London Boudoir Photography: Mika’s Old Hollywood Glamour Boudoir Photo Shoot
As many of you know already, I try to do photo shoots with models fairly often. It’s a great way to get fresh material for the blog, as many of you are not so keen on being plastered all over the internet in your smalls. It’s also the best way for me to test out new sets and techniques, trial new support staff, and to just generally play and be creative without the pressure of delivering a full set of album worthy images.
Test shoots are always useful and usually quite fun, but every once in a while something magical happens….the stars align, the universe bends in my favour, and the most beautiful images leap into being. I thought I was the only one who experienced this, but I’ve recently discovered that one of my very favourite wedding photographers, Jasmine Star, has a specific term in reference to this phenomenon. When it happens to her, she calls it “the Unicorn Wedding.” HA! Us photographers, we’re all so weird.
So without further ado…below are the results of my Old Hollywood Glamour themed London Boudoir Photography test shoot. We did this just a few days ago, and I have to send much love to Mika, who was our beautiful model for the day, and to Debbie from MAC, who did an absolutely fantastic job. Hairstyling by yours truly:)
Oh hello BOMBSHELL.
Beautiful catlike eyeliner and a bright matte red lip give this look punch. Matching nails never hurts either.
This fan has been hanging around the studio for ages, but I never let anyone use it. It seems so cheesy. I think it works perfectly here though, so I’ll be relaxing my ban on the fan in the future.
The prettiest eyes you ever did see. Well, eye. The prettiest eye you ever did see.
Mika brought this polka dotted number with her, and I thought it was perfect for an Old Hollywood Glamour themed London Boudoir Photography session. For me, the trick to vintage looks is to give the era a good nod, but don’t go all out. It’s good to maintain a bit of modern style as well.
Oh how I wish I was blonde…
While we only did one outfit for this London Boudoir Photography test shoot, I still wanted to have a bit of variation. These blue toned looks are a little more edgy, but still playful.
The image on the left reminds me of Lola Bunny:)
Mika was such a trooper. I made her pose up against the freezing windows and lie on the cold hard floor, and she didn’t complain even once. My kind of model!
Just two last frames, as I cannot get over this makeup! Genius.
xx
Stormy
P.S. Just in case this post has made you depressed, I’m including a photo of Mika looking like a normal human:)
Have Mika’s images inspired you to start planning your own London Boudoir Photography Session with Rebel & Romance Boudoir?
I hope so! A London Boudoir Photography session is such a fun and rewarding experience! I’d suggest having a look through the information on this website to get the feel for how it all works. Then have a good think about the real reasons why you’re interested in doing this – sometimes it’s just to create a show stopping gift, but usually there’s a deeper motive as well – maybe you’re in need of some extra confidence, maybe you’d like to feel younger/hotter/more in control, maybe you’re just looking for a great excuse to go lingerie shopping….whatever your motives, I want to hear them. Give me a ring, tell me all, and we’ll get to work! This time of year books up quickly, so the sooner we can pencil you in on my calendar the better:)
London Boudoir Photography : June’s Boudoir Photo Shoot and Tattoo Photography
As a photographer, it’s a beautiful thing to see your work in magazines. The pages are so glossy, you get to imagine complete strangers around the world oohing and aahhing at your work, editors say nice things to you, and so on and so forth. Ahhh. I imagine it must be how actors and singers feel when they see their name in lights.
The downside to having anything published in print is that it’s often a very long, drawn out process. For example, these images were created over a year ago. You read that correctly, an entire year ago. I’ve been sitting impatiently ever since the shoot was marked “a go” and finally finally finally I’ve been told that they have been released and printed and published. Wooo!
If you’re USA based, you should be able to see this London Boudoir Photography and Tattoo Photography Editorial in an issue of Rebel Ink Magazine this week (available at WalMart I’m told). Unfortunately Rebel Ink is not available in the UK, but (fingers crossed) I’ll have a few tear sheets to share with you all soon.
This shoot features the inked up model June Summer, a Germany native, and makeup artist and hairstylist Goshka Topolska, who were both great girls to work with.
June was one of my first Tattoo Photography assignments, and it was great to be able to capture such interesting and vibrant tattoos and designs, all within the frame of my own artwork, London Boudoir Photography. June is so beautiful as well – such a pretty face!
Tattoo Photography tends to be quite harsh and contrasty. Seedy even. I wanted to show a softer side of June and of inked girls in general, so we used a white and cream palette, and plenty of natural light.
