When Teal and I met up for a drink one day, we ended up chatting forever about everything we loved about our industries and learned we share identical views on empowering people and giving them the space and permission to express themselves confidently through education and self discovery. We got right down to business and I wanted her to see what a boudoir shoot is like first hand so you’ll see some imagers from her own session below, oh la la!

I’m excited to share with you her mission for Lotus Blooms and all about how you can not only find super cute lingerie for your shoot but explore all the educational resources she provides. Trust me, you’ll love them!

Teal Dye, Owner, Lotus Blooms Boutique, Alexandria, VA

What inspired you to open Lotus blooms?

Lotus Blooms has blossomed over the years and I was lucky enough to be next in line to help bring it to it's current stage. The store was founded by medical professionals whose experiences in the emergency room made them realize women needed a shop where they feel comfortable asking questions and learning about the safe use of sex toys. Since then we have stayed true to the educational foundations and Lotus Blooms has also continued to expand the resources that we provide the community. The store still radiates a very feminine aesthetic in both our decor and offerings, but now also have as part of our mission, a commitment to being inclusive, welcoming, and empowering of all genders, bodies, and identities in the store. Our corsets and lingerie span the size spectrum of XS-4X and celebrate all different body types and sizes. We just think there's so much beautiful diversity and complexity within bodies and sex, we want to help normalize and nurture it all!

What's unique about lotus blooms compared to other lingerie boutiques?

ah, see above? We're staffed by a team who is trained to educate people about bodies and anatomy, and how toys and apparel work with each of those. Our team is an incredible wealth of knowledge; we have social workers, non-profit-ers, activists, academics, educators, counselors, doulas, you name it. If we don't know the answer to your question, we definitely know someone who does! We strive to be a resource because we know how empowering it is to feel "normal" and we know how terrible our society is about telling us we are just that.

What's your favorite corset/lingerie look?

Personally, I love our Foxers lace boxer shorts. They are so easy to lounge around the house in, especially in the summer. I'm not much of a performer, so I like the Foxers because I don't feel like I have to put on a show when I put these on. They are comfy but flirty, and they are SO. EASY! We very lovingly refer to them as lazy lingerie. That all said, they actually are awesome additions to a head-to-toe outfit too. They wear really nicely under corsets and combined with thigh highs.

What is the most important factor when getting fitted for corsets?

When you come to Lotus Blooms to find a corset, its helpful to keep in mind that not every corset will fit every body, but we definitely have a corset FOR every body! Lots of times we shop with an aesthetic goal in mind, "I want red, I want flowers, I want lace," etc. But because corsets highlight the body in incredible ways, the primary goal should be to find a well fitting corset. The additional characteristics of the corset should come second. Also, its important to know that the measurements we have to take for corsets are almost useless for all other apparel sizing- it's not going to be the same sizing scale as a dress or jeans or even a bra band. Corsets are sized based on an equation that first considers the number of inches of your true waist. And because all our bodies are so different, its really important to try them on. This is why we shy away from having people buy corsets for other people.

Do you have a "must have" lingerie piece or accessory that someone should have in their closet?

A teddy! Teddies are really really popular right now and there are so many options for however you carry your curves. Even if the thought of a teddy conjures up memories of being a kid wearing an uncomfortable one-piece bathing suit with endless wedgies, I can prove you wrong. Depending on the cuts and patterns, different ones will work well with different bodies. It's just about trying a few on and trusting that a form fitting piece can be flattering. I've converted many who were initially wary- trust me!

How has your boudoir experience affected you or changed you?

I tend to put and keep myself in the lazy lingerie category. (See my glowing review of Foxers- which are literally lace boxer shorts). Needless to say my default in both apparel and personality is understated and comfortable, confident but not prominent. So, doing a photo shoot in itself was out of my wheelhouse (what do you mean I have to shower and get dolled up?) Pair that with Julie's distinctly bold style of photography- Moody, dramatic lighting, erotic and suggestive poses, power stances. It was (is) a whole different lens to see myself through. It was so cool to have her "point out" all of the really sexy parts of my body by capturing them so beautifully. I had this realization that I can be both the lazy lingerie type AND sexy erotic type- they are both part of me!

If you could tell your clients anything before their boudoir session, what would it be?

No boudoir photographer will ever zoom in on exactly the parts that you are self conscious of, so don't stress about that. Like anymore, at all. Find a piece of lingerie that fits you- both style wise and size wise, and don't think twice about your "problem areas." Julie has this incredible capacity to highlight beauty, yes even yours; so trust her. During your initial communicate to her about where you feel self conscious, and then actively push your concerns aside in your brain so you can have fun with the whole rest of the process- the shopping, the build up to the shoot, getting your hair and makeup done, the shoot itself, and the build up to and the reveal. ALL of those parts of the experience should be fun, don't ruin it by stressing!