These days, many of my shoots are set in really interesting locations around London – things like disused warehouses, fancy hotel suites, or curated private residences. I like lots of natural light, rich textures, moody interiors, anything that lifts a shoot to a more editorial place. However, this studio boudoir photography session in London with Amy is proof that you don’t NEED that to create something solid.
A showstopper location is a fun bonus, not a requirement. A simple studio is fine. We also don’t need a fancy set build out, or really cool props, or expensive wardrobe. We don’t even need natural light (although this will always stress me out a bit lol!).
All we really have to have is you, and a decent studio with some lights if at all possible.
This is Amy, who is funny and beautiful and seemingly up for all my crazy ideas (thank you Amy!). Our first shoot was a last minute thing we threw together. It was mainly just for me to try out a new makeup artist, so the location was… a budget airport hotel room. So glam. I should blog that shoot though; it turned out really nice.
And listen, I am the first one to admit I’ve become a bit of a location snob. I wish we could only hire the best for everyone. I think you all DESERVE the best. But it’s not realistic. To be honest, a sprawling location is often too much of a good thing anyway. We don’t have time to use half of it, and it can feel really rushed trying to squeeze everything in.
Why Studio Boudoir Works
As part of my snobbery rehabilitation program, I’m making more of an effort to shoot in studios. It still feels like a challenge. I learned photography on location (well, a farmer’s field and random small town brick walls), and then I massively favoured natural light for about a decade, so the studio will maybe never feel quite like home. Basically, the weather never scares me, but a six light setup does.
I also have some lingering studio PTSD. It’s a funny story; I booked my first studio time before I had ANY IDEA what I was doing. Like literally any idea, I am not exaggerating. I got talked into sharing a booking with another amateur photographer and thought “well what’s the worst that could happen?”. Turns out I didn’t know what sync speed was, so I spent the first 10 min randomly changing settings to try to get the big black rectangle to go away LOL HOW EMBARRASSING FOR ME. Don’t worry, I did the shoot for free. I ended up reshooting anyway (outside) because you can imagine how the rest of that hour went.
Anyway, I am much better now lol! For this shoot, we were after a clean, modern aesthetic. Simple, but beautiful, with good lighting and cool poses.
I find a studio strips everything back and keeps the focus firmly on the subject. It’s a bit more intimidating to start (nowhere to hide), but it can be really powerful. If you’re after a strong silhouette, crisp focus, dramatic light that is guaranteed and repeatable, or a wide variety of looks and styles, you absolutely cannot beat a studio.
The Setup
We used an infinity cove, which is basically a big white rounded corner. They build out a special area where the floor blends seamlessly into the walls, and there’s a curved wall with no lines. It gives a really clean look with nothing to catch the eye. It’s a setup you see in high-fashion editorials, magazine covers, lots of lookbooks and catalog shoots, music videos, etc.
My normal M.O. on location is natural light with a studio light for fill. If it’s too dark for that, I tend to use my flash as a main light, plus whatever natural light, ambient light, or table lamps we have around. But in a studio, you get to/have to build the whole lighting situation from scratch.
For Amy’s session, I was very strict with myself about having no natural light. I literally pulled every single black out curtain. It is entirely against my nature to do so, but I’m glad I did it.
We used two studio flashes with reflectors in a variety of configurations, a few polyboards to bounce and shape the light, and towards the end of the session, a third light on a boom arm at 90 degrees with a giant octabox. The last one is a setup I’ve been wanting to try for a while, and it did give us a really cool look. I felt it was kind of one note though, which was surprising because photographers seem to love it so much.
One of the nice things about studio setups is that you can completely change the mood of an image just by moving a light. One position is soft and flattering, the next is dramatic and so sharp. Even with the same wardrobe, same background, etc. you can get a totally different feel.
