Rock n Roll Bride ♥ Vintage Boudoir

Credit: Julia Boggio

Near the end of last year, my friend Julia Boggio asked me if I’d like to model for her new Vintage Boudoir series and well, put it this way, she didn’t have to ask me twice – I quite literally jumped at the chance! Would I like to go and play dress up, get my hair and make up done and then have some amazing photographs to look at for the rest of my life? Erm..YES!

I have been a fan of Julia’s ever since I first discovered her a few years ago on You Tube and I have been lucky enough to share many of her weddings with you in the past. She is universally considered one of the top wedding photographers in the UK, but it’s great to see that her talent shines equally in the studio. With her team of experts behind her and props a-plenty the results are a guaranteed success!

The shoot was planned for the 6th January so the night before (mother nature decided this would be the day to start snowing so I drove down to stay with a friend the previous evening to try and miss the worst of it!) I excitedly got in my car wondering what lay in store for me the next day. I arrived at her studios in Wimbledon at 9am where I met Sev the hairdresser, who after exclaiming much appreciation to my fuchsia tresses, got started on my hair. I’ll be honest, I’m not usually a girl who likes having her hair played with and I actually hate going to the hairdressers but Sev was excellent and the styles he came up with were literally jaw-dropping. As he curled and quaffed my hair I said ‘So, what are we going for this time?” (I had 6 hair and make up changes – one for every ‘look’) and replied, in his thick french accent “ahh I don’t know, let’s just see what ‘appens!” My make up was done by Kaz Fernando. Again I am quite funny about other people doing my make up as I always think they’ll do it wrong but not this time! Not only was Kaz able to match my skin tone perfectly (it can be quick tricky to get it just right when you’re as pale as me) but she gave me some great tips and tricks along the way – plus she was on hand all day for touch ups! Perfect. Again I had different make up for every shot and Kaz was ever the professional at getting it done perfectly.

I got a full 1940′s makeover for each shot and all the clothes were supplied (I brought my own shoes – pink sparklies and the black shoes from Primark, silver ‘Rock n Roll Bride’ shoes custom made by Shoe Missy.) Julia was fantastic at making me feel happy and comfortable in front of the camera (even when I was completely starkers bar a thong and some very well placed balloons!) and gave me great direction to get the right expressions and poses. “We have the ‘oops, I caught my dress’ look, the ‘surprised & naughty’ look, and the ‘innocent seductress’ look, to name a few. Together, we figure out which one works best for the client and away we go.”  Julia says. ”We design each look in our style book and then source the props and outfits needed to create the image. Our seamstress handmakes the majority of our costumes. The rest are either sourced from shops or they are genuine vintage pieces. If the client would like to do a look that we don’t have the props or outfits for, she is more than welcome to bring her own things. We can even direct her to places she can look for props.”

“The pin-up look is so much more erotic than a lot of modern boudoir, which often shows too much. Pin up is all about tantalising the viewer with what’s being covered up, but saying ‘I’m cheeky and sexy’ in the expression.”  Julia told me “My team of hair and make-up professionals create the classic pin-up look with every client. After they’ve been given their makeover, including sweeping false eyelashes, they go into wardrobe, where they get into their hold ups and choose a costume.” Julia reassures, “We have loads of costumes and props to suit different body shapes and sizes. The great thing about this style is that everyone can look sexy, whether you’re a size 4 or 24.”

I think you’ll agree that the results are nothing short of spectacular and I would encourage any of you to go ahead and do this (or boys, buy your fiance this as a Valentine’s gift – imagine making her feel this good and then you get to enjoy the photographs afterwards!) The shoot costs £455 and includes hair and make-up, as well as at least two different costume changes, false eyelashes and a pair of vintage stockings.

After your shoot there are various different ways you can display your images proudly “Clients have a range of ways that they can display their images, from small desk frames to large-format acrylics. When we were creating a product range to go with Vintage Boudoir, we decided that this isn’t the kind of gift you give to hide away in your husband’s drawer. This is tasteful, colourful, fun and sexy. It should be a part of your interior design.” Julia told me.

Shoots take place in Wimbledon at Julia Boggio Studios. For more information or to book a session, contact enquiries@juliaboggiostudios.com and check out the website: www.juliaboggiostudios.com

Make-up Kaz Fernando ( she also does wedding make-up and hair)

Hair – Sev Hubert from Hepburn Collection  (Sev also does amazing wedding hair)

Hats (including the one I’m wearing in the Ostrich feathered shot, which she made especially for me) supplied by Jane Taylor from Jane Taylor Millinery 

Photography: Julia Boggio