Timeless beauty. Classical influences. Modern luxury.
Modern boudoir photography takes its influences from many sources. From the name, French for a woman's private bedroom, to the mid-century pin-up styling that influences the posing and compositions, modern boudoir is a celebration of beauty and elegence.
Admiration of the female form is the oldest and most important subject in the history of art. From the earliest simple depictions of the voluptous Venus made from rough stone to the Renaissance paintings of Titian, the French Neoclassical portraiture of Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres, and beyond to our modern Picasso, the celebration of the female form has been critical to art and humanity's development.
Heroic aims to integrate elevated art techniques — such as chiaroscuro lighting, strong compositions, in-camera effects, and vibrant colors — with both classical and pin-up influences and a true sense of story and character. Every woman is different and every woman has a beautiful character to express. Luxury boudoir tells your story and reveals your character while being sensual, romantic, and sexy.
Professional portraiture grows more important as our consumable and disposable digital culture saturates our lives.
Feeling beautiful, celebrating yourself with art, and commissioning timeless portraiture used to be the common way of marking achievements and capturing who you are at points in life. The joy of privately admiring your beauty, your story, and your life is being lost to low-resolution selfies deleted at the whim of corporations and lost devices.
Heroic's luxury boudoir lets you take time to pamper yourself, celebrate your beauty, and create amazing timeless art for your partner and, more importantly, yourself.
After a studio tour, we'll review your goals for the session and the outfits you've brought. We'll also talk about the things that you love that you'd like to accentuate during the session and anything that you're concerned about that we can lessen. If you've opted for professional hair + makeup, you'll start with one of the professional stylists we work with. Then the photo session begins!
We'll guide you through the session with posing suggestions that create perfect flattering angles. We've honed our posing routines over hundreds of boudoir sesssions and we know how to work with all body types and comfort levels. If you don't feel comfortable with one of our suggestions or an idea that you've brought to the session, we simply won't do it. Rememer: you're in control of the session! We use zoom lenses so we don't invade your space and we give plenty of guidance on what's happening and why.
Immediately after your session, we'll curate the best photos for viewing. The photos will be natural and unedited for the reveal. We'll discuss which photos you love and pick out your favorites for your products. All photos chosen for your products will be professionally retouched to enhance color, vibrancy, composition, and more.
We also retouch skin to remove blemishes, soften wrinkles, stretch marks, scars, cellulite, bruises, and eye circles with your approval. We'll also do light body contouring to smooth select areas, but we do not do body reshaping. We believe these portraits should be recognizable celebrations of you and your beauty, not something crafted in a computer.
Patrick (Photographer), Jeanne, and Karen
As a wedding and portrait photographer for over 11 years, Patrick has photographed clients all over Saint Louis and beyond. Having photographed hundreds of boudoir clients, Patrick now focuses exclusively on these intimate portraiture sessions. Patrick enjoys the creative flexibility and versatility of the studio space and working with clients to express their unique story.
Joining Patrick are Jeanne and Karen.
Jeanne has years of experience in luxury industries tailored to high-end clients. Her attention to detail gives her an important eye for posing during sessions and her kindness and thoughtfulness helps draw out client's character.
Karen has a natural knack for women's portrait photography. With wedding and family session experience, she brings her unique eye and warm personality to sessions and help clients feel more comfortable.
High-end equipment and a luxury loft studio.
Heroic uses top of the line equipment to ensure we have the best tools for creating beautiful art. We exclusively use Nikon camera bodies, portrait lenses, and lighting equipment.
The studio space includes a private changing area, private restroom, giant windows for soft natural light, polished concrete floor, painted brick, antique furniture, and more for a modern take on classic style.
Always close to what's happening, the Heroic studio was once part of a piano factory and is located downtown near Washington Avenue. Within minutes of both Highway 44 and 40, our studio is easy to access from both the city and county.
Learn more about our studio.
Have a question not answered here? Reach out at [email protected].
Are boudoir sessions for certain ages or body types?
No, every woman is beautiful and perfect for boudoir in your own unique way. Maybe it's your smile, or your booty, or that dimple your partner loves. We've had clients from ages 20 to 72, from petite to plus size. The biggest factor of a successful session and photos? A positive attitude.
Do you retouch the photos?
The photos you select for your products will be professionally retouched at no extra charge to enhance color, vibrancy, composition, and more. We retouch skin to remove blemishes, soften wrinkles, stretch marks, scars, cellulite, bruises, and eye circles. We do light body contouring to smooth select areas, but we do not do body reshaping.
Will a female be present?
The photographer Patrick is male, but Jeanne or Karen will be present to assistant with posing, lighting, compositions, consultation, and more.
Do you provide hair + makeup services?
Yes, we work with freelance professional stylists from around Saint Louis. We can book one for your session for an additional fee.
Is nudity required?
No, you only show as much or as little as you are comfortable with. You determine the outfits and what poses you are comfortable with.
Can I integrate my kinks or hobbies?
Yes! These are the things that make you uniquely who you are. We've worked with a lot of women to include their kinks, hobbies, and more. Just let us know when you book what ideas you have.
Do you provide the outfits or is that something I bring?
You will bring the outfits you want to use for your session. This ensures your outfits will fit well and they'll better express your character.
I don't know how to pose!
Don't worry! We'll walk you through posing and facial expressions during the session. We've worked with hundreds of women and have perfected routines for all body types, styles, and ages.
How many products and digital files are included with a boudoir session?
No prints, wall art, books, or digital files are included with the session itself. The session fee is for the photographer's time and talent. Products and digital files are purchased separately.
Do you give the client rights to the photos?
Yes, if you order digital files you get a personal print release so you can have them printed anywhere.
How can I view my photos after the session?
Immediately after your session, we'll curate the best photos and reveal the natural unedited photos. During your viewing we'll discuss the photos you love and want to use in your products. We'll then professionally edit your selections to make sure they're perfect.
What payment methods do you accept?
We accept cash, check, and credit/debit cards.
Will my photos be shown on your website, on social media, or in your studio?
Only if you approve it and sign our model release. We have several options for the model release — such as only showing photos where your face is cropped out or obscured — to be flexible for your privacy. Although showing photos from your session in our portfolio is not required, it does help us stay in business by showing other women the work we do.
Do you need a deposit to reserve my photo session?
Yes, once you submit your session booking request and we approve the date and details, we'll send you a secure online payment form to pay the $50 non-refundable deposit. The deposit is non-refundable because we are reserving the studio and time for your session.
Where is the studio located?
We are located downtown near the vibrant and growing Washington Avenue and we're surrounded by amazing restaurants. Our building is locked, so use the secure keypad at the front door to call up when you arrive.
What is the parking situation?
There is metered street parking in front of the building and several pay lots in the area.