Wardrobe Doesn’t Have to Be Complicated
Wardrobe was super simple for this shoot. We did just two looks: first, a classic black bodysuit. You can find these everywhere now, and they photograph like a dream. Bodysuits are one of my most frequent suggestions because you have so many options, from fully sleeved to sleeveless, low cut to halter, sheer or lace or leather or whatever.
For the second look, we did something a little more dramatic with a corset and simple knickers, elbow-length gloves, stockings, and a (faux) diamond choker necklace. This is a good lesson in how simple accessories can completely change a look.
Also – how expensive is her corset? Is it custom made? Are her heels designer? Are the diamonds real? You can’t really tell, and this is a point I always try to make during pre-shoot consultations. The only real measure is how things fit, and how they photograph. By all means, buy the Louboutins if you fancy them, but please don’t feel like you HAVE to.
The Black and White Edit
I’m normally quite partial to colour, but this shoot was planned as a mostly black and white finish. Studio lighting lends itself to this well because the light is so controlled. I knew I wanted to do some strongly backlit setups too, and the conditions for those are really hard to find out in the wild.
Is a Studio Shoot Right for You?
It might be! There are pros and cons, so it often depends on your specific preferences and our goals for the shoot.
Some things are hands down way easier with a studio. The weather for example – it’s a total non-issue. Studios are also very easy to schedule, available last minute at all hours, and there’s a decent one in every part of town. They allow for control, and for a blank canvas.
What they almost never give you is the instant wow factor. It’s just a hired photo studio, you know? It’s designed to be a blank canvas, so you’re very unlikely to walk in and feel inspired the way you would with an amazing period location, cat lounging on a velvet cushion, sunlight streaming in, candles lit, etc. In a studio, you have to make all the magic yourself; it’s totally possible, but it takes a little more trust for the uninitiated. I think it’s much more important to walk in with a plan and a mood board.
Studio boudoir sessions are available with a £525 session fee, which includes your pre-shoot consultation and full shoot planning, wardrobe guidance, professional hair and makeup, full posing coaching, and your private image reveal. Get in touch to find out more or to book your session.
This romantic couples photoshoot in London fell together like it was meant to be. Karolina is the incredibly talented independent lingerie designer of Karolina Laskowska Lingerie, and her partner Andrew had an effortlessly cool vibe to match. I’ve known about Karolina’s work for ages, but we’d never had the chance to meet, so I was beyond please when this went on the calendar.
A Dark, Moody Hotel with Serious Character
This location is over the top – it has to be one of London’s most unique hotel rooms.
Pros and cons though, because I’m barely exaggerating when I say it’s so dark in there you can barely see your own hands. Deep red walls, no overhead lighting, rich textures everywhere. It gave the whole shoot a theatrical, almost “Romeo and Juliet” quality that I loved. The hair game was strong too, with Karolina’s incredible mermaid-length hair and Andrew’s curls. I’ve decided to call the aesthetic of this shoot “Capulet Cool.”
Because Karolina is a real life lingerie designer, she brought all her own pieces for the shoot. There’s something magical about the craftsmanship and effort that goes into bespoke clothing. In my dreams, the matriarchy rises, we get the best case scenario with AI, and we all magically have the means and occasions to wear couture. And obviously the creatives flourish.
Two Looks, One Incredible Shoot
For the first look, Karolina wore this stunning sparkly blue ensemble. It’s a custom design from her Ephyra collection and if you’d like a set of your own, it will be available soon at Jane’s Vanity. The blue and red is a colour combination I’ve never really considered before, but I love how it turned out here.
I always like to get a few individual images during a couple’s shoot. As Andrew mentioned on set, the wardrobe options for men are often kind of boring and basic. We need to get more creative with this. My hope is that as I do more couples shoots (I swore off them for years bc creepers lol), we’ll stumble on some great ideas for the men. For now, we did topless, a white button down, and a jacket, and he looks fab in all three.
We moved to the second look, which I could not have planned better if I tried.
