This shoot was inspired by Frida Kahlo (and a bunch of roses on clearance at the shop). A floral crown is such a fun way to celebrate spring and summer. I know it’s been done a million times but I still love it. Crissy’s olive skin tone and eyebrows helped us create a real Frida vibe on set. Crissy is actually Italian, but I wasn’t about to hold out for a real seniorita – if the food around here is any indicator, there are zero Mexicans in London anyway. *please send taco truck*
I made this rose crown in my kitchen. It took about 15 minutes, and although it wasn’t terribly comfortable I think it photographs lovely. If you’d like to try this for your own boudoir shoot, I’d be happy to knock one up for you too:)
Beautiful hair and makeup courtesy of Gemma, who has a real knack for choosing the perfect shade of red.
Crissy’s lingerie is black and fairly simple, but with enough detail to be interesting. It’s all high street stuff, proving yet again that you really don’t need to spend a fortune on lingerie for your boudoir shoot.
This was an idea we shot at the end of the day, and to be honest, it wasn’t sure if it was going to work. Because…it looked weird, as evidenced in the behind the scenes shot below:
Most of the frames look a little forced, but these two turned out beautifully. I can’t decide if I like Crissy’s hand up or down though. Thoughts?
A few final frames. I had always envisioned this concept on black.
The flowers do stand out more with the darker background, but to me the red is stronger and more interesting. Overall, a really fun shoot though.
Gemma, Crissy – beautiful work ladies! Always a pleasure.
My recent editorial with Olivia is out! You can find it in “The Perfection Issue” of SLiNK Magazine, which is available online, at Barnes & Noble stores in the US, or through lots of independent retailers in the UK and worldwide.
Mad love to our team on this shoot. I’ll be sharing some of our favourite images from the cutting room floor, so stay tuned for more. Until then, enjoy!
Part Two of Sarah’s session, continued on from last week.
This silhouette shot…you just can’t go wrong.
It’s no secret that I love a really put together lingerie look for boudoir sessions. If you’re going to go to all this effort, you might as well get dolled up for at least one set! This means a great bra, knickers, waspie or suspender belt, stockings or hold ups, and big heels (preferably stilettos). Go all out, you won’t regret it.
This woman! Such a gorgeous face.
I think every woman deserves an image of herself looking this good. Maaayyybe even a big one, right on the bedroom wall so she can’t forget it;)
Poor Sarah was roasting in this fur coat. She’s a trooper though so we made it through, and look how cool styling like this turns out!
Gorgeous lingerie set courtesy of Agent Provocateur. If you’re a fan of their styles but not of their prices, be sure to watch out for their sales. You can often get up to 70% off:) I post about it whenever I see them, so you’re welcome to follow me on Instagram (@stormy_rebelandromance) if you’d like a reminder.
A few frames by our antique French doors.
How lush is this fur?
Complimentary images like these make for great album spreads. I might post a few from Sarah’s album later so you can see what I mean:)
Oookay, so at this point we took a pizza and prosecco lunch break, and then decided to push the envelope. We went for some creative light leaks for this image…
…and then shot some daring, shaved-head showing, edgy images to finish up the day. I’ve censored these just to keep the nipple police away.
Body chains! Where have these been all my life? So many things I’d like to shoot with these.
Oh Sarah, you’re fab! You’re like some sort of boudoir chameleon who looks good in every sort of styling. Thanks for such a fun shoot, can’t wait for next time!
Sarah’s shoot was BIG. I don’t even know how we got so much done, but it’s varied enough that I’m splitting it up into two parts. We’ll do light and bright this week, and the moodier, edgier sets next week so be sure to check out both:)
Sarah was in the studio right after our Frida Khalo inspired shoot with Crissy (coming soon), and it seemed like we ought to try to get a few more images out of all those leftover roses. Sarah’s first look was a vintage, 70’s feeling set so we went for a hippie sort of vibe to kick things off.
I love these bright orange high waisted knickers. I don’t know where she found them but they are amazing.
