What To Wear

 by Devon Kenny

The Many Benefits of Bridal Boudoir – Part 2|San Jose Boudoir Photograper

Boudoir Coterie Portrait photographyA few weeks ago I posted Part I of Benefits of Bridal Boudoir, and If you don’t already have enough reasons to get your engaged self in front of the camera, here are a few more!

4. Mastering Makeup

If you’re not used to wearing much makeup, but are planning to on your wedding day, having your makeup done for your boudoir shoot is good practice. I hadn’t spent much time wearing false eyelashes, but was planning to wear them for my wedding, so it was nice to get used to them during my boudoir shoot. Also, while my boudoir makeup was a bit too dramatic for my wedding day, I loved how it was done and shared some photos with my wedding makeup artist for inspiration. It was great to have an idea of what works well with my features.

 

 

San Jose Bay Area Boudoir Coterie

 

5. Major Confidence Boost

Okay, so this was the biggest one for me. During the process of planning my wedding, I tried as hard as possible to remain cool, calm and collected. While I felt like I nailed that for the most part, there was one area that drove me crazy — my appearance. I dwelled on every little thing. I feared fat rolls showing through my dress and obsessed over the perfect shade of lipstick (just ask the sales lady at the MAC counter). I spent days agonizing about picking the right sparkly sash to go with my dress and I nearly had a panic attack when I realized the top of my dress was too big and not much could be done about it. Needless to say, I was obsessed with my appearance. While I don’t think I’m normally much more critical of myself than the average woman, something about being a bride seriously heightened my self doubt.

Going into my  session, I had no idea how much it would help my self esteem, but seeing my fabulous photos changed everything. I realized that if I could look beautiful in my underwear, I would look absolutely stunning in my wedding dress. Suddenly all of the little appearance details I was stressing about didn’t matter any more.

And last, but not least…

Sexy bride Boudoir Coterie

 

6. Your Partner’s Reaction

There are so many awesome reasons to have a bridal boudoir photo shoot, with this one being the most obvious. I saved it for last so that you could really focus on what you might not have already known, but this is a biggie too!

My husband had absolutely no idea what I was up to and his reaction to my album was truly priceless! I chose to give him his album during our “first look” before the ceremony and I had my photographer close by for the big reveal. I have to admit, the photos of his reaction are some of my favorites from the wedding. I also really loved being able to give him something that was so unique and personal. I don’t think my husband even knew boudoir photography was a “thing” before, so it was the ultimate surprise.
A016
There you have it – six fabulous reasons to sign up for a bridal boudoir session today. Convinced? Give us a call today to set up a boudoir session in our San Jose studio.

bcoterie@sbcglobal.net or 408.460.1855

Nicole

 

 

 

 

in Boudoir Sessions / Just Because / Main / News / What To Wear 0 comments
 by Devon Kenny

Vacation Must Haves|San Jose Boudoir Photography

Boudoir Coterie Portrait photography

 You’re probably familiar with those women’s magazine features that show what’s inside of a certain celebrity’s purse, beach bag, etc. While I think those are fun to read, as a former PR girl (and a bit of a cynic), I’m always wondering how much (if not all) of that is product placement. Wouldn’t you like to really see what’s inside someone’s bag?

Well, I’m heading to Hawaii with my husband in a few weeks, and since that’s all I can think about right now, I thought I’d give you a little insight into what I’m packing.

I know I’m not a celebrity, but I am actually bringing all of these items on my trip, and no one is paying me to say so (but if anyone wants to I can tell you where to send a check). I might not be as interesting as Jennifer Lawrence or Miley Cyrus, but I scored some awesome deals on fun stuff for this trip, so I thought I’d share. Who doesn’t love to be a little bit voyeuristic? Here you go:

vacation favorites

1. No matter what I do, I can’t seem to resist buying new bathing suits for vacation. I bought two for my honeymoon this spring, but they were both lighter colors and already look dingy. This time, I decided to go for a darker more classic color. Most stores don’t have bathing suits now since it’s technically Fall, but I found this great navy blue Merona bikini online at Target (top & bottom). I really love this classic silhouette, which is sexy without being too skimpy. It’s a little more expensive than some other Target suits, but way less than what you’d pay elsewhere for something of similar quality–  and it looks expensive!

