My least favourite thing about living in London is light, or rather the lack of it. The sun never seems to shine on shoot days (or any other days for that matter), so when I get lucky and find a pocket of beautiful diffused sunlight, I feel like dancing. And shooting. I generally skip dancing and start shooting immediately because it never lasts long.
I knew ahead of time that I wanted to created a clean, simple set of images for each of the girls from this shoot day. I think portraiture like this is one of the best ways to show off natural beauty and personality. There’s no hiding behind lots of crazy wardrobe and makeup, and no complicated lighting setups or effects to distract from the subject. In some ways, I think this sort of photography can be the most intimidating, because if you screw it up there’s really nothing to hide behind. On the flip side, if you know what you’re doing and get it right, it’s perfection.
If you’re a soon to be bride, this sort of look is a gorgeous way to start off an album for your groom.
Each of these images was created in a beautiful little pocket of light in the corner of a very dirty warehouse. There’s a large grimy window to the left and white polyboard just to the right of the frame to angle light back onto Katrina’s face. The whole set was photographed in a really small space, maybe 4.5 feet wide at best, and the wall behind is just unfinished plaster. Simple, simple stuff. It’s really not about having loads of expensive kit, it’s just about knowing what to do with what you’ve got. I may have thrown a reflector in at some point too, can’t quite remember.
A simple black cotton lingerie set for this look. I think Katrina has a sort of “Sunday Morning” aura in these that is approachable but still just so impossibly beautiful. She’s classical music and a big mug of milky tea.
For the life of me, I’ll never understand why people don’t like redheads. I could photograph redheads every day for the rest of my life and not get tired of them.
Reason number 758 why you should let me photograph you; one day when you’re old and grey and feeling down about it, you can pull a portrait like this out and remember. Your memory might have gone by then too, so it really will be invaluable.
I feel like the black and white version of this photo on the left is somehow really different to the coloured version above. More artistic maybe? More evocative? At any rate, I’m loving these new grainy black and whites I’ve been experimenting with and I will probably stick with the technique for a while, so I hope you all like them too!
A very different set from the rest of Katrina’s boudoir shoot is coming up soon, and it’s not one to be missed. We’re bringing you sequins and dramatic lighting and the marching band turned very, very sexy. Follow me on instagram for sneak peeks: @stormy_rebelandromance
It’s going to be slick and shiny and much more in keeping with what Rebel & Romance Boudoir Photography is all about. Here’s a teensy sneak peek:
The thing is, it’s just one of those projects that never goes quite as expected or as quickly as one would hope. I’ve spent ages figuring out what look and feel I wanted since it’s part of a larger re-branding effort, and then even longer trying to find someone to hire to build it for me. It’s been a revolving set of problem doors – what platform is best? what about SEO? what about functionality? will I be able to make changes easily? I’m sorry, you want HOW MUCH and you still can’t give me what I want?
Long story short, I didn’t find anyone that filled me with confidence. So I’m just doing the damn thing myself. Le sigh.
The good new is I’m making real progress now, the bulk of the work is done and I think I’ll be in a position to launch fairly soon. I’m going to put this thing live before it’s ready, because that’s what all the entrepreneur people tell me to do. It’s a sort of “living document” anyway and bound to have lots of changes over then next year, so I guess there’s really no sense in waiting.
I will need a few beta testers. If you fancy having a first look and sharing your thoughts, or if you’ve worked with me in the past and are interested in being featured and sharing your experience, plllleeeasse give me a shout:)
London Boudoir Photography: Yvette in the warehouse in her smalls.
Bwah. Yvette makes me want to die my hair black and grow 80’s eyebrows. If only that would look half as good on me as it does on her. I’ve already had those eyebrows once, nobody needs to see that again.
I like Yvette. A lot. She’s got such a strong, beautiful face, and a gaze that seems to sink straight into your soul. A bit like Galadriel from Lord of the Rings. Oooh, was that too nerdy of a reference? I love this simple, soft look on her.
