Paris Boudoir Photographer
She is the inspiration. She is the art.
The Modern Muse is a private boudoir photoshoot in our Saint-Germain-des-Prés atelier, led by an all-female team. Editorial, unhurried and entirely yours.
Private atelier in Saint-Germain-des-Prés
All-female team
Same-day reveal
The Modern Muse
What is a Modern Muse boudoir photoshoot?
It is boudoir photography in Paris, reimagined as portraiture. In every era, the Muse has been a symbol of feminine power. But for centuries she existed only as the subject of someone else’s gaze: admired, idealized, painted, desired, yet rarely seen in her full truth. This experience was created to reclaim her.
Here, the Muse is not a myth. She is every woman who steps into the studio. She is the author of her story, not the ornament of someone else’s. We do not photograph women as muses. We photograph each woman as the Muse she already is.
- Where A private atelier in Saint-Germain-des-Prés, Paris
- With An all-female team of photographers and client concierges
- How long Three hours, in three parts
- Your portraits Revealed the same day, as a cinematic sequence
- Session From €350, including one 8×10 in metal portrait
- Artwork Starting at €500
- Language English and French
A Muse not defined by a man, a partner, or an artist.
A Muse defined by her own voice, her own courage, her own beauty.
This is not boudoir as you’ve known it
A three-part celebration
How does a boudoir photoshoot in Paris work?
Your Modern Muse session unfolds over three hours in our private Paris studio.
I
Styling and preparation
For those who wish, your experience begins with professional hair and makeup designed to enhance rather than mask: luminous skin, refined structure, elevated simplicity. Or arrive already styled, in a way that feels true to you. We finalize your outfits and talk about the energy you want your portraits to hold.
II
The camera study
We call it a camera study, as the old masters did: an exploration of light, shape, expression and presence. We move, we laugh, we refine. Music plays and you are coached clearly and confidently, so you never feel awkward or unsure. By the end of this hour, most women are surprised by how natural it feels.
III
The cinematic reveal
Often the most powerful part. You see your portraits the same day, presented as a cinematic sequence, and experience them as art. You select your favorites and choose how to preserve them: in an album, as statement wall art, or both.
Words from our clients
“The atmosphere was amazing and I felt like a star!”
“The photos are PHENOMENAL!”
“Excellent experience from booking to final product.”
“Katie could not have been nicer, as well as being a complete professional.”
Portfolio
Boudoir portraits from our Paris atelier
A personal welcome
Who is a boudoir photoshoot for?
Women come to Modern Muse for many reasons. Some arrive celebrating a milestone. Some are brides, creating bridal boudoir portraits in Paris before their wedding. Some are stepping into a new chapter. Some are reclaiming themselves after motherhood or transition. Others already feel confident and simply want to document that power intentionally.
You do not need to lose weight. You do not need to be a certain age. You do not need to be in a particular stage of life. Many clients walk in thinking “I’ve never done anything like this” or “my body has changed.”
Our job is to hold up a mirror to what is already there, so you see strength where you once saw doubt and beauty in angles you never noticed. You will walk out feeling embodied, expanded and unmistakably powerful in your own skin.
Katie Donnelly
Founder and creative director · Paris studio since 2013 · Voted Best Portrait Photographer in Paris, 2017
This was an amazing moment where I felt super confident, proud, and indeed, sexy. Thank you!
Paola, Modern Muse client
The atelier team
Who will photograph my boudoir session?
An all-female team of Paris boudoir photographers and client concierges, who understand both technical precision and emotional nuance. They help you through every part of your experience, with as much (or as little) hand-holding as you want and need.
- Katie Donnelly Photographer, Creative Director
- Magda S. Photographer
- Zoë F. Photographer
- Maria S. Photographer
- Mallory S. Client Concierge
- Sarah G. Client Concierge
Investment
How much does a boudoir photoshoot in Paris cost?
from €350
The Modern Muse boudoir session
Included: your private boudoir portrait session in our central Paris studio, your same-day portrait reveal, and one 8×10 in metal portrait.
Professional hair and makeup: an additional €320.
Artwork: ordered à la carte at your reveal, starting at €500.
There is no minimum order: choose as much or as little as you like. Payment plans are available on request.
You already have everything you need.
Walk in as you are. Walk out knowing your power.
We guide every step
Before you arrive
What should I bring to a boudoir photoshoot?
Pieces that feel authentic to you and photograph beautifully.
What to wear
Lingerie in lace, silk or structured styles. Bodysuits, corsets and delicate sets photograph with elegance and dimension. Silk robes add movement, and sheer black tights add subtle drama. You may also bring a “bombshell dress”. Nudity is always optional and handled with intention and artistry. See where to shop in Paris for a boudoir photoshoot.
The details
Jewelry is highly encouraged: statement earrings, layered necklaces, delicate gold chains or meaningful heirloom pieces. Heels are optional but can enhance posture and presence. Wear loose clothing on the way so nothing marks your skin, and bring your outfits packed or on hangers.
What to leave behind
Ill-fitting lingerie that leaves deep marks, heavy self-tanner, and distracting logos. And most importantly, negative self-talk. This experience is not about critique. It is about celebration. For a closer look, step inside the Modern Muse atelier experience.
Questions
Paris boudoir photoshoot questions
I have never done a boudoir photoshoot. Is this right for a first-timer?
Yes. Many of the women we photograph have never done anything like this. You are coached clearly and confidently throughout, and most are surprised by how natural it feels.
How long is a boudoir photoshoot?
Your session unfolds over three hours in our studio: styling and preparation, the camera study, which lasts about an hour, and your cinematic reveal.
Are hair and makeup included?
Professional hair and makeup are optional, at an additional €320. You are equally welcome to arrive already styled.
Where does the session take place, and is it private?
In our private studio in Saint-Germain-des-Prés, central Paris. The environment is respectful, celebratory and discreet, and this is an all-female team experience.
Will you share my boudoir photos online?
Your images are private. Nothing is shared publicly without your explicit written consent. Discretion and respect are foundational to the Modern Muse experience.
How does retouching work?
Anything you order goes through our natural enrichment process. Everything is retouched naturally and editorially by hand, and additional requests are always welcome.
How far in advance should I book my boudoir photoshoot?
If you are local, we recommend two or more weeks ahead. If you are traveling to Paris, book as soon as you schedule your trip. Last-minute sessions are sometimes possible.
How do I book from abroad?
Send us an inquiry to find a date and time. We then email a few quick questions and the session fee. Once both are received, you are booked.
Do you offer bridal boudoir photography in Paris?
Yes. Bridal boudoir is the same Modern Muse session in our Saint-Germain studio, created around your wedding. Bring your veil, your wedding lingerie or a piece of jewelry from the day. Many brides book in the weeks before the wedding or during their honeymoon in Paris, and choose an album as a wedding gift. The portraits are yours first.
Do you offer boudoir for couples or men?
Not at the moment. The Modern Muse is currently created for women, photographed individually.
Do you speak English?
Yes. Katie is American and our team works in English and French, so there is no language barrier at any point.
Is there a minimum order, and are there payment plans?
There is no minimum. Order as much or as little as you like. Payment plans are available on request.
How is the Modern Muse different from traditional boudoir?
It is rooted in portraiture first: light, shape, expression and presence. Read more about the Modern Muse approach to boudoir.
One day, this version of you will feel like a memory
You deserve to exist in art.
The way you stand now. The strength you’ve built. The softness you’ve allowed. Modern Muse is an invitation to honor this chapter before it changes.