Inspiration: Rachel Antonoff, Spring/Summer 2012

Inspired by Wednesday Addams of The Addams Family. Great idea for themed shoot!

Inspiration: Cool hair idea

How about this for a kids shoot? I love...



Water Maidens

Why not don your swimsuit and head out to a pool (or a makeshift pool) at night for a really different boudoir session?

California Dreamin'

The newly released video for the single California King Bed features a soft and sultry Rihanna in both a beautiful and dreamy boudoir setting and a lush outdoor location - which, as we've said before, makes for an unconventional but gorgeous location for boudoir photos. We love that Rihanna's hair is perfectly disheveled and her modest-but-sexy cream colored lingerie is perfectly feminine. If you are thinking about scheduling a boudoir session, we hope this video will inspire you as much as it does us.

Allison's Sneak Peeks

Copyright Jai Prince Photography for Sultry Boudoir

We shot this boudoir session in Old Town Alexandria, Virginia over the weekend and there were sooo many amazing photos. We are beyond thrilled that our lovely muse gave us the permission to share some of them. Thank you Allison! You are a real sweetheart of a girl! We wish you the very best of everything on your special day and always. :-)

Gigantic hugs to Michele (wedding planner extraordinaire!) at Michele Damon Events for referring Allison to us and a huge thanks also to Marquia at Blend Make-up Artistry for making a most gorgeous bride-to-be even more radiant!

xoxo

Alluring Attire



Victoria's Secret

If the thinking outside the box isn't exactly what you had in mind for your boudoir session then maybe you'll want to check out some of our favorite intimate apparel retailers. The above ensemble can be found at tried-and-true Victoria's Secret, which is always a great place to go for something sultry. A few of our other faves like La Perla, Agent Provocateur, Faire Frou Frou and Hanky Panky have some really sumptuous offerings as well. Hanky Panky even manages to make collegiate team spirit gear alluring. If he has a favorite college team or if you two met at your alma mater, this could make for a perfect photo gift. Looking for other ideas? Why not personalize your boyshorts with his name, your wedding date or anything else that has meaning for you....

Know of other great places to find seductive threads? Let us know! And stay tuned for a feature on some not-so-well-known (to those of us in the U.S.) lingerie designers and retailers.

High-Fashion Posing

It's all about filling the frame with angles. And the willingness to step out of your comfort zone and not be afraid of looking a little strange. Because in editorial photography, strange is good. For a great perspective on achieving an editorial look even if you aren't a supermodel, check out this vid from the uber sultry Josie Maran.

FAQ: How long after the session will it take to receive my images?



Copyright Jai Prince Photography for Sultry Boudoir

If you are planning to present your images as a gift for a special occasion, it is best to schedule your session two months out. Why? Well, because after your shoot, we'll go through an editing process, retouching each individual usable image. This can take 1-2 weeks. Once that's done, you will receive a password-protected online gallery to browse and select from a variety of products. And that could take you an hour or it could take you a week. From there, turnaround time will depend on the items you've selected. Prints can be turned around quickly but most of our more popular items take a bit longer. And custom items like albums...those can take up to 4 weeks. So our best advice is to plan ahead...

Special Offer: For the BOLD and the beautiful



Copyright Jai Prince Photography for Sultry Boudoir

We know you're beautiful. But are you bold?!

 If you answered yes, this special offer is for you.

If you agree to give us full usage rights so that we may use your photos on our website, blog and marketing materials, you will receive 15% off of your session fee and a $50 gift certificate which can be applied towards your product purchases or any future session fee within a twelve month period. So keep the gift certificate for yourself or give it to a friend!

Boudoir: The Best Location

The Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa

If you are wondering where the best place to shoot your boudoir session is, well, you could always commission us to shoot at the uber luxurious The Twelve Apostles in Cape Town, South Africa. Condé Nast Traveler Magazine lists it among the 80 best new hotels in the world. We certainly wouldn't turn you down!

But is there really a "best" place to shoot? We'd have to say no. The options are many and really depend on your personal style and perhaps how much you want to spend. Regardless, the possibilities are endless. Your session can take place in a studio, in your own home, in someone else's home, at a hotel or even outside (yep, outside...but more on that later). It's really a matter of preference but here are some things to think about (for Mrs. Spradlin, my beloved 6th grade English teacher, "Here are some things about which to think.").

First, determine your budget. Then you'll want to look for a location that suits both your personality and the wardrobe you plan to wear. Maybe something classic or vintage would be more suitable than something modern and chic. Keep in mind that a spacious space works best - and if it offers more than one backdrop, that's super fabulous. Lastly, be on the lookout for huge picture windows and remember that lots of natural light is our very best friend.

For some city-specific location suggestions, stay tuned!

FAQ: Wait...what exactly is boudoir?



various sources

Boudoir (pronounced boo-DWAR) is a French word meaning bedroom.  When the boudoir photography trend began, sensual photos of soon-to-be-wed women were taken in bedroom settings for the purpose of presenting them to their soon-to-be-husbands, usually just before the wedding ceremony. Today, this trend continues but boudoir photography is now regarded as alluring photos for any woman. Some do it to mark a milestone like an important birthday or as a reward for reaching a personal goal. Others do it to spice up their relationships or just to surprise a loved one with a fabulously unexpected gift. Still, there are others who do it just because it sounds like fun. And, trust us...it really is a lot of fun!

Fashion Passion

The fabulous Miranda Kerr and ELLE Magazine provide a really sultry behind-the-scenes look at a magazine shoot. We love that any one of these outfits would make for PERFECT boudoir attire. Wouldn't you agree?