Sometimes things just fall into place, and this was one of those shoots. I had no idea what Andrew even looked like until he turned up. I didn’t know what clothing they were bringing, and I certainly didn’t know there was going to be an honest-to-God, actual Catholic-style confessional in the room!
But then the pair of them turned up looking like Shakespearean beauties, Karolina brought the most perfect chantilly lace corset with a matching capelet and amazing red stockings that made everything feel modern and unapologetic, and we used a phone to light the cross on the confessional (Andrew’s idea!). It’s edgy and forbidden and delicious, if I do say so myself.
No I in Team
What I loved most about this session was how collaborative it felt. It’s easy to get sucked into a competition mindset, but at the top, no one is competing – we are collaborating. It’s an honour to be part of a team on that wavelength.
As usual, I mixed natural light with flash for this shoot. I did all the black and white conversions with lots of big, gritty grain, which suits the mood perfectly. And towards the end, I wanted to capture Karolina’s cream look in a variety of ways, so we played around with some different options to create range.
Your Romantic Couples Photoshoot in London
If this session has you thinking about booking a romantic couples photoshoot in London, I would love to hear from you. Whether it’s an anniversary, a celebration, or just because, a couples session with me works exactly like my solo boudoir shoots: same experience, same attention to detail, same editorial approach – just with two of you! We always do a pre-shoot consultation, professional hair and makeup, expert coaching and guidance, etc. The aim is a set of images that feel like they belong in a magazine, and that thrill you half to death.
Sometimes, the way you grew up and the way you want to live your adult life become painfully at odds. The expectations of your culture or religion, or even just your family, can become way too heavy to live under. I have some experience in this myself; my parents were not in favour of some of the decisions I made in my early twenties. In fact, when I decided to become a boudoir photographer, my dad kindly suggested that I should join the military instead (we were at war?!). Years later, even though I was objectively successfully and offering boudoir photography in Suffolk, London, New York, Paris, and other exciting destinations worldwide, as well as maintaining a business in London, they were still referring to it as “my little photography hobby.”
After more than a decade of business, international recognition, etc., they occasionally still ask, “So, are you still doing those photo shoots?”
No ma, I’m an exotic beekeeper. *eyeroll* Honestly, what do they think I do all day lol?
Anyway, the point is, you have to make the big life decisions for yourself.
The process of forging your own way is rarely one moment though. It’s ten thousand small choices, each one with it’s own string of guilt, freedom, shame, rebellion, empowerment, etc. I know I’ve spoken rather lightly of a career path, but many of these expectations are super heavy and come with really weighty consequences. I know a bit about that too. Sometimes, stepping away means losing everything, and it might not even feel like a choice you’re making – just the only option you can live with.
This session was a little bit about the journey of untangling yourself from the expectations of others – the ones they say out loud, and the ones you’ve swallowed without realising it.
Elaxana’s shoot: boudoir photography in Suffolk
This is Elaxana, a stunning British South Asian woman with a gentle vibe and a show-stopping smile. We chose her home in Suffolk as our shoot location; a comfortable, easy setting perfect for a first time shoot.
Here’s what she had to say;
“I’ve been raised to believe my body didn’t belong to me; my body was always for someone else, something else. My puberty ceremony (samathi veedu) when I was 13 years old had marked me as the familial mannequin carrying all reputation. I could never fully say that my body belonged to me for so long. I felt it was important to grab that control back and claim my own body for myself. No more living as a parents’ extension, no more audiences and critiques. No more judgments, no more monitoring, no more sticking to certain body shapes and numbers. To this day, that ceremony haunts me because I’m remembering how I had given up all freedom, all independence, all basic needs and emotions to look like this ‘good girl’ that I never wanted to be. It marked the ban of being an average person forever. It marked never having a form of identity of any kind and any growing individuality was completely wiped out.
