Baring it All With North Shore Boudoir Photography Business

Many women harbor dreams of being a super model — and with Bedhead Boudoir in Winnetka, those dreams can become a reality.

Boudoir photography is the taking of sensual photos, often featuring the subjects in lacy lingerie or other revealing clothing. The photos are taken for a variety of reasons, ranging from a unique gift for a significant other to a great keepsake for the client to cherish. 

“I think my photos are sensual and pretty,” Angela Keefe, owner of Bedhead Boudoir Photography, said. “It’s not taking pictures of ‘parts’ — it’s more of the woman and her confidence.”

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Keefe noted that by posing women in certain angles and focusing on their best assets, every woman can look like a model.

“You don’t have to be a size two or a size six,” Keefe said. “We focus on your best assets and traits.” 

From Family Photography to Boudoir 

Keefe has been taking boudoir photos for two years, and previously owned a family and children photography business. Before that, she was a software engineer for a wealth management firm for 14 years. 

Keefe noted that when she owned her family photography business, she was approached by a few women asking her about taking the seductive photos. She was intrigued and got together a group of friends to have a practice photoshoot. She read up on boudoir photography some more, and Bedhead was born.

For clients, the experience starts before they even walk through the door, with a long conference call or coffee with Keefe, in order for the woman to feel comfortable.

“It will come off through the photos if you’re not comfortable,” she said.

Keefe also sends women a “posing guide,” so they can pick out ten to twenty poses that they think would be best for them.

“This session is about them, for them,” Keefe said. “This experience is unique to you.”

Once clients arrive at Bedhead Boudoir, which is based out of Keefe’s home in Winnetka, they are led downstairs for some professional pampering and mimosas. 

The award-winning City Lights Make-Up Artistry Inc., led by founder and CEO Paula Heckenast — assists with hair and make-up before the shoot, while Keefe asks a few questions to make sure the woman gets the ideal experience — such as asking each client about their favorite and least favorite assets to help decide different poses to minimize or maximize each.

"You...just a smidge better."

Just like the professional models, Photoshop is used. 

“We want it to be you or just a smidge better,” Keefe said with a laugh. She notes that they use Photoshop to smoothen the skin and they can also make certain parts bigger or smaller, while still seeming realistic and true to the woman.

“For example, if someone is petite, you don’t want a butt that looks like J-Lo!”

There are three rooms for taking photos in the house, each with a variety of backdrops and accessories — ranging from a big bed covered in pillows to a chair ideal for a variety of seductive poses.  

There are also a variety of accessories for women to utilize, including jewelry, a closet full of high heels and fur coats.

After seven to 14 days, the client receives a private, password-protected online gallery of her photos, each of which has already been touched up with Photoshop. At the end of the month after the client chooses out her favorites, the gallery is deleted.

Keefe noted that many women are surprised to see themselves looking so glamorous and beautiful in the photos.

“[I’ve heard] ‘Oh my gosh, I look awesome!’ and ‘Wow, you made me look like a super model,’ … this really gives them self-confidence and self-esteem,” Keefe said.

That boost of confidence the women experience is one of her favorite parts of owning Bedhead Boudoir.

“I love making women feel empowered and sexy,” Keefe said. “I’ve received emails from clients — a lot of them are moms. … They say, ‘I realize now that I’m a sexy, powerful woman.’”

Reality TV Pilot in the Works

Soon, women photographed by Bedhead Boudoir won’t just feel like celebrities — they might just become celebrities as well.

“We’re putting together a TV pilot!” Keefe said. “We’ve had three meetings with a production company, and we’ll be shooting over four days.”

The production company, Keefe said, has connections to networks such as Bravo and the Style Network. Once a pilot is filmed, they’ll be pitching it to the networks.

The pilot will focus around the business, Keefe and Heckenast’s friendship and the unique women who have photos taken.

“I’m not interested in being [The Real] Housewives,” Keefe said. “We’re not just going to sit around, drink and backstab.”

Those interested in learning more about boudoir or interested in signing up for a session can attend an event being held at Trifecta Grill in Winnetka on April 25. The event will feature more information, free professional make-up touch-ups, appetizers and wine — plus a portion of the proceeds will be donated to WINGS (Women in Need Getting Stronger) Charity. Tickets for the 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. event are $25 and tickets to the evening event are $45. To RSVP, call (847) 441-1700 or email info@trifectagrillwinnetka.com.

More information can also be found on Bedhead Boudoir Photography’s website here.