me to some of the oldest lingerie boutiques on rue St-Honoré to the newest and trendiest departments at Galeries Lafayette. I wanted to do a photoshoot in them not only to celebrate myself for the 34-year-old woman I’ve grown to become and love but also to capture and commemorate the essence of the items that speak most to my soul.

The star of my show was made by Aubade. This company was founded in 1875 and was known for their girdles and corsets. I picked up this set because of the originality of the suspender belt design—so simple yet excellent at elongating the thighs because they hold the stockings from the sides, not from the front and back, like most. Easier access for all parties involved  Another thing I love about this set is the tiny blue Swarovski crystals sewn into the lace. One can only see them if he’s lucky enough to get that close!

The bodysuit was made by Honey Bridette, which is actually an Australian company, but I couldn’t help but fall in love with the details. The deep v front leaves exceptional room for the imagination. The gold buckles add just enough of a bondage feel but are offset by the dainty lace trim on the open back. Paired with my favorite red lipstick and stilettos, easily one of the power pieces in my collection.

Lastly, the high waisted briefs. Love at first sight! Pairing this with a bra wouldn’t have done them any justice. The boning all around the piece and the placement of the lace will accentuate even the most petite woman’s curves. The drawstring in the back gives it a true under corset feel and also enhances the seduction factor 10 fold. These were made by Cadolle. Herminie Cadolle invented the bra in 1889 and today the boutique still makes bespoke corsets.

Interested in your own boudoir or lingerie photographer session?  Contact us here or call 773-273-9063.

You may also enjoy reading:

• Caught on Camera: Husband’s Reaction to Wife’s Boudoir Session
• Six Reasons to do a boudoir shoot for no one else buy yourself
• What one woman had to say about her boudoir session

Everything you need to know and stuff you didn’t even know you should know about male boudoir photography.

More and more men are finding the appeal in a male boudoir photography session. With the chance to look and feel great, plus photos that make you look like a subject of GQ, can you blame them?

While we primarily photograph women, we’re always game to work with the opposite sex. It lets us exercise our creativity in different ways, directing for moodier expressions and stronger angles.

Can Men Do Boudoir Photography?

So often we hear men (and women) say, “No way, not me.  Why would I ever do that?” Au contraire.  You CAN and should.  There are so many reasons to do a male boudoir photography session. Maybe you’re in prime physical condition and want a similar experience to this Mens fitness photography shoot or maybe you think the whole thing is a little silly and want to do a funny male boudoir photography session as a tongue-in-cheek gift to your significant other. That’s cool too.

In our humble opinion, we think it’s the perfect opportunity to push back against the notion men should always be tough, dirty, and unkempt and ladies are the only ones who get to indulge in some pampering.  Well that’s no fun!

Male Boudoir Photography Ideas

You’re starting to get it, but still nervous.  We understand!  How about some male boudoir ideas?  Think of the cover shoots of Gerad Butler or Denzel Washington. We want ALL men, not just artists or performers, to have the chance to get some kickass photos. You could do the classic Marky Mark black and white Calvin Klein ad (back before he went by Mark Wahlberg) in white boxer briefs. Or what about something like this more contemporary Armie Hammer photoshoot by Annie Leibovitz.  Super sexy and he’s totally clothed guys!! Seriously, look how many clothes he has on!

Ok, so we realize those two are pretty steamy.  How about someone more relatable?  What about Jason Batemen going with the “messy, just got off work disheveled look“. Or Stranger Things’ David Harbour looking irresistibly approachable in a Moto jacket photoshoot. Could he be more charming?

Boudoir Photography for Men: Comfort First.

When it comes to boudoir photography for men, just know our work aligns closer to what you’d see in Details or Esquire vs. Boogie Nights. We’re happy to photograph you like a male model in an editorial spread or even a tasteful nude to capture your physique.  We do not do full frontal or allow any sort of groping pictures.

Wanna know more?  Check out these other popular links:

• Men’s boudoir Photography
• The Meaning of Boudoir
• How to display your boudoir photos

We could give you so many more, but here’s six reasons to do a boudoir shoot. (#5 may surprise you…)

1. Affirm yourself.

   You’ve heard it before. Boudoir is empowering.  (Hell ya, it is.)  But here’s another way of thinking about it.  It’s affirming too.  What if you let go of the “one day I’ll be this…” loop playing in your mind?  Imagine the relief that comes when you stop trying to be something other than you are?  What if you said, “I’m fine just the way I am.”  It frees up so much mental space to live your life without a heavy, dripping cloud of self-doubt following you around.