2. I pretty much don’t go anywhere without these at least one of these Mossimo Boyfriend Tees from Target. They’re comfy and cute, and go with pretty much anything. They’re great for vacation because you can keep them casual or dress them up with a fun statement necklace.

3. & 4. I like to keep my daytime makeup routine pretty simple on vacation, but mascara is a must-have, and this one from Cover Girl is my favorite. I’ve tried numerous samples of more expensive mascaras from Sephora, but I go back to this one every time. I also love MAC’s Viva Glam VI Lip Glass. I originally purchased this to touch up my lips for my wedding, but it has become a staple for me now. This gloss is a soft and pretty pink, which adds just the right amount of color for a neutral look.

5. I’ve been eyeing this J.Crew Whisper Gauze Beach Tunic since it came out early this summer, but I just couldn’t swallow the $72 price tag. You can only imagine how excited I was to score it for about $15 when they were offering an extra 40% off summer clearance. It’s extremely comfortable and actually offers pretty good coverage considering that it’s somewhat sheer. I can’t wait to wear this to the beach!

6. I initially bought these Nike sneakers at DSW to wear on my honeymoon. I figured I’d want something comfortable for all of that touring we’d be doing, but wanted something cuter and less bulky than my running shoes. Ha! We ended up not leaving our resort once during the trip, but they will be perfect for Hawaii. We’re already signed up for a food tour and a photography tour, so I’ll definitely be wearing these (because food touring is tough on the feet, right?).

7. These chino shorts were also another J.Crew summer clearance steal. I actually got them in navy blue, but that color is sold out now. I love this purple too, but really wanted something neutral since I already have a pair of hot pink shorts I bought this summer. I’m not normally a huge fan of shorts, but I feel like they’re a necessity on vacation. These are just the right length for me and also go with pretty much anything.

8. My husband and I took very few pictures on our honeymoon because we spent most of it at the beach, and I didn’t really feel safe bringing my “nice camera” there too much. I wasn’t going to let that happen again, so I set out to find an inexpensive waterproof camera . I was really happy when I found a brand-new Olympus Stylus Tough on eBay and ended up with the winning bid (which I made when there were 20 seconds left in the auction). Not only did I score a super fun camera, but I got it for $50 off of the retail price. While I’d still be sad to loose this camera, the price tag and durability make me feel a lot more comfortable bringing it with me everywhere on vacation.

These are just a few of the items I’ll be packing for Hawaii. It seems I’ll never learn to pack light. What are some of your vacation must haves?

Nicole

in Beauty/Glamour / Just Because / Main / What To Wear 3 comments
 by Devon Kenny

Falling for Navy|San Jose Boudoir Photography

Boudoir Coterie Portrait photographyI love Fall. It’s one of the few things I truly miss about the East Coast, and I get a little nostalgic each year when it rolls around. Thankfully these feelings quickly fade as soon as my hometown gets it’s first snowfall and it’s still sunny and 70 degrees here in San Jose. In the meantime, I’m getting my pumpkin spice lattes early in the morning while it’s still crisp and cool outside and reminiscent of the Fall weather I’m used to. It’s the small things.

Aside from the crisp cool days, and everything pumpkin flavored, I also really love all of the gorgeous Fall colors. I might not get to enjoy the beautiful foliage in California, but there’s always fashion!

The deeply saturated colors are so pretty, classic, and flattering to many skin tones. As a matter-of-fact, when I got married in April, I bypassed all of the typical Spring colors and chose “spiced wine” bridesmaid dresses from J.Crew. This gorgeous, deep reddish-purple color looked fabulous on all of my bridesmaids and I was able to make it more “Spring-like” with bright purple and green accents. As an added bonus, they can all wear their dresses again this Fall too (isn’t that what all brides like to think?).

