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WTW: Antiqued Hues

Are you unsure about what you want to wear for your boudoir shoot? Maybe you are looking for some inspiration? Problem solved! With the help of Association of International Boudoir Photographers (AIBP), Lighthouse Boudoir is proud to present a new blog series titled: What To Wear (WTW).

Each week I will bring you new and exciting inspirational looks. The WTW series will include items to fit every style, budget and body type!

First up we have Antiqued Hues and it’s already one of my favs! The neutral tan here is gorgeous on every skin tone, it gives a really romantic and luxurious vibe. The pops of light blue are so timeless, I would wear any of these in a heart beat! Click on the image below to see links of where to buy each of these items! 

What to Wear

XOXO,

Sontera

Boudoir Styled Shoot 1

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!

Style Shoot 1

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!

Style Shoot 1

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!

Style Shoot 1

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! :)

Glitter - 2

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!

Style 1

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.

Style Shoot 1

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

Officially Announcing!

It’s funny how sometimes things come full circle in your life and you don’t even realize it.

During my time in college as a photography student I spent years documenting my grandmother – Grandma Babs. She was a big influence in my life and is such a fun character to be around. She was probably the first person to teach me how to flirt. Is that normal? Probably not, but hey I did learn from the best. One of my all-time favorite moments I’ve captured on camera was when she began telling me and my little sister how to get a man. She taught us how you have to make just the right eyes and how to flip your hair. Most importantly you don’t look at a man for too long when flirting, she said “you look and then you look away” while showing us exactly how it’s done. I included this in my senior portfolio show and titled it “How to Get a Man”.

"How to Get a Man"

“How to Get a Man”

Fast forward five years and I’m officially launching a new photography venture. I want to focus my creative energy on capturing the powerful, feminine and sexy side of every woman. I think powerful, feminine and sexy not only represent my grandmother but all of the women in my life. I have grown up surrounded by women in my family who possess these three traits but they are first and foremost Godly. (Don’t think you can be Godly and sexy at the same time? Umm have you read Song of Solomon?! Hello!)

Why the switch?

1.       I felt like a small fish in a big pond. It’s hard to stand out in a city like Houston where there are literally thousands of photographers, many of whom are talented and have BIG money to spend on marketing themselves.

2.       While I have been happy with Sontera Nichol Photography and my clients were happy I noticed myself constantly gravitating toward boudoir photography. I am VERY VERY grateful that people have chosen me to be present for their life changing moments. Like when they saw their husband for the first time in their wedding dress, when they found out they were pregnant and called me immediately to start talking maternity sessions or to celebrate a recent engagement to the love of their life. I am so indebted to all of these people! It’s also worth mentioning that I am not abandoning ever doing any other type of photography again, I will of course be happy to do non-boudoir related photographs when asked. The difference now is I’m not pursuing those clients.

3.       Why be good at several things when I can (possibly) be amazing at one!? I have a huge passion for the entire process of boudoir photography. From talking fashion to picking a location and planning the music and cocktails for the shoot – I love it all! It’s about the entire experience, not just the photos you go home with.

So in honor of Grandma Babs and on her 72nd birthday I am officially announcing Lighthouse Boudoir!

 

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