2. Because you get a dose of celebrity treatment.

   The fan. The hair and makeup. The wardrobe. The Beyonce treatment. Need we say more? Ok, we’ll say more.  There just aren’t enough reasons in life to get dressed up and feel fancy.  Even during a wedding, unless you’re the bride, your not the focus of the pampering.  Having someone serve you is a treat.  That treatment also including some super positive energy that touches you to the core, that’s an extra special experience.  It’s not just feeling like you’re on set of a fashion shoot that makes it so magical.  It’s being cheered by a team of people who see the best in you and are there to help you see it too.

   

3. When you’re old and gray, you’ll be glad you did a boudoir shoot.

   I don’t know about you, but someday, if I’m lucky enough to reach my 80s, I want to be able to look back at a time in my life before gravity was so evident. Not that aging is a bad thing. We should all be so lucky to have the wisdom and strength that comes with a certain age. But when your body is past the point of wall squats, it’ll be nice to have a record from this time to look back. 

4. Positive girl time.

   We all need it. You know that feeling you get when you’re among your tribe. Your girls that make you feel supported. Who push you to be your best self and get you to laugh along the way. So many boudoir studio’s are full of women staff who are motivated by the same mission. This work attracts likeminded ladies. All joined together with the goal of building one another up. 

5. Increased libido.

   So we can’t exactly prove this one, but our gut tells us that you’ll feel extra sexy post shoot.  Being in an environment where you are free and even encouraged to tap into your sexy side is liberating.  Whether we like it our not, most average women today receive constant verbal and non-verbal messages telling them to look and act a certain way. Owning your sexuality is still pretty taboo unless you’re a (insert: stereotype here). It’s a shame that pleasure is looked at with so much judgement. Science backs it’s benefits (read “The surprising health benefits of sex” and “Orgasms for a better life: The surprising benefits of sexual pleasure” for proof). Boudoir can awaken your sensual energy.  Nurture that energy after your session and you may find yourself experience more pleasure than ever before.

   

6. For the joy of challenging your body.

   Here’s the thing, some of these poses will hurt. You’ve pushed back against slumped shoulders and your normal gait. The next day your back may be sore, your neck stiff.  But it feels good in the same way a hard workout does.  Remember those scenes from Sex and the City of Carrie strutting her stuff in her Manolo Blahniks?  You too can have that moment.  Hey, it may even help you to have more of those moments.  The experience is a counter move to the status quo that we live out most days. 

By now hopefully you’re with us and agree you need no other excuse to do a boudoir shoot beyond wanting to.  If you’re still on the fence, you might be inspired by this gal and this one too.  Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

Ready to take a step toward self-love?  Give us a call at 773.273.9063 or visit our contact page.

Simple and tasteful. Fine art nude pictures with Ms. H.

Thanks to the world on social media, we met virtually and connected with this lovely lady below on Instagram a year ago.  We talked about collaborating back in the summer, but the timing just didn’t work out.  Finally, when the weather was really dragging in Chicago, the stars aligned and we reconnected for this session.  Maybe it was the stars, maybe the fancy Instagram algorithm, but we all instantly hit it off. Good thing too, because by the end of the shoot, Hannah was wearing nothing but her undies for these gorgeous fine art nude pictures below.  

Hannah’s a true pro.  Like really.  At six feet tall without shoes and Cameron Diazesque bone structure, she could be signed with just about any agency.  When we asked why she wasn’t modeling professionally, she said there’d been opportunities, but she pushed back against the pressure to be an unhealthy level of thin. It’s hard to hear the unreasonable standards of beauty out there and we’re proud of her for rejecting them.

Thanks Hannah for inspiring us in more ways than one on this photo shoot.  We can’t wait to share the many more pictures still waiting in our archives…Follow Hannah Patricia on Instagram and see more from her photography session on the Revealed Studios Chicago Boudoir Instagram board. 

Holiday Boudoir Photo Shoot Deal 

Has a boudoir session been on your wish list? It’s time to check it off.