Anyway, this Fall I’m really loving navy blue. Back when I lived in New York City, like most New Yorkers, black was a staple in my closet. While I still think black is quite chic, I love how much softer navy can be. It pairs great with browns and creams and is very flattering. I’ve been seeing a lot of great navy lingerie online lately, which I think would be perfect for a boudoir photo session. Here are some of my favorites from around the web (including a few really affordable ones from H&M):

falling for navy

I really like the idea of pairing these pieces with a soft cream cardigan or wrap and cozying up with a cup of coffee for a more casual look. Of course, you could also add a hot pair of heels for something a little more vixen-ish too;-)

What’s your favorite Fall color? Ready to rock it in a boudoir session this Fall (hint, hint – now is the time to book your holiday sessions!)? Give us a call or shoot us an email to set up a free consultation in our San Jose studio!

bcoterie@sbcglobal.net or 408.460.1855

Nicole

in Beauty/Glamour / Boudoir Must Haves / Boudoir Sessions / Main / Sheer & Sexy / What To Wear 0 comments
 by Devon Kenny

The Mighty Dolman Tee|San Jose Boudoir Photography

Boudoir Coterie Portrait photographyIt’s no secret that we at Boudoir Coterie are big fans of the “sexy-casual” look for photo sessions. It makes for a great warm-up outfit before moving on to the more risque stuff (if that’s in your cards) and most often results in some playful, fun and sexy photos. What’s not to love?

As I mentioned in my recent post about more modest boudoir outfit ideas, I did a sexy-casual set and wore a super cute, heather gray dolman-sleeve top with soft blue boy shorts on the bottom. While I love all of my photos, this set is absolutely my favorite, and what’s even better is that although I bought this shirt specifically for my session, I still wear it ALL the time!

In case you’re wondering exactly what a dolman sleeve shirt is, it typically has looser arm holes with sleeves that are tighter at the wrists, though the name is used rather loosely. These shirts often have larger neck openings and are sometimes short and boxy (which is why I usually layer mine over a tank when I wear it in public).

Personally, I love having multi functional pieces in my wardrobe, and this shirt is a great one. Here’s me wearing my shirt for my boudoir session and at the beach on my honeymoon.

San Jose bay Area sexy t-shirt bridal boudoir

If you’re planning a boudoir session and want to invest in items that you’ll wear again, I highly recommend getting this type of shirt. Here are a few ways I wear mine:

1. Layered over a tank, with yoga pants and flip-flops when I’m running errands (or actually on my way to and from yoga)

2. With jeans instead of yoga pants, a tank top, statement necklace and casual wedges for a more polished casual look

3. Lounging around the house with pajama shorts (sometimes I even sleep in it)

4. Over a swimsuit and shorts as a beach cover-up

The shirt I have is from Macy’s and I can’t find the exact style anymore, but I scoured the internet to find some other options that might pique your fancy. What’s even better is that these are all on sale, so get them quick before they’re gone!

1. Victoria’s Secret – High-Low Dolman Tee

2. Anthropologie – Frankie Dolman

3. Ideology – Dolman-Sleeve Striped Banded Pullover (This is the same brand as mine but the style looks a little different)

4. AE – Brunch Tee

Here are a few varying sleeve styles…

Dolman Tee

Caslon slouchy tee / Rachel Rachel Roy dolman sleeve t shirt / RVCA t shirt

If those aren’t enough reasons to run out and get one of these t-shirts right now, they’re also incredibly comfortable and extremely forgiving on days when you’re feeling a little less fabulous (I don’t like to use that three letter “F” word”).

Already own a dolman tee? Let us know how you like to wear yours in the comments. And if you’re ready to wear it for a boudoir photo session in our San Jose studio, please give us a call!

bcoterie@sbcglobal.net or 408.460.1855

Nicole

in Boudoir Must Haves / Sheer & Sexy / What To Wear 0 comments
 by Devon Kenny

The Many Benefits of Bridal Boudoir – Part 1|San Jose Boudoir Photographer

Boudoir Coterie Portrait photographyWhen I began planning my wedding, I never imagined having a bridal boudoir photo shoot would be part of those plans. As a matter of fact, it’s not something I even knew existed at the time.

Thanks to tons of gorgeous shots on Pinterest, and many deals on Groupon and Living Social, I quickly became aware and was definitely intrigued. Before I knew it, I was interviewing potential photographers and setting up my shoot.

My main goal with the photo-shoot was to have a unique and special gift for my husband-to-be. I had no idea there would be so many other benefits, but now that I know, I’d like to share them with you.