Sarah’s tattoos are especially colourful and bright, so I wanted to make sure we created a few images to show them off. I think she looks so stunning here.
And of course every woman needs a really great booty image. The boys also like these;)
These pretty red bottomed Louboutin’s are part of the studio collection, so you’re welcome to borrow them for your own shoot. I’ve got a few pairs now, so if you’re within a few sizes of a UK 6 1/2 we probably have a pair that will suit you.
Next up, a few jersey images for her Mr. 🙂
It’s such a cute set of images in an album, and it makes a great birthday or anniversary gift for a football fan.
Then this happened. I’m in LOVE with these pin up styled boudoir images. Sarah has the absolute perfect body for this look.
Those little sailor shorts!!
Oh so cute! Just wait until you see the rest of her session next week though…you will swear it’s a totally different person.
Sarah it was amazing working with you! Thanks so much for a great shoot:)
It’s officially wedding season again in London! Today’s blog features Crissy and shows off one of my favourite bridal boudoir looks.
Simple, delicate lace. You just can’t go wrong here.
Le eBay veil strikes again.
Pastel blue is definitively bridal, but I think these black and whites lend a little timelessness to the frame.
Stunner in white.
This non-fussy setup is simple and easy. If you want a more stylised look, a hand tied bouquet would be a great addition. You could also think about adding in your bridal jewellery, or even a bottle of Chanel.
Major props to Gemma for gorgeous makeup and hair. I’m posting this image extra big so you can all appreciate her genius and Crissy’s ridiculously good-looking face.
Miss Lucy and I got together some time ago for a London boudoir shoot, and I thought I’d share the results with you today:)
I’ve had my eye on this penthouse location for a while, and a shoot with Lucy seemed like the perfect opportunity to give it a try. It’s sky high, with a wrap around balcony and killer views of everything. We felt very fancy hanging out up there. It’s also got two bedrooms that are decorated differently, so it’s a great venue for photo shoots.
Lucy is a plus size model, currently signed with Hughes here in England, and this was our first time working together. Curvy Kate graciously sent us a bunch of fun lingerie to shoot with, and we supplemented with a few pieces from Lucy’s own wardrobe too.
I love a good lingerie / jacket combo. Skyline and boats are optional.
Big statement earrings, stockings, and heels pull the whole look together.
A black lace ensemble and an antique styled French bed was next on the agenda.
Such effortless posing by Miss Lucy.
High waisted knickers are a love ’em or hate ’em kind of thing, but they do photograph brilliantly.
Oh hello my pretty:)
We were really hoping for sun to fit this punchy pink Curvy Kate set, but it wasn’t on the cards that day.
Not a problem though, we just pretended instead.
Our third set was this lovely slouchy sweater. It honestly never fails.
Pair with red lips, heels, and stockings to turn things up a notch.
Low messy pigtails complete the look. Love this image on the right, Lucy has the perfect expression.
I was dubious about this chair, but I actually really liked these images in the end.
Double trouble, in Technicolor and black and white.
I climbed in a potted plant to get this shot. The life of a photographer is eversoglamorous.
How cute is Miss L here?
We tried a few dark and moody shots in an all black look too, just because we could.
Sophisticated sexiness if you ever saw it.
Lucy it was great to finally work with you! Thanks for a great shoot:)
This was Kate and I’s second shoot together, and we were joined by lovely Sadaf on makeup.
One of my favourite things about photography (and great makeup) is it’s ability to transform an appearance. I got a frantic call from Kate the day before our shoot where she explained that her normally brilliant colourist had taken a few too many liberties and turned her hair into “a horrific shade of trailer trash blonde.” Oh mannnnnnnnn….
We couldn’t reschedule since Kate was also about to move away to Oz, so we opted to just go with it. Kate rocked up and I’m not gunna lie – her hair was glowing in a sort of radioactive way. We had a good laugh about it, and then got down to business.
Side note: how great is this lilac silk number on her?