Doing a boudoir photoshoot meant saying goodbye to people pleasing, goodbye to the “what will they think/ say?”, goodbye to approvals, goodbye to prying eyes and hands, goodbye to nosy aunties and lurking uncles, goodbye to honour and “good name”. I very badly wanted to flip the narrative and have my own version of facing womanhood for the first time, by myself, ever.
I thought being a woman meant being plagued with issues and bad words. I thought being a woman meant getting yourself trapped under a man good or bad in the name of marriage. I thought being a woman meant being an ongoing sexual object. I thought being a woman meant being the strong one at all times, to the point where you’re numb to every pain possible. I thought being a woman meant submission, obedience, voiceless, emotional shackles and chains.
I’m so relieved and glad at how wrong I am. I don’t have to put up with issues and bad words constantly. I don’t have to be with that person if I don’t want to at all. I don’t have to act or pose myself as a sexual being if I’m not interested. I’m allowed to be weak, fragile and vulnerable. I’m allowed to have emotions,a voice, mind and body for myself.
It’s such an honour to work with women like this, because I feel an uncanny sort of sisterhood with them. I’m not from a South Asian background, nor a Muslim or Orthodox Jewish one, but I was raised in a high-demand, high-expectation, (and let’s be honest, low-key cult) religion. It had something to say about every single aspect of my life. So when I meet women with a similar background, I get in a way most people don’t. If you know, you know!
I’m not saying boudoir photography is always the answer, but it’s certainly a dark horse. From the outside it looks like adult dress up, with fancy lingerie, great makeup, stilettos, lights, cool locations, etc. And it is all those things. But under the hood, we’re casually chipping away at generational trauma and inherited body shame in a way normal therapy just can’t touch. No need to take my word for it though, have a read through previous clients’ testimonials instead.
Home boudoir photography in Suffolk: my favourite images
Elaxana’s partner sorted wardrobe for her, and we had a lovely, relaxed shoot at her home. She wanted to keep things simple and feel like herself, and I think we did that and more.
Although I think they will never look at this spare room quite the same again;)
A champagne wrap like this is a fab addition to any shoot wardrobe, especially if you’d like something that feels elevated but comfortable. Go for silk if you’re thinking investment piece, otherwise, a satin one does the same job and is machine-washable.
If a better boudoir prop for a shoot like this exists, I don’t know about it. Aunties everywhere clutching their pearls.
When you’ve got skin like this, it’s no clothes, no problem.
And a little colour for good measure.
Elaxana, you really inspired me. Thank you again for your courage and such a beautiful shoot.
If you grew up with lots of rules and expectations, or you were made to feel like X or Y thing dictated your worth, could a great boudoir session help you shift those beliefs?
Who owns your body? Who decides the way you see yourself? Who is writing your story?
I promise you, it is not about vanity or rebellion (well, maybe a touch of rebellion if you want!). You deserve to be who you want to be, in whatever way you see fit.
And don’t worry, all sessions are treated as strictly confidential unless you tell me otherwise. If you would love to do something like this but you don’t want the aunties to know, I’ve got you;)
Please get in touch anytime, I’d love to talk you through it all and see if it’s a good fit.
A boudoir photoshoot after weight loss is often misunderstood, especially when the change has been significant. Some people assume it’s about vanity or showing off, while others (with the best of intentions) say things like, “OMG, you must feel amazing!” I’ve discovered that how someone actually feels is usually far more nuanced than that, and I’ve learned it’s better to ask questions rather than make assumptions, even though I still get swept up in mama bear pride for the women I work with.
I’ve learned a few things about women in this position. First, it’s common not to fully recognise your body in the mirror afterwards, even if the weight loss was slow and sustained. You look like a different person, but the old hang-ups and patterns don’t automatically disappear. Second, it can take a loooooooong time for your brain to catch up. For many people, the mental shift requires as much intentional work as the physical one, and it’s less obvious how to go about it.
