Boudoir blog for women in Maryland, Virginia & DC who are interested in booking a boudoir photoshoot near them. Products, clients, tips and tricks are a few of the things you’ll find on the Lavish Boudoir Blog.
34 and It is Fantastic!
Everyone says that the 30s are wonderful and I must admit as I take stock of my life, my goals and my self-awareness, I have to agree. I actually loved most of my teen years (minus a handful of mean girl incidents), had an incredibly exciting and romantic twenties as a newlywed, and the first half of my 30s has been pretty eventful (3 cross country moves, 2 children, 2 businesses).
Last week I turned 34 and it is fantastic.
Photo credit goes to my sweetheart, CJ.
Me at 34:
My body isn't its slimmest or even strongest (I still miss those killer cheer workouts), but I can play like a kid at recess for an hour straight when we visit the trampoline park.
My mind isn't its sharpest (I have 2 kids under 5 and I'm tiiired), but I have an almost fanatical desire to learn.
My business isn't quite where I want it to be, but it's fulfilling to work with my amazing clients (yes, you!), and I'm damn proud of what I've built so far.
My skin isn't flawless, but my eye crinkles tell many tales of a million smiles.
In 34 years, I've got a pretty good idea of what I'm great at (working hard and unwavering optimism), good at (taking care of my family) and absolutely crap at (cleaning and to-do lists). But I don't have a problem with any of it. I've learned to love myself unconditionally. I love my highs and my lows. I'm learning to forgive my mistakes. I've got room to grow as a mom, a wife, an entrepreneur and a woman. I'm not perfect, but I'm perfectly fine with where I am right now.
If you're reading this, thank you. Thank you for being a part of my journey.
What decade has been your best?
Tell me your stories... Have you fallen in love with yourself yet? E-mail me for a complimentary consultation... a photoshoot is a huge step towards this.
The Scientific Reason You Should Book a Couple's Boudoir Photoshoot
Scientific? Yup…well sort of. I'm not a scientist, but I do know a thing or two about the subject.
Have you thought about the couples boudoir photoshoot idea? Yes... then ready on for why. In short, it’s amazing and can really spark something in a relationship.
Have you ever watched the Bachelor/Bachelorette franchise? About midway through the season, they push the participants waaaay out of their comfort zones together. They do this to fast-track the bond that has to be created within the course of a few weeks for filming. Whether it’s repelling from a tall building, crossing a rickety suspension bridge or stripping down in front of a virtual stranger, you’ll have this adrenaline rush. When it subsides, you’re flooded with endorphins and oxytocin. You look into your partner’s eyes and you associate all those good vibes with him. Tada... true love... or something that feels like it.
I have a funny little rule for my couple’s shoots: NO KISSING!
You’re probably thinking that sounds really strange for a sexy photoshoot. The reason is two-fold.
- It keeps everything in check. I’m not an nc-17 kind of photographer. There are no sexual acts in my photoshoots. Just lots of seduction. This leads me to my second reason
- Seduction is the most gorgeous kind of intimacy between a couple. It’s the longing to touch, taste and quite frankly… get busy, that brings out those gorgeous photos.
If you look through my photos, you won’t see an actual kiss. Lots of almost-kisses. Do you know how sexy it is to be millimeters from her lips and not be able to follow through? Your heart is pounding, your hormones are flooding and you ares so ready to take your lover home and have your way.
Remember I mentioned those happy hormones? Those are unleashed through your body every single time you look at that photo. You brain sees those photos and you are transported back to that moment and those feelings.
Put a beautiful print on your wall and experience that fire every single day.
Some of the highlights from my favorite couple’s boudoir photoshoots:
Miss M - Glamour Photoshoot
Glamour Photoshoot
Sometimes a woman simply cannot recognize her own stunning beauty. M and I have been friends for a couple years now. We have 5 small children between us (me: 2, her: 3), so sometimes we'll go months without seeing each other. But she's one of the most vibrant women I've ever met. She's energetic, she's positive and always up for just one more glass of chardonnay.
Photo by Leslie Cersovski at Lavish Boudoir™ Maryland
I have been dying to photograph this stunningly beautiful woman since the day we met. And it's taken me months to convince her to step into my studio. I finally begged her to model glamour for me since most of my clients elect to have their photos in their undies. She's a conservative kind of girl, so I knew this was the only way. I explained that I needed a woman with such an awesome wardrobe to come do a completely g-rated photoshoot and let me film some behind the scenes.
Photo by Leslie Cersovski at Lavish Boudoir™ Maryland
Photo by Leslie Cersovski at Lavish Boudoir™ Maryland
Photo by Leslie Cersovski at Lavish Boudoir™ Maryland
Photo by Leslie Cersovski at Lavish Boudoir™ Maryland
She started in makeup with Edgar Camposand he took a naturally gorgeous woman and emphasized her long lashes and toothpaste commercial smile. Her wardrobe was spectacular. The dresses... swoon. Such vibrance and classic style... kind of like her.
Photo by Leslie Cersovski at Lavish Boudoir™
Photo by Leslie Cersovski at Lavish Boudoir™
Photo by Leslie Cersovski at Lavish Boudoir™
I love photographing blondes against my black velvet drop. The fabric contrasts with her highlights and gentle curls beautifully. Add a hair fan, and hello magazine cover.
Photo by Leslie Cersovski at Lavish Boudoir™
Photo by Leslie Cersovski at Lavish Boudoir™
I love a casual "girlfriend" style photo. You know how in movies, the lead is always pining after this gorgeous supposed-snapshot of his great lost love. The kind of photo that just captures the look that is unique to a woman.
Thank you, M, for letting me photograph you. I know it wasn't exactly your idea of a great day, but when you told me... "That wasn't as bad as I thought," it meant the world to me. So here are some of your photos... come back and see the rest!