Anyway, I know you’ll all struggle to believe this, but Yvette was nervous for her boudoir photography session with me. Despite being a successful fashion model and and absolutely beautiful, she hasn’t done much lingerie work before. That, and she actually said to me, out loud, “I hate my body.” Now, that’s obviously silly of her because she looks incredible, and I’m sure Mrs. Y has plenty of days where she feels great. Still, I think it’s helpful to know that come shoot day she was battling the same self-doubt the rest of us do.
Yvette got into the groove quickly and was a dream to shoot, but I’ll use her as an excuse to mention something I’ve been wanting to say. Occasionally people make comments to me about “real women.” It’s often said in a way that demeans women who are slender, and that doesn’t help anyone feel better about anything. People seem to forget that models are even human sometimes. I work with models quite often so I have a different perspective – I meet them in person and see what they have to go through, we laugh and chat just like I do with any of my other clients. I do get it – it’s hard to feel like you can relate to models as a group, but they are women too. It if you’re feeling incredulous at the idea that a model might have a crisis of confidence, keep this in mind; their entire CAREER revolves around looking amazing. And they are just as “real” as anyone else is.
If your appearance is your job, you’re under constant pressure regarding how you look, especially when you consider that your career starts at 14 and ends at what, 30? When you take the time to think about it, it’s 100% understandable that even the most beautiful women could struggle under than kind of scrutiny. I do think that inside, we’re all basically the same. We have the same confidence issues, the same struggles. It doesn’t help any of us when we devalue a woman based on having a certain body type. We need to stick together girls. T-o-g-e-t-h-e-r. Anyway, I’ll step down off my soap box now!
Don’t you think Yvette has a very pretty profile? I told her than after taking this shot on the left, which she probably thought was a weird thing to say:)
For our next look, we went for a darker and more fashion-oriented feel. This makeup (courtesy of the ever talented Gemma) would be too strong for many, but it’s perfect on Yvette, who has the colouring and angular features to pull it off.
This is also a great example of an easy way to mix lingerie with everyday pieces to create an editorial feel. Katrina was our stylist for the day, and here she’s paired a custom, hand-detailed black bra with a black, patterned skirt. The skirt gives a little extra coverage, but it’s sheerness means it still reads as suggestive and sexy. Basically, the best of both worlds.
Yvette is all arms and legs and moody beauty here.
Okay….I know some of you hate snakes. But when you are lucky enough to have snakes on set, you USE THE SNAKES.
Yvette is in a green crushed velvet bodysuit, chunky black boots, and a furry black jacket. This is a great starting point for a boudoir photoshoot outfit that reads cool, urban, grungy, etc. It reminds me a bit of American Apparel, except more flattering (why do they make all the girls in their ads look so terrible?).
One snake, two snake:)
…and one last beautiful frame:) Mucho gracias to Katrina for excellent styling and snake charming.
To conclude the earlier thoughts I shared, I feel like I’m learning more about women and self confidence every day. The one idea I’m starting to come around to is that inhabiting your own skin comfortably is not about your shape, size, or age. It’s not about your weight or what other people say or don’t say about you. It’s just not. And that’s sort of sucky, because it’s so tempting and alluring to believe it could be that simple.
A diet is certainly an easier fix than the mental work required to change your opinion of yourself. So many of us live with this hope/illusion that if we could just lose ten pounds, if we could just get that boob job or get our wonky nose fixed or get rid of that birthmark that we would suddenly be so much happier. Maybe. Maybe not. Maybe the answer is more than skin deep.
I’m really interested in specific actions that lead to more self-confidence and less self-loathing in women. I don’t have the answers yet, but I know that a boudoir photo shoot certainly seems to help. I’m looking for ways I can amplify this effect for clients. If you have suggestions, personal experiences, or other avenues that have worked for you, I’d love to hear about them. Please share. We all need more:)
I’m over winter already. This could prove to be problematic since I’ve been told that winter is, in fact, still on it’s way. Are these people serious? If so, we really need to get someone on that. Winter ought to begin at the end of November, give us lots pretty snow on Christmas, and then finish it’s business by the new year. While we’re fixing things, let’s throw in some more sun too.
