Today I went live in my Facebook group with this babe. I wanted everyone to get a feel for what a boudoir session is like, and see what I mean when I say I will pose you every step of the way. During her session, I showed her exactly what to do, including where to put her hands, tips for the sexy face, and more. We shot on the neon set, one of my most popular bonus sets at the studio!
Want more information on your own session? Email me at [email protected] or text 4144678338. I’d love to work with you!!!
Earlier this month I hosted halloween mini sessions at the studio. It was a full day of photographing amazing babes, complete with mini hair and makeup services, mini sessions, tarot readings and treats. Babes could choose from the coven, swing, neon or good witch sets! Here is a small sample of the gorgeousness we captured that day.
Mini sessions are offered a few times a year, so keep your eyes open for the next mini session date!! For more info, email me at [email protected] or text 414-467-8338. I’d love to photograph you!
About 12 years ago, I needed to print something at home. I had an ancient printer that wasn’t working and I suspected it was the cord. The printer had some weird port on it. So, I took a photo of it, and off I went to radio shack to see if they had this random cord.
I walked in and found a lady to help me, explained what I was looking for and opened my phone so she could see the picture of the cord. She touched my screen on my phone, and when she did, she swiped to the next photo.
Which was a n00d full frontal of a woman.
A million things went through my head at that second. Like what do I say? I mean, I’m a boudoir photographer and so I have marketing images and inspiration images on my phone all the time for social media. I started to explain and laugh it off, and she cut me off, to exclaim:
“I HAVE A HUSBAND.”
It took me a minute to understand the relevancy of her comment. Congratulations. What does this have do do with OMG SHE THINKS I’M HITTING ON HER! I mean first of all, give me some credit. If I am hitting on you I would like to think I have better game than that. But she was legit OFFENDED. Disgusted. I tried to recover but she continued to insist that her husband would NOT LIKE me showing her these kinds of photos.
I don’t even remember if I bought the printer cord or if I just walked away completely defeated.
The point is, there won’t be any surprises during your boudoir shoot. I’ll make sure that you are well prepared for the whole experience. I’ll get you set up with an amazing lingerie fairy godmother to help you pick out your wardrobe. I have magical hair stylists and makeup artists that will pamper you and get you feeling incredible. I’ll expertly pose you through your entire shoot and I’ll even help you pick out the best way to display your gorgeous images.
Want more info? Set up a call with me. I’d love to help you start planning an amazing experience.
This month, I’m coming up on 15 years of shooting boudoir exclusively, and I am still amazed every day that I get to do this work that I love.
In 2009, when I signed the lease for my first boudoir studio. It was a tiny little 500 square foot studio in the marketplace in Oak Creek, and it was gloriously ALL MINE. Wood floors, double french doors, natural light, and it’s own little office and bathroom. Looking at those keys in my hand is among the happiest moments in my life.
I’m now in my third studio, and I continue to be amazed at the power of boudoir. For healing, empowerment, confidence, celebration and connection. I’m immensely grateful for this work and for each of the babes that chose me to capture their unique beauty. Here’s to more empowerment, beauty, connection and love.
Want more information about booking a shoot? Start here!
Do you ever read google reviews and wonder about the people who wrote them? Curious about what their photos looked like? Here is a picture of her review and my experience photographing her.
During her pre shoot consultation, she said “I like camp.” Which I misheard as “I like camping.” I launched into this whole supportive explanation. I said “that’s cool – we can figure out a way to incorporate that into a shoot. I’ve even photographed a client with a log before. Her husband is an arborist.”
Anyway. She very kindly listened before saying “no, like CAMP, like CAMPY.” As in the Oxford definition “absurdly exaggerated, artificial, or affected in a usually humorous way.”
OPE.
She also loves the Golden Girls, Reading Tarot, and Astrology. She gets a little twinkle in her eye when she talks about Brenden Fraser of the Mummy, but she also enjoys a little Rachel Weiss. She’s passionate about financial literacy for women. My kind of girl.
Not only was she a riot during her entire shoot, but she brought her WHOLE SELF to the shoot. Brought absolutely gorgeous outfits that matched her personality to a tee. I mean. That bull skull. It screams power and sensuality. Is it campy? Not sure. It’s definitely not camp-ING.
