I absolutely love working with return clients. There is something so special about getting to photograph the same client 2, 3, 4 times or more. The creative potential is endless – in fact it seems to only grow exponentially over time. Yet just as it makes sense to wonder when is the right time to schedule a boudoir session for the first time, it also makes sense to wonder: what makes another boudoir session uniquely magical?

Many folks initially do boudoir as a way to mark a meaningful life moment. They dream about their photoshoot for months to years, waiting for the right time to say yes. Boudoir can be a powerful way to capture the unique milestones in life, yet it can also be an inspiring touchpoint to return to again and again. Each session is an opportunity to document the ever-shifting themes and self-expressions in our lives. Each photoshoot has a unique fingerprint of its own.

Let me show you what I mean…

Your first boudoir session

When clients visit my Minneapolis boudoir studio for the first time, many folks feel a little unsure about what to expect, what the photoshoot will feel like in their bodies, and what it will be like to see their portraits afterwards. It makes sense to feel nervous – most of us aren’t used to having our portraits taken, and the intimacy of a boudoir session can feel especially novel.

Yet time and time again, clients tell me how about 10-15 minutes into their first photoshoot, that fear and uncertainty just seeps away, replaced by a calm presence. This confidence grows as the session continues, and by the second half of their session most folks feel very t at ease and trusting of the process. Clients consistently tell me they leave their first session feeling grounded, empowered, and so proud of the self-loving portraits we co-created.

Melissa’s first session:

Happy, self-celebratory energy in the studio with clean, simple backgrounds:

Now just imagine if we could start a session from that headspace…

Your second boudoir session

When clients return for a second session, we pick up right where we left off! Now that clients know me, know what to expect, and have a little more confidence in what they want from their session, they arrive with confidence and excitement. That initial wariness of the unknown is gone, and we can dive right into creating empowering, self-celebratory portraits.

I love both witnessing this boost of confidence, and also seeing what new energy folks bring into their second session.

Sometimes the change is energetic – a shift in mood related to starting or leaving a job, entering a new life phase, having a new set of priorities or prominent relationships in your life, or just settling a bit more deeply into your own skin.
Sometimes it’s physical – clients may have changed their hair color, become pregnant or given birth, navigated an illness, or just experienced the natural and inevitable changes our bodies go through over time.
And sometimes it’s stylistic, as clients show up with new wardrobe inspiration, different hair/makeup preferences, and unique artistic visions.

The second session is this amazing opportunity to document who you still are, and who you are becoming, in this new season of life.

Melissa’s second session:

Effortless, sensual and powerful - we used my studio kitchen for a storytelling, candid feel.

Your third boudoir session

When clients return for a third time, it opens up a whole new world of meaning and possibility. Folks arrive with a newfound depth of intentionality, envisioning their session from the vantage point of: What do I want to remember about this chapter in my life? How can I reflect the themes of my life in a fresh, creative way? What is the story I want to savor about this moment in time?

Many third time clients decide to experiment with the visual backdrop of their photoshoot– choosing to do an outdoor session at a meaningful place , opting for a flower boudoir session, or using unique elements from my studio like the bathtub or kitchenette.

Some folks take a really thoughtful approach to their wardrobe styling by this point – like an entire session nude or just with sheets, and no hair/makeup styling for a very natural, minimalist approach. Or, in the opposite direction, some folks decide to take a more styled approach to their session and bring in a mix of favorite outfits or a smattering of bright and bold colors.

Some clients will hold a strong aesthetic vision for a session - wanting a session that feels deeply storytelling with more of a candid lifestyle approach, or going the opposite direction and aiming for portraits that feel clean and editorial with a minimalist vibe. The options feel endless at this point, and I love when clients get excited to explore a new direction.

AJ’s first session:

Outdoors on Lake Superior at her favorite beach, with self-loving energy to celebrate 10 years of surviving a stroke.

AJ’s second session:

Inside the studio with feminine, happy vibes and strappy, flowy lingerie.

AJ’s third session:

AJ’s third session: confident, romantic energy to document a season of life when she feels so good in herself! I love seeing how much these change over the years we’ve worked together — she’s gone through some huge life evolutions along the way, and I think her shift in energy is palpable in her portraits.

And beyond…

By your fourth session (and beyond)… we are old friends. I’ve had the honor of working with a couple of clients for four or more sessions, and it’s amazing in a way that's hard to explain. Our creative collaborations feel so intuitive. We can dive right in and go deeper than ever before – capturing all the emotions, resonant themes, artistic visions, and creative inclinations in your life.

I find that some clients at this point come in with concrete concepts or creative ideas they want to explore in the session. Other folks think about the aesthetics less at this point, but hold up an emotion or mood they want to explore – a different energy or spirit that represents this time in life, and they trust me to plan the session to honor that in a new way.

The amazing thing is that photoshoots with returning clients never feel repetitive, and I always walk away feeling inspired by the infinite themes and self-expressions each life, and each boudoir session, can hold.

A’s first session:

Easygoing, artsy vibes and neutral cozy outfits.

A’s second session:

Dramatic energy and simple, organic outfits - and an outdoor session this time, at Tettegouche state park

A’s third session:

Super bold and full of life, with a dramatic, over-the-top wardrobe at Black Beach on the north shore

A’s fourth session:

Colorful wardrobe, paired with minimal/clean settings in the studio, and about half the session incorporated flower boudoir!

Here are some more examples from recent repeat clients — I love seeing their sessions side by side.

Hannah’s first session:

Soft, self-embracing energy with dramatic, classic lingerie sets!

Hannah’s Second session:

Artistic and dramatic energy to celebrate her inner power and huge life evolutions in the past few years. She kept the wardrobe simpler this time by borrowing one of the lace robes I keep in the studio, and we used cleaner backgrounds in the studio (using walls, windows, the floor — fewer pieces of furniture) and that brought a minimalist energy that kept all the focus on her.

Madeline’s first session:

Joyful and relaxed portraits with sensual undertones. A mix of lingerie and her favorite glam red dress!

Madeline’s second session:

Fine art, candid-feeling portraits with an undertone of confidence and lots of close up figure details — she said she anted to feel like a sculpture! We used some artsy flowing fabrics as a background, and my studio shower for some storytelling artistic moments.

A’s first session:

Soft/cozy balanced with playful/happy energy! Used a lot of the coziest furniture pieces in my studio, and she brought a mix of everyday clothing and romantic lingerie pieces.

A’s second session:

Wanted to capture her the depths of her joy in life right now with a mix of romantic, soulful, and happy energies. She wore some vintage fur and fancy lingerie for some of her session, balancing that with implied nude portraits wrapped in a sheet to bring in some simplicity.

K’s first session:

Confident, self-celebratory energy and dramatic, colorful lingerie! K was drawn to parts of my studio full of texture — the sunny bed, lots of plants.

K’s second session:

Four years later, she told me that coming into this session she really focused less on how she wants to be seen by others, and more on how she likes to show up for herself — what amazing reflections. She wanted a comfortable and casual energy for her session. We picked clean, minimal spots in the studio this time — clean white and solid black backgrounds, and focused on comfy, joyful vibes (plus a lot of figure details to capture her new tattoos).

Three sessions with Autumn:

Over the course of six years, Autumn has gone from a newlywed to a new mom — with moves and huge job growth along the way. She has a consistent personal style that you can feel throughout all her sessions (she loves soft colors and has a romantic heart) but has come to each session in a unique life chapter, and with the goal of celebrating and honoring that unique time for her.