Why a Boudoir Photoshoot After Weight Loss Can Be So Powerful
If you’ve lost a lot of weight recently, or your body has changed in other significant ways (hello, postpartum era) and you feel weird about it, please know you’re not alone. So many women can relate to looking in the mirror and thinking, “I don’t even recognise this person.” It’s not a nice feeling, but it’s common. I’ve been there too.
The disconnect shows up in all sorts of ways. One woman told me she has no idea what she really looks like anymore, because she low-key thinks her eyes are lying to her. Another client told me she feels healthier now, but she actually felt more confident before, because her husband now feels outmatched and admitted he preferred her bigger. Cue me massively trying to find compassion for this man, while being hella annoyed on her behalf. And also: this is why you do a boudoir shoot after weight loss for you, and you alone.
People tell Lisa, “You’re looking really good now!” but she thinks “Really? I don’t know….I’m not sure.”
These images of Lisa aren’t included as a “before and after” comparison. They are here because this version of her still matters. For many women, this earlier body is the one their brain remembers most clearly, even after everyone else sees something different.
It can be a tricky situation: you fully reinvent your body, but the brain doesn’t automatically follow. So a boudoir shoot after weight loss is often 50% a celebration of hard work and dedication, and 50% an exercise in bringing body dysmorphia and its mean little whispers into the light (so it can wither and die). It’s an honour to work with women in this position, and I really love how powerful these shoots can be.
We purposefully started with something moody and shadowy. A couple of reasons for this; first, it can already feel like a lot to be half-naked and on camera. If someone is particularly nervous, I like to focus on the body first, and leave happy smiley faces for later. It gives your nervous system time to chill out a little and realise you’re not actually being chased by a lion. Second, some of these poses are tricky to hold, so it’s good to get them out of the way early.
For many women doing a boudoir shoot after weight loss, these darker, silhouette-style images are the most mind-blowing, because they are easier to see in an objective way. In other words, you don’t really see your face, so it’s easy to pretend this isn’t even you. And if it was literally anyone other than you, you would think “that person looks amazing!” But here’s the thing, it IS YOU. Do you see how that works? You kind of catch your brain in its own lie.
After you’ve had time to settle in, we can shift to a brighter note, whether it’s an easy breezy beautiful vibe or a “Sunday Morning” set. I always aim to get at least a couple of great smiling or laughing images (don’t worry, I’ll say something dumb to make you laugh).
A lot of light and being this “on show” can feel intimidating, but I promise it turns out great. Nothing looks better on skin than an abundance of soft light. It’s actually a pet peeve of mine that certain photographers seem to put women exclusively in the dark and never show their faces – these girls are so beautiful, why are you hiding them in the shadows the whole shoot?!
Lisa asked if we could get a couple of fitness-inspired images. The gym has been such a big part of her journey, and homegirl still does an hour on the stairclimber every day, so I was never going to say no. Proper fitness photography is fairly complicated, but we got a few winners with what we had. I’ve been experimenting with AI and how it can be used (ethically) to enhance shoots. A simple gym background replacement (above right) is a pretty useful trick when there isn’t room in the schedule or budget for a second location.
My goal with any shoot, but particularly with a boudoir shoot after weight loss, is that you have a great time, you feel fully supported, and you get to see yourself the way I do. We always schedule a detailed pre-shoot consultation to chat about everything from the overall vibe you’re after, your preferences on retouching and skin reduction/tummy tuck scarring, things you do/don’t want photographed, what to wear, inspiration photos, your questions and concerns, etc.
To be clear, a boudoir shoot after weight loss is not a magic pill, but it IS a powerful way to shift your internal perception. There’s just something magical about it, and I’ve watched it unlock an “OH wait…what? That’s me?!” door in people’s minds countless times. It only takes a few hours too!
If you’re interested in changing the way you see yourself, or if you rarely, if ever, have felt like “the hot one,” I can’t recommend it enough. No experience necessary, I’ll show you exactly what to do. If you’re curious about what a session is like, you can read more about my London boudoir photography experience here.
xx
Stormy
Boudoir Photoshoot After Weight Loss – Common Questions
Should I wait until I reach my goal weight before doing a boudoir shoot?
