It’s true– I have been photographing test sessions and client sessions in the Minneapolis boudoir studio of my dreams for over two months now, and each session still feels so special. Last December, I shared the 15 things I can’t wait to use at the new studio, and it’s so beautiful and surreal to know that all of these elements I have been dreaming about and planning for ages – a rotating color wall, heated floors, a gorgeous brick wall for texture (handmade by my friends and me!), a spacious window seat, a designated parking spot just for clients, to name a few – have become a reality.

While I get to spend almost every day in this gorgeous new space, I realize that many of my past and future clients haven’t stepped into the studio (yet!!). I want to share with you all a little preview of a typical “day in the life” for me as I work with clients in the new space.

Here are a few of my favorite elements of a photoshoot day in my new studio:

GREETING CLIENTS

I absolutely love when I get to open the studio doors and immediately greet my clients as they arrive. I designed the studio with comfort and accessibility in mind, and I have a designated parking spot just for clients literally right outside the front doors, so that my clients don’t have to deal with steps, long walks, or the stress of finding a parking spot on their photoshoot day.

It’s also been a bit magical to see clients step inside the studio for the first time. On the outside, the studio looks like it will be the size of a garage, yet on the inside it feels surprisingly spacious, warm, and intentional. My hope is that each client who arrives gets to wonder “wait, this whole space is for me today?” Yes, yes it is my friend. :)

CHOOSING OUTFITS

My clients wear between 3-5 looks/outfits during their boudoir photoshoot. After clients settle into the space, I like to start the morning by reviewing the outfit ideas that they’ve brought along! I invite them to lay all of their clothes out on the big bed or couch right by the entrance in the studio. Some clients end up bringing a lot of options and want my guidance choosing pieces, so together we’ll talk through options and make a game plan.

I’ll review their intentions/vision for the session and what mood (or moods!) they want to capture with their pictures, and then help choose outfits that will best suit that vibe (I’ll also ask a lot of questions about how different wardrobe pieces feel, to hone in on what they love the most and what feels most like them!). I also still have my studio layering wardrobe on hand, so clients can choose a flowy shirt, cozy sweater, lace robe, or fitted slip if they wish.

USING THE dressing ROOM

One of my favorite elements of the new studio is the bathroom and dressing room. While in previous studio spaces, my clients had to travel down a long hallway or staircase to reach the bathroom, it is so wonderful to have a changing space conveniently located just across the room! I packed this space with as much joy, function, and charm as I could. There is plenty of room for clients to change and so many hooks to hang up their clothing and accessories – plus the medicine cabinet is fully stocked with toiletries and handy items. Before we begin taking pictures, I’ll hang all of the chosen wardrobe pieces in the changing room (in the order we’ll photograph them) so that everything is in one place and clients can focus all of their energy on the photoshoot.

HAVING AN ABUNDANCE OF OPTIONS FOR PORTRAITS

Obviously, as a photographer who loves what they do, I absolutely adore the part of the day where I get to take pictures. In my new studio, I am truly overjoyed by all of the texture, furniture, backdrop, and lighting options for portraits. I created every inch of this studio with intentionality, and I love getting to guide clients from the limewash wall (which magically changes colors with the lighting- sometimes it looks like a cool gray while other times it takes on an earthy tan or lavender hue), to the accent wall with a rich rotating color, to the huge frosted windows that glow in the morning light, to the built-in window seat. Every day I feel like I’m finding new spots to take pictures: the rich warm wooden floors, the light and airy white walls, the bright kitchen, the cozy bathroom, each of my neutral furniture pieces – every detail and corner in here can function as a beautiful, natural background for portraits.

CARING FOR MY CLIENTS

Throughout the photoshoot, I love getting to be both photographer and host for my clients. Helping others feel seen and supported is deeply important to me.

I poured so much care into the little details of this space to make it cozy and welcoming, including heated floors, subdued lighting in the bathroom, and a spacious window seat designed for all bodies.

Having a kitchenette in my studio space also has been an amazing addition. It was created with so much love and is fully stocked with snacks, drinks, and goodies for clients to grab throughout their photoshoot day. Getting to provide a little nourishment to my clients throughout their photoshoot experience has been an absolute delight.

EDITING PICTURES IN THE AFTERNOON

As my clients leave for the afternoon, I mentally change gears from ‘photoshoot mode’ to ‘editing mode’. I head into the little workroom in the back of my studio and begin reviewing all of the pictures that we took that morning, and I choose the final images (usually about 60 pictures!). I gently edit those images and get them all ready for my client to see when they return that afternoon. I then print off a dozen photographs that I place on shelves on my wall, and I prep a slideshow with all of the final pictures.

THE PORTRAIT REVEAL

When my client walks back in the door for their portrait reveal, the most magical part of the day begins. I’m always *so* excited to show them their pictures so we dive right in! We’ll look at the dozen printed pictures that I’ve set on the shelves so they can see a few right away, and then we sit together and watch a slideshow with all 60 of the final pictures. It’s so powerful to get to see the pictures the same day as the session, and it brings up different emotions for everyone! Some folks get really excited, others get teary, and some folks can get a little overwhelmed (it’s a very novel/unique experience after all – there’s a lot to take in!). I always tell my clients that their reveal is a safe space for all feelings and emotions :)

After watching the slideshow, we’ll spend some time sorting through the pictures and as we do so, my clients tend to find that their swirl of emotions settles out a bit and they find a grounded sense of which pictures mean the most to them. We’ll plan out their order together (I’m always so excited to see whether they choose an album or a box!) and then I’m able to send them home with their digital images that evening.

Wrapping up the day

By the time my client leaves that day, they’re usually standing a few extra inches taller - super proud of themselves and full of positivity after spending a day celebrating themselves. I stand taller too, my heart so happy to know that each incredible session becomes another memory the walls of my new studio will hold forever.