A Moody Evening Boudoir Session in Chicago

Moody Chicago boudoir session in soft evening light

We started this one later in the day, just before the light dropped off.

It was my second time photographing her, which always changes things in a subtle way. The first session we did together was very light and airy. Soft, romantic, a little more delicate. This time, we went in a different direction. A bit darker, a bit more sensual. Same person, just a different side of her.

She was open to playing, which made it easy. We pulled in a mix of pieces. Black sets, a white button-down, stockings, a cozy sweater, and a little bit of sparkle with a mini sequin dress. At one point she wore her husband’s tweed coat, which I loved. It felt personal without needing to say much.

We also made a point not to use the bed at all. I kind of jokingly called it “anything but the bed,” but it ended up pushing me creatively in the best way. We moved around the room, used different corners, textures, whatever felt interesting in the moment.

The light was doing a lot of the work. That soft, fading light right before sundown. Not overly dramatic, just enough to create shape and a bit of depth. We leaned into shadows, a few silhouettes, letting things stay a little more open.

What stood out most was how comfortable she was right from the start. That’s the difference the second time around. There’s less overthinking. She knew how to move, how to settle in, how to meet the camera without hesitation.

One of my favorite images from the session was taken from above. She was sitting on the floor, arching back slightly against a chair, and just looked up. It’s simple, but there’s something about it that holds your attention.

It feels like a continuation of the first session. Not a full shift, just another layer.