No, I don’t think so! Many women book a boudoir photoshoot after weight loss long before they hit their “goal weight.” In fact, the longer you leave it, the bigger the gap between how you feel you look and how you actually look. I’d encourage sooner rather than later. You can always come back again;)
What if I have scarring from surgery, lymphedema, etc?
Absolutely no problem. We always schedule a pre-shoot consultation to discuss your preferences and concerns in detail, and we will work together to determine the best way to proceed. Some clients prefer to have all scars retouched out, others opt to keep them or have them toned down a bit. The same goes for things like stretch marks, cellulite, etc. It can be magically disappeared, de-emphasised, or kept in, as you prefer. There are no correct answers here, there’s only what feels best to you at this stage in your journey.
Natasha and I met up recently for a spring London lifestyle photo shoot, split between Covent Garden and central London. We had a couple of goals for this – some fresh personal branding images, and an update for her commercial modelling portfolio. Natasha has recently graduated, again (wooooo!), and she’s ready to level up her side gig, so it was time for some images to match.
We knew we wanted to start around Covent Garden, and then get a few classic London landmarks in toward the end. This kind of shoot can be exhausting without a clear plan, so I spent ages on Google Maps creating several different walkable routes I saved to my phone (complete with reference images and gps notes, because I am a professional thankyouverymuch). It was an asset, absolutely the right move. They maps are so good I’m thinking about selling them lol! But as always, my favourite images came from places we just stumbled across along the way.
My philosophy is, apparently, the same for all shoots; have a plan, but leave room for magic.
How to get wardrobe variety in your shoot without carrying lots of bags around
A shoot on the go can make wardrobe changes difficult, especially if we’re in really busy areas. If you want to do several looks, it’s best to have a friend or assistant come along. They can hold bags, fetch snacks, and do behind the scenes content (which we all so desperately need anyway lol!). There’s really no substitute for this, it’s super helpful.
If we don’t have a third person, we have to be smarter about our strategy. In those cases, I bring the bare minimum of equipment, because I’ll be carrying everything for both of us. Rather than full outfit changes, create variety through layers and accessories. Start with an easy base, something like a neutral dress and cute but comfortable shoes. Then consider things like a jumper, a jacket, sunglasses, hats, a change of shoes, etc. Little additions and subtractions paired with a new location, and you’ve got a completely different look.
Natasha did a vibrant pink dress and cute matching sneakers. For variety, she brought a trench coat, heels, and we added oversized sunglasses. You’ll see how these led to distinct vibes that don’t feel like they were shot on the same day, let along 10 minutes after each other.
If you’re thinking about doing something similar, do not ignore the advice on comfortable shoes. It’s a lot of walking, even with a solid plan. You don’t see your feet in most images anyway, and it’s easier to spend two minutes swapping out shoes than to hobble around with fresh blisters.
Shooting in central London: pros, cons, and one big cheat cons
Shooting in super central spots like Westminster can be tricky and stressful. It’s always swarmed with crowds. The upside is you have anonymity (you’re just one of hundreds of tourists taking photos, no one cares about you AT ALL), and you get the location as a killer backdrop, but everything else is a downside if you ask me – noise, heat, people bumping into you, lines, trying to not get pick-pocketed, no control over the lighting, etc. Natasha and I saw one of the tour buses bump into one of the tuc-tuc things, and then the tuc-tuc guy got out and was physically putting himself in front of the bus, shouting and banging on the windshield trying to get the driver to stop. It was a whole thing, and after all that he didn’t even stop, which is a jerk move but I’m just glad the guy didn’t get run over. Anyway, the point is, be mentally prepared for the chaos. Get in, get out.