To finish up her shoot, she freestyled topless in a long fluffy pink robe with matching slippers while I photographed her. She even karate kicked at the camera. We were both HOWLING. It was amazing.
To empower someone to be unapologetically themselves-that is my superpower. And it brings me so much joy. You don’t have to karate kick topless in a pink robe during your shoot if you aren’t feeling it. But whatever your unique idea of sexy is? I’ll capture that for you.
Want more information about booking a shoot? Start here!
Growing up, my dad told me I needed to lower my standards because I was a “bigger girl.”
He said I needed to wear long shirts because no one wants to see my stomach. I was maybe 15/16 when he said these things to me and it stayed with me until my mid to late 20s. Then I found the self love movement. I wanted to love my body at any size and wanted to capture loving myself as I am. So I decided to book a boudoir shoot.
My biggest hesitation before booking was thinking “no one wants to see this plus size curvy body.” The voice of my dad was in my head. But once I got in the chair and Natalie started doing my hair, I let it all go because even if no one sees my album but me, I am proud of myself.
I chose Melissa because of the variety of body types on her site. I think it was the secret project that got me. Seeing her shoot every age, every size, every body. She isn’t a “one size fits all” type of photographer.
After the first shoot, it became addictive. I’ve done three shoots with Melissa and have a fourth on the books! Everyone should do at least one. It’s such a boost in more ways than one. After each shoot I leave on cloud nine. Everything is elevated. I feel good in my skin, I see me. Whenever I am hearing that negative voice in my head, I look at my photos. At least once a month, I look at my albums and my vintage prints and I smile. It always makes me happy thinking back to the days of my photoshoots.
If you’re on the fence, do it. It’s only scary for a few minutes but once you go through the first few poses and say a few words to make you giggle it’s amazing.
Want more information about booking a shoot? Start here!
You could say that I literally made it my job to help others love their bodies as a result of hating my own so much.
I always struggled with self image. I felt I was always just a little too curvy, never had that flat tummy to show off, and after having kids, things got exponentially worse for me. I had a cervical condition that prevented me from exercising during pregnancy but we’ll be honest and say I wasn’t doing a lot of exercise anyway.
I ended up with an emergency c-section that left me with a floppy belly that hung over my scar. That softness, combined with stretch marks and a changed post baby body left me devastated with my appearance.
About 2 months after having my second baby (and another c-section), a photographer friend of mine asked if she could photograph me because she wanted to try out boudoir. She used the equivalent of a spotlight in a dark room to light the portraits. That combined with winging the posing . . . . . to say the results were bad is definitely an understatement. I cried for DAYS.
I decided I was SO TIRED of hating my body. I decided to stop giving in to the ridiculous ideas society puts upon us. That we should BE a certain size, that we should “bounce back” from having a baby. That we should conform to their beauty standards. I was done.
I decided that this could never happen to anyone again and made the decision to start shooting boudoir myself. I didn’t want anyone to ever hate themselves the way I did. I set out to create a space where all bodies could be seen for the beauty they are and could be celebrated and loved. This is why I specialize in shooting boudoir for EVERY body.
A lot of other happy things came out of that day. I joined a gym to show my babies I was a STRONG mama. I started getting serious about my health and got the confidence I needed to leave my unhappy marriage. During that journey I decided to commit to loving my body going forward. For what it was capable of. For the weight it could lift. For the babies it created. It was so FREEING.
CHOOSING happiness in my body and letting go of all that angst was a huge weight off my shoulders. All of that said, there are still days I struggle. Days I look at my softness and stretch marks and think how I’ll never have flawless skin or a six pack (I need my chocolate). But it doesn’t take long for me to snap out of it and refocus on the gloriousness of self love.
I want you help you choose love for yourself too.
Want more information about booking a shoot? Start here!
Not without written permission! You can choose to keep your images totally private, share them all, or share anonymous images (meaning images that do not show your face or other identifying characteristics like tattoos).
Do I have to wear lingerie?
No! The point of a boudoir shoot is to wear what makes YOU feel good. If that’s beautiful lingerie, I have a wonderful resource for that. If you prefer boxer shorts, a classic white shirt, your birthday suit or a Hufflepuff sweater, those are amazing choices as well.
Do you have payment plans?