Tips for the day of the shoot



Copyright Jai Prince Photography for Sultry Boudoir

Here's the quick and dirty on how to make sure you are prepared the day of the shoot:

1. For more dramatic photos, remember to wear false lashes or bring lashes for the make-up artist to apply.
2. Be mindful that tight waistbands and items such as socks, panties, bras and jeans can leave visible lines on the skin, which can take 30-60 minutes to disappear. On the day of the shoot, wear loose clothing (i.e. loose fitting gym clothes and no underwear).
3. Wear clear-dry antiperspirant to avoid white marks under your arms or on your clothes.
4. If you have sensitive skin and use special products/make-up, bring them with you for the make-up artist to apply.
5. Arrive with hair ready, a clean face (no make-up), manicured fingers and toes, and well- groomed eyebrows.
6. If you have an iPod with a playlist that makes you feel sexy and relaxed, bring it with you.
7. Don’t forget those shoes!
8. Lastly (and this is probably the most important), know that you are beautiful!! If you feel great about yourself, you will exude confidence. Confidence shows and will help to make your photos the best they can be.

FAQ: I booked a boudoir shoot...now what?



Copyright Jai Prince Photography for Sultry Boudoir

Well, first you can go ahead and jump for joy 'cuz you are about to have some pretty rockin' photos of yourself to share with your significant other - or just to enjoy for yourself!! But next there are some things you can do prior to the shoot to help ensure awesomess! And here they are:

1. Browse magazines for posing ideas and practice them. We will be there to offer direction but if you have ideas of your own or are comfortable moving with little-to-no direction, you may be more confident and it’s likely you’ll get a greater number of usable shots. When studying magazines, pay close attention to the position of hands, the different angles the body makes (tilt of the head, arms, torso, thighs, hips, and legs), and facial expressions. Practice all of these things in a mirror. Remember, exaggerated or unusual poses usually look most interesting!
2. Find at least six outfits to bring. We may not have time for all of them but it’s best to have options, just in case.
3. Try on your complete outfits (with shoes and accessories). Make sure you are comfortable in them and that they fit well.
4. Be sure clothing is in good condition. Rips, raveling hems, stretched seams, runs, lint balls/pilling will all be very noticeable in photos and will detract from the finished product.
5. Find photos of make-up looks you love so that you can share them with the make-up artist.
6. 24-48 hours prior to shoot, drink plenty of water and avoid fatty, greasy, and salty foods that will make you puffy or bloated. Also avoid anything that may stain your teeth.
7. Be sure that your nails are neat and well maintained. Short, polished nails with a natural or buff color works great!
8. Be sure to take care of removal of all unwanted hair such as stray brows (which the make-up artist may not have time to attend to), hair on the upper lip or chin and any other excess facial hair. If you have never waxed your brows (or other areas), a couple days before the shoot may be the perfect time to treat yourself as redness or irritation of the sensitive areas may require 2-3 days to subside.
9. Plan your hairstyle. You may want a polished, well-groomed look or, if you are going for the “morning after” look (which looks great), wild or slightly disheveled hair that has been roller-set and tousled may be more suitable. The make-up artist may be able to make minor adjustments to the hair but don’t plan on a full styling on the day of the shoot.
10. Keep your skin hydrated and moisturized in the days before the shoot
11. Get plenty of rest. The night before, avoid alcohol and environments with cigarette smoke, which can make your eyes red and puffy. If you smoke, try to decrease your intake as it deprives skin of oxygen and nutrients, making it appear gray.

What's your best feature?



Copyright Jai Prince Photography for Sultry Boudoir

What would your significant other say? Whether it's your eyes, lips, back, legs or, maybe, your feet, why not let your favorite feature play a starring role in some of your photos? These shots provide a little anonymity (perfect for wall art) and they are sooooo sultry...

Boudoir Wardrobe Ideas: Thinking outside the box



various sources

For some, finding the perfect outfits can be a daunting task. But whether you are romantic, athletic, conservative, dramatic, bold, or innocent, the wardrobe possibilities really are endless. Try imagining a simple story for your session (i.e. unwinding after a high-powered day at the office, getting ready for a night on the town, waking up on a lazy Sunday, etc). This can be a great way to come up with ideas. You might also try browsing lingerie catalogues and fashion magazines for inspiration (like we did for the photos above).

You can wear a beautiful but basic bra or camisole with matching panty. Or perhaps something a bit more racy. But for a fashion mag look, consider some not-so-traditional boudoir attire as well. Think about a one-piece swimsuit with tons of jewelry, a bodysuit with either bare legs or fishnets, full panties paired with cropped jacket (no top), bikini top and cut-off jean shorts, a sheer dress, or maybe a white tank and mini skirt.

Need more ideas? We also love:

·         tank top and boy shorts

·         blazer over lacy bra and panties or boy shorts

·         leather jacket or leather vest

·         tons of beaded necklaces of varying lengths (instead of a top)

·         nightgown with spaghetti straps

·         oxford (button down) shirt and panties

·         bath towel or bed sheet

·         baby tee and daisy dukes/really short cut-offs

·         anything that is interesting or unusual from the back

·         hat, scarf (instead of top) and legwarmers

·         mis-matched bra and panty

·         fuzzy, off-the-shoulder sweater with over-the-knee socks

·         bodystocking

·         cocktail dress

·         your bridal veil

·         anything fishnet, sheer or semi-sheer

·         anything that is lace or has ruffles 

·         anything that is vintage

·         anything that he gave you

        

If you really prefer lingerie pieces, we'll let you know some of our favorite places to shop in an upcoming post. Just remember to think out of the box and try to incorporate some non-lingerie pieces if at all possible. And no matter what you wear, don't forget jewelry and super sexy shoes! xoxo