{Unfake Boudoir Shoot} Sexy Isn’t About Nakedness

Does the idea of a boudoir shoot make you somehow giddy with excitement, yet at the same time make you want to crawl under a rock? Yeah. Me too. Can’t wrap my brain around it, really. I mean, just knowing that the wrinkles and dimples and lumps and bumps are there is enough to make me want to go to a marathon hot yoga class.

And then I saw this really great shoot by Nashville (soon to include Denver) Photographers Chris & Adrienne Scott. They offer boudoir photography (called ‘Flaunt’ on their blog) and asked if I’d feature one of their clients, Mrs. D.

Check out her super-tasteful shoot (and interview) of this HOT mother of TWO!

Photographer   Chris & Adrienne Scott Photographers

Location   CJ's Off the Square

Make-Up   Amy Lynn Larwing

What made you decide that a boudoir shoot was the way to go versus another kind of gift?

I had never considered boudoir photography until I happened upon a blog entry in which Chris & Adrienne's Flaunt sessions were mentioned. I followed the link to their site and loved the images. At the same time, I was trying to find an anniversary gift for my husband. After some thought, I decided to do a Flaunt session because he would never guess I'd do such a thing. I knew it would be a great surprise!

Would you consider yourself body conscious? If not, great! If yes, please explain how you overcame that for the boudoir shoot.

I am not particularly body conscious, but I am a mother of two young children and there are areas of my body that are not exactly "what they used to be". I knew the photographers would make me look great and I made sure to select outfits that made me feel comfortable.

 

Did you do anything to "prep" for the shoot? Diet? Exercise? Shopping?

I didn't do a great amount of prep work before the session, although I did make sure to drink lots of water, exfoliate/moisturize for several days leading up to the session. I purchased one new outfit and the other two were things I already owned.

What was your comfort level during the shoot? Please explain how you felt.

When I first arrived at our location, I went straight into makeup. I think it was a nice way to get a little more relaxed and deal with the nerves that set in when you realize you're getting ready to walk around in lingerie in front of strangers. Chris & Adrienne met with me to look over my outfits and we made a loose plan of how the session would move along. They were funny and upbeat and I immediately felt comfortable with them. We had a great shoot location and I could tell the photos were going to be great. 

 

Would you do this again?

 My husband was thrilled with the album I gave him! I don't know if I'd have a reason to do it again anytime soon, but it was so fun to get glammed up and work with great photographers. I definitely recommend it to my friends!

Thanks to Mrs. D. for sharing her experience with us and to Chris & Adrienne Scott for the wonderful photography!

{Unfake Boudoir Shoot!} Let’s Get Sexy!

ATTENTION! THIS POST IS NOT SUITABLE FOR THE UNDER-AGED, THE PERVERTED OR THE STUFFY, RIGHT-WING MICHELLE BACHMAN TYPES. IT’S PROBABLY BEST TO MAKE SURE THE OFFICE IS CLEAR IF YOU’RE AT WORK.

OK, now that the disclaimers is done…

Welcome to the Unfake Boudoir Shoot of our bride-model, Viola! I think these are some AH-mazing photos and hope you enjoy them as well as what she’s got to say about her boudoir shoot.

Photographer: Jana Williams Photography

Lingerie: La Perla

What made you decide that a boudoir shoot was the way to go versus a bridal session?

Honestly, I decided to do a boudoir shoot instead of bridal session because I wanted to feel beautiful and sexy and free in these photos. I want my husband to always have these and remember what a free sexy spirit I am even when I’m 80!

Would you consider yourself body conscious? If not, great! If yes, please explain how you overcame that for the boudoir shoot.

Sure, I’m body conscious! I think everyone is on some level, but Jana really worked putting my body in very flattering positions. Her notes of  "Bend your back, relax your shoulders, lift your butt.” were super helpful! I was shocked at how curvy and in-shape my body looks!  Thanks Jana!

Did you do anything to "prep" for the shoot? Diet? Exercise? Shopping?

Yes, a little. Jana suggested that I drink a ton of water and eat early dinners 4 days before the shoot. I was feeling so excited that I just ate less, I think.

What was your comfort level during the shoot? Please explain how you felt.

I was super nervous when I first got there because I have never done anything like this before. With all the direction and coaching that I got from Jana, within 20 minutes I felt calm and sexy. We had music playing and I was in a beautiful room in front of this amazing window, not to mention I had my hair and makeup done and that always makes me feel a thousand percent better!

Would you do this again? 

Hell YES!! This shoot created a shift in my life. I needed to feel pretty and sexy again and let me tell this shoot did that for me ! It changed my life! I feel kinda silly saying that, but it really did. I would say to every woman out there call Jana Williams and let her do her magic with you!  Her taste and style let me with artistic sexy photos that I can cherish forever!

Kinda gorgeous, no? Thanks so much to Viola for sharing this pictures and to Jana Williams Photography for the incredible shoot!