My one big hack is….Photoshop. It’s impossible to shoot around the tourists. We can’t control the weather, and sometimes we can’t even shoot at the optimal time for lighting. I prefer to get it right in camera, but it’s often impossible here. A little post-production magic saves the day.
Ready to book your own spring London lifestyle shoot?
Let’s do it! If you’re dreaming of a spring London lifestyle photo shoot of your own, whether it’s for personal branding, a commercial modeling portfolio update, of just because you can, I’d love to help.
I shoot in London regularly and have a few favourite locations that work beautifully on camera (no need to fight the tourists if crowds stress you out). You can get in touch here to get the ball rollling, or just say hi and ask a few questions.
Rebel & Romance sessions are open to everyone, even if you’ve never done anything like this before, and even if you want to keep all your clothes on. If you’d like some inspo straight away, you’re welcome to look through our Pinterest board for this shoot and start making your own.
Cassie, who I first photographed over a decade ago (wild!), was kind enough to join me for some artistic nude photography recently. We did a few lingerie looks too, and it was just such a treat to see her again.
This is the first proper test shoot I’ve done in AGES, and it reminded me why I never should have stopped. To be honest, test shoots never feel like work at all to me. In fact they are usually so fun that I find them hard to justify. But creatively, I think it’s important to make space in your shooting schedule for things like this, partially so you don’t burn yourself into the ground. There are other practical reasons too though. It’s much more feasible to try new techniques and take your time nailing an idea if you don’t have the pressure of a client. I really love my clients, but I do sometimes feel like I have their heart, or more precisely, their self esteem and body image, in my hands during a shoot. It’s an honour and something I take really seriously, but it keeps me from taking too many risks. I want to be sure that I can deliver an absolutely smashing gallery of final images, so I don’t want to waste much shoot time on an idea that I’m not confident will work.
And of course for boudoir photographers, a test shoot is a chance to create work that can actually be shown publicly, which is always helpful when you have an online presence you’re supposed to be maintaining. I 100% support my clients’ right to total privacy, and test shoots ensure that I can keeps things fresh while you keep things private:)
I’m woefully out of practice with blogging, and so much has changed while I’ve been away. These images are stuck at this sizes for now which might be kind of hard to see on a phone. You’re welcome to look at the new featured sessions section of my website if it’s annoying. I’d quite like them to all be the size of a refrigerator, but that obviously won’t work and this is going to have to do for now.
Cassie is a lingerie connoisseur, so we were spoilt for choice. I love the way she prioritises ethical brands and designers, and I hope some of these links might come in handy if you’d like to do the same. Our first look was this beautiful white set from Seelanii Lingerie, paired with chandelier earrings from Mango.
There was a huge, semi-translucent, subtly striped background that was hanging in the upper level of the studio. I loved the look of it immediately, but then I realised there was a skylight positioned is exactly where I wanted it too. Some rare London sun meant I honestly didn’t have to add a thing – the natural light was perfect and these practically shot themselves. It was really hot up there, but they also had one of those industrial strength fans which we were really grateful for. Fans always add so much drama anyway, I would have wanted it on no matter the weather.
Our next look was this red number (bra by Freolic Lingerie, tap pants by Foxtrot Molly). We used this in another area of the studio with some canvas/burlap materials and some wood pieces that were already half set up. I think the lingerie is beautiful, but I felt like the colour didn’t really match the vibe we were going for (and I was preoccupied by all the potential in the lower floor of the studio), so we didn’t spend too long on this.
This location felt like the perfect place for art nudes – muted colour palette, natural, earthy feel. The thing is, artistic nudes are a bit complicated to use. They can’t be shared on social media, and it’s difficult to even show them here on my website without risking angering the SEO gods or getting dropped by your payment processor (although they also run credit cards for all of OnlyFans sooooo…….!?) . Anyway, when Cassie took this sheer robe/cape piece from Emiah Couture I thought it would be the perfect compromise.
