Setting: the most incredible apartment in Verona, Italy. Original details from centuries ago adorn, a stunning balcony overlooks the plaza below. The light is heavenly.
Enter scene right: Ms. D, beautiful 30something, self-styled to perfection. Boudoir photography session ensues as the afternoon sinks into golden hour. Much merriment and laughter. If the men on the vespas below could see us now, they would fling all their roses onto the balcony.
Mid-scene wardrobe change: Ms. D dons purple, the colour of royalty, via the most divine Agent Provocateur number from my personal collection. No one has ever worn it better.
As the sun sets, the shoot wraps. Another bucket list shoot compete. Fresh pasta and vino to follow.
End scene.
But, soft, what light through yonder window breaks? It is the east, and Juliet is the sun. (Romeo, Act 2 Scene 1)
I cannot imagine tiring of Italy. I think it might be the most romantic place on earth. The food is great, the colours are perfection, and the quality of the sunlight seems entirely different to anywhere else. Then again, maybe part of the rose coloured glasses is the fact that I eat only carbs while I’m there.
This shoot was a destination trip I planned a while back, and although most of what I photographed must be kept private, Ms. D is happy to have me share her triple fire emoji results here.
We chose Verona partly because there are easy, cheap flights from Gatwick, partly because of the location I found and fell in love with, and partly because it’s where Shakespeare’s “Romeo & Juliet” was based. I’m not going to lie, it took us a minute to remember that Romeo & Juliet is a fictional story. There’s a tourist attraction called “Juliet’s Balcony” which is confusing given there was never actually any real Juliet’s balcony. It was swarming in tourists and looks exactly how you’d think it would, except smaller. Well, I suppose it does…it was undergoing renovation work when we were there so was covered in hoarding.There was a life size picture on the hoarding covering the actual balcony, which was never an actual place Juliet stood, because it’s a fictional story. It was anticlimactic to say the least.
The shoots were not though! I’ve got a bucket list of ideas in my head, and something like this was definitely on it. It doesn’t hurt that Ms. D is extremely easy on the eye, and so much fun to work with and be around.
Anyway, enough of me going on about it, here’s the goods:
Internet, meet Shailaun. We got together in Austin, TX recently for a boudoir shoot, and I’m really proud of the results.
Now, is Shailaun a beautiful alien and therefore unfair for the rest of us mere mortals to compare ourselves to? Yes. I think so. BUT, this shoot is great inspiration and further proof of lots of things I’ve been saying all along. Namely;
1) you do not need to have any experience to do this – this was S’s first lingerie shoot and the first time she’s ever worn something this intentionally “sexy”
2) you do not need hair of any particular type or amount to look really incredible.
3) it’s always worth getting up early for the best light, even if you’re really not a morning person
4) you do not need expensive lingerie for something like this. We used only things S already had, and one affordable set I picked up from Victoria’s Secret the night before that happened to fit her.
5) if you are a photographer, you must must make time to shoot things and people you genuinely feel inspired by
6) boudoir photo shoots are very good for your self-confidence, regardless of what you look like
Here’s a sneak peek of some of the destination boudoir sessions I’ve photographed recently. These took place in sunny Los Angeles, California and Austin, Texas. We were lucky to have excellent weather the whole trip, and I ate my bodyweight in tortilla chips. Thanks to these mega babes (and those not show for privacy reasons) for making it such a fun trip. If you want to see a bit more behind the scenes feel free to check out my Instagram story highlights. My Insta is @stormy_rebelandromance
Gorgeous Nicole on the blog today. She was looking for a quick portfolio update, so we did a bit of everything this shoot – boudoir photography, fitness, commercial and lifestyle looks, etc.
If you’re looking to get into modeling, a shoot like this can help set you off on a strong footing. I know agents all think they know exactly what they are looking for, but I’ve heard time and time again about how people apply with polaroids, get rejected, and then get signed on when they go back again with a portfolio. Sometimes you just need to show people what you can do.
Hairstyling my me, DIY makeup, all shot at the new studio.
Love this pink bodysuit – the perfect option for a feminine, girly look.
Stunner.
I mean, you’re meant to use about four lights and a proper backdrop for fitness photography, but we got some pretty solid results with net curtains and a window. Less is more? It’s certainly faster. I would like to do a bit more with the complicated setups though, so if you’re reading this and in training for a fitness competition or in great shape otherwise, I’d be keen to practice with you:)
That winning commercial smile 🙂 🙂 🙂
One last one to round it out. If you’re after variety and open to commercial bookings, I’d also suggest a simple business look, adding a pair of glasses, and maybe even a quick faux bridal look. You never know who might see it. Avoid logos and clothing with writing, unless you’re going for a specific look like a Calvin Klein inspired boudoir photoshoot.
Thanks Nicole, it was so lovely to work with you again!
If you’d be interested in discussing a shoot like this for yourself, or a more traditional boudoir photography experience, drop me an email.
