VIP TREATMENT: Shoreditch 5 star hotel with Lainara

Our venue was the Courthouse Hotel in Shoreditch, a gorgeous, new-ish, 5 star glamazon I’m now in love with. For my fellow Americans, you’ll feel right at home- they’ve got the best customer service I’ve encountered in the whole of London.

Lainara’s shoot wardrobe came entirely from ASOS, my online retailer of choice (lol, but really). I bought their £10/year shipping deal a few months ago, and it’s been a game-changer. You just pay £10 and then everything you order for the next year is shipped next day delivery for free. This is a UK only deal, but I’m told most of the USA has a similar offer if you’re near a major city. If you’re further out, they offer the same deal with a slightly longer timeframe. I needed them this time especially, because we were let down by a lingerie brand who was meant to be supplying wardrobe…two days before this shoot. I ordered everything from my phone at 11PM and it arrived at my door the following afternoon.

I’ll add all the wardrobe details below in case you would like to use this shoot as inspiration for your own wardrobe. Just be aware that some of these styles are currently out of stock. The red set is available in different colours and styles, all of them really nice. Also, be careful with the black bodysuit if it does come back in, because we found it very, very small to size. Lainara could barely squeeze into the one we ordered for her, and there was no chance of doing up the back. I’d go at least one size up, probably two. The return policy is good anyway so you can get a few options and send what doesn’t work back.

We also did a set of images in the bathtub. Bathtub boudoir is a little tricky to pull off, but it’s lots of fun too. Some clients were a bikini, some just go starkers under as many bubbles as we can magic up.

Lainara’s hair was done by my new favourite session stylist Natalia Souza, who works an actual bloody miracle. The lovely Sadaf Ahmed was on set for gorgeous skin and smokey eye perfection. Thanks again girls, always a pleasure working with you both!

On a personal note, I’m really pleased with the lighting on these images. I’m not a technically minded photographer, so it may be years until I feel 100% confident with studio lighting, but I’m feeling a bit more confident with each shoot. And I’ve narrowed it down to one (very heavy) backpack and one light stand bag, so that’s a plus!

xx Stormy