Lauren got in touch shortly after I announced my NYC trip. She’s back and forth between America and the UK these days, so it just made sense for us to plan her shoot in the Big Apple. After a few Skype calls and some mood boarding, we came up with a styling direction: retro/vintage with a little NYC edge. I had a feeling it was going to suit her, but she took to it like a fish to water. The hair, the makeup, everything just worked.
Lovely Lauren is dream to work with too. She’s kind and elegant, but also brave and was up for anything in the name of an incredible image, including climbing to the roof in lingerie.
This chair reminded me of “That 70’s Show,” and worked perfectly for a retro vibe.
Lauren is wearing a vintage French blouse which has been passed down from the women in her family for generations (what a way to commemorate them). Also, how divine in her hair in this image on the left? Katherine, our hairstylist, did an amazing job.
A ruby red lingerie set always adds a pop of colour. Here we’ve paired it with a simple black cardigan, which is a great way to make things feel more casual. If you’re not so keen on your midsection, this is also a great way to strategically hide bits without being obvious about it.
Legs for days + great ink = winner.
There’s a soft spot in my heart for fiery redheads and for women who own their curves.
A perfect vintage cat eye, courtesy of the ever talented Gemma. No surprise the Lauren is frequently compared to Kate Winslet with this gorgeous face.
I remember exactly when I clicked the shutter for this image, because about two seconds later I told Lauren I though she ought to be painted on the side of a plane.
Lauren, Rita Hayworth called. She says you’d better back off her look.
It’s lonely at the top, but not for L.
In fact, it’s so glamorous that it calls for some fake smoking and an over the shoulder glance that makes her too cool for absolutely everyone.
I haven’t photographed anyone in front of graffiti for years, but when in Rome…
A few moody black and whites to finish.
Lauren, you did SO GOOD. It was so exciting to photograph you, and I’m already looking forward to whatever we come up with next time. Thank you thank you thank you.
It’s been my pleasure to work with E a few times now. She has a sort of calmness about her that is hard to describe – maybe it’s that unflappable British perseverance, or maybe she’s just wise beyond her years. Either way, she’s a treat to photograph.
We wanted to do something a little different this time around. However, as sometimes happens, we got a bit more than we bargained for.
Our original location plan was all crushed red velvet, romantic bed curtains, and gilded details reminiscent of a Queen’s bedchamber. At the last minute, we were informed there was a problem with the space that meant we would either need to reschedule or make do with another area the venue had available.
Mmmmm. That’s like, my favourite thing to hear ten minutes before we’re meant to start. {sarcasm}
Whatever. E is a trooper, and we were all there and ready to go, so we just decided to channel Tim Gunn and make it work. The space we ended up with was really nice anyway, it just wasn’t what we were planning for.
A deep blue lingerie set, originally planned to coordinate with rich red velvet and jewel tones, served as our first wardrobe option. It wouldn’t have been mine or Eugenie’s first choice for this space, but the pop of colour against the neutral palette of the room turned out pretty cool anyway. Doesn’t Miss E look stunning rocking that pose on the right?
These stripy bed poles gave us an interesting posing accessory. For makeup, we opted for a stained lip and classic lined eyes. Just enough, but not too much.
This is my favourite image from the shoot:) E looks so editorial here, she could have come straight off a magazine spread.
We finished off this shoot with a classic, lacy, cream lingerie set from Agent Provocateur, who are still my favourite lingerie retailer to date. I’ve ordered pieces from other companies recently, but nothing quite lives up to AP’s quality and craftsmanship yet. Honestly, being a boudoir photographer is making me a little snobby about lingerie. The lighter colour palette definitely felt like a more natural fit for this space though.
Also, totally unrelated, something about Miss E’s gaze and hair in this frame on the right reminds me so much of Cher from Clueless. As if.
E, you were graceful and effortless as always. Thanks again for a beautiful shoot:)
London Boudoir Photographer: Sarah’s Boudoir Shoot
Today I’m honoured to share with you the beauty and depth that is Miss Sarah.
When Sarah and I first spoke, she told told me about all the usual stuff – her challenging but rewarding job, what she does with her spare time (travel, run, and bake delicious cakes, not necessarily in that order), and about her plans for the coming weekend. I suppose it’s part of my job as a London Boudoir Photographer to dig a bit, so I kept asking questions until we got to the heart of the matter, which is this: Sarah feels so lucky to have people who love her, care about her, and tell her daily how beautiful she is. But despite all this, Sarah does not often feel beautiful.
That, my friends, is a crying shame.
I wasn’t having it. Sarah is amazing – the sort of person I’d want around in a crisis, the sort of person you’d trust your kids with. The Mercy Ships Project is on her bucket list for crying out loud, if that doesn’t make you beautiful then I don’t know what does.
I know some of you may be thinking, “Okay yes, beauty comes from the inside and all that feel good babble, but some people are just not genetically blessed.” Wrong. Sarah is superficially beautiful as well, and I made it my mission as a London Boudoir Photographer to prove it to her.
We started with a Pinterest board, I recruited some top girls for hair and makeup, and we got down to business. We kept it a surprise from her Mr., so we got to be a little sneaky too.
Love these backlit, black and white images. They always end up feeling so classic and sophisticated.
Legs for days. Weeks even.
Happy Sarah. Awwww.
This fitted lace slip photographed so well. If you loathe your stomach, something like this is a great option to consider. I feel like one of the most important parts of my job as a London Boudoir Photographer is advising clients on what to expect and how to prepare for a boudoir shoot, so don’t worry if you feel unsure – we’ll go through everything!
GORGEOUS.
Oh hi, my name is Sarah, but you can just call me Emma Watson…
…also, I run the show around here.
A few pretty details.
Sarah, it was honestly such a pleasure to photograph you and to get to know you. Wishing you the very best for the future:) The very very very best, because it’s obvious to me that you deserve it.
xx
Stormy
P.S. A little before picture, and a few thoughts from Sarah:
Are you looking for a London Boudoir Photographer?
I’d be honoured if you’d consider me as your London Boudoir Photographer. I genuinely love what I do, and my clients and I always seem to have the best time together. If you’d like to learn more about what it’s like to work with me, details on how a session works, or would just like to have a chat to see if we’re a good match, please feel free to get in touch.
To contact Stormy, London Boudoir Photographer and owner of Rebel & Romance Boudoir Photography, please email stormy@rebelandromance.com or call 07799 390468.
