Frequently Asked
What people ask, answered specifically.
If your question is not here, write it into your inquiry. Every inquiry gets a personal response, usually from Jen directly.
The Experience
- I have never done a boudoir session before. Is that a problem?
- It is the most common situation we work with. Most clients arrive having never done a session like this. The studio is built around the assumption that you do not know how to pose, what to wear, or what to do with your hands. Our job is to direct every part of the session so all you have to do is show up.
- Who will be in the studio during my session?
- Your photographer, your hair and makeup artist, and you. Our team is all-female. We do not allow drop-ins, partners, or friends during the photography portion of the session unless you have specifically requested it (for example, couples sessions). The studio doors stay locked once your session begins.
- How long is a session?
- Plan on four to five hours start to finish. That includes one to one and a half hours of professional hair and makeup, two to three hours of photography across multiple wardrobe changes and setups, and a short break in the middle. Some clients schedule a reveal appointment immediately after; others come back two to three weeks later.
- What should I expect from a boudoir session?
- Plan on four to five hours. You arrive to professional hair and makeup, then move into two to three hours of photography across multiple wardrobe changes and lighting setups. Every pose is directed, so you never have to figure out what to do with your hands. The studio is private and the team is all-female. A few weeks later you return for a reveal appointment to see the full gallery and choose your products. Most clients walk in nervous and forget anyone else is in the room by the third pose.
- Do you offer bridal or bridesmaid boudoir sessions?
- Yes. Bridal boudoir is one of our most requested sessions, both as a wedding gift from the bride and as a group session for the bridal party. We can photograph the bride on her own, or coordinate a bridesmaids session with hair and makeup for the group. Tell us your wedding date and party size in your inquiry and we will map out the timing so the album is ready before the wedding.
Logistics
- Where is your studio?
- Our Texas studio is at 8430 W University Dr #209 in McKinney, about 35 minutes north of downtown Dallas and 15 minutes east of Frisco. Our Los Angeles studio serves clients across Southern California, by appointment, with sessions at the studio or on location across the LA metro and Orange County.
- Do you travel?
- Yes. We regularly travel within the DFW metroplex for location sessions, and our Los Angeles studio serves clients across Southern California. We have also traveled to clients in Arizona, Nevada, Colorado, and Oklahoma. A custom quote covers travel outside the standard metro radius.
- Is there a boudoir photographer near me?
- We have two studios. In Texas, our studio is in McKinney, about 35 minutes north of downtown Dallas and central to the DFW metroplex, including Frisco, Plano, Allen, and Fort Worth. In California, our studio is in Valencia and serves clients across the Los Angeles metro and Orange County, from Beverly Hills and Santa Monica to Pasadena, the San Fernando Valley, and the Santa Clarita Valley. If you are anywhere in DFW or Southern California, there is a Marilyn Lou photographer near you, at the studio or on location.
Pricing
- How much does a boudoir session cost?
- The session fee is $399 for studio sessions and $549 for location or couples sessions. Professional hair and makeup is available. Products (handcrafted albums, fine art wall prints, digital files) are a la carte with no minimum order. Because product pricing varies with the type of product, the materials, and the sizing, our art directors build a custom quote for you after your session. Financing is available with payment plans up to five years.
- Are digital files included?
- Not in the session fee. Digital files are purchased separately, either individually or bundled with print products. When you purchase a printed product (album page, wall print) you receive the matching digital file with it.
- Do you offer payment plans or financing?
- Yes. Product orders can be financed, with payment plans available up to five years, arranged at your reveal appointment when you select your order. The session fee is paid in full at booking to hold your date.
Wardrobe
- What do I bring? What do I wear?
- Most clients bring three to five wardrobe options. Lingerie, bodysuits, oversized button-down shirts, robes, and the classic white sheet are all common. We send a detailed wardrobe guide after your session is booked, with brand recommendations and notes on what photographs best for your specific body and aesthetic.
- Do you have a studio wardrobe I can borrow from?
- Yes. We keep a curated studio collection of robes, sheer pieces, and accessories available to clients. The collection is freshened seasonally and reflects the aesthetic of the studio's work.
Products
- What do clients typically order?
- The most popular product is a handcrafted album: leather-bound, archival paper, designed by the studio after your reveal session. Wall art commissions are second-most-common, especially for clients who book fine art sessions. Digital file bundles for personal use round out most orders.
- How long until I receive my images and products?
- Your reveal appointment is scheduled two to three weeks after your session. Albums are produced after your order is placed and typically arrive within four to six weeks. Wall art varies by size and finish, with most pieces delivered within four weeks.
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