Anyway…I tell you that to tell you this: I stumbled across a beautiful editorial today. I’m researching ideas for a new project I’m about to start work on, and this little gem popped up on my screen. Titled “Called to the Barre,” there’s something intrinsically hopeful about a spring colour palette, and this one has a certain lightness that reminds you spring will come, eventually, even if winter (apparently) hasn’t even started yet.
A brief that references ballerinas and lots of tulle could so easily become trite and naive, but it’s been brilliantly interpreted here. Published in the December 2013 issue of “How To Spend It,” this set of images was styled by Damian Foxe and photographed by Andrew Yee. Hairstyles created by Shlomi Mor and makeup by Robert Greene bring out the very best in the models cast; Alexa Yudina, Ana Buljevic, Anastasia Ivanova, Anne-Sofie List, Ilva Hetmann, Maria Borges, Regina Krilow, Stephanie Hall, Vasilisa Pavolva, and Veranika Antsipava.
I’ve included all the wardrobe information for each look, because I always think it’s interesting to see which elements have been pulled from designers and which are just everyday items. Each time I read that an item is the “stylist’s own” or “vintage” I am reminded of the time when my most fashionable childhood friend patiently explained to a thirteen year old me that, “Magazines only put that if it’s actually really cheap or they don’t know where it came from. It looks better.”
She was the first one of us to wear pointy toed shoes and know how to correctly pronounce Yves Saint Laurent, so I’ve never doubted her on this.
I think it’s the layering of textures that really makes these images sing. That corset is amazing too. I love how it’s not even done up but still manages to look great. I might steal that idea actually.
Left: Wolford cotton-mix body, £99. Louis Vuitton hammered-silk and lace dress, £2, 410. Bloch nylon tulle and spandex tutu, £44.95. Vintage corset, stylist’s own. Right: Jenny Packham beaded stretch crepe blouse, £1, 680. Oscar de la Renta silk organza gown with feather and crystal embroidery, £7,175. Repetto cotton ballet shoes, £19.
This image on the left is a perfect example of how you can create a sexy, evocative feel without revealing too much. One key lingerie piece (the pink bustier) gets the point across regardless of how much else you choose to show or not show.
Killer gams? Let’s show them off with a flowy dress and a wind machine. The fancy plie is optional. Also, I’ve been on a lot of photo shoots. I can pretty much bet that “stylist’s own” headband on the right is a bit of extra material they found somewhere on set or at the bottom of a fabric bag. Don’t get me wrong, I think it’s perfect. That’s just how the creative process works sometimes – you have to leave room for inspiration and spontaneity or everything gets boring.
Left: Wolford ribbed cotton and nylon tights (worn over arms), £30. Nina Ricci silk dress, £2,240. Repetto cotton canvas and leather ballet shoes, £19. Right: Ralph & Russo Haute Couture French Chantilly lace gown with rose gold embellishment, price on request. Repetto tulle tutu, £90, and cotton canvas and leather ballet shoes (just seen), £24. Headband, stylist’s own.
Not a single expensive shoe in this editorial. That must be a first.
I love everything about this image. So pretty and soft, but still mysterious and effortlessly cool. I’d highly recommend this model’s manicure if you’re dreaming of a boudoir shoot with a similar feel – it’s neutral and pretty, but goes with everything.
Also, this Lanvin tulle is killing me. I really need to learn to sew – surely it can’t be that hard to create a piece like this for shoots, right? The edges aren’t even finished. If any of you have mad sewing skills and fancy a project, please let me know:) Pictures of your fantastic creation on the house!
P.S. There are lots of exciting things happening with Rebel & Romance Boudoir Photography in 2014. I don’t want to jinx anything, but stay tuned. If you want a sneak peek, follow my on Instagram. I’m @stormy_rebelandromance
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