A Boudoir Session Every 10 Years

Chicago boudoir photo of woman standing by window in soft natural light
Natural light boudoir portrait of woman in lingerie by hotel window in Chicago
Chicago boudoir photo of woman standing by window in soft natural light

This session that felt so meaningful from the very beginning.

She told me she wants to do a boudoir session every ten years. A way to document herself as she moves through life. Not for anyone else, not tied to a specific milestone. Just… a way to see herself clearly, again and again.

This was the first.

We photographed her in a light-filled hotel in Chicago’s Gold Coast, with that kind of easy morning light that makes everything feel a little softer. The space was neutral and minimal, which let everything else stand out—her movement, her expressions, the small in-between moments.

Her wardrobe leaned a little more bold. All black, which she told me is what she feels most like herself in. A mix of pieces from Thistle & Spire and a local Chicago shop, Underthings. There was a lace bodysuit, a high-neck set, and a fringe slip that moved when she did. A red lip for contrast. Long hair that fell all the way down her back (and, as it turns out, didn’t stay long after this).

She came in a little nervous, which is almost always how it starts.

But pretty quickly, it shifted.

“I thought the atmosphere was really casual and fun. It definitely helped any nerves I had about being in lingerie in front of someone.”

And that’s usually the turning point. When it stops feeling like something you have to figure out, and starts to feel like something you can just be inside of.

We moved between both sides of her. The more quiet, confident, slightly dramatic energy that her wardrobe naturally brought out—and then the other side, which felt lighter. Laughing, moving, dancing a little. The kind of moments that don’t feel posed at all.

“I thought I looked really hot… and you took one of the best pictures of me that I think has ever been taken.”

But the part that stayed with me most was this:

“You were able to capture who I am as a person… which was really important to me.”

Because that’s the whole thing.

Not just how it looks. But that it still feels like you.

Boudoir photo of woman lying across white hotel bed in black lace bodysuit
Close-up boudoir detail of legs on bed in black lace lingerie
Chicago boudoir portrait of woman in black lace lingerie peeking through doorway
Moody black and white boudoir silhouette of woman standing in hotel doorway
Black and white boudoir silhouette of woman opening sheer curtains at window
Black and white boudoir silhouette of woman flipping her hair in window light
Close-up boudoir portrait of woman with red lipstick lying on white bed
Black and white boudoir photo of woman smiling on bed in lace bodysuit
Black and white boudoir portrait of woman sitting on bed with white bedding
Soft natural light boudoir photo of woman laughing into pillow on hotel bed
Color boudoir portrait of woman lying on bed holding white pillow
Black and white boudoir portrait of woman in fringe dress by window
Black and white boudoir photo of woman turning in black fringe slip
Black and white boudoir portrait of woman leaning against window in fringe dress
Color boudoir portrait of woman lying on bed holding white pillow
Close-up boudoir detail of legs on bed in black lace lingerie
Playful boudoir portrait of woman smiling in black fringe dress by window
Black and white boudoir photo of woman covering her face while lying on bed
Black and white boudoir photo of woman from behind in black fringe dress
Black and white boudoir portrait of woman in black lace lingerie at doorway

Boudoir is for all women of all stages of life. Learn more about my work here.

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