Boudoir FAQ

Everything you’re probably wondering before your session

It’s completely normal to have questions before booking a boudoir shoot, especially if this is your first time. Below are answers to the things clients ask me most often, from posing and privacy to outfits, retouching, albums, and what to expect.

First Time Nerves & Confidence

  • Completely normal. Almost every client feels nervous at first, but that usually fades quickly once we start. My job is to make the experience feel comfortable, relaxed, and empowering.

  • You don’t need to know how to pose at all. That’s my job!

    I’ll guide you through every single pose from head to toe, including where to place your hands, how to angle your body, where to look, and what to do with your expression. I’ll even demonstrate the poses first so you can simply mirror me, then I’ll fine-tune all the little details that make a huge difference in your final images.

    Before your session, I’ll also send a questionnaire so I can learn what you love about yourself, what you feel unsure about, and how you want to be photographed.

    The reason the women on my website look so confident and relaxed is because they were fully guided the entire time. You do not have to show up knowing what to do. I’ve got you.

  • You are absolutely not alone. So many clients come in worried about their body, and I promise you do not need to lose weight or change anything about yourself before your shoot.

    My job is to guide you into flattering poses, use lighting intentionally, and photograph you in a way that highlights your favorite features while making you feel comfortable and confident. This experience is about celebrating you exactly as you are right now.

  • I completely understand that fear, especially if you do not usually love being photographed. Boudoir is such a personal experience, and it is completely normal to feel a little unsure at first.

    Before your session, we’ll talk about your vision, your style, and anything you feel nervous about so I can tailor the shoot to you. During the session, I’ll guide you through flattering poses, lighting, angles, and expressions the entire time so you never have to wonder what to do.

    I also capture a variety of images so you have plenty of beautiful options to choose from. After your session, you’ll select your favorite images from a private proofing gallery, so you are choosing the photos you love most for final retouching.

    In 16 years of photographing women, I have never had a client not like her photos. My goal is always to make sure you feel comfortable, confident, and genuinely happy with your final images.

  • No need to stress. I’ll coach you through expressions just like I coach you through posing.

    Boudoir does not have to mean one specific look. Maybe your vibe is soft and dreamy, playful, confident, or relaxed. We’ll find expressions that feel natural and true to you, so nothing feels forced or awkward.

  • I recommend booking at least a couple of months in advance whenever possible, especially if you need your images or album by a specific date.

    Albums typically take about 4 to 6 weeks from shoot day to final delivery, while digital-only sessions usually take about 3 weeks after you select your images for retouching.

    Summer months and weekends tend to book up quickly, so the sooner you reach out, the better. If you have a deadline, let me know as soon as possible so we can plan your session around it.

The Session Experience

  • I recommend booking at least a couple of months in advance whenever possible, especially if you need your images or album by a specific date.

    Albums typically take about 4 to 6 weeks from shoot day to final delivery, while digital-only sessions usually take about 3 weeks after you select your images for retouching.

    Summer months and weekends tend to book up quickly, so the sooner you reach out, the better. If you have a deadline, let me know as soon as possible so we can plan your session around it.

  • My private boudoir studio is located in Chicago’s Chinatown neighborhood. The exact address and parking details are sent after booking.

    Your session will take place at my private 2,100 sq ft natural-light loft studio in Chicago’s Chinatown neighborhood, about a 10-minute drive from downtown.

    The studio has beautiful natural light, multiple shooting areas, and a variety of gorgeous backdrops to give your images plenty of variety. There is also free street parking right across the street.

    Prefer a different setting? I’m happy to travel to your home or a nearby hotel for an additional fee.

  • Professional hair and makeup is included in select packages. It is not included in the smallest Tease package, but you can absolutely add it on. It creates a more polished, camera-ready look, and most clients choose to include it.

  • You’ll receive a prep guide with outfit ideas, shopping links, and styling tips before your session. You’re also welcome to bring more options than you think you’ll need so we can choose the best pieces together.

  • Yes. I have a client wardrobe with lingerie pieces, robes, accessories, and heels available to use during your session. You are still encouraged to bring your own pieces for the best fit and variety.

  • Yes, nude or implied nude does count as one of your looks because it takes the same amount of time and attention to photograph as a lingerie look. I want to make sure we have enough time to fully capture each setup and make you feel amazing in every look.

