“Wait, What’s a Glamour Shoot?”
I was recently working one of my day gigs, and chatting with the two professionals who’d hired me —smart, stylish, confident women in that 28 to 40 sweet spot where people generally know what’s trending. We were having a very casual conversation when they asked, “What are you up to the rest of the day?”
I said, “I’ve got a client meeting for a glamour session.”
They both stopped and looked at me with a head tilt. One of them raised her eyebrows and said, “Wait… what’s a glamour session?!”
“Oh, well…. It’s where you get all fancy with hair and makeup, pick a location, and then dress up… or dress down…. if you know what I mean.”
That got a laugh, and suddenly we were talking. Talking about how they’d known friends who’d done one, or had heard that some women had done one for their husbands as a gift, they didn’t know that was a common thing, whether they’d considered one for themselves…. it was a very quick, light-hearted conversation
That whole exchange stuck with me. These women were basically my ideal clients. And yet… they didn’t know what a glamour session was.
Clearly, I need to talk about this more.
Let’s Start With What It’s Not
If you grew up in the ‘80s or ‘90s, you might remember the mall-based “Glamour Shots” studios. Soft focus, giant hair, rhinestones, feather boas, shoulder pads, gaudy sunglasses, big hair.… you get the picture.
And hey, no judgment if that was your thing at the time. But that’s not what I’m talking about.
Modern glamour sessions are something else entirely. They’re thoughtful, elevated, powerful, and personal. Less JC Penny, more Vanity Faire.
So What is a Glamour Session Today?
A glamour session is, quite simply, a chance to dress up, feel amazing, and create stunning, stylized portraits that reflect your beauty and strength.
That might mean:
A red carpet-inspired gown and full glam makeup
A sleek power suit with dramatic lighting
A favorite date night look you never get enough photos in
That one cool outfit you never have an excuse to wear
Or even something more intimate, like lingerie or an implied nude
Glamour does not require you to take your clothes off. It’s about confidence, not clothing. Some people dress up. Some dress down. What matters is how you feel.
Glamour vs. Boudoir, 2 Sides of the Same Coin
Traditionally, “glamour” meant dressed-up beauty shots, while “boudoir” referred to more intimate, lingerie-based portraits.
But those lines have blurred. And honestly? I like it that way.
These days, “boudoir” is a term that gets flagged on social media platforms, and it often makes people think of a very specific, very sultry style of photography. That’s not always what people are looking for (and it’s not the only thing we do).
I think of glamour and boudoir as two flavors of the same experience:
Glamour: Gowns, suits, dramatic styling, bold energy
Boudoir: Lingerie, soft fabrics, vulnerability and strength
Different wardrobes. Same goal: to create breathtaking images that show you at your most powerful, your most beautiful, your most you.
Who Are These Sessions For?
You.
No. Seriously.
You don’t need to be a model. You don’t need to be 22 or hit a goal weight. You don’t need to have a reason beyond “I want to feel amazing.” or “This sounds like fun”
I’ve worked with:
Moms who wanted to feel fabulous
Professionals marking milestones in their careers
People navigating and processing big life changes - grief, growth, celebration
LGBTQ+ clients discovering how they want to be seen
Men and masc folks who want something other than stiff headshots
Regular everyday people who just think this would be fun
These sessions are for adults of all genders, body types, and ages. If you’ve ever wanted to feel genuinely good about how you look in a photo, this is for you.
Why You Might Not Have Heard About This Before
A lot of people keep their sessions private - which is totally fair. Some share them with partners, some keep them just for themselves.
That privacy can also make these sessions feel like a secret club you didn’t get the invite to.
Add to that the social media algorithms that shadowban the “boudoir,” or the assumption that you need to be supermodel-adjacent to do a shoot like this, and suddenly… people just don’t know it’s an option.
So let me be clear: this is an option. And it’s probably more accessible than you realize.
You Don’t Need an Excuse to feel Amazing
Imagine having a set of images that you’re proud of. Ones that make you stand a little taller, feel a little stronger. Ones that remind you that you are beautiful, bold, and worthy of being seen.
That’s what these sessions are about. And if the idea makes you curious (or nervous) that’s okay. That’s normal.
You don’t have to be ready. You just have to be interested.
Let’s Talk About Privacy
One of the most common questions I get is, “Will my photos be public?” And the short answer is: “Only if you want them to be.”
Every session is handled with care and respect. You’ll always have full control over what happens with your images. If you want to keep them just for yourself, or share them only with a partner - that’s exactly what we do.
Nothing is posted in my portfolio, on social media, or used for marketing unless you’ve given clear, enthusiastic permission. Some clients are excited to show off their images. Others prefer to keep them totally private. Some are comfortable with a few specific images. All options are 100% valid.
You deserve to feel safe, and respected, and in charge of your story.
Let’s Talk About It
If you’ve never heard of a glamour shoot before today, welcome. I’d love to answer your questions, talk through ideas, or just chat about what’s possible.
There’s no pressure. There’s not one right way to do this. Just a chance to create something incredible - for you.
Want to know more? [Get in touch here.]
Or just shoot me a message that says, “Hey… I’m curious about a glamour session”
That’s all it takes.