Pastel shades of pink and purple eye makeup and a pouty glossed lip also helped us show a feminine perspective for June’s London Boudoir Photography Session.
I quite like June’s skull piece, very McQueen-esque. That said, I’m a fan of her Hula girl as well!
A few of these images won’t be featured in the editorial. Apparently, even implied topless images are not allowed at WalMart. Oops;)
A few images from outside. I looooove June’s robe here, it reminds me of Marilyn Monroe for some reason! If any of you USA based R&R girls happen to stumble across a copy of these images in Rebel Ink, I’d be ever so grateful for a few snaps!
xx
Stormy
Are you interested in your very own London Boudoir Photography Session?
Whether you’re an inked up hottie looking for great tattoo photography, or totally afraid of needles, I’d love to set up a fabulous Boudoir Photo Shoot with you! Please feel free to give me a ring, and I’ll walk you through all the details, from how to prepare, to what to wear, and everything else.
London Boudoir Photography: Erin’s Boudoir Photo Shoot
Blogland, I’m so pleased to introduce you to the Erin today.
Erin is universally likeable, and such a lovely, fun person to be around. I’ve had the chance to photograph her twice now, and I like her more every time I see her. Erin is originally from New Zealand, but has been calling London home for ages. Alas, she’s leaving our little island of rain for a whirlwind tour around the world with her husband. Afterward, their plan is to settle down under the Australian sun and get to business regaining an appropriate tan and maybe even hatching a few beautiful babies. I’m SO SAD to see her go, but beyond excited for her as well. Their first stop is Austin, Texas, and I’ve given her strict instructions to eat everything in sight. Especially the Texas Skillet Fries.
So, in celebration of a life well lived in this city, Erin and I planned a fabulous London Boudoir Photography Session to send her off! We didn’t tell her husband what we were up to, but rumor has it he was well pleased with our shenanigans.
Big, beautiful long hair, and an off the shoulder top make for very pretty London Boudoir Photography images! Having what might be the best set of legs this side of the Atlantic doesn’t hurt either;)
At Erin’s request, we used a set of clip in extensions to compensate for a recent haircut snaffu. You know the one – you ask for a few inches off and leave having lost a foot of hair? The trick with extensions is to buy real hair, not synthetic or artificial, and to match the colour as closely as possible to your own. If you’ve got time, you can even dye them yourself or have your hairdresser lend a hand. It’s well worth the effort. If you get the right set, no one will ever suspect you’ve got them in!
My favourite image from the day!
I loved this black lace set Erin wore. You just can’t go wrong with all black, it’s always elegant and sexy.
Such a beautiful, happy Erin.
Abs to die for! I asked her what her secret was, and she said it’s pole dancing classes! I’ve been hearing this a lot lately, and it’s starting to tempt me…I’m pretty sure I’d be absolute crap at it though.
Don’t her eyes look great? If you’ve never had your makeup done by a pro, you’re in for a real treat at your first London Boudoir Photography session!
It’s a bit tricky getting into this pose and making it look comfortable, but Erin nailed it.
To finish up, we decided to do something fun and colourful. I pulled out my Indian Summer set, which you may remember from Debbie’s London Boudoir Photography Session a few months ago.
I love this Bohemian sort of look, and it suits Erin perfectly, especially as she’s wearing a pink and black corset and a whole mess of mismatched jewelry.
Beautiful, beautiful Erin, you’re always such a pleasure to work with! I’m sending you my very best wishes for your travels and the future, and am crossing my fingers I’ll get to photograph you again in sunny Australia in the next few years!
xx
Stormy
Thinking about your own London Boudoir Photography Session with Rebel & Romance Boudoir Photography?
I’d love to chat details with you! Each and every Rebel & Romance Boudoir Photo Shoot is a little bit different as it’s tailored specifically to suit you, but it’s always lots of girly fun and a real confidence-boosting experience. The easiest way to get started it simply to give me (Stormy) a ring at 07799 390468, so I can answer all your questions and explain how everything works. I’d be delighted to help you plan a fantastic London Boudoir Photography experience, just let me know how I can help!
