I am VERY excited to share with you Lighthouse Boudoir’s (LB’s) first ever styled shoot! We captured exactly what I had envisioned and I am sooo pleased with the way they turned out. I hope women interested in boudoir photography see this and realize how having fun and getting creative can develop into some unforgettable photographs you will enjoy for yeaaars to come!

I loved having creative control from beginning to end but none of this would have been possible if I didn’t have the support of an amazing team! First we have the star of the show my friend Jessica who was 100% willing to do anything! This girl has no fear! Next we have Ali who did hair & make-up, she was killer! She brought my vision to reality by giving me exactly what I had in mind. I didn’t give her that much direction either, I think the only words I used to describe my vision were “natural, romantic and flowy” and that’s precisely what we got!

During the weeks leading up to the shoot I was busy shopping at thrift stores and scouting locations. I would text Jessica pictures of what I was finding just to run it by her and she would always reply with “love it – whatever you want I’m down for!” I mean what else could a photographer ask for from a model?! The morning of the shoot I picked up stuff to make mimosas, fresh flowers and some snacks from my favorite coffee shop in the Heights. Lastly I turned on my Lana Del Rey Pandora station and lit my favorite new candle – sandalwood mmm!

These first images of Jessica in the sheer white top and amazing silver sequin shorts were shot around the Heights, I think this gray building was an art gallery – but they were closed so we helped ourselves to shooting against this gray wall. I love the gray on gray! While I don’t have her in traditional lingerie I think the overall look is still sexy and flirty. I enjoy mixing trendy fashion into a session to add that editorial feel. Ps. Jessica just recently got engaged, check out that bling! :)

The tan bra top she is wearing is from Forever 21 and the skirt is from a vintage store in the Heights. The skirt had a lining underneath which I cut out, I  wanted Jessica to be covered since we were shooting outdoors but still sexy. (She wore nude boy shorts underneath in case you were curious) I picked up these beautiful roses on a whim the morning of the shoot and am so glad I did! They added such a romantic feel. Bonus – they also stayed alive for a week after the shoot so I got to enjoy them for days!

These last images have to be my favorite! Talk about PERFECT lighting!!! It started to get chilly at this point but Jessica was a trooper, I had a cardigan for her to wear while we walked around and she would remove it once I was ready. These last shots were also taken in the Heights, right along the White Oak Bayou. I tried to find a secluded location so that Jessica was comfortable but inevitably there were a few joggers that went by. Surprisingly no one seemed to be interested in what we were up to.

This first styled shoot was an amazing success and a great way to kick off my new company name and mission!

P.S. Can we stop for a second and talk about the magical sun light falling softly on her hair?!?! The moment I looked down at the back of my camera to check out the images I felt like Rachel Zoe, I was so giddy and kept saying “OMG – I’m dying – this is bananas”! hehe What do you think about this style shoot? Leave your comments below…

Until next time – cheers! 

xoxo,

Sontera

Written by Sontera Mader

Sontera is a graduate from Sam Houston State University with a Bachelor of Fine Art degree in Photography. She photographed her first boudoir session in 2008 and has had a passion for it ever since then!