Five Tips for a Smokin’ Lingerie Shoot



PHOTOGRAPHER CREDIT: 
Five Tips for a Smokin’ Lingerie Shoot | Book a boudoir session into your wedding weekend photography package and define sexy for yourself
After poring through hundreds of thousands of wedding galleries and styled shoots, we’ve seen tons of boudoir photos in the mix. Till now, we’ve not seen one that made sense to share with you all. Why? We’re Charleston Weddings and we showcase the best of the area, which just so happens to be considered the most mannerly city in America. So not only can we not, in good conscious, show real brides in such a private light, but also we’ve not seen a styled shoot modeling the look and feel we think celebrates the modern Charleston bride. Till now.
 
Bravo to model Haylee Michalski and photographer Brian D Smith for these stunning photos that are sultry, powerful, and suggestive without compromising Haylee. We love how her personality comes through, how she looks smack at the camera, owning the situation and reclaiming “the male gaze;” with the poses she strikes and the emotion she conveys, it's clear she is the boss of how she is depicted. We also love how Brian shares practical ideas women of all shapes, sizes, ages, and more can utilize—black and white imagery, film, Polaroids, props, etc.—to get gorgeous shots.
 
Further? Listen to this: “I don’t much subscribe to the idea of doing these photos as a gift for husbands,” says Brian. “They will, for sure, appreciate them, but do them for yourself. Do them because you want to feel beautiful and sexy. Do them because you see value in documenting an intimate and quiet part of your wedding day. Do them because you want to show off, express yourself, and have fun.” Amen to that. 
 
TIP ONE: Be street-smart. 
Boudoir shoots are inherently vulnerable for whoever’s in front of the lens, so you should not only click with your photographer, but you should ensure your safety on set and after. Before booking, meet your shutterbug in person; make sure their reviews are solid, that they are known in the community, and that they are transparent. Have a written contract that details who owns 
the imagery and what it can (and can’t) be used for.
 
TIP TWO: Get a glam squad. 
You might be tops at styling yourself clothed, but pared down? You’re already investing in this shoot, so go for broke and get your hair and makeup done, and work with a pro to get the most flattering garments. Pick fashion stylists or lean on the staff at high-end lingerie shops, like Bits of Lace Fine Lingerie.
 
 
TIP THREE: Take it easy. 
“Keep your makeup to a bare look and pick a hairstyle that you can play with and have some fun with,” says photographer Brian D Smith, who shot these images. “And,” he adds, “I don’t recommend getting a tan. Pale skin photographs beautifully! Be as natural as you are.”
 
TIP FOUR: Play with different mediums
“Film handles natural skin tones with grace,” says photographer Brian, who advocates using film, black-and-white, and Polaroids for boudoir shots. “With film, pale skin tones are a soft and creamy white and naturally dark skin tones have the most beautiful, subtle glow. Black and whites convey a certain mystery that is perfect for boudoir. I could talk about Polaroids all day long—Polaroid imperfections [inherent to the medium, not regarding the model] seem to beautifully represent the human existence.”
 
TIP FIVE: Own it.
Worried about being the agent of your own objectification? Flip that narrative and own your shots. Photographer Dana Cubbage, who doesn’t shoot boudoir sessions, but says she’s considering starring in one of her own says solid eye contact with the lens and leaving more to the imagination (rather than full nudies) conveys you, your personality, and your power. 
 
VENDORS
Photography, styling: Brian D Smith, www.briandsmithphotography.com
Florals, styling: Petaloso, www.wearepetaloso.com
Venue: Wingate Plantation, www.wingateplantation.com
Lingerie: Bits of Lace Fine Lingerie, www.bitsoflace.com
Body suit: Sweet Caroline Styles, www.sweetcarolinestyles.com 
Robe, shoes: MODELBRIDE, www.modelbride.com
Beauty: Pampered & Pretty Bridal Hair and Makeup, www.pamperedandprettyxo.com
Floral backdrop: Ashley Woodson Bailey, www.awblove.com 
Sofa: 428 Main, www.428main.com
Paper Goods: Bergen Lauren, www.bergenlauren.com
 

 

The Wedding Row

November 25 2019
When you keep ending up in the same spot and locking eyes with someone, it starts to become obvious that it’s meant to be. A coffee shop is where it all began for Christina and Evan back in college...

November 21 2019
Tinder has really been killin’ the whole matching game recently for our cutie couples. Clemson University grads, Lindsey and Anthony, matched on Tinder their sophomore year, which led to Anthony...

November 18 2019
Two words that come to mind when looking at Fallon and Will’s intimate elopement at Magnolia Plantation and Gardens: whimsical and elegant. (You’ll shortly see why.) These Delaware natives go way...

November 12 2019
Tennessee natives Checovoia and Josh have Tinder to thank for bringing them together. His famous first words to his eventual sweetie, “You look so happy!” And from seeing all the smiles shared at...

November 11 2019
After a weekend of weddings and travel, we are back on this chilly fall Monday with the cutest downtown Charleston e-sesh featuring Blair and Matt. These lovebirds met the summer of last year (via a...

November 5 2019
“When you aren’t trying so hard and least expect it … it happens,” says bride Lindsey of finding her perfect guy, Brady. The couple shared some insight into their lives and the inspiration for their...

November 4 2019
Jocelyn and Bryce were friends from club swim team during their high school years, but it wasn’t until Señora Hill’s Spanish class that their romance was brought to life, and the two have been saying...

November 2 2019
Right out of college, Mary Tyler met Zach in a Raleigh, North Carolina, workplace. The two got close and remained friends for two years before finally making it official. A couple months into their ‘...