Boudoir Photography: 6 Reasons to Do a Session

All images by Artistrie Co. — you can explore more of the work here.

If you’ve ever found yourself a little curious about boudoir, but not totally sure if it’s for you, you’re very much not alone.

Boudoir photography is usually described as intimate, sensual imagery (often in a bedroom or private setting), but in reality it tends to be something a little more layered than that.

At least the way I approach it.

At my photography studio, Artistrie Co., it’s less about performing or becoming someone else, and more about creating a space where you can slow down a bit, settle in, and see yourself in a way that feels honest… and maybe even a little surprising.

Over the years, I’ve photographed women in all kinds of seasons—some celebrating, some in the middle of something hard, some just following a quiet instinct that this might be something they want to do. Everyone comes in with a slightly different reason (and usually a few nerves), but the thread that connects them is the desire to feel something real.

There’s no single “right” reason to do a boudoir session, but these are the ones I see most often.

1. You Want to Celebrate Your Body

There’s no real “best” reason to book a boudoir session, but if I had to pick one, this might be it.

So many of the women I photograph are in the middle of something. A wedding, a birthday, a new chapter, a season that asked more of them than they expected. Sometimes it’s something joyful, sometimes it’s something heavier. Sometimes it’s navigating a diagnosis, or a shift in how they see their body. Often it’s both.

A boudoir session becomes a way to pause for a second and say: this version of me matters too.

One of my clients described her postpartum session like this: “For me, it was a gift that allowed me to make space for myself during the season of life I was in. This shoot led me back home to honor and love myself again.”

I think about that often. That idea of coming back home to yourself.

Because that’s really what this is: less about changing anything, and more about seeing what’s already there with a little more care.

If you want to see how this looks in real life, across different stories and seasons, you can explore a few sessions here:

2. You’ll Feel Pampered

There’s something quietly luxurious about having a stretch of time that’s just… yours.

No logistics to manage, no one needing anything from you, nowhere else to be.

You arrive, your things get hung up, music is playing, something to sip on if you want it. Hair and makeup happens in a way that still feels like you, just slightly elevated. Nothing overdone, nothing that doesn’t feel right.

And then we ease into it.

You don’t need to know how to pose or what to do with your hands (no one ever does). I’ll guide you through everything in a way that feels natural and not overly choreographed. It’s less about getting it “right” and more about settling into your body a bit.

Most people tell me afterward it felt a lot more relaxed—and a lot more fun—than they expected.

If you’re starting to picture what the experience actually feels like, you can spend a little time here:

3. Rediscover Your Confidence

This is the part people don’t always expect.

Yes, you walk away with beautiful images, but more than that, something shifts in how you see yourself.

We’re so used to being our own worst critic. Picking apart the smallest things. Holding ourselves to standards we would never apply to anyone else.

And then you see a photograph where none of that shows up the way you thought it would.

One of my clients said it better than I could: “This experience made me feel sexy in a way I never thought I could… These photos helped reaffirm that a healthy, happy body is so much better than one afraid to eat.”

It’s not about becoming more confident overnight. 

But it can be the moment where something softens a little.

Where you realize you were never as far from that feeling as you thought.

There are so many stories like this—different women, different reasons, but something similar in how they walk away feeling.

4. Playful Dress-Up 

There’s also room for this to be a little fun. A little indulgent. A little “when else would I ever do this?”

One of my clients once said, “I asked myself what I would wear in my wildest dreams—and then I did exactly that.” Which, honestly, is kind of the whole point.

You can lean into something bold, something romantic, something minimal, something completely unexpected. Or keep it simple—an oversized sweater, a button-down, bare skin and good light.

There’s no formula for what boudoir is supposed to look like.

It’s more about giving yourself permission to explore a version of yourself that doesn’t always get airtime in everyday life.

If you’re starting to think about what you might wear, I’ve gathered a few ideas here

5. Timeless Keepsake 

At some point, these stop feeling like just photos.

They become a record of who you were in this moment—how you carried yourself, how you felt, what this season looked like on you.

Yes, they can be a beautiful gift for someone else. But they tend to mean more when they start as something for you.

Something you can come back to later and think, oh… there I am.

And also, just to say it: it’s a pretty great way to have proof that you were, in fact, very hot.

If you’re curious how these images live beyond the screen, you can take a look here:

6. Unforgettable Experience

The photos matter—but the experience itself is a big part of it.

There’s music, a lot of movement, probably a few moments where we both laugh because something feels slightly ridiculous (in a good way). I’ll demo things, make bad jokes, fix a strap, adjust your hair, and keep things moving so you never feel stuck or unsure.

It’s a little vulnerable at first. That’s normal.

But somewhere along the way, it usually shifts into something lighter. Easier. More fun than expected.

By the end, most people don’t want it to be over. And, believe it or not, many women love the experience so much they end up coming back for round two!

For those of you new to the concept of doing a boudoir photo session, here are some of the basics:

What is a boudoir session? 

At its core, a boudoir session is simply a space set aside for you.

It’s often described as intimate or sensual photography—and sometimes it is—but more than anything, it’s about creating an environment where you can show up as yourself without needing to perform or get anything “right.”

Some people come in with a clear vision. Others have no idea what they’re doing (which is completely normal). Either way, we take it one step at a time.

You can wear as much or as little as you want. You can be soft, playful, quiet, bold—there’s no one version of this that you have to fit into.

My role is to guide you through it in a way that feels natural and grounded, and to create images that feel like you—just seen a little more clearly.

Where is a boudoir session held? 

The word “boudoir” comes from the French term for a private room or dressing space, which gives you a general sense of the feeling—but the reality is a little more considered than that.

Most of my sessions take place in thoughtfully chosen hotel suites around Chicago. Spaces that feel beautiful, lived-in, and quietly elevated—somewhere you can settle in and actually feel comfortable.

I’m always looking for rooms with good natural light, soft textures, and a sense of warmth to them. Nothing overly styled or distracting, but not empty either. The kind of space that adds to the experience without taking it over.

The goal is to create an environment that feels both special and easy at the same time. Somewhere you can relax into, instead of feeling like you’re on display.

What do women wear for boudoir sessions? 

This is usually one of the first questions people ask—and the answer is: whatever feels like you.

Lingerie is always an option, but it’s not a requirement. Some people bring a mix of pieces, others keep it very simple.

A button-down shirt, a soft sweater, something slightly oversized, something you already love wearing. Those tend to photograph in a way that feels effortless and personal.

We can layer things, simplify things, adjust as we go.

The goal isn’t to create a costume. It’s to find something that feels natural in your body, so the photos reflect that ease. Read about a few of my favorite boudoir wardrobe items here.

Ready to Work Together?

If you’ve been thinking about doing a boudoir session—even just in the back of your mind—you don’t need to have a big reason or a perfectly formed plan.

For some women, it’s something they book locally and keep simple. For others, it turns into more of a whole day—coming into the city, booking a hotel, giving themselves a little space away from everything else. I’ve seen it go both ways, and both are equally meaningful.

My work is based in Chicago, and I work with a mix of local clients and women who travel in for their sessions. If you’re even considering it, I’m always happy to talk things through and help you shape it into something that feels like you.

If you want to start exploring what that could look like, you can begin here.

Your story deserves to be seen and I’d truly love to be part of it.