1. Stress-Free Pampering

No matter the scale of your wedding, planning can be extremely stressful. While many people will try to fool you into thinking that weddings are all about the bride, it’s often really about the bride trying to make sure everyone else is happy. Having a day that’s truly all about you is a great way to de-stress and recharge. From having your hair and makeup professionally done, to parading around in sexy lingerie (or whatever you choose to wear), you’ll get some much needed “me time.”

San Jose Bay Area sexy boudoir looks

2. Awesome Lingerie Wardrobe

While buying new stuff to wear is totally not required for a photo shoot, Boudoir Coterie includes a wardrobe consultation with every package. I chose to have mine at Besos lingerie shop in Los Gatos, and I definitely recommend doing the same if you can. Sure, shopping for skivvies with a stranger might seem slightly awkward at first, but when else do you get the opportunity to have a personal shopper for a few hours? Another great benefit is that you end up with some cute professionally-selected pieces to wear on your honeymoon too.

Boudoir Coterie Sexy pictures

3. Posing Practice

My husband-to-be and I had an engagement photo session with our wedding photographer roughly six months before our wedding. While this was great for getting comfortable with our photographer, it wasn’t until my boudoir shoot that I started feeling really comfortable in front of the camera. While any good wedding photographer will be able to help you pose and take photos from flattering angles, there’s so much else going on that day that it’s good to have some more extensive practice beforehand. Granted you probably won’t be arching your back and sticking out your booty while laying on a sheepskin rug on your wedding day (or maybe you will?), having extra camera confidence and practicing your best angles will be super beneficial in the long run. If you can take great photos while wearing next to nothing, imagine how you’ll look in your gorgeous white gown (or whatever else you choose to wear).

Those are just a few of the extra benefits of bridal boudoir. Please stay tuned for part two in the coming weeks — and if you’re thinking about having a bridal boudoir photo shoot in our San Jose studio, feel free to drop us a line!

408.460.1855 or bcoterie@sbcglobal.net

Nicole

in Boudoir Must Haves / Boudoir Sessions / Main / What To Wear 0 comments
 by Devon Kenny

Subtly Sexy|San Jose Boudoir Photographer

Boudoir Coterie Portrait photographyNot too long ago, Danea posted about how liberating it can be to go topless, but that’s not necessarily for everyone. Are you contemplating a boudoir photo shoot but aren’t sure if you’re comfortable with baring it all — or even just baring it a little?

First thing’s first — know that you are beautiful no matter what you wear — whether it’s a snowsuit, or nothing but your own skin. The photographer’s job is to capture your beauty no matter what package it’s wrapped in.

With that being said, you should never do anything you’re not comfortable with. There is never any pressure to reveal more than you want to during a photo shoot. Yes, boudoir is sexy, but sexy isn’t just about what you’re wearing. It can be a pose or an expression. It can be a fully clothed curve or one hella hot shoe! (Did I say “hella?” I’m turning SO California).

So, if you’re thinking about a photo shoot and are looking for some modest, yet sexy, pieces. Here are a few ideas:

1. I love the look of a loose fitting casual top with boy shorts. I actually wore a similar outfit for my boudoir shoot and those turned out to be my favorite shots. Dolman-sleeve tops are my favorite!  As an added bonus, I still wear that same outfit around the house all the time because it’s so comfortable (and it happens to be my husband’s favorite)!

2. A sexy robe can be a great cover up. You can opt for something solid or a little more sheer depending on your comfort level. Just don’t forget to wear something cute underneath in case you decide to get a little more bold (I hear this can happen).

3. Shoes, shoes, shoes. Need I say more?

sexy black & white boudoir

 

Okay, so I actually love these modest looks so much that I have a few more ideas.

sexy neutral boidoir

4. Pajamas! There are so many options for cute PJ sets. I personally love short sets because they’re sexy and playful (and comfortable too!).

5. A soft flowy cardigan is also a great piece for a photo shoot. Pair it with a cute bra and you can control how much you want to show off. You can pin it closed with a pretty brooch or let a little bra peek out if you dare.

I know some of these pieces are pretty pricey, but they’re just meant to be ideas for inspiration. I love to shop clearance racks, and you might even already have some of these pieces in your closet! Vintage and secondhand shops are also great options to find pretty nighties, robes, shoes and cardigans too (just consider getting them professionally cleaned first).

