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.
It's not once-in-a-lifetime after all!
Meet Jessica (I’ll use her real name because she’s proud of these photos).
She became a client years ago and has continued to work with me over the years (twice flying across the country just to be photographed).
Let me tell you about Jess over the years I’ve known her.
2011
She had just graduated from college. She wanted photos while she was young and cute. Her shoot was over-the-top and a little wild. The kind of wild that comes with being 22.
2012
Jess was coming into her sensuality. She was learning what it meant to be a woman rather than a girl. She exuded confidence in a way that said, “I don’t need to impress you.”
2013
This was J’s first shoot where we got her completely nude. Honestly, I think it was the first time I was brave enough to shoot nudes. I have those in the studio. She is so lucky to have captured her figure at this stage.
2014
Bridal boudoir! Recently engaged, she wanted a gift for herself (and her amazing husband-to-be). We did get a more traditional shot, but I think this one shows off the woman she was going into a marriage. Strong, fierce and sexy.
2015
Inspired by the ANGELS book by Russel James.
2016
We actually brought out the lucky groom for a vintage-inspired engagement shoot. Yes, it escalated into a little bit of boudoir… as my shoots always do.
2018
We missed our annual shoot because I was living in Albuquerque and she was in Georgia. But when she had an opportunity to fly out here, we grabbed it.
How amazing is she in this?!
2019
It could not bring more joy to my heart than to do Jessica’s last photoshoot in her 20s. Oh and I got to photograph her just before her baby will make its debut.
I plan to visit her in Georgia next year to capture her and her little one.
Jess, you are going to have the most loved child. You are one for great adventures and this will be your biggest yet.
2022
We had a little gap because of the pandemic and moving states, but here she is in my new Maryland studio. In fact, I insisted she be the first woman I photographed here.
Jess brought her husband and little boy along for the trip. We stayed up late drinking wine and reconnecting while my “big boys” entertained her little guy. The following morning, it was all glamour. Her darling husband even made a Starbucks run for us.
Miss B - The gorgeous Miss B… mom, wife, business owner…
The gorgeous Miss B… mom, wife, business owner…
“Leslie is so wonderful to work with!! From the moment you book your appointment she is there to help with everything. I loved the checklist she sent, it kept me excited and motivated for the shoot since I had scheduled mine almost six months in advance. The day of the shoot was amazing!! I was a little nervous but Leslie’s fun personality will instantly put you to ease. I have never felt more beautiful!! I am so in love with my photos and can’t wait to give my husband the beautifully crafted book for our 10 year anniversary.”
Miss B
The beach rule for your boudoir photoshoot wardrobe styling.
What’s the first thing you start researching when you’ve booked a boudoir photoshoot?
LINGERIE!
Yay! It’s so much fun! There are so many styles! Oh no, I’m totally overwhelmed.
I have an easy rule of thumb on just how revealing your lingerie should be based on your personal comfort level at the beach. Choose your style and then incorporate anything from the list down.
Gone streaking?
Get naked. You can cover the naughty bits, but you will LOVE photos of you in the buff. Don’t be shy. We’ve seen lots of naked in our studio and it’s no big deal. Try a body chain!
Teeniest bikini?
You’ll feel right at home in a bra and thong/panty set with lots of eye-catching details.
Sporty?
Try a look inspired by Calvin Klein with a bralette and briefs. Bring a great pair of jeans for layering.
Modest Bikini
Bras and underwear with a bit more coverage. This means high-waisted panties (they’re sexier than you think) and a bra with some underwire support.
One-piece?
A strappy or skimpy bodysuit will be perfect. Get one with pretty details.
Miracle Suit?
Shapewear with sexy trim and lace panels smooth over curves for a beautiful hourglass effect.
Cover up all day?
You are going to want layers to feel comfortable. A lacy robe (not satin), cozy cardigan, or slouchy sheer tank will have you feeling sexy in a more modest way.
How to paint a photography backdrop for boudoir
Usually my posts are meant for clients, but this time I wanted to share some knowledge with my clients.
I’ve wanted a painted back drop for ages, but I didn’t want to commit $$$$ to one if I wasn’t sure I’d use it and love it. So as I do with most things… I went DIY for this project. I do a lot of painting projects, so I had a lot of supplies on hand.
Supply list:
1) Large canvas seamless cloth like this one from Amazon.
