Chicago Boudoir Session Celebrating Her 50th Birthday

Chicago boudoir photo of a 50 year old woman in white bodysuit and sheer robe by window
Black and white boudoir portrait of woman laying on bed with soft expression

There’s something really compelling about doing a boudoir session at 50. Not for a wedding or for anyone else, just because you want to.

When she reached out, she told me she had lost 100 pounds over two years. After a lifetime of feeling heavy, she said she finally felt pretty again, in a way she hadn’t since her twenties. But it wasn’t just that.

She built a company in a male dominated field, has been married for 25 years, and is raising two daughters she’s incredibly proud of. A full life, in every sense. And somewhere in the middle of all of that, she decided to do something just for herself.

“I want to look back at the adventure I gifted myself when I was 50.”

She was also very honest about her body. What’s changed, what hasn’t. No hesitation. “I don’t want to shy away from any part of me… I’ve worked really hard to get this shape.” That kind of energy shifts everything. There’s nothing to fix, just someone showing up as they are.

We kept things simple. Good light, a mix of direction and letting things unfold. She told me she was goofy, a bit of a prankster, and you could feel that right away in the way she moved and the way she looked at the camera.

There were moments that felt light and playful, and others that were quieter, where everything slowed down and she wasn’t thinking about how she looked at all. Those are always my favorite.

What I loved most about this session is that it wasn’t for anyone else. It was something she chose to do at 50, not to prove anything, just to see herself this way and remember it.

Boudoir photo of woman in blue lace bodysuit laying on bed in natural light
Silhouette boudoir image of woman behind sheer curtain by window
Woman reclining in chair by window in soft natural light
Boudoir photo of woman in pink lingerie laying across bed reaching forward
Overhead view of woman laying on bed in bright, minimal room
Black and white boudoir portrait of woman laying on bed looking at camera
Woman in pink lace lingerie smiling while laying on bed
Silhouette boudoir photo of woman standing in doorway with sheer robe
Black and white silhouette of woman arching back near window
Black and white boudoir image of woman laying on bed in black lace lingerie
Boudoir photo of woman in blue lace bodysuit looking off camera
Woman relaxing in chair by window in candid moment
Boudoir photo of woman in neutral bodysuit laying on bed in soft light
Woman in pink lingerie laying on bed with legs raised in playful pose
Boudoir image of woman standing in pink lingerie smiling in window light
Boudoir photo of woman in sheer robe standing in front of window
Black and white portrait of woman standing by window looking outside
Woman in blue lace bodysuit laying on bed in relaxed pose
Black and white boudoir photo of woman at 50 years old smiling while laying on bed

A few months after this, she reached back out with ideas for another session. She had so much fun, she’s already ready for round two! If you’ve been thinking about doing something like this for yourself, you can read more about the experience here.

Photography: Artistrie Co.

Makeup & Hair Styling: Torie Conn

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