I’ve tried to censor these is the least annoying way possible. For any photographers out there who have to do the same, this is a combo of motion blur on a selection in a new layer, and a great Photoshop mixer brush called “Kyle’s Real Oils – round flex wet.” I don’t remember ever downloading a brush like this, so I think it might be a default option native to Photoshop?
It took a lot of trying to get these. If you’re contemplating an art nude set for your own shoot, please just know this is totally normal! You can’t really hold poses like this, so you have to swing into them. Which is, you know, a bit weird if you’re new to doing photo shoots and also not clothed lol?! When I’m looking through later, I expect to see a lot of weird, awkward looking poses, faces that show the struggle, and some where I’ve missed the moment. It’s all part of the process. If you lean into it though, there will be a handful of winners that make it look like the whole thing was easy as pie. If that all sounds a bit daunting though, we can do art nudes lying down in bed or lounging in a tub and it’s much easier!
It’s all in the tip toes!
These, for example, are much less physically demanding!
And a few in black and white…
Our last look was this delicate pink ensemble from Angela Friedman and Twilight Siren Corsetry. Is this not just absolute blush perfection? For years I’ve been saying that unfinished plaster is a fantastic backdrop and I feel vindicated.
Cassie, what can I say? Thank you again, it’s an honour to photograph you. See you again sooner I hope, but we must shoot again in 10 years time if nothing else!
If you’re reading this and would like to arrange your own shoot (artistic nudes or otherwise!) please don’t be shy. I’d love to hear from you and chat about any ideas you might have, answer any questions, convince you that you actually ARE hot enough and brave enough to do this, etc. 🙂 Please get in touch any time.
I’ve photographed Lucy before, but she’s expecting a little boy soon so this time was a real treat!
I feel like I’m way better at bump boudoir sessions now that I’ve been pregnant myself lol! I appreciate them more too.
When I was 7/8 months pregnant, I felt like I couldn’t walk across a room without needing to sit down, and my ankles were the size of my calves by about 11AM, so I really do get the struggle now. So, I’ve introduced some new improvements for bump sessions. First, I work quicker, so you’re standing and posing for less time. We have snacks and take snack breaks. We try to do as many comfortable looks as possible, minimise the number of times you have to move from standing to sitting, and I won’t let you stand in heels for more than 10 minutes. If you’d like to shoot early morning to minimise your cankle situation, fine by me:)
Lucy is actually wearing normal lingerie here! A good idea in case you have a few bits you can still squeeze into. Sexy pregnancy lingerie is pretty hard to find lol!
A simple slip like this is a really good option too. In general, anything really stretchy will work.
This is a great variation on the “Sunday Morning” slouchy jumper feel. Wardrobe options like this can also work for a few shots you can send to family if you want to.
A simple H&M maternity dress. Anything with a waist tie like this does a great job of showing off a bump, while also skimming over your (let’s face it, probably way bigger than normal) hips and bum.
Wishing you and baby all the best Lucy, you’ll be a fabulous mama.
Today’s blog: Charlotte’s did a bridal boudoir session to boost her own confidence pre-wedding, and to create the most incredible groom gift for her future husband. Here’s her album layout in all it’s glory.
Katie used a boudoir shoot to motivate herself at the gym following the birth of her daughter, who I think was about a year old when we shot these. A looming boudoir photoshoot sounds like a great strategy to keep you showing your face at the gym, and it clearly worked really well for her because she looks like a million bucks. I’m always curious what people are up to, so I asked about her workout secrets. She said her routine was mainly hot yoga. Now, I’ve never done hot yoga myself because let’s be honest, I wash my hair as little as possible, and a room that sweaty makes me think I’d definitely have to wash my hair after. I’m sort of thinking about it now though…
This shoot was part of my Nov. 2016 trip to New Orleans. If you’ve missed earlier posts, the reason I’m blogging these so late is a long, boring story that can be boiled down to two words: technical difficulties. Better late than never right? I’m pretending to hear you say yes.