With genius makeup skills from Sadaf and a little clever toning and post processing work on my end, we successfully got Kate up an’ out the trailer park;) We were all really pleased about it lol!
Hello, I’m Kate, and I stop traffic with my little red dress.
Gahhh. Such a stunner. I defy you to tell me that curvy women aren’t having a moment right now.
Feather bra. Because we can.
If you come shoot with me, odds are very high I will make you lay on the floor at some point. You’ve been warned.
We were just experimenting with this set idea – the backlight coming over the top of the backdrop was fantastic but it does create some flyaway hair problems that are sort of annoying to work though.
This pose in particular is so feline feeling. We were joking about creating a posing book for photographers and models where each pose has a cringe-tastic name. I’ll call this one Sex Panther, obviously. You stay classy San Diego.
I think I could learn to like shooting on solid black almost as much as I like shooting in the backlight. It’s got that same gorgeous fall away effect around the body, which is great for any body type and always flattering.
If these images had a soundtrack, it would be Iglu and Hartley’s, “DayGlo” on account of Kate’s magical glowing hair.
Up close and personal with these. Images like this are ideal for an album – they add so much movement and interest to the image story.
BOOOOOOM.
Also, curvy ladies please note how killer these high waisted knickers look? It’s a great way to add a little more coverage without sacrificing style, and they are easy to pick up this season:)
We brought the volume back down a little for our last look. I love this detailed long line bra top Kate’s wearing – perfect for a romantic, moody set of images.
Simple window light and gorgeous curves. If you love this look but are not so keen on your midsection, there are some great options that combine this strappy look in a fitted basque. You could think also think about layering a bra like this over simple black shape wear, or combining it with a sheer robe/dress/kimono/etc like we’ve done in the images below.
Double trouble.
See, look at this. Still an edgy bit of detail up top, but now Kate a totally covered midsection and the outfit still looks fab. Bonus: we can show a cheeky bit of leg with this side slit. If you’re not a fan of your thighs, a side slit just might change your mind.
Thanks Kate! Lovely seeing you again, and best wishes for the big move!
She is lovely and gorgeous and was preeeetttyyy nervous about doing this.
She’s not a big smile-for-the-camera sort of girl, but I tricked her into it a few times:)
Apparently Miss L was blonde until a few weeks ago, but I can’t imagine it. I think this colour suits her perfectly.
LOL I’m so funny. Or weird. Whatever works.
Shapewear done right. A tight LBD would also do the trick for this look.
Lauren came to help as part of some 1-1 training I was doing for another photographer. It can be a little tricky to shoot and teach at the same time, but the bonus is you get a few lovely candid shots like this one while no one is looking.
Dangerous curves on this lady!
Our second set in the bedroom was lighter and lacier.
Gah…such an incredible face.
A lacy top like this is a nice way to do something that feels a little more romantic, soft, or bridal.
The fit on these are always a little weird though, so it’s worth trying a few on to find the best option for your body shape.
Dreamy. Do you like the new bedside lamps? I’m so pleased to have found them.
AND THEN THIS HAPPENED
I’ve been avoiding shooting with this mirror because I haven’t had a chance to distress it yet. In person, it’s really gold and looks too Liberace for my taste, but now I’m kicking myself for not using it sooner.
How incredible does Lauren look here? I’m buying whatever she’s selling.
Lauren is not a professional model. She has no experience in front of the camera, so don’t be disheartened. There’s no reason you can’t look just as confident and comfortable in your own images, because I can show you exactly what to do and how to do it:) It’s a workout for sure, but totally worth it.
Shabam.
I was thinking about the 2012 Spring Summer Agent Provocateur Campaign while finishing these images. I love how the hazy pink light makes everything feel dreamy and romantic, but I still prefer a little more depth to my shadows.
Such a killer pose.
As is often the case with last minute shoots, the lingerie for this shoot was thrown together quickly. I think half the reason I like black lace so much is that you can easily mix and match pieces from different brands and sets to create a complete look. It’s so hard to get whites, creams, and any colour to match perfectly, but luckily black is black is black.
