STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

Kelly's your girl. She'll know exactly where to find what you're looking for.

I just wanted to say YAY for you for taking those professional photos! I think that's pretty awesome (and brave!)

DO IT! I had a boudoir session about a year ago and it was so, so awesome. I am definitely not in the best shape ever, and I'm no model (in looks or in posing abilities!) but I got a few really beautiful photos out of it and they are the *biggest* confidence boost. And it wasn't awkward at all - probably because the photographer gave off the vibe of "I've seen a million bodies in lingerie, this is no big deal" - which I imagine most any boudoir photographer will.

Do you have time to shop online? I don't know what kind of lingerie boutiques you have near you, but I often find B&M stores a bit disappointing, especially if your chest is too big for VS sizes.

I don't know exactly what style you're interested in or what size you wear, but here are a few really pretty brands that sound like what you might be looking for:

Secrets In Lace http://www.secretsinlace.com/ (I wore their Coquette Waist Cincher in red/black for part of my shoot)
Ayten Gasson http://www.aytengasson.com/
Mimi Holliday http://www.damaris.co.uk/m_collection.asp?sid=36
Agent Provocateur http://www.agentprovocateur.com/
Masquerade http://www.masquerade-lingerie.com/
Toad Lillie http://www.toadlillie.com/
Elle Macpherson Intimates http://www.ellemacphersonintimates.com/
Myla http://www.myla.com

HTH!



(P.S. I also definitely second Bravissimo, but if you find something you like on there, search Google or Figleaves for it first. Most of their brands/styles are not exclusive to them, so it is sometimes cheaper to order things from the US, especially if you have to return them. But check exchange rates first, sometimes ordering from the UK is cheaper even with returns!)

(P.P.S. Not related to lingerie, but for my boudoir shoot I had my makeup professionally done by a makeup artist suggested by my photographer. It was $75, but it was totally worth it. I looked like a hooker in real life, and I was freaking out a little because she put almost-purple lipstick on my lips, but clearly she understood how the camera picks up colors much better than me because in the photos, it looked perfect!)

-- Edited by Kelly on Tuesday 19th of April 2011 05:37:25 PM

I second getting your makeup done professionally. I shot a lot of student films in collage and would convince a friend from the theatre department to work on my actors. It made such an important difference in the quality of image on film. And yes, you will look and feel like you have a pound of makeup on your face IRL, but on camera it will look amazing. I've convince every bride I know to have it done for their wedding and not one of them have regretted it either.