I could tell you how we got this double image effect, but then I’d have to kill you.
Kidding, it’s just a mirror.
Simple floral and natural light.
These doors are life. I knew I was going to love shooting them. There was a lot of discussion about whether or not to paint them to match the walls, but I’m really glad we didn’t.
Intergalactic eyes courtesy of Elizabeth Joseph-Love. Also, how nice is this lingerie? Such a great colour on her skin tone.
ON FIYYYAHH
Loving this little corner too. Darker skin reflects light differently than lighter skin, and I love making the most of it with richly saturated, underexposed looks like this.
ahem. booty goals.
I think this set was from Victoria’s Secret. If anyone want to know email me and I can confirm with Celine.
We’ll finish with this tricky upside down bum pose we’ve been doing. It’s a little tough on the abs, but worth it.
On the blog today: a few of my favourites from Genie Bellini Lingerie’s campaign shoot
Cool right? If anyone needs a Christmas idea for me, a custom Rebel & Romance neon sign is now at the top of my list.
We did this shoot at a (packed) private member’s club in London. It gave us a killer, colourful backdrop, but random middle aged men kept trying to get into our room mid-shoot. We put up signs telling people to keep out, but it did no good. Eventually we just took turns standing guard and shouting lol!
I was like, “Should we try to move this statue maybe?” and model Jenny was like “Yeah okay!” Then Genie, our much more sophisticated designer and the only actual member of said swanky private member’s club said “Ohhh, I think it’s really expensive….”
I have googled it. It is *very* expensive and called Yoko XXXI by artist Dan Brown. Thank goodness Genie was around.
Knickers can be a little tricky to shoot at the best of times. Photographing sample sized, embroidered satin knickers on a topless model without looking hootchie? Next level tricky. Still, I think we pulled it off:)
I used my newish, go-to location lighting kit for this shoot. Getting pretty comfortable with it now, which is such a relief.
Don’t you think Jenny looks a bit like an AP ad here?
It was great to stretch some creative muscle on this shoot. There were lots of challenges we needed to work through in terms of location, lighting, and even posing. I also don’t do a ton of this saturated, colour shifted look, but maybe that will change in future.
It’s different – more stylised, more of a statement.
Thanks girls, such a lovely day and a great effort all around! I’ll link to Genie’s new website when it’s ready:)
Do you remember that Miss Dior advert with Natalie Portman from two or three years ago? I’ve been wanting to do something similar ever since then. I mean, these aren’t even that close…but one day!
Today on the blog, two recent videos in our blue, French room. Shot with the lovely Cassie, and the equally lovely (and actually French!) Ekanem. Enjoy.
It’s she great? We started with a happy bridal boudoir look. This sort of thing is simple to throw together: white or cream lingerie, cheap veil, done.
You can obviously add more if you’d like. Garters, wedding shoes, wedding hairpieces, white stockings, and more complicated wedding lingerie all look lovely, but if you’re not a lace and tulle sort of girl you don’t have to force it:)
Such a lovely smile:) 🙂 🙂
I recently read “Americanah” by Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, and absolutely loved it. I’ve always liked shooting natural black hair, but I feel like I understand the context much better now. It’s brilliant novel, perfect for a smart summer read, and described by the author in this way:
“I like to say that this is a novel about love, about race, and about hair. In particular I want to talk about natural black hair, and how it’s not just hair. I mean, I’m interested in hair in sort of a very aesthetic way, just the beauty of hair, but also in a political way: what it says, what it means.” – Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Still working out how to get this chandelier in more images.
For our second look, we did a summery orange lingerie look on modern hotel bedding.
I love this colour – so fresh and current. Celine’s makeup was done by Elizabeth Joseph-Love and fit the look perfectly.
I’m also working on these laying down bed poses shot from above recently.
It’s precarious, and pretty hit and miss – I get like, 1 in 12? But when it works, it works.
You guys know I love a bodysuit for a lingerie photo shoot, and Ekanem feels the same. I think she must anyway, because she wore three different versions for this:) First up, this lacy red number. I’m not sure exactly where this one is from, but you can find them everywhere at the moment – ASOS, BooHoo, H&M, TopShop, VS, Boux Avenue, etc.
E did her own hair and makeup, which turned out lovely. I do generally recommend you let a professional help with this, but if you know what you like and you know how to do, that’s absolutely fine too.
My favourite doors. This is my number one secret trick to barefoot looks: tip toes.
A new (super sexy) black and white conversion I’ve been trying out. So glowy right? No oil or glycerin required thank goodness!
Soft, wraparound window light. Literally never lets me down and is universally flattering whether you’re 18 or 83. I don’t know what the deal is with the banding here, but I can’t be bothered to resize and reformat every image for the 15,000 different social media outlets we’re all trying to keep up with today, so please just ignore it:)
Ekanem is part French, so shooting in this room was practically required. If you like this shoot stay tuned, because SHE’S COMING BACK FOR VIDEO lol!
