Sam’s Eclectic, Powerful Boudoir Portraits

Every year Sam likes to set a specific goal and try something new - something that is a challenge or that she wants to do that’s out of her typical comfort zone. In the spirit of doing something that scares her and fulfilling her bold promise to give the unfamiliar a go, she decided this was the year she would do a boudoir session.

Together we planned a session that celebrated this moment in her life. In our first chat, Sam talked about looking forward to having these pictures fifty years from now to look back on. I love how she came into her session knowing it was going to be an impactful experience and I wanted to channel that sense of confidence and grandeur in her portraits.

Sam’s portraits feel really powerful and also beautiful and sensual at the same time. She loves finding unique, colorful vintage pieces and brought along some of her favorite things from her everyday wardrobe to wear in her session, that brought so much color and personality into these images. 

I talk with every client before their session about their vision for their portraits and the feelings and emotions they want them to evoke. Wardrobe plays a role in molding this vision, and I often talk with clients about what “boudoir outfits” can mean.

It’s a common misconception that boudoir photography requires a certain kind of outfit (notably, lingerie). I don’t believe that. While a lot of my clients do love the opportunity to be photographed in their underwear,  that’s not what these sessions are about. Boudoir photography is about creating a soulful, intimate portrait of a person. When you do a boudoir session you are choosing to document yourself at a particular moment in time for yourself, and this doesn’t require any specific kind of wardrobe - to me that is the magic of this genre.

A boudoir wardrobe can be a dress you love to twirl in, highlighting tattoos that are important to you, unique vintage finds, workout outfits, cozy sweaters and underwear, your go-to weekend pajamas, jeans and a tank top, holding a coffee mug, lacey lingerie, nighties, garter belts, colorful patterns, soft neutrals, or wearing nothing at all and wrapping up in a sheet - it can be anything you want that makes you feel confident and celebrates you.

I love having this conversation with clients. It can be so freeing and empowering for a lot of people. For Sam, her boudoir wardrobe includes an eclectic mix of outfits: a floor-length, colorful vintage dress, a funky embroidered denim jacket paired with jeans, a black slip and heels, lacey white and black lingerie sets, a bright dress from the 70s, a dark floral pantsuit, a pink nightie and floral robe, and pale pink vintage lingerie.

Hayley from Hayley Sachs Artistry styled Sam’s hair and makeup. Sam wanted makeup that would seamlessly pair with both her lingerie and vintage pieces, and Hayely suggested a bright version of a smokey eye. It played up Sam’s eyes and felt light and playful with her bright colored pieces and dramatic and fitting with her neutral lingerie pieces.

Sam, thank you for daring to do a boudoir session and infusing the warmth of your personality into these portraits. I had so much fun spending the day with you: laughing the whole morning, jamming out to The Head and the Heart, and I especially love all the colors and textures and life that you brought into your portraits. Thank you for your wonderful energy!!