Last but not least, even if you’re going for a more modest look, it doesn’t hurt to at least bring one more risque “outfit”– a bold and sexy bra and panty set would be perfect for that. You never know, sometimes that inner sex kitten comes out when you’re in front of the camera (but if it doesn’t, that’s okay too!).

Now that you’re armed with some fabulous outfit ideas, why not schedule a boudoir photo shoot today? If you’re in the San Francisco Bay Area give us a call and set up a photo shoot in our San Jose Studio today!

bcoterie@sbcglobal.net or 408.460.1855

Nicole

in Beauty/Glamour / Boudoir Must Haves / Boudoir Sessions / Main / Sheer & Sexy / What To Wear 2 comments
 by Danea

Embrace Your Curves | San Jose Bay Boudoir Photography

Okay, so I will admit that I may have a few curves that I wish were in a few different places BUT that doesn’t stop me from loving my body and it certainly didn’t stop me from getting in front of the camera myself a few months back. Sure it would be fantastic if my boobs were bigger than my belly but hey, it is what it is. LOL. My point, lovely ladies, is that I know curves and I definitely do not shy away from them in the studio and neither should you. It really truly does not matter what size you are, every woman deserves to feel beautiful and sexy at any size and a pampering Beauty or Boudoir session at Boudoir Coterie can do just that!

I hear all the time “I will book as soon as I loose 10 pounds.” or “I would love too but I feel too fat right now” Ummmm? Sexy is a state of mind and your weight shouldn’t stop you from feeling fantastic. I have photographed many a lady who felt they could stand to loose a few pounds, and you know what, they LOVED their images and they got to see what I see in them, a beautiful girl who’s “size” doesn’t mean a thing! One of my good friends Miss A(and HERE)still, after two years, raves about her images and I want you to feel that great too!

So here are a few tips to having a successful session at ANY size.

  1. Make sure it fits! I offer wardrobe consultations for all my clients. There is nothing worse than bring lingerie that doesn’t fit. You won’t feel good and quite frankly you won’t look so hot either. Ignore the size, it’s just a number(or letter) and buy what looks and feels right.
  2. Wear what you love. We all have outfits that make us feel fabulous so make sure to bring items that make you feel like a superstar. Anything can look sexy, so bring that dress or favorite blouse and own it!
  3. Purchase items that flatter your figure. It might not seem fair but bra’s come in different sizes and shapes for a reason so be sure to try on items that work with your body type. Not sure what the right shape is? The owners of both Besos, in Los Gatos–Gail and Curvy Girl, in Willow Glenn– Chrystal, know their stuff! Both lingerie stores carry a variety of items and between them and myself, we will have you looking smoking hot!!
  4. Stay away from flashy trends. There are many sexy and cute lingerie items that go fabulously in the bedroom but I will be frank– don’t photograph as well and can sometimes look cheap in your images. Florescent bright colors, glittery and apron cuts may be cute and trendy and get his motor going but after spending $$$ on your images, I don’t want you shaking your head and asking “What was I thinking?” 10 years down the road. Think Hollywood Starlet, clean lines, flattering cuts, blacks and rich & mono tones.
  5. Don’t be afraid to mask some areas. I get it, I do. You really don’t want a bare mid-drift, then don’t bare it! Maybe wear a sexy corset or bring a sheer shall. There are many ways to be sexy and beautiful and still diminish those areas that no matter what, you can’t help but feel a little insecure about. Believe me, images taken by a photographer who specializes in Boudoir such as myself, knows lots of posing magic. 😉
  6. Most of all relax, let go and have fun.

Here’s the beautiful Miss N rocking a gorgeous corset in true Hollywood fashion. She’s got amazing curves, chose fabulous outfits for her session and these images will remain timeless.

Way to work it Miss N!

San Jose Bay Area sexy Boudoir Portraits

So come on all you curvy babes, let’s show ’em what you’ve got!

bcoterie@sbcglobal.net Or 408.460.1855

Sexy Photos San Jose Boudoir Photographer

in Beauty/Glamour / Main / News / Sheer & Sexy / What To Wear 0 comments