Info and Pricing Portfolio Boudoir Experience How to book The Studio Outdoor Boudoir FAQ Outdoor boudoir quiz What to Wear Printed Art Reviews Weddings About Alyssa
Minneapolis Boudoir Photography by Illuminate Boudoir
 

Hi friend! I’m Alyssa (she/her) and I’m so glad that you’re here.

About me as a human

My name is Alyssa (she/her). I live in the Longfellow neighborhood of Minneapolis with my partner, my pup, and my backyard veggie garden :)

I’ve always been a ‘people person’ and my favorite things in life all involve spending intentional time with people - camping trips with my best friends, cooking dinner with my partner, heartfelt chats with my sibling.

I adore celebrating my friends too — helping a friend find an outfit that makes them feel radiant, throwing a celebration dinner for a buddy’s new job, lifting a glass and toasting my friends and telling them why I love them.

I also love creative outlets and art of all kinds— I recently picked up sewing, and I adore a craft day with friends. Want to try ice dying? I’m your girl! Want to check out the new gallery at the MIA or the Walker? Take me with!!

Apart from social time, nothing fills my cup like spending time outside - taking my little pup Luna for a walk, going hiking in state parks, and tending my little garden (I’m truly terrible at keeping houseplants alive so my partner handles those, but I’m decent at growing tomatoes in my little outside garden!)

I’m a “words of affirmation” person, an enneagram two, and a big ole optimist. I love boudoir photography because it combines my love for celebrating people with my love for creating art.





About me as a boudoir photographer

Years ago when I first heard about boudoir photography, I couldn’t see a place for myself in the boudoir world - it felt very heteronormative and traditional, almost entirely for women to give as a gift to their male partners.

I knew that boudoir photography could be something more, so I decided to try to see if I could make it my own.

I tested out a few boudoir sessions with some trusting friends… and it was incredible. They walked out of their sessions standing tall and confident and full of self-love in a way that I’d never seen them (and these were besties that I’d known for years). I knew right then that there was something magical about boudoir, and I’ve never looked back.

My boudoir sessions are not a makeover: you are already art.

Photoshoots with me are a holistic, intentional experience that’s all about celebrating yourself: what you’re proud of, what you love about yourself, where you’ve come from, where you’re stepping to next. We’ll create portraits full of life and emotion and story, highlighting your natural beauty and honoring your inner light.

My inclusive boudoir studio is a safe, affirming space that welcomes people of all genders to create celebratory, body-positive portraits for themselves. We’ll avoid the male gaze and societal beauty standards, we’ll skip urgency and rushing, and we’ll relish in the power of taking an intentional day just for you.

 
 
Beige Background.png
 
 

My favorite poem ever

Sometimes I think that the best way to understand a person is to see something that inspires them - so if you want to know more about me, I’ll share this here. This poem gives me goosebumps every time and I feel like it kind of captures a piece of my soul. If you read this and get tiny tears in your eyes too, then we’re likely made of the same stuff <3

 

It’s called Maximalism, Babe • by Lyndsey rush

Why shouldn’t I stop and smell the espresso beans / Or say, in a voice a little too loud, This is the best margarita I’ve ever had!! / Or use the full curse word / Or have my dessert first / Why shouldn’t I give it my all / And do it for the story / And leap before looking / And let love consume me / Why shouldn’t I use my expensive face creams with abandon / Triple text my crush / Laugh at my own jokes / Cry at commercials / Sing at the top of my lungs while I vacuum / Buy the orange chair / Paint the town purple / And fly across the country for the weekend just to pinch a cheek / Why shouldn’t I hold your face in both of my hands at 11:30AM on a Tuesday while you’re chopping a salad and remind you that you’re the center of my happiest days / Why shouldn’t I memorize how the sun comes in from the front window / Turn the music up / Give the dog a piece of cheese / Say what I mean / Let my hair down / Forgive fast / Believe that the best is yet to come / Tell me — no really — why shouldn’t I? Why shouldn’t we / Why shouldn’t you?

 
 
 

 Sign up for my newsletter:

 

(If you’re not seeing the newsletter signup form above, try refreshing your screen! You’re always welcome to email me at hello@illuminateboudoir.com and I’m happy to add you to my email list manually.)

 
 

Tips + Resources for Planning Your Session

Where to next?

Beige Background.png