London Boudoir Photography: Annie’s Dark and Mysterious Boudoir Photo Shoot
Miss A is a professional dancer (the respectable has been training since she could walk type of dancer, not the type that works after dark and takes payment in small notes). Miss A has recently changed her hair colour from a sunny blonde to a dark and mysterious brunette. You’d be surprised how much a dancer’s physical appearance factors into what jobs they do and doesn’t get. So with new hair ready, Annie was in dire need of some great images to update her portfolio. When she in touch and explained her dilemma to me, I welcomed her to the dark side with open arms, and we got busy planning an fun but edgy, fashion-forward session.
In preparation for our amazing shoot, we met up at a coffee shop for hair and makeup that morning. In an out of the way place at 9AM, you’d think we would be able to enjoy a quiet, relaxed atmosphere and caffeinate ourselves in peace. However, for the better part of an hour we were treated to the ramblings of a strange man, who talked SO loudly that he just would not be ignored. He was that particular sort of person that does not require an audience for a conversation, if you’re within earshot, you’re his target. Despite repeated and obvious attempts to indicate we weren’t interested in having an extended chat with him, we were lectured about all manner of BS, including a speech about how he knows all the dirty little secrets behind the Olympic Stadium (?) and how he’s worked for millionaires in Dubai, what he thinks about Boris, and loads of other rubbish. He even interrupted the people next to us several times, who were clearly in the middle of an interview.
Then it started to rain. Hard.
What’s that they say about best laid plans again?
But we would not be deterred! We escaped Mr. Loudmouth, got out our brollies out, and walked to our shoot location in the rain. As you do:)
This is one of my favourite spots for outdoor sessions, and a great little hideaway for a London Boudoir Photography session of your own. There are usually a few runners on the main path, but plenty of little places to shoot off the beaten track. It’s been my experience that runners are pretty camera shy anyway, they usually steer well clear of me.
Unfortunately, it was still raining, but we made it work.
Fall is my favourite time of year to shoot here too, such pretty Autumn colours. I loved photographing Annie, she’s just so darn NICE to everyone.
Who else is jealous of Miss A’s abs? I know it’s not just me…
Annie has an A line hair cut at the moment, but she’s planning to grow it out. Since these London Boudoir Photography images were primarily for sending off to castings and her agents (and getting Miss A PAID), we used extensions in most of her images to future proof them. Don’t you think she looks so different? I feel like I photographed two people!
Miss A wore an effortless, cool wardrobe of black jean shorts, a scallop edged black bra, and an oversized button down blouse. We paired this look with on-trend chunky heeled boots, because they look great, and also because stilettos are mighty difficult to wear in the mud.
I really love layering outfits with a blouse like this. It gives us the option to cover up bits you’re not fond of, and also gives you something to do with your hands.
For our second wardrobe look, we really went for it. Annie had created a Pinterest board for me with images she liked, so I knew exactly what she was looking for.
We went for a very dark makeup look. It’s not my first choice for most London Boudoir Photography sessions, but it was what the fashion doctor ordered for Miss A, and I think it looks great on her. I love that image of her on the left, such a stunning pair of eyes!
Besides, if you’re going to be hanging out under a bridge in the rain, you may as well look the part, right? Love these – so very different from the perky preppy blonde persona she had been projecting before.
I loved this dress too, which we all agreed was very ‘a la Florence – a black lace cross and sleeves with a waterfall hem. Can you believe it’s just another bargain bin winner from H&M?
Just a few more of the beautiful Miss A. She told me she hates her legs, and I promptly told her to shut up.
You don’t have to show off a lot of skin to look stunning and sexy. Have I proven this to you yet?
Miss A, you were awesome. Thanks for being such a good sport about the coffee shop drama and all the rain, it’s definitely paid off with really strong images:) Next time, we’ll shoot somewhere sunny and warm, and we’ll have coffee and tea in a proper Starbucks or something, haha!
xx
Stormy
Ready to book your own London Boudoir Photography Session?
Whether you’re aiming to look dark and mysterious like Miss A, or sweet and sassy, I’d love to help you plan an amazing London Boudoir Photography experience that will leave you feeling exhilarated and confident. Boudoir photographs make great gifts for a partner or husband, and are the perfect escape for busy Mums. If you’d like to find out more about how it all works, I’d be happy to talk your ear off about it. I really love what I do, and I’m confident you’ll love what a Rebel & Romance Boudoir Photography Session can do for you and the way you feel about yourself.
Please feel free to give me a ring (07799390468) or drop me an email, and let’s get to to planning an amazing London Boudoir Photography session for you!
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