written by one of our wonderful clients- Debbie, From Hancock Park, Los Angeles
My photoshoot with The Boudoir Café began when I was standing in the kitchen of a wildly vibrant apartment in Los Angeles while wearing black fishnet lingerie and green leather bondage gear. The walls were pink, the floor was black and white checkered pattern, and my hair is red. Cherie said, “Don’t be mad but, would you lie on the floor?” Two or so hours later, I had the best set of photos that have ever been taken of me and that ever will be taken of me unless, of course, I hire these same artists again and challenge them to outdo themselves.
Why I Chose The Boudoir Café
The moment I knew I had the right people for the job was not when I saw The Boudoir Café’s online portfolio, although if you haven’t seen that you should definitely go check it out (www.theboudoircafe.com) because everything I say will make a lot more sense if you do. The online portfolio prompted me to make the call. Cherie got back to me right away, which is always a good sign, but the actual thing that cued me to think this photographer was right for me was when she spoke about her love for her husband and co-photographer, Hedley. She said she had married her best friend, and they had this passion they shared, they had made a business out of it, and every day they wake up and can’t believe how lucky they are.
It’s my firm belief that the best relationship is the one where both people think they’re the lucky one. Cherie had that in her voice, and she has that in her art. I had found that for the first time in my life and what I was looking for was an artist who could capture that in this moment. Looking back, I got that in every pixel of these photos. I can tell you about the classiness or the skill or the talent but what you’re looking at in their work is a love and lust for life.
My Boudoir Shoot
The day started out with the hair and make-up artist, spending a couple hours making me look beautiful. I couldn’t have done it without her. Truthfully, I really mean it! I have no idea what I’m doing. Cherie had given me clear and thorough instructions and I felt very prepared despite not ever having done anything like this. I am not a beautiful model; I am a normal 49-year-old woman with a job that doesn’t rely on my appearance. I was way out of my element, but I was in good hands. This was exciting, not intimidating.
When we got to the location, I was met with a faerie realm of rich deep red and pink rooms. I had three costume changes and three beautiful rooms, a bathroom, and a kitchen, all designed as a visual and imaginative wonderland. It was feminine, fabulous, and sparked the imagination. It was a place where you walk in and you stop in your tracks and say “Wow.” And I was in the hands of creative masters. In the bedroom, while I lay on a rich gilded frame bed, Cherie got a step stool and climbed up to take photos through a crystal chandelier, creating a beautiful ring of lights and shadows. The result was magical.
My Fiancé’s Reaction
The strongest reaction my fiancé had to any photos were the ones where I was standing in the hallway. All those rooms and he liked the hallway, which was all just pure professional direction. “Stand this way. Push your hip out. WAY out. Turn your head.” When he saw those photos, I have never felt so validated and appreciated in my life. The words that man spewed were not fit for print, but every woman wishes a man would say them when looking at her.
Erotic Photographers That Love Their Art
What I was looking for when I first did that Google search was a contrast in themes, dark and light, sexy but classy, soft and pink and feminine but something I don’t want to show to anyone but one man. I wanted a candy-coated Main Street, Norman Rockwell shell with the heart of Dionysus clearly visible underneath. Playful, dirty, angelic, smutty, beautiful, and otherworldly. These photos made me feel on the outside how I feel on the inside.
The experience I had with Boudoir Café might be summed up like this: Don’t do anything halfway. Life is too short. If you’re going to wear heels, get the spiked stilettos. Whatever you do, do it with your whole heart. Don’t just be in love. Be head over heels in love. Someday, if you’re graced with the gift of old age, make sure you can say to yourself “Wow, I was a drop dead knock out in lingerie and I have the pictures to prove it.”
The Boudoir Café is a boutique boudoir, engagement, wedding, and maternity team of photographers based in Las Vegas & Los Angeles. They specialize in an upscale glamor style. Explore their portfolios here. Learn more about the dedicated team here. Want to book video or photography services?
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