I offer two types of payment plans! If you are a planner, prepayment plans are perfect for you. You can split up the cost of your photos between the day you book and the day of your shoot. When you take advantage of a prepayment plan, you will get access to my client closet and specialty sets. My client closet contains wardrobe that I have curated specifically for sessions, in sizes XS-5X. You get to wear pieces from the closet and best of all – you get to keep what you wear! Specialty sets are sets that help add a little bit of spice to your session. You can choose from: bathtub, rooftop, neon light, bondage, kitchen, shower or stairs. Click HERE to see pictures of the specialty sets.
Is hair and makeup included?
Yes! Hair, makeup and false lashes are all included. When you arrive at the studio we will have a chat with the hair and makeup artists to create a look that you will love, whether that is more natural, glam or dark and dramatic.
Do you photoshop my images?
Light skin smoothing and retouching of blemishes and bruises is included. Anything else is a conversation during your viewing and ordering session, since things like scars are a personal choice.
Where should I buy my outfits?
If you want to shop for your own lingerie, I can recommend a couple of places! If you are in the Milwaukee area, check out Althea’s Fine Lingerie! I have affectionately dubbed Althea “the lingerie fairy godmother,” because she is gifted at getting you the right fit for your body. She carries a wide range of sizes and styles and she has a passion for helping you feel amazing in the pieces she carries.
Bisou Lingerie in Kenosha carries gorgeous European lingerie in a wide assortment of sizes and they specialize in helping you look and feel beautiful.They carry lingerie, bralettes, everyday pieces, and swimwear you need in the correct size for maximum comfort.
How many outfits should I bring?
I recommend between 3 and 5 outfits. That’s the sweet spot where you have lots of variety for your shoot, and you don’t spend all of your shoot time changing in and out of your outfits.
What type of print products do you have?
I offer albums, folios, wall art (floats, metal, and canvas), viewfinders, vintage prints and mini accordion books. During your viewing and ordering session, I’ll have examples of all of these products so you can see and hold them and decide what is best for you!
Do you offer digitals?
I do! Digital files are included with select collections and are also available as an a la carte add-on.
I’m freaking out! How can I calm my nerves?
Here are my top 3 tips for how to actually relax, find your YES, and enjoy your amazing boudoir experience!
All of the amazing things we do in life come with a little bit of anticipation-and we should embrace it. How often do we get to get out of our comfort zone? Enjoy that little bit of adrenaline that makes you feel alive and exciting and magical. So embrace the nerves! It’s normal! I’m even nervous before a photo shoot-I make a point to be photographed at least once year so I remember how scary this is and I can put myself in your shoes. It also helps me refine my posing and my process, and allows me to give you the best experience possible.
Know you won’t be alone. I don’t expect you to know how to pose, move, or even make a sexy face. I help you with all of it. I actually get on the floor/bed/chair and pose right there with you to show you exactly what to do. I help you refine the pose until you get it. I coach you with your facial expressions and give you tips on getting that sexy eye contact, that candid giggle, and those beautiful lash shots.
Allow yourself to feel hope. Instead of worrying that you can’t rock a shoot, how about wondering what would happen if you did? What if you shut down your inner critic for a few hours? What if you felt more beautiful than you ever had? What if you found the strength to be vulnerable, let me capture all the beautiful things about you, and then you were able to see them? How absolutely amazing would that feel?
Should I get to the studio early?
It is not necessary. Shoots start at 9 am and there is plenty of time to get settled in hair and makeup.
Where is your studio located?
My studio is in a beautiful cream city brick building at 714 S 2nd Street in Walker’s Point, Milwaukee WI 53204.
Want more information about booking a shoot? Start here!
A boudoir shoot is scary. Terrifying even. I totally get it. And what do we do when we are scared? We make excuses. We convince ourselves we aren’t worthy of an experience we want deeply. We are focused on taking care of the kids, our partner, work, education, aging parents, or those extra pounds we think we need to lose. But what if you felt hope? What if you realized that no matter the excuse, you are worthy of a soul-stirring self love experience?