• One Look + Option for White Sheet (implied nude)
• Professional hair and makeup
• Bundle includes 20 professional 4 x 6 prints tucked inside an elegant glass box.
• $799 ($1,199 value)

Contact us at 773-273-9063 or email [email protected] to book your session.

How Ms. L got her groove back – forget your woes and have some fun.

The breakup, we’ve all been there at one time or another. You know, that place after a recent breakup where you feel just a bit salty. Even when the person’s great and there’s no bad blood between ya, sometimes you can’t help but wanna do something to feel good about yourself.

For some of us it means a fresh haircut (guilty) for others it’s a trip (guilty again).  For Ms. L, after calling it quits with a recent beau, a boudoir photography session sounded fun and empowering.

We could not have vibed better with her.  She felt like an instant friend.  The energy in the studio, the light was extra glowy from a recent snowfall, and together we created some super exciting pictures.  Afterwards she wrote:

“To the ultimate entourage and my new favorite girl tribe,

To see more sessions like this, check out here and here.  

Looking for some amazing boudoir style inspo?  Check out real client Ms. N’s boudoir session.

Ms. N delighted us when she unpacked her bag to reveal a pair of high-waisted bottoms, a simple navy bodysuit with the right amount of side exposure, and super fun fur jacket among other gorgeous pieces.

She was inspired by the seventies–wanting a bit of a throwback feel to her session. With an effortless beauty and understated demeanor, we kept the session pretty simple.  We stripped the white comforter from the bed and put the mattress on the floor in one scene.  In another, we turned the edison light bulb chandeliers on and set her loose against the railings of the loft after the sun had just set.

See all her photos for yourself, then for more inspiration, check out Ms. E’s edgy style and Ms. J’s vintage look.

Get the look:

-High Waisted bottoms

-Romper

-Fur Jacket

After a recent divorce and cross country move, Ms. M reconnects with herself in an intimate boudoir photoshoot.

We immediately felt a click with Ms. M when on the morning of her boudoir photoshoot.  She said things like, “I want the pictures to feel…” and talked about scenes versus poses and vibes versus looks.  She was all about embodying a woman connecting with an intimate side of herself.  Basically she spoke our language.

We eagerly embraced her vision, queuing into the energy she radiated.   Rather than offering detailed steps like, “put your hand here and slowly raise the sides of your mouth for a half smile,” we took a more cinematic approach, coaching her more on a mindset instead.

It’s inspiring and invigorating to see someone lean into the experience so much. We also loved that she started her session with a non-traditional wardrobe piece–a simple black dress.  It just goes to show alluring a woman can be while still completely dressed.  If you love the look as much as us, check out here and here for to get your hands on your own LBD.

How to get extraordinary results from your boudoir photo shoot

When Ms. E came in for her session, we asked her if there was anything she had in mind for her photo shoot.  A professional in a creative field, we knew she had killer taste and experience on sets of photo shoots.  Her only request was for an anything but basic boudoir photo shoot.

We happily welcomed this request, eagerly leaning into the challenge. So what goes into creating a “anything but basic” smokin’ hot boudoir session?

Boudoir Style: 

Put some thought into your style. Take some time to browse our website and other sources of inspiration (Pinterest, movies, magazines). Consider what sets you apart as a person and own it. Maybe it’s your signature cat eye. Maybe it’s your killer salsa moves. Maybe, like Ms. E below, it’s your love of layered gold necklaces.  Whatever the case, embracing your tastes can lead to results that really represent YOU.

Bare it all:

No, we don’t mean get naked. What we’re referring to is opening up emotionally. Let yourself go a bit.  One of our favorite women in the world is such an inspiration in this category.  Diane Keaton is always so charming and captivating in any role she plays because she really connects in whatever role she performs.  We know how hard it can be to let your guard down, (in fact, we’re dedicating an entire future post on ways to work on this), but magical results come when you trust yourself and trust us.

Creative Freedom.

So you’ve committed to your session, your looks are chosen, and you’re killin’ it at savasana.  What else makes for incredible boudoir photos?

Giving your photographer creative freedom is really one of the best things you can do for yourself. Trusting your photographer instills confidence and creates room for creativity.  We want nothing more than to make remarkable pictures, not just for our clients, but for ourselves.  We love this work and we often get as excited about our client’s photos as they do.