Boudoir photoshoots are becoming increasingly popular, and with Christmas around the corner (we’re allowed to start talking about it now, right?), booking a shoot can not only result in beautiful photos that make a gift to be treasured forever, but it can also be a great confidence boosting gift to yourself. And it also provides an always needed excuse to treat yourself to beautiful new lingerie and loungewear!
Tigz Rice is a photographer, retoucher and self-confessed lingerie addict based in the UK, and one of our go to photographers for our campaigns because her talent and eye for detail is just amazing. Originally finding her niche in the burlesque and cabaret industry, her signature style has evolved throughout the years to lend elements of vintage glamour and theatrical grandeur to the world of haute couture, contour fashion and luxury lingerie.
We spoke to Tigz about her career, her favourite lingerie brands, and about shooting boudoir.
Betty Blues Loungerie SS16 at Eaton House Studios © Tigz Rice Studios. http://www.tigzrice.com
How did you get into photography, and what inspired/motivated you to go into boudoir photography specifically?
I suppose you could say I stumbled into the world of boudoir photography unintentionally! I was studying Illustration at university and by my final year I had realised I was losing my love for drawing. Digital compositing allowed me to fulfil my university course requirements, so I borrowed a Canon 450D from the photography department and taught myself how to shoot, inviting friends in to model for projects and become the characters in my illustrations.
My degree project at university was an illustrated picture book for adults based loosely around Alice In Wonderland. All of the characters wore some form of lingerie as their costume. Having discovered the Dita Von Teese who a few years before at the Erotica exhibition, my newly acquired love for burlesque was a massive influence on the project. I think there were 12 characters in the book, so there was plenty of opportunity to develop my photography skills and really get to grips with how the camera worked in manual mode.
After graduating, the book proved to be quite successful. I was offered several exhibitions and a residency in Blackwell Books in Oxford, as well as being bought by the Tate Galleries for their Alice archives. More people got in touch asking if I needed models for other projects and it continued to grow from there. After a couple of years, the illustrative side of my work slowly dropped away as clients were asking for lingerie, now known as boudoir, shoots. The niche I had found suddenly became a very popular trend in photography!
What exactly is a boudoir shoot?
A boudoir shoot is an indulgent photographic celebration of you. Usually taking place in a bedroom or a hotel room, it provides an intimate setting in which to create a series of sensual images that capture you at your very best – sexy, empowered, confident and beautiful.
Felicity Furore © Tigz Rice Studios 2016. http://www.tigzrice.com
Why should people book boudoir shoots?
Being photographed is such an incredible and empowering experience. It gives you the opportunity to celebrate you, working with your photographer to create a series of stunning images that will preserve those memories for years to come.
A piece of advice that has stuck with me over the years is that you will never look the way you do today again. When I had my own boudoir shoot, probably around 4-5 years ago now, I was worried about being overweight in the images. It would have been tempting to put off the experience, but I went ahead with it anyway. Fast forward to today, and I’ve not lost a single pound, so if I hadn’t gone ahead, I’d probably still be putting it off! And now when I look at them, I love that the images captured my youth and how great my skin looks. This year is a bit of a milestone year for me as well, so I think it might be time for another one…
What are some of the most common reasons for booking a boudoir session?
Everyone has a different reason for wanting a boudoir shoot. Some clients want to celebrate life milestones like reaching a certain age or achieving a long-term goal. Others book a boudoir shoot as a surprise gift for their partner as a birthday, wedding day or anniversary present (prints make a brilliant first anniversary paper based gift!) Recently, I had an incredible client who came in for a shoot the week before having a BRCA1 prophylactic double mastectomy. She was so inspiring, it made me realise how important the role of a photographer is in preserving those moments that really matter to us.
Betty Blues Loungerie SS16 at Eaton House Studios © Tigz Rice Studios. http://www.tigzrice.com
Do you have a typical client type?
Not at all! I have the privilege of working with a wonderfully diverse range of clients, which is why I offer every boudoir client a pre-shoot consultation. It gives us the opportunity to get to know each other better and create a bespoke shoot concept – including hair and make up – that is a perfect fit.
What advice do you give to clients to prepare for a boudoir photoshoot and to make the most of their day?
Every client gets sent a welcome pack before their shoot, giving lots of helpful hints and advice to make sure you’re camera ready. It includes all the tips I’ve learned over the years to make sure your shoot goes as smoothly as possible, split onto before, during and after sections. Some of the most important tips are reminders of things that often get overlooked, like keeping hydrated on set and making sure your body has plenty of fuel. Boudoir poses can often be a real workout, so its a good idea to make sure your body is warmed up with some stretches.
Didi Derriere © Tigz Rice Studios 2016. http://www.tigzrice.com
If someone is camera shy or self conscious, what can they do to feel more comfortable?
Its completely normal to feel a little nervous before a shoot, but remember my job is to help you feel as comfortable and as confident as possible so we can capture you at your very best. I always recommend bringing your favourite music tracks on a phone or mp3 player – listening to your favourite music definitely helps you relax in front of the camera. Props are great for keeping your hands busy too – in the past clients have brought everything from a riding crop to a chess set! And remember, boudoir doesn’t have to be about showing as much skin as possible. Bring the kind of lingerie that makes you feel sexy.
Boudoir shoots are a great excuse for lingerie shopping! Are there any brands you’d recommend?
Where do I start?! I’m obviously a huge fan of Betty Blue’s Loungewear – I love the ivory lace teddy in the bridal collection and I am pretty sure I have the Bettie robe in every colour ever produced! Aside from Betty, some of my favourite lingerie brands right now are Karolina Laskowska, Bordelle and Scantilly – who have some brilliant new high waisted knickers in their new collection. For sexy shape wear it has to be Kiss Me Deadly and my go to for stockings is What Katie Did.
Betty Blues Loungerie SS16 at Eaton House Studios © Tigz Rice Studios. http://www.tigzrice.com
What’s your favourite part of your job?
I absolutely LOVE when a client turns up and shows me the contents of their suitcase! Even if we’ve spoken before the shoot, the final contents are always a surprise. A good comparison would be that feeling you get at Christmas when you get to open your presents!
Finally, give us all your website and social media links so we can all find you!
Website – www.tigzrice.com
Facebook – www.facebook.com/TigzRiceStudios
Twitter – @Tigzy
Instagram- – @tigzrice
Thanks so much to amazingly talented Tigz for taking the time to talk to us, and make sure you follow her socials and book her for a boudoir shoot – you won’t regret it! Perfect excuse to shop our beautiful lingerie and loungewear range for the occasion 😉 Don’t forget there’s up to 70% off in our Outlet Section.
Didi Derriere © Tigz Rice Studios 2016. http://www.tigzrice.com
Lots of Love
Betty and Team Blues xxx
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