Cheers!
Leslie
Photoshoot Wardrobe Advice from Lavish Boudoir™
Here are our best tips for boudoir outfit ideas!
TIP #1: Take care of your girls.
Get a bra that fits well. Strap it on, then bed forward so your breasts rest fully in the cups. The cups should not gape. Now stand up, your boobs should not be spilling over. Last step, take off the straps and dance around a bit. The band should be fitted enough to fully support your breasts like a strapless bra.
Our favorite store for bras for all sizes: www.playfulpromises.com/
TIP #2: Throw that free g-string in the trash.
It is doing you no favors. Find a complementary (not complimentary) pair of undies. For super fit or slightly flat bums... go for a thong to enhance the shape. Rounder bums look bootylicious in a pair of cheekies. Bums that need a bit more coverage and the illusion of lift, look best in traditional bikini style with wide sides.
Our favorite place for undies in a variety of styles: www.hankypanky.com
TIP #3: Embrace shapewear that embraces you.
We all want an hourglass, whether we're 110 or 210 lbs, 25 or 65 years old. Shapewear used to mean nude colored granny panties, girdle and bra. Not anymore... they come with lace panels, sexy materials and even cute prints like leopard. Slips and corselettes (not corsets) are best for those who want a bit more control over hips and waist. You can even get some that go under your regular bra for a truly custom fit. Teddies show off toned legs, but trim the waistline. If you have a tiny waist but feel like your bottom half is a bit generous, try a skirt.
Our favorite place for flattering pieces that make any woman feel like a sex kitten: www.GossardUSA.com
BONUS TIP:
Don't buy your stockings at the mall. They're overpriced if you aren't looking for something to wear multiple times.
My favorite place to buy affordable stockings and tights in sooo many cute designs: www.Yandy.com
I hope that your boudoir session planning is going well. Whether you decide to book with us or not, we want you to have the BEST experience possible, because we truly believe in the transformative power of boudoir.
Recently a client wrote to me, "This was a serious milestone for me, and I want everyone to have the same confidence/ego boost that I experienced. I initially booked as just a fun gift for my husband, and it evolved into so much more. Even at my best fitness level, I've suffered a poor body image for various reasons, and even though it's a drag to have waited until 46 years of age to start gaining real confidence, it's better late than never!"
Happy shopping!
If you'd like to schedule a complimentary consultation, I'd be happy to give you more specific advice.
How to make choreplay even hotter - Lavish Boudoir
Studies say choreplay is sexy...
WTF is choreplay? In a study called Egalitarianism, Housework, and Sexual Frequency in Marriage, Kornrich, Brines & Luepp, basically found that couples who stick to a more traditional division of chores have sex more than couples who take a more gender-bending approach to chores.
Now, I am all about equal effort to take care of a house and home, but I do think it's sexy as hell when my husband remembers to take out the trash every night and mows the lawn (preferably shirtless) on the weekend.
But here's what I think is the best choreplay... hiring someone else to do it and spending that time connecting. Sometimes that means an hour sitting on our butts watching Shameless. But it usually means we are not too damn exhausted to want to hug, hold and get it on.
We live crazy busy lives and I bet you do, too. Whether it's a demanding job, busy children or even a dedication to a special organization... I bet your days feel like there are never enough hours, let alone sex.
We still do the daily tidying up, the cooking and the resulting cleanup, and we definitely need to scrub our little boys nightly. But a team of dedicated professionals come and turn my pigsty into a palace. It takes me 2 hours of prep work to tidy, but it means that while they're doing the heavy cleaning... I'm playing with my youngest, serving clients or doing something that I am much better at (seriously, I've been told I'm actually bad at the skill of cleaning). They can accomplish in two hours what would take me at least six.
So on Thursday night, I cook, my husband cleans the kitchen and I scrub my littles. We cuddle up on the couch, look around at our lovely home and just relax. That is the best foreplay in the world.
So grab a feather duster, put on something sexy and get dirty.
Photos & Makeup by Leslie Cersovski
The perfect gift for him.
Christmas 2016
The perfect gift for you husband, boyfriend or lover is a gift he can't get for himself. There is something so perfectly unique about giving him a gorgeous folio filled with the sexiest photos you've ever seen of yourself. The gift will be so much more perfect than you can even imagine.
Top 5 signs he'd love this gift from you:
- He loves you in lingerie
- He loves you out of lingerie
- He dives into the Victoria's Secret holiday catalog before you even get a chance.
- He's told you he thinks your hot as hell.
- He's a man... who likes women, but REALLY likes you.
How to style your holiday boudoir photoshoot:
- Choose lingerie that lends itself to the holiday spirit, but isn't too costumey.
- Jewel tones are spectacular on all skin tones from the fairest porcelain to the deepest cocoa.
- Add some twinkle lights.
- A furry blanket adds warmth and texture... and feels nice against bare skin
Fun ways to present your boudoir photos to him:
- Wrap it in a deceptive box. For example, wrap it in a boxer brief box and tell him you got him something sexy.
- Buy a red velvet stocking and hang it on his bed post.
- Dress up in your favorite lingerie and strut out to "Santa Baby" with the beautifully wrapped gift. Tell him he can't unwrap you until he opens his gift.
- Count down the 25 days of Christmas with one photo every day. Start mild and get to wild.
- Use the 12 days of Christmas to leave hints
You read to thrill him?
- Decide if you'd like to do the photoshoot by yourself or with 1-3 friends and make a day of it.
- Check our availability by clicking here.
- Call Leslie at 866-930-7060 and press 1 or e-mail Leslie@LavishBoudoir.com for full pricing and to start planning
- That's it! Easy peasy. We'll take it from there.
