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:)
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!
A special treat on the blog today: beautiful, inspiring, unstoppable Efe!
I’ve been hoping to work with someone like Efena for ages, and I finally got my chance a few weeks ago. We had a great shoot – one that felt like it had real soul and purpose and left everyone feeling really proud.
What struck me most about Efe is the way her presence influences the people around her – I’m 100% convinced she makes those around her more grateful, more optimistic, more humble. Efe has been on an incredibly challenging journey the last few years, one she didn’t ask for and never could have expected. I’m in awe of how resilient she is, plus she has this giant, contagious smile and a graceful style that makes you love her straight away.
Personally, I found spending time with Efe a bit like going to church – you watch and you listen, and then you realise: the whole point is love. I left the shoot wanting to be kinder and more grateful, and to lead with an open heart. If you spend several hours physically moving a person’s legs into position with your own hands, you end up feeling incredibly grateful for your own working, functioning, slightly below average looking legs. It’s not fair what happened to Efe and I wish it hadn’t, but my oh my is she styling it out with grace and courage. I’m so grateful to have met her and to be able to show her how beautiful she looks to the rest of us.
I asked Efe if she would like to share her thoughts at this point of her journey, and she ever so kindly sent me this:
EFE SAYS:
“Marking the three year anniversary of the horrific and catastrophic car accident that rendered me paralysed from the waist down was indubitably a bittersweet experience. On April 21, 2014, a doctor broke my heart in a way I never thought was possible; when he told me I had a complete thoracic spinal cord injury. In layman’s terms, this directly translates to zero possibility of ever walking again.
Cut to April 2017. Months prior, I decided the best way to celebrate how far I haf come was through what I call my #NoFear photoshoot. Inspired by the LA-based wheelchair model/makeup artist Steph Aiello, I wanted to send a clear message with the pictures.
The idea behind #NoFear is simple. My aim is to shatter misconceptions of disabilities whilst spreading awareness of spinal cord injuries. To show that being disabled does not necessarily translate to being unable.”
“Being suddenly confined to a wheelchair is certainly no walk in the park. Side effects of a spinal cord injury include sporadic & crippling nerve pain, bouts of insomnia and working out regularly becomes an excruciating must to facilitate recovery.
Stormy and Victoria were the fantastic team behind my amazing photos. Our natural chemistry and undeniable synergy made my first professional shoot extremely fun and comfortable. Everything was utter perfection. The location, the wardrobe, the shoes and especially the make-up. My eyebrows were totally on fleek!
Without Stormy’s genius guidance, my poses would probably have been kinda lacklustre. She has this ineffable way of making you feel immediately at ease; the shots can’t help but be absolutely beautiful. She creates an atmosphere of comfort and giddyness. Furthermore, the entire process from introductory emails to signing the contract is so streamlined; you just end up focusing on being thoroughly excited the whole time.”
Through some divine connection, Rebel and Romance and Efena Smiles (my social media brand) have produced something much larger than us. To me, they defied, nay obliterated my expectations. These photos declare that my disability isn’ t going to hold me back from ‘overcoming paralysis one step at a time’ (which has been my manta for the last couple of years).
All I can really say is a massive thank you to Stormy and Vic for helping me illustrate #NoFear in powerful, perception-altering visual imagery.
Back at you babe, it was an absolute pleasure:) Efe is wearing a beaded romper and heels from River Island above.
We wanted to make sure we were showing Efe’s wheelchair in at least a few images – not so much as an aid but as more of a high tech, futuristic accessory. If you’re curious about it, or know someone who might be, it’s made by a an American company called WHILL.
This is the first time Efe has worn lingerie since the accident <3. Pink satin sleep set from Victoria’s Secret, floral crown from Monsoon.
That prize winning smile I was telling you about:)
And a COVERGIRL shot if I ever saw one. Victoria did a top notch job, as always.
Moody beauty.
Efe’s brother was on hand to help with some of the logistics of getting on and off the terrace, which is the only part of this shoot venue that is not wheelchair accessible. But what a view right? Efe is wearing a gold embroidered party dress from Topshop.
Efe, you’re honestly amazing! Thanks again for a wonderful, inspiring shoot. Can’t wait to see what the future holds for you:)
As you all know, I’m terribly behind with this blog – Tanja and I shot this bump boudoir session around Easter! Better late than never though…right? Say yes, because everything from here on out is likely to be late lol!
Anyway, it’s always lovely to photograph women who are growing little ones, but as a lot of my clients prefer to keep these images private it’s an extra special treat to have a few images to share with you:) Please enjoy.
It’s no picnic being heavily pregnant, and although you’d never know it from these Tanja was feeling pretty worn out. This is nearly always the case with pregnant clients, which is why I’m in favour of bump sessions that are both quick and barefoot. Simple lingerie is all you need for a look like this.
We borrowed Tanja’s friend’s flat for the shoot – a magical little haven in the city that looks half French and half rainforest.
Tanja found this gown for cheap (somewhere like Amazon or Ebay), and it’s such a lovely way to show off a new figure.
The sheer lace is still sexy, but it’s less revealing than lingerie. Not to mention it will give you a bit more coverage if, you know, you’re not really feeling the water retention and cellulite that usually joins the party about now.
I mean – pregnant and super hot are not mutually exclusive. These aren’t the images you show your in laws, but you ought to have them for yourself. You’ve earned them.
Bump by firelight. The front split on this piece works really well for showing off a belly, and it is especially good for taking attention away from any baby-induced love handles.
Hot pink, because we can.
Gaahh this woman. She makes it look effortless.
I mean, it’s not though. Boudoir photo shoots are hard work, which is why we’ll keep it short if you’ve got a baby on board.
New momma love <3
Another simple lingerie set, this one in a baby blue:)
The garden was so tropical – a perfect set for swimwear.
Can you believe this was in London?
Beautiful new editorial style headshots with our two minutes of sunshine.
Plunging one piece. Grainy black and white. Messy hair. Everything working together here.
A few more commercially toned images from this set as well.
Ahhh Thailand – you’re on my list!
We did a bit of street style / bloggery type fashion too.
Such a cute outfit right?
And finally a floral dress that makes it look 10x warmer than it was;)
Tanja you were fab, thank you! Best wishes for the three of you <3
This was a shoot we threw together at the end of a very busy day, so everything was a little rushed and haphazard. Adrienne did her own hair and makeup (on the bathroom floor no less – sorrryyyy again Adriene! you’re such a trooper), and we were racing against the setting sun from the get go. All that considered, I’m pretty happy with the way things turned out.
Loved this iron gate/door thing.
We lost the light really early on, so we ended up having to go for a moody, dramatic look. It doesn’t quite fit the lingerie, but A still looks fab.
Silver leafed mirrored cupboard doors for the win.
A little window light.
Ahhh to be blonde…
Moody in motion
Our final look was a topless look with a pair of high waisted bottoms.
This purple wall. I through it looked gross but I am converted.
This shot on the right is probably my favourite.
Just hanging out in the doorway, as you do.
A few final images on the bed. I loved this chandelier lamp thing.
And a few of these because you know I love this pose
