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.  

5 tips on how to choose a boudoir photographer near you

When it comes to an intimate photoshoot like boudoir, knowing where to start your research can feel overwhelming.  Of course word of mouth is one of the best endorsements in any field. But for some, this is an experience they’d prefer remain private.  What’s the obvious alternative? The internet, course.  

So there you are, typing into the search bar,boudoir photography near me. Pages of results pop up, how do you choose the right boudoir photographer for you?  Here at Revealed Studios we’ve  created a little checklist to help you along your way.  When choice paralysis kicks in, consider this your guide for moving through the decision making process.

Say of the dozen or more results that you find with “boudoir photography near me” you’re left with five that you want to consider, first tip,

1. Start with defining your boudoir photographer style

As with fashion, photographer’s also have their own elegance.  Consider what look you’er drawn toward.  Do you like super light, soft, ultra-feminine?  Are you attracted to heavy shadows and overt posing?  Or like Goldie Locks, does something in the middle feel juuuuuust right?  Look at a number of different portfolios to get a clear understanding of the photographer’s preference  and range.

2. Consider the photographers experience in boudoir photography

Like many other services, you want to know you’re in good hands. Like spray tans, hair cuts, and other skill based industries, it’s important to know whomever you’re working with has plenty of experience.

As you delve deeper into your research, you’ll begin to recognize a difference in quality as well as diversity between the boudoir photographers near you. Two great ways to really get a feel for the studio’s work is to visit their blog and read customer reviews on third party websites like Google or Yelp. Where portfolios showcase the very best work from a photographer,

• blog posts offer a more descriptive  picture of the photographer’s personality, and;
• customer’s reviews provide you with a feel for what an actual boudoir photography session will be like, and can validate some of your decision

3. How fast will the photographer get me my boudoir photos

How quickly do you need a final product?  On a tight deadline?  Make sure to look for not just an amazing artist, but also someone whose professional and communicative.  A quick response and attention detail can make all the difference when you’re in a pinch.

4. What’s your boudoir budget?

Pricing for boudoir ranges greatly.  From our research we’ve found studios offering packages 10k and beyond.  While researching, consider your budget and what you wish to come away with from your photo shoot.  If you’re feeling limited, get creative–see if there are any up and coming photographers near you, as .  you may be able to model for pictures.  

Just remember, when you’re  shopping around, there’s a lot that goes into the value of a final image–even a digital file.  Check out this post, The Value of Boudoir Photography, to learn what’s taken into consideration when pricing a session.

5. Studio space & how near or far you’re willing to travel

Boudoir studios are a lot like hotels.  Some are modern, some traditional. They could feel bohemian or romantic. Industrial or rustic.  Some space are a mix, featuring sets that transcend many styles. As you research, make sure to look for studio pictures or ask where your setting will be held (in some cases, it may even be a hotel room.)

Remember, in the end, it is all about the experience you want. For me, I’m communicating with my clients, and vic versa, remember to communicate with your chosen photographer to define what you desire.

Boudoir photographer near me, click to start your search now. 🙂

How to Photography lighting techniques: creating dark imagery in a light natural light studio

When we moved into our new studio a little over a year ago, we didn’t realize sharing the space with a master oil painter, my mother-in-law, Ann Ponce, would come with certain perks—like learning the art terminology for our photography lighting techniques . After taking these images below, I showed Ann the results and she said with a pleased tone—”this is like chiaroscuro.”

“What is chiaroscuro?” I asked.

She immediately pulled up google images and showed us the results. The method, widely popular during the Renaissance, has also been described simply as “painting with shadows.”

The technique: how to paint create dark images in a light natural light studio

We fell in love with this style at our first studio. The space was all white, with windows on three sides. While it was great for creating soft, airy photos, we felt limited. We wanted to make darker imagery that evoked a sense of mystery and depth, but we we’re able to with our natural light conditions.

One day—eager to overcome this challenge—we got to work on finding a solution. We thought about the spaces we’d visited while traveling—Angkor Wat in Cambodia and several monasteries in France, where small streams of natural light burst through archways, creating a dramatic three-dimensional effect.

How can we create that, too?

We knew white reflects, while black absorbs. With that in mind, we pulled two v-flats (large, nine-foot foam core boards) together and created what we now call, “The Black Box,” which has a small gap between the black sides of the v-flats, allowing window light to slip in.

The moment we realized we were able to take these types of pictures, even on the brightest of summer days, felt liberating.

This method allows us to select exactly what we want to highlight—the contours of the face, the curve of a hip, the contrast of a dark curl against pale skin. We took the technique with us to our new location. We didn’t know it at the time, but it really is like “painting with shadows.”

For a peek behind-the-scenes of this lighting set up, check out the pictures below.

In this first image, you can see our studio space has a lot of natural, bright light.

The first step for creating the “dark room” affect is to bring in a v-flat on either side. In this photo, you can see that even bringing in just one on the right side creates a deeper shadow on the dress form.

Step two: bring in a second v-flat on the opposite side, leaving just a small gap between the two seams at the back. This sliver of light is what will create the highlight in the otherwise dark scene.

Above shows the affect, of the two v-flats created the “black box”
This image gives a broader viewpoint of the “black room.” What we love about the v-flats is their lightweight makes it easy to create this affect in different areas of our studio, creating a lot of flexibility for different sets.

Gifts for groom from bride – For an anniversary present, Ms. L went for it and booked a boudoir photo shoot.

You might recognize Ms. L from last weeks post featuring her Cubs inspired boudoir look.  This week we’re sharing the next set of pictures. If you can’t tell, blue is one of her favorite colors, and rightfully so. She looks amazing in these two outfits.

After years of wanting to do a session, she was finally ready.

When we asked Ms. L what inspired her to do a boudoir session, she said, “I’ve been wanting to do this for a few years now, but I was waiting for the right time. With the first anniversary being paper I thought it was a good time to take the plunge!”

Like many other women, Ms. L said she was a bit apprehensive before the session, but “I haven’t done this before” But one in hair and makeup, she began to relax. “Getting pampered with some incredible hair and makeup, and chatting with the all the crew (champagne helped a bit too!), I was able to loosen up and get my confidence back.”

Her advice to other women considering a photo shoot:

We love and couldn’t agree more with her advice to other women thinking about a photoshoot.  “You don’t need to lose those last five pounds! There’s always going to be something that we consider “flaws” but that’s what makes everyone special. If you are thinking about giving it a try, just do it, you won’t be disappointed!

“You don’t need to lose those last five pounds… just do it, you won’t be disappointed! ” – Ms. L

Chicago Cubs inspired boudoir photos

More to come soon…