J’s Strong, Soft, Sexy Boudoir Portraits

“J” thought about doing a boudoir session for a long time before finally reaching out to schedule a session with me. With her upcoming wedding, she had just the motivation she needed to give boudoir a try in this season of life, which is similar to so many people who I talk with when planning their boudoir sessions. For folks who’ve been considering a boudoir session for awhile, a wedding can be a lovely motivation to finally make a session happen - plus, your boudoir portraits can make an incredible wedding gift for your partner.

Boudoir portraits by Illuminate BoudoirAlyssa L-KMarch 12, 2020Minneapolis boudoir photographer, Minnesota boudoir photographer, Twin Cities MN female boudoir photographer, Minneapolis female boudoir photographer, Minnesota body positive photographer, Minneapolis body positive photography, Minneapolis boudoir studio, Minneapolis boudior studio, MN bouduoir photography, MN boudior photographer, Minneapolis bridal boudoir portraits, MN bridal boudoir photography

Jordan’s Soft, Happy Bridal Boudoir Portraits

Jordan and I met at an event I photographed last year, and she came across my boudoir work before her spring wedding. I remember her initial email so clearly - it was the best! She told me she was getting married and didn’t know if there would be another time in her life when she would feel she had a great excuse to make a boudoir session happen. The idea of boudoir made her a little uncomfortable, but she wanted to put herself out there and her upcoming wedding was just the impetus she needed.

Boudoir portraits by Illuminate BoudoirAlyssa L-KSeptember 6, 2019Minneapolis boudoir photographer, Minnesota boudoir photographer, Twin Cities MN female boudoir photographer, Minneapolis female boudoir photographer, Minnesota body positive photographer, Minneapolis body positive photography, Minneapolis boudoir studio, Minneapolis boudior studio, MN bouduoir photography, MN boudior photographer, Minneapolis bridal boudoir portraits, MN bridal boudoir photography

Sara’s Self-love, Bridal Boudoir Portraits and Accessory Inspiration

Before a wedding there are so many emotions. It is a season of gratitude and love and a time of preparing to be in a new union. Celebrating this transition is really special, and it’s a lovely time in life to document with boudoir portraits. Sara loved the idea of doing a session for herself and being able to use these pictures as a gift for her partner. Together we planned a bridal boudoir session that felt equal parts feminine and light and dramatic and cool.

Boudoir portraits by Illuminate BoudoirAlyssa L-KJune 14, 2019Minneapolis boudoir photographer, Minnesota boudoir photographer, Twin Cities MN female boudoir photographer, Minneapolis female boudoir photographer, Minnesota body positive photographer, Minneapolis body positive photography, Minneapolis boudoir studio, Minneapolis boudior studio, MN bouduoir photography, MN boudior photographer, Minneapolis bridal boudoir portraits, MN bridal boudoir photography

Privacy with your Boudoir Pictures, and A's Anonymous Boudoir Session

"A" joined me in the studio for a body-positive session that was full of personal meaning for her. Not only was A incredibly mindful about her session details, but she was also very intentional in choosing to share only a fraction of her portraits publicly

Planning your sessionAlyssa L-KJune 5, 2019Minneapolis boudoir photographer, Minnesota boudoir photographer, Twin Cities MN female boudoir photographer, Minneapolis female boudoir photographer, Minnesota body positive photographer, Minneapolis body positive photography, Minneapolis boudoir studio, Minneapolis boudior studio, MN bouduoir photography, MN boudior photographer, Minneapolis bridal boudoir portraits, MN bridal boudoir photography

Carly's Fresh, Elegant Bridal Boudoir Portraits

From the beginning, Carly wanted her portraits to feel classic, fresh and elegant; blending a sense of lightness with more sensual elements for a session that was truly her.

Boudoir portraits by Illuminate BoudoirAlyssa L-KSeptember 19, 2018Minneapolis boudoir photographer, Minnesota boudoir photographer, Twin Cities MN female boudoir photographer, Minneapolis female boudoir photographer, Minnesota body positive photographer, Minneapolis body positive photography, Minneapolis boudoir studio, Minneapolis boudior studio, MN bouduoir photography, MN boudior photographer, Minneapolis bridal boudoir portraits, MN bridal boudoir photography

Romantic bridal boudoir portraits

Danielle got married last fall, and wanted to create some romantic bridal boudoir portraits to gift her fiance on the morning of their wedding. She was looking for portraits that would be romantic and elegant and sexy; documenting an exciting and meaningful moment in her own life while also creating an intimate gift to share with her partner.

Boudoir portraits by Illuminate BoudoirAlyssa L-KJanuary 30, 2018Minneapolis boudoir photographer, Minnesota boudoir photographer, Twin Cities MN female boudoir photographer, Minneapolis female boudoir photographer, Minnesota body positive photographer, Minneapolis body positive photography, Minneapolis boudoir studio, Minneapolis boudior studio, MN bouduoir photography, MN boudior photographer, Minneapolis bridal boudoir portraits, MN bridal boudoir photography

It's the Little Things : What accessories to bring to your boudoir session

Using boudoir accessories + details to bring out your style and personality in your portraits

Last week, I talked about how to style boudoir portraits to reflect your personality and personal style. I've had a lot of questions about the accessories and little details that you can bring along, so I wanted to flesh out some more information for you here!

Planning your sessionAlyssa L-KMay 26, 2017Minneapolis bridal boudoir portraits, MN bridal boudoir photography

How to style boudoir portraits

Bringing a defined personal style into your boudoir portraits is a way to express your personality, to make your portraits feel more like "you". When I start planning a session with a new client, I spend time talking with her about what she is looking to capture in her portraits, the kind of feeling/vibe she wants her pictures to have, and we collaborate to think about how she can bring that style out in her pictures.

As a Minneapolis boudoir photographer, I get a lot of questions about how to style boudoir portraits to feel full of life and personality, so here are a few ways you can bring out your style in your portraits.

Planning your sessionAlyssa L-KMay 19, 2017Minneapolis bridal boudoir portraits, MN bridal boudoir photography

Advice from the pros: hair & makeup for your boudoir session

My boudoir clients love that professional hair and makeup is included in my boudoir sessions. For many women, this is the first time they've had their hair and makeup professionally styled, so it feels extra special and fancy (which is awesome!) A lot of women also have questions about what to expect from their hair/makeup styling, and how they need to prepare for it.

To answer this, I arranged a Q & A session with Kelsey, the hair/makeup artist that I work with for these sessions. She is amazing and has great advice!

Planning your sessionAlyssa L-KJune 24, 2016Minneapolis bridal boudoir portraits, MN bridal boudoir photography

Tips + Resources

for Planning Your session

The Blog:

Using boudoir accessories + details to bring out your style and personality in your portraits