2) Plastic drop cloth like this one from Sherwin Williams
3) Wide painters tape like Frog Tape (my favorite brand)
4) Zinsser water-based primer ( I used about a quart and a half of my gallon)
5) Miscellaneous paint in grey tones that I had lying around. I used about 3 quarts when all was said and done. I chose a medium grey and a very dark charcoal grey. The ones linked are the quarts from Sherwin Williams in satin. When it’s painted on canvas, it doesn’t have any sheen to it.
5) A paint roller multipack + roller frame + tray multipack
6) an extension pole is optional, but it will make the job easier
7) water and a mixing container with measurement markers
Time to complete project: 1 day in a dry climate
Instructions:
1) Find a large flat hard surface outdoors or in a garage and tape the drop cloth to the ground. Remember to leave room to walk around your canvas on all sides.
2) Unfold the canvas and tape the edges to the plastic sheet
3) Mix the primer with water at about a 2:1 ratio. I chose to do 1/2 quart primer to 1/4 quart water.
4) Use the roller to apply it everywhere. It will get soaked in pretty quickly.
5) Wait about an hour and apply another coat of primer with the same ratio
6) Mix your base color paint with the same ratio as the primer. Use a new roller cover and tray unless you feel like doing massive amounts of cleaning.
7) Roll paint mixture out in all directions. To the left, to the right, then front, then back. X patterns and + patterns. The thin paint will create a textured look that is more opaque in some places than others. Which is what makes it look hand-painted. Let dry completely.
8) Apply a second color of paint. For this color, I mixed equal parts water and paint. I tend to shoot slightly over-exposed, so I made the second coat a bit darker to compensate for that. I wanted a charcoal grey with bits of light grey showing in places. Use the same X and + patterns. If you are picking two very different colors, use a new roller cover and paint pan. Mine were in the same tone, so I just re-used mine.
9) Tada! A hand-painted backdrop for a fraction of the cost of paying a professional.
So far, I’ve only had this for about a week, but I’m storing it rolled up and haven’t had any issues with cracking. Diluting the paint and doing it in layers, it retained some flexibility.
Since we are on quarantine, Here’s a not-so-great snap my mom took with my camera. Yes, the focus is off.
Image 1: canvas taped down
Image 2: Eli helping me roll out the first coat of primer.
Image 3 + 4: Leo putting on the darker grey paint over the first coat of medium grey
Such an easy project, a 2nd grader and pre-schooler can do it! Well, as long as you do the mixing and constantly remind them to stay ON the canvas with their paint and off of it with their feet.
Let me know if you have any questions!
Miss L - Fabulously 40 + All For Herself
Miss L came for a boudoir photoshoot in our to celebrate her 40th birthday in a fun and glamorous way. We pampered this mom and had an amazing time laughing until it hurt and creating gorgeous boudoir portraits for her to cherish for decades.
This smile belongs to a woman who just exudes joy…
When L walked into my studio… my first thought was “Holy moly, she’s gorgeous!” Then she smiled and I don’t think we stopped giggling together for the next 3 hours.
Yes, she was nervous. She looked at me like I was a crazy person when I asked if we could leave her hair as is. But I knew that I wanted to showcase those cheekbones and perfect teeth without distraction. We aren’t all blessed with faces that just need a simple frame.
She had mentioned during our initial consult that she had done a little modeling back in the mid-nineties. I think a lot of us took those modeling classes. I did, but I topped out at 5’5 and there went the dream of walking a runway like Cindy Crawford. 🤣
But L, she’s tall, she’s got spectacular muscles that are lean and feminine, and those cheekbones… well I already mentioned those. She really could have modeled, and I was DYING to get her out of the makeup chair and in front of my lens. I just knew the light would wrap around her with so much love.
She brought beautiful wardrobe that she had splurged on, but I think some of my favorites were the ones in the white sheets and the ones in the plain black bodysuit from my studio wardrobe for the same reason I wanted to keep her hair simple. I didn’t want to distract from her beauty.
Most of the photos she released to me aren’t smiling, which is hysterical because my belly was aching from all the laughing we did. It’s not unusual for my clients to be sore the next day as I guide them through the acrobatic poses, but I’m pretty used to it. But we managed to hold it together long enough to get these amazing photos.
L, thank you for letting me share these photos.