  • I completely understand wanting a little extra support, especially if this is your first boudoir shoot. That said, I usually recommend coming solo so the experience stays fully focused on you.

    Boudoir is such a personal, intimate experience, and most clients end up feeling more comfortable once it’s just the two of us. It allows us to connect, stay in the flow, and create images that feel natural, confident, and completely yours.

    If having someone there feels truly important for your comfort, just let me know before booking and we can talk through it together. My main priority is making sure you feel safe, supported, and able to fully enjoy the experience.

  • I specialize in tasteful, artistic boudoir photography that feels elegant, empowering, and true to you. My goal is to create a space where you feel comfortable, respected, and confident while capturing images that celebrate your beauty, personality, and individuality.

    Please note that I do not offer pornographic photography or any form of explicit sexual acts. My focus is on creating beautiful, intimate, and empowering images that feel polished, artful, and completely centered around you.

  • My private boudoir studio is located in Chicago’s Chinatown neighborhood. The exact address and parking details are sent after booking.

    Your session will take place at my private 2,100 sq ft natural-light loft studio in Chicago’s Chinatown neighborhood, about a 10-minute drive from downtown.

    The studio has beautiful natural light, multiple shooting areas, and a variety of gorgeous backdrops to give your images plenty of variety. There is also free street parking right across the street.

    Prefer a different setting? I’m happy to travel to your home or a nearby hotel for an additional fee.

  • Yes. Your session is completely private, and the studio is reserved for you during your shoot.

  • My studio is a 2,100 sq ft natural-light Chicago loft with skyline views, multiple shooting areas, handpicked furniture, and a private changing space.

  • Yes. Detailed parking instructions are sent before your session so you know exactly where to go. There is also free parking available across the street from the studio.

Studio & Location

Payment & Booking

  • Once you’re ready, I’ll send a booking proposal with your package details, invoice, and online contract. A 25% deposit and signed contract officially reserve your date.

  • I offer flexible payment plans to make your boudoir experience easier to plan for. Instead of paying your package in two payments, you can split it into four smaller payments.

    A 25% deposit and signed contract are required to officially reserve your date. The remaining payments are spread out throughout the process, with the final balance due before your finished images or album are delivered.

    If you’d like to use a payment plan, just let me know when you inquire and I’ll walk you through the options. The goal is to make the experience feel as smooth and stress-free as possible.

  • Yes. I accept credit cards, Zelle, Venmo, and cash. Credit card payments include a processing fee.

  • Yes. You can save up to 10% when paying in physical cash.

  • Absolutely. Gifting a boudoir session is such a thoughtful and meaningful way to make someone feel beautiful, confident, and celebrated.

    If you’re interested in gifting a session, reach out and we can talk through package options, timing, and the best way to make it feel special.

Images, Albums & Delivery

  • Each package includes a set number of fully retouched digital images. You’ll choose your favorites from a private proofing gallery, and additional images are available for purchase.

  • Yes. After your session, you’ll receive a private online proofing gallery where you can select your favorite images for retouching. If you end up falling in love with more photos once you see your gallery, you can always purchase additional images at that time.

  • You’ll have access to view your private proofing gallery so you can select your favorites, but your package includes a set number of fully retouched final images. The full proofing gallery is not included with your package.

    If you fall in love with more images, additional digital images are always available for purchase. Only the images you select or purchase are fully retouched and delivered high-resolution without watermarks.

  • Select packages include luxury leather albums. Albums are custom-designed with your chosen images and are a beautiful option if this is a gift or keepsake.

  • Proofing galleries are typically posted about 10 to 12 days after your shoot. Final retouched digital images are usually delivered about two weeks after final payment and image selection. Albums typically take additional production and shipping time.

Privacy & Retouching

  • Only with your permission. Your privacy is extremely important, and I never share client images without approval.

  • Yes. Proofing galleries are private and password protected.

  • Yes. Your selected final images are professionally retouched and delivered high-resolution without watermarks via Dropbox.

    Retouching can include smoothing temporary blemishes, softening skin, balancing skin tone, minimizing cellulite or stretch marks, and cleaning up backgrounds while still keeping the images authentic and true to you.

    If you have more detailed edit requests, extended retouching is available for $75 per hour.

  • Some advanced edits, like tan line removal, may require an additional retouching fee depending on the image.

I’m happy to help you figure out which package is the best fit, what timeline you need, and what to expect from the full experience.

STILL HAVE QUESTIONS?

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