Boudoir in Room 24, Lisbon Art Stay
Yuliya Panchenko, Lisbon, and the Lens That Saw It All
Boudoir with Konica Auto S2 Directed by Yuliya Panchenko.
There are cities where art hangs on walls. And then there’s Lisbon, where art lives in the air—where windows open to fado melodies, dancing strangers, and the scent of espresso and pastel de nata that rises with the morning light.
This is where Yuliya Panchenko found herself.
This is where she opened her curtains and let the world in.
Boudoir with Konica Auto S2 Directed by Yuliya Panchenko.
Lisbon Art Stay Hotel: The Room That Sees You
In the heart of downtown Lisbon—just a stone's throw from Rua Augusta and the rhythm of Bella Ciao played by a barefoot guitarist—you’ll find the Lisbon Art Stay Hotel. An art gallery disguised as a hotel, it celebrates expression, rebellion, and the unexpected.
But there’s one room that deserves its own spotlight.
Room 24.
Where the shower is visible from the bedroom through a cheeky interior window, veiled only by a curtain that dares you to raise it.
Yuliya did.
And when she did, she turned the entire room into her personal stage.
Boudoir with Konica Auto S2 Directed by Yuliya Panchenko.
The Camera: Konica Auto S2
In her hand? The Konica Auto S2, a 1960s rangefinder with a sharp 45mm f/1.8 Hexanon lens—known for capturing intimacy with precision. Its quiet mechanics and razor clarity make it a favorite for street and boudoir photography alike. Perfect for a city that whispers stories in every shadow.
Boudoir with Konica Auto S2 Directed by Yuliya Panchenko.
Boudoir with Konica Auto S2 Directed by Yuliya Panchenko.
Boudoir with Konica Auto S2 Directed by Yuliya Panchenko.
The Film: Ilford SFX200 (And Why She Regrets It)
For this session, Yuliya loaded her camera with Ilford SFX200, a high-contrast, infrared-style black and white film. While the grain and tone created some beautifully eerie frames, the film wasn’t made for Lisbon’s shimmering light.
“I wanted to capture the reflections in the windows—the buildings, the city, the soul of Lisbon,” Yuliya shared.
But instead, the reflective light from the glass blew out the highlights, leaving only shadows behind.
Note to photographers: If you're shooting in this space, go for a more forgiving stock—Ilford HP5 or Delta 400 would be the better companions.
Boudoir with Konica Auto S2 Directed by Yuliya Panchenko.
Boudoir with Konica Auto S2 Directed by Yuliya Panchenko.
Boudoir in an Art Box
Yuliya wasn’t just staying in the room—she became a part of it.
From sipping espresso in sheer lingerie beneath bold Portuguese light, to perching in the wardrobe—her legs replacing the mannequin’s—this session danced between avant-garde and sensual storytelling.
Some images felt like a fever dream: her silhouette through the shower window, her blazer hanging as if dressing the void.
Others were classic Yuliya: high heels, high contrast, high voltage.
Boudoir with Konica Auto S2 Directed by Yuliya Panchenko.
Prepping the Vision: Mood Boarding with a Phone
Before a single frame was exposed, Yuliya Panchenko did what every analog artist in the digital age should—she crafted a mood board with her phone.
In the soft Lisbon light, surrounded by velvet walls, gilded mirrors, and surreal art, she began capturing digital test shots to explore light angles, poses, and how her lingerie and the room's elements interacted. The reflections, the odd shapes, the wardrobe layout—it all had potential, but it needed thought.
“With film, you don’t guess. You build a vision. And sometimes, that vision starts in your iPhone’s camera roll.”
She walked through Room 24 with a photographer's curiosity and a stylist’s eye—mapping out compositions, studying where the shadows fell, how her body aligned with architecture. The phone became her pre-visualization tool, allowing her to play with light and concept before committing it to the unforgiving permanence of Ilford SFX200.
This careful planning gave her session that mix of spontaneity and structure—the kind of balance that separates a photo from a piece of art.
The Vibe: Mornings in Lisbon
Every morning in Room 24 feels like poetry. The street below fills with life from every corner of the world. Lovers walk hand in hand. Travelers journal from balconies. Artists sketch strangers at cafés.
And then there’s that smell:
fresh coffee and creamy pastel de nata floating in like a warm welcome.
Lisbon is a city of contradictions—old yet young, quiet but alive, traditional but aching for freedom. And boudoir belongs here, even if the city doesn’t know it yet.
Yuliya’s Takeaway
“I’ve never felt so inspired by a space and a city at once. Lisbon still hides when it comes to boudoir, but art hotels like this... they’re opening the curtain.”
Boudoir with Konica Auto S2 Directed by Yuliya Panchenko.
Conclusion
Whether you're a boudoir photographer or a curious traveler with a vintage camera in hand, Lisbon Art Stay Hotel offers more than a place to sleep—it gives you a frame to create in. So next time you find yourself in Lisbon, ask to stay in Room 24—trust us, it’s the crown jewel of Lisbon Art Stay Hotel. Bring a forgiving film, preferably ISO 400 or higher; avoid infrared like Ilford SFX200 unless you're chasing mood over detail. Shoot early, when golden light spills over the terracotta rooftops and the city hums itself awake. And above all, leave the windows open—let the music, the breeze, and the spirit of Lisbon drift in. It’s not just atmosphere; it’s part of your scene.
And don’t forget to raise the shower curtain.
