Studio? Airbnb? Peerspace? Let's Find Your Perfect Boudoir Backdrop

I'm currently sitting in a hotel room doing a bit of work after spending some time in Mexico for a dear friend's wedding. I'm not sure if this happens to anyone else, but sometimes I get my best and most brilliant ideas when I have a change of location.

As I'm sipping my coffee while looking over the ocean my mind has started to work overtime on brainstorming new ideas for creative boudoir sessions, unique posing, lighting techniques I would like to try, and outfit layering that I just KNOW will photograph perfectly.

A change of location really can bring out prime ideas and results, especially as a creative.

That brings me to today's topic: Locations for your boudoir session!

Spoiler: the best location is the one that makes you feel like you — and we're here to help you figure out exactly what that looks like.

Okay, let's talk locations. This is one of those decisions that can totally shape the energy of your entire session, and it deserves more than a one-size-fits-all answer. A change of location for your boudoir session is also one of those options that clients don't realize they have.

Here's the thing: stunning boudoir photography doesn't live in just one place. Yes, we have a gorgeous Atlanta studio that we absolutely love. But we also know that some of you are dreaming of rumpled linen sheets in a moody Airbnb, or a sun-drenched loft with exposed brick and twelve-foot ceilings. Or... might I suggest my current hotel in Mexico with gorgeous blue water right outside? Honestly, We and I am here for all of it.

Since 2009 our studio has traveled to multiple AirBnbs, hotel suites, beaches, mountain homes, European cities, and rural rivers. We've had boudoir sessions on horse farms, in rows of vineyards, and on city rooftops.

Let's break down your options so you can figure out which vibe is calling your name.

Our Atlanta Studio: Where the Magic Lives (and the Lighting is Already Perfect)

Let's start at home base. Our studio was designed and selected with one person in mind: you. Every paint color, every light, every piece of furniture, and every fluffy throw pillow was chosen because it makes people look and feel amazing. We've spent a lot of time (and honestly, a lot of trial and error) perfecting this space, and it shows.

When you come to us in-studio, here's what you're walking into:

• Complete privacy — it's just us, your music playlist, and good vibes only

• Professional lighting that's already set up and tested before you arrive

• A wardrobe closet to borrow from if you need a little extra inspo

• A photographer who knows exactly how the light hits every corner of that room at every hour of the day

• Zero stress on your end — you just show up and let us handle the rest

  
  

For a lot of our clients, this is the sweet spot. No logistics, no guesswork, no "wait, did we remember to ask the host about parking?" Just a smooth, beautiful session from start to finish.

But we get it — sometimes you have a vision that goes beyond four walls we already own. And that's where it gets really fun.

Peerspace Studios: Pick Your Aesthetic, We'll Bring the Camera

If you aren't a photographer or someone that works in the creative field then you've likely never heard of Peerspace. Peerspace is a platform (kind of like AirBnb) that lets you rent creative spaces by the hour like photography studios, styled apartments, rooftop terraces, you name it. Because most of these spaces are already designed with creators in mind, they tend to be absolutely beautiful for boudoir work and you can find some VERY specific locations with unique features that are perfect for creative boudoir photoshoots. In Atlanta we've rented our speakeasy bars, bright and airy rooftop lofts, old spooky brick factories, etc.

Why We Love It

• Lots of listings come with gorgeous natural light built right in, which is different than our current studio.

• The aesthetic variety is wild — we're talking "romantic Parisian apartment" to "sleek modern penthouse" to "cozy bookshelf-lined reading nook" to "paint splattered warehouse" to "dark and moody Jazz club"

• Hosts on Peerspace are used to photographers, so there's no awkward explaining yourself

• We can book exactly the hours we need — no more, no less

The One Thing to Know

Not every pretty space is a great photography space. Before we book anything, we do our homework like checking for privacy, confirming the natural light situation, and making sure the vibe of the space actually fits your session. A dramatic warehouse loft is stunning, but it might not be right for soft, intimate imagery. We always match the space to your story, not just your Pinterest board (okay, also your Pinterest board, send it to us, we love it).

Airbnb Locations: That "I Woke Up Like This in a Gorgeous Rental" Energy

Okay, this one is for the dreamers. Because if you've ever stayed in a beautifully designed Airbnb and thought "I wish I had photos of myself here"  then first of all, you're our kind of person, and second of all, we can absolutely make that happen.

Shooting in a short-term rental like AirBnb or VRBO brings something to boudoir imagery that's genuinely hard to replicate anywhere else: atmosphere. The warm morning light through linen curtains. The clawfoot tub. The king bed that looks like it was styled by someone whose entire personality is "soft luxury." These details create images that feel editorial, intimate, and deeply personal all at once.

One Thing We Have to Be Real About: Permission Is Everything

We will only ever shoot at an Airbnb with the host's full, explicit permission. Full stop, no exceptions. This isn't just us being overly cautious. Most standard rental agreements don't automatically cover commercial photography, and shooting without permission is a quick way to get a booking cancelled and a host understandably frustrated. That's not the energy and really ruins the vibe. Plus then you or we are out a lot of $$$. Not ideal.

Our process when we want to use an Airbnb for a session looks like this:

1. We find properties with the right aesthetic for your vision

2. We reach out to the host before booking, explain who we are and what we do, and ask for permission in writing

3. Once we have a clear "yes," we book and get to work

4. We treat every space like it's our own home because that's just how we operate (and we want to be invited back!).

5. 
   

Honestly, a lot of hosts love it. When you show them the kind of work we create, it tends to be a pretty easy yes.

What We're Actually Looking For in a Great Rental Location

Because not every cute Airbnb is a photography dream, here's our checklist:

• Privacy — no ground-floor units with floor-to-ceiling windows facing a busy sidewalk, thanks

• Easy, discreet access — because showing up to your boudoir session shouldn't feel like a logistics puzzle

• A backdrop that fits the vibe you have requested. Bright natural light might not be ideal for a bondage-style boudoir session.

A Few More Fun Options While We're at It

Because why stop there?

Boutique Hotel Suites: Some hotels are totally open to hosting photography sessions, especially on slower weekdays. A gorgeous suite with velvet headboards and marble bathrooms? Yes please. Permission from management is always required — same rules as Airbnb apply here.

Your Own Home: This one is seriously underrated. If you love your space and feel comfortable there, shooting at home brings an energy that no rental can fully replicate. We've created some of our absolute favorite work in clients' own bedrooms, and there's something really special about that.

Outdoor Locations : Yes, boudoir can go outside! A private garden, a secluded lakeside spot, a sun-drenched patio — with the right timing and the right setting, it's absolutely magical. These sessions take a little more planning (we're watching that golden hour window like hawks), but the results can be jaw-dropping.

So... Which One Is Calling Your Name?

Here's my totally honest take (as if I've been lying this whole time): the best location is the one that makes you feel excited, comfortable, and a little bit like the main character. It'll make your vision come to life... or if you're a past client then it'll make my vision come to life since you likely DGAF where we go!

If you want zero stress and a perfectly polished experience, come to our Atlanta studio. If you have a specific aesthetic vision and want to go hunting for the perfect space together, let's explore Peerspace. And if you're dreaming of that moody, atmospheric, "where even am I and why do I look this good" energy, let's find you an Airbnb or a hotel (with permission, obviously).

Whatever you're feeling, we're in. Let's talk it through, build your vision, and create something you'll be obsessed with no matter where we end up shooting it.

Ready to figure out your perfect setup? Reach out here — we promise it'll be the most fun planning conversation you have this year.