Posts in Planning your session
Mixing Personal Branding and Boudoir

When you choose to spend a day with me for a portrait session, I take that responsibility seriously - and I want you to get as much out of it as you can. More and more often, I’m finding that my clients are choosing to mix in a few personal branding portraits into their boudoir sessions! I’m so excited to share a little bit more about personal branding and how to mix it into your boudoir session. 

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How to choose outfits for your boudoir session + my all new wardrobe guide

Wardrobe is the #1 topic I get questions about from my clients, which is logical: we’re not used to dressing for photoshoots (especially in our underwear), and it can be intimidating to decide what to wear. In this post, I’m talking all about how to choose outfits for your boudoir session + sharing my all new wardrobe guide to reference as you plan your boudoir session.

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Ready to take your boudoir session outside?

Ready to take your boudoir session outside? Just like boudoir sessions in my studio, we will talk about the style/feeling you’d like your portraits to have, what parts of your body you love, what you really want to celebrate in this moment of life, and all the planning details that bring your session to life. In addition to the typical session planning, we will talk about location (this is where your dreaming comes in!!) and a few more key components that I have detailed in this blog post!

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Inspiring Client Motivations for Booking Boudoir Sessions

There really are as many motivations for boudoir sessions as there are clients I photograph, and it is always an honor to be trusted with their stories and portraits. In my years of doing boudoir I have heard so many different stories from people about why they booked a session with me. I’m sharing all about client motivations for boudoir sessions in this blog post!

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Consent and Privacy with Boudoir Portraits and C’s Anonymous Boudoir Session

“C” came to my studio for a boudoir session to celebrate her 30th birthday - a gift she gave to herself. Her session had a self-celebratory theme and the power of honoring herself in this moment radiated through in her portraits. One of her first questions when she connected with me was: “Do I have to put my pictures on the internet?” This is a common question because when you look at my work you’ll see a lot of pictures of people, and it is easy to wonder: “Am I going to end up there?”

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What to do in Northeast Minneapolis on the Day of Your Boudoir Session

Your boudoir session day starts with professional hair and makeup and an opportunity to get settled in the studio. Then we’ll move into your empowering photoshoot with unlimited outfit changes and as many breaks as you’d like. You’ll leave feeling proud and amazing. While I edit your photos, you’ll go on an afternoon adventure, and then return to the studio later that day to see your portraits. I’ve had a lot of clients lately ask me for suggestions about what to do during their afternoon break. There are so many lovely options for your afternoon adventure right in the NE Minneapolis neighborhood, and I’ve compiled my favorites in this post!

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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

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Boudoir as a Gift: 7 Really Celebratory Ideas!

I am so passionate about everyone creating space to celebrate themselves. The Illuminate Boudoir experience is one epic day to slow down, to be in the moment with yourself, to celebrate everything you love about your body and spirit and, perhaps, to create an unforgettable gift for yourself or someone you love.

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The Best Things to Wear for Boudoir Photos

Almost the first question most boudoir clients ask me after they book a session is “ What do I wear?” While I send every Illuminate Boudoir client an extensive guide full of boudoir outfit ideas, here are some of my favorites to inspire you in your search for what to wear for boudoir photos.

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VIDEO: What a Boudoir Session is Like

Come see what a real boudoir session is like (and get a peek at my new studio!)

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4 Big Fears About Boudoir Photos (and Why You Don't Need to Worry)

Often, when I first speak to women about doing a boudoir session, they share big fears with me about how the session will unfold. I get it, being in front of a camera can feel vulnerable. I think it’s completely natural to feel a little nervous and it’s a big part of my job to make sure you’re feeling comfortable before we take a single photos.

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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! 

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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.  

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Boudoir as a gift

"... My favorite thing about boudoir sessions that you're planning as a gift, though, is that the session also becomes a gift for yourself. I approach all my boudoir sessions with the goal of giving my clients an empowering, uplifting experience - something that celebrates your body as well as your personality - and that's something that you get to walk away with and keep for yourself. It's like a magical bonus gift that you get to keep while also giving something beautiful to your partner."

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Minneapolis Bridal Boudoir Outfit Inspiration

White is feminine, romantic, and very bridal, so it's an obvious choice for a Minneapolis bridal boudoir outfit. If you're not sure what to choose, go for a romantic style with a matching bralette and lace panties. I also recommend including other bridal accessories that you have - bring along your wedding jewelry, shoes, veil, garter, or even your wedding dress! 

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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!

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