And don't forget, there's still time to enter to win the Pre-Loved Melissa Sweet Gown! 

{Unfake Boudoir Shoot!} T30SB Loves Hillary.

*IF YOU ARE AT WORK, SOMEONE COULD GET YOU IN TROUBLE BECAUSE OF THE PICS ON THIS POST. THOSE PEOPLE WOULD BE LAME, BUT YOU'VE BE WARNED!*

So I’m trying to post more Boudoir Shoots. Why? Because I believe that dressing up sexy and having fabulous photographs taken of you must be an incredibly empowering activity. So far, the women I’ve asked say so. I can’t speak first hand, but I plan to. Some day. Soon.

Today’s Boudoir Shoot was graciously shared with me from one of my favorite brides Hillary, of Brocade Design Arts (florist extraordinaire) who has been featured here before. First, she was the amazing recipient of the life changing experience, What Not to Wear. I also shared her kick-ass engagement shoot pictures here. And to further expound on her amazingness, she also hired me to make her hair toy and embellish her bridal sash. Suffice to say that I am chomping at the bit to see those dang wedding pictures! GAH!

Anyway, I love that she did a boudoir shoot! I mean, this girl just takes the bulls by the horns and does stuff. I love that. And I love this shoot.

I was looking at the boudoir pictures here at home and The Candyman walked it and started looking over my shoulder and was all, “Hello! Who the hell is that and please tell me you’re putting her on your blog. She’s hot. Hey, why don’t YOU have some of that lingerie…..” I sweetly cut him off and answered that I was indeed going to feature her and that these were pictures of the woman from What Not to Wear. His jaw just dropped. Since I had totally forced him to watch that episode with me, he knew the frumpiness that was Hillary. I tell you, I don’t even know who that girl was because damn, y’all. Just check out these pictures and read what Hillary has to say about the experience.

Photographer  Kristyn Hogan

Make-Up/Hair  Amy Lynn Larwig

What made you decide that a boudoir shoot was the way to go versus a bridal session?

To me, a bridal session was kind of boring compared to a boudoir. I have a great love of photography, and my husband is a photographer-- so I knew he'd really appreciate a boudoir session as a gift. It was also the most fun way of playing adult dress-up!

Would you consider yourself body conscious? If not, great! If yes, please explain how you overcame that for the boudoir shoot.

I am body conscious-- I've been heavier all of my life, and while I feel like I'm in the best shape of my life both then and now, I kind of felt like I might be too "lumpy." To conquer that, I really played up the positive thinking and trusted that I was going to have fun with it. I also drank some frozen margaritas, which really helped lower the inhibitions a bit. The more I had fun with it and really dove in and just said "this is going to rule!" the better I felt and the more positive the outcome. I channeled my inner sex kitten and rocked it out!!

Did you do anything to "prep" for the shoot? Diet? Exercise? Shopping?

I had a lingerie shower about a month before the shoot, and my friends did a great job at treating me to some gorgeous pieces. I was really super lucky in that respect.  The weekend before the shoot, I went out to Victoria's Secret and supplemented with some things that I felt I wanted or needed for the shoot.

The week before, I drank a lot of water to stay hydrated, I was already on a diet and exercise program so I just watched my calories the same. I also invested in a professional make-up artist to do hair and makeup, which was well worth the expense and went a long way in making me feel beautiful and confident for the shoot.

The only other thing I did, which may sound kind of strange, is that I did a lot of research online at other boudoir sessions and pin up sessions, and I practiced poses and looks in the mirror and practiced without a mirror-- just to get comfortable and trying new things. That really helped me to feel like there were certain looks I was more comfortable doing, and let me take direction from my photog a bit better as well.

What was your comfort level during the shoot? Please explain how you felt.

I feel totally confident with my photographer, as she's my friend, and the makeup artist—she’s my friend too, so we were able to chat and be honest and just have a good time leading up to and during the shoot. I didn't feel self conscious at all, surprisingly-- that came later when I looked at my pics. Some of them I was overly judge-y of myself on-- it just takes time to revise that way of thinking where you see flaws far before you see benefits :) I felt really empowered during the shoot-- I felt self confident and sexy, and that was really awesome. I didn't fully expect that--- to feel this really almost elemental energy coursing through my veins, but I did and it was amazing! 

Would you do this again?

I would love to do it again. I plan on doing it at least once a year-- not just for my beau, but for me-- to reconnect with myself, have fun playing dress up, use all that lingerie-- it's a really great self-renewing escape, and I can't recommend it enough to women. If you're on the fence, seriously, take the plunge! It's too fun not to!

Don’t you just love it! And I love how her boobs aren’t fake and her skin is all peaches and cream and she just looks incredible! Thank you so much for sharing Hillary! You are a brave woman! 

And don't forget to ENTER TO WIN $100 IN STATIONARY GOODIES FROM MINTED.COM!!!!!!!!!