“I don’t have enough time for myself”
This is so easy to believe. You hear things like “you can’t pour from an empty cup” and “put on your oxygen mask before you help others” and you think “yeah, right.” And then caring for everyone but yourself puts you in a terrible funk. You stop doing things you love, the things that light your heart up. When was the last time you took a day to yourself? A whole day focused on you and what makes YOU feel good? During a boudoir shoot, you are able to relax, breathe, laugh, and feel beautiful and confident. Those feelings will continue for days, weeks, months, years even. Feeling alive again, seeing your own unique beauty – like a huge mental weight is lifted.
You really DO need to take time for yourself, why not spend it having an amazing experience complete with a lasting confidence boost?
“I need to lose weight.”
When I first started out as a boudoir photographer, I heard this all the time. I thought about it and realized it’s because people aren’t seeing THEMSELVES in images in the media. Society portrays one ideal beauty type. One that isn’t very relatable, and can cause so much harm to our hearts, our self esteem, our relationships.
So I decided to change that. I put out a model call, asking for volunteers to participate in a “secret project.” After doing tons and tons of interviews, I assembled a team of 20 different babes, sized 0-20 (one of each size) and photographed them. I displayed the images during a gallery night at my studio. Needless to say, it was a hit. All you saw when you looked at the collection of images was beauty and confidence. You didn’t see sizes, shapes, ages, “imperfections.” Just vibrant beauty, joy and confidence.
I’ve done it three times since then and expanded the scope of the project to include cancer survivors, brain surgery survivors, victims of assault, survivors of eating disorders, trans and non binary babes, an expectant mama, a grandmother and so much more.
You DO have the body for a boudoir shoot. If you have a body – in any state, at any time, at any age, it is beautiful and worthy of celebration. I would be honored to help you celebrate that beauty.
“I never feel sexy anymore so a boudoir shoot must not be for me.”
This excuse is actually the exact reason you SHOULD do a boudoir shoot. Often times we lose touch with our femininity or sexuality when life gets crazy. It happens a lot and it is absolutely normal and okay! A boudoir shoot is a great way to get your sexy back. When you’re preparing for your shoot, you spend so much time thinking about what makes you feel good – what type of wardrobe you want, what music makes you feel good, how you like your hair and makeup and what poses you are drawn to. I can show you that you’ve still got it. Whatever version of “it” means to you – whether it is lacy lingerie, a classic white shirt, boxers or your birthday suit.
“A boudoir shoot is an investment and I don’t have all the money right now.”
Yes, a boudoir shoot IS an investment. I offer two types of payment plans! If you are a planner, prepayment plans are perfect for you. You can split up the cost of your photos between the day you book and the day of your shoot. When you take advantage of a prepayment plan, you will get access to a specialty set or free products! Specialty sets you can choose from are: bathtub, rooftop, neon light, bondage, shower or stairs. Click HERE to see pictures of the specialty sets. Free products include things like headshots, fresh flowers, vintage prints and more!
Want more information about booking a shoot? Start here!
Many years ago, when my marriage was crashing and burning, I was feeling very meh and generally unwanted. I decided it might help to get away and take a girls trip. We decided on Nashville with a couple of fun stops along the way. Chicago for Classy Girl Cupcakes. Louisville for The Slugger Factory, and then Nashville. There was SO much Amy Winehouse on the way.
We had an absolutely amazing time and made many memories with our dancing boots on.
Anyway, on the last day of our trip we decided to go to this trendy coffee shop for breakfast. I got to the front of the line and the most adorable hipster barista asks what he can get me. Oh boy. I order my latte. He pauses, smiles, and in the most delicious southern accent you have ever heard, asks “do you want that hot, darlin?”
Ooohhhhh.my.goodness.yes.I.want.it.hot….darlin.
To this day I am amazed I didn’t pass out.
What’s funny about it is that I can’t even really remember exactly what he looked like. I know he was ridiculously hot, but what I remember the most is how I FELT in the moment. Heat. A spark. A little bit of mojo. ALIVE. I found that fire I was convinced was permanently gone.
A boudoir shoot can do that for you too. When you feel so very meh, it’s *wonderful* to take an entire day to focus on you, and what makes YOU feel good. Do you love false lashes and lingerie? Do you like to play with gender expression? Taking the time to think about this and then spending an entire day feeling absolutely amazing will reignite that spark. And the best part? You’ll have a collection of absolutely stunning images of you, feeling that fire.