A last few frames on the floor…
…and it’s a wrap. Lauren, you were incredible. Thanks again for a great shoot!
A little press feature today from PHILOSOPHIE Magazine, a magazine created by and for boudoir photographers. It’s great to be able to finally share a few of these images of Kate:)
I would like to mention that the text surrounding these images is not mine. Every photographer has their own style and methods, which is fantastic and how it ought to be, and Teri has offered some great ideas in this article. However, I unequivocally promise that I am not going to ask you to think about a steamy sex scene during a shoot with me. It’s an idea that makes me feel uncomfortable…for both of us:/ I’m not judging, it’s just not my style. I also promise I will never ask you to think about your significant other naked, a celebrity crush, etc. A bit like yelling “Work it baby!” I can only manage to get these words out of my mouth in a sarcastic, mocking tone at best;)
Again, this is not meant to be a judgement or criticism, it’s just that what I aim to do is a little different than most boudoir photographers. For me, boudoir is a lot less about overtly sexy looks and a lot more about confidence, attitude, bravery, and women feeling incredibly beautiful and comfortable – it’s a chance to see yourself in a new light. I personally find that asking a client (out loud) to have “sexy thoughts” makes her feel really exposed and incredibly uncomfortable, or at least that’s how I think I would feel if someone did this to me, lol!
We get gorgeous expressions in a roundabout way instead, with lots of chatting, posing, laughing, killer hair and makeup, and great wardrobe.
Anyway, tear sheets below and lots more to come from this shoot! Enjoy:)
It’s been hectic, but really good too. We’ve had some great women to work with, a few fun ideas for new sets and props, and plenty of good laughs. Unfortunately, lots of shooting means lots of editing. You can currently find me buried under a mountain of retouching work, so please don’t invite me out anywhere fun. I cannot go, I am in retouching exile until further notice. Send snacks.
Anyway, I thought I’d share some behind the scenes snapshots from the last two weeks. These are straight from the camera so please don’t judge.
Springtime flowers for the win. Clearance roses are my new favourite photo prop.
I made this flower crown in about 15 min out of a wire coat hanger and some fishing line. It was brilliant, everyone wanted to wear it, and it photographed like a DREAM. Here’s a few shots of Gemma and I “working” with Chrissy.
We also DIYed a wedding dress out of some fabric and ribbon. It’s obviously no good for full length, but with a little extra pinning it worked great for bridal hair and makeup shots. We shot some great bridal themed lingerie with Chrissy too, can’t wait to show you those.
This idea needs a lot more work, but doesn’t Chrissy’s makeup look stunning?
A super hot sneak peek for Sarah;) Her shoot is turning out great, and I think she’ll probably be okay with sharing some of it publicly, so you might even get a look if you stay tuned!
This is lovely Anna, who came to shoot portraiture with me for a few days. Anna and I met on set at the TeamGlam photo shoot a few weeks ago. When we realised how much we had a lot in common and that we shared a lot of the same goals for our portfolios, we set up a few days of shared shooting. It’s always more fun to learn with a friend.
Curvy girls in the house! Gorgeous Katie, Jazmine, and Amy bravely came down to be our guinea pigs.
I have also fallen in love with using the hair dryer for creating faux breeze. It’s amazing, I can’t believe I haven’t been using it this whole time.
Makeup artist Hayley manning the wind machine for Eleanor’s set.
Another flower crown, and a comfy & cozy set from Katie’s shoot.
I’m also hoping to be able to release two new lingerie shoots soon – both are slated for publication in magazines so I have to keep them quiet for the time being. I’m told the images will be published “soon.” Your guess is as good as mine on what that sort of timeframe actually means lol! It’s always an honour to see work in print though, so Debbie, Sadaf, Olivia, Katie and I are happily practicing the virtue of patience.
One last thing, we have a really cool location arranged for tomorrow’s shoot. Follow me on Instagram for behind the scenes sneaks: @stormy_rebelandromance
