Glamor, joy, and a little vintage flair in the boudoir studio

Melissa found me through a referral from her friend Amanda, and she felt inspired to follow Amanda’s footsteps and do something beautiful just for herself. Melissa really resonated with my Dear Body project, where I invite clients to handwrite a love letter to themselves or their bodies that I incorporate into some of their portraits. She brought glamorous, powerful energy into her photoshoot at my Minneapolis boudoir studio that shines through beautifully in her portraits and her self-loving letter. 

When coming up with boudoir outfit ideas before her session, Melissa used her vision to feel glamorous, elegant, and joyful (with a fun vintage flair!) as a guide. She opted for professional hair and makeup, which felt like a lovely way to mark her boudoir session day as a “me day.” Melissa started the session wearing a gorgeous black lace body suit, with a deep v in the front and a fun open back. Next she wore a caramel lacey robe that felt at once vintage and timeless. She brought along some of her favorite vintage cocktail glasses and we popped some bubbly for her to sip during her session. These portraits feel full of personality and self-love. For her third look, Melissa borrowed a flowy white shirt from my studio layering wardrobe. I love how much innate glamor flows out of Melissa in these portraits. Her energy really sings! To finish the session, Melissa wrapped up in a white sheet for a series of implied nude portraits.

Melissa’s Dear Body portraits

Melissa’s boudoir portraits in Minneapolis

A few favorites

These three portraits really captivate me - I love how the light grazes her shoulders in the first, how her eyeliner pops with personality, and how her posture communicates such a powerful sense of strength, ease, and confidence. These portraits sing glamor, power, and joy.