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! 

Other advice- bring one piece of lingerie that's in your comfort zone and one that's a little bit outside, that way all your bases are covered.   

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Social media

Where can someone find you or services?

Website: www.lotusblooms.com

FB page:  https://www.facebook.com/Lotus.BloomsVA/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lotus.blooms/

Email: info@lotusblooms.com

Ms. N’s boudoir session in the Washington DC studio reminded me a lot of this quote from C. JoyBell C. I came across:

“There are two things we should always be 1. raw and 2. ready. When you are raw, you are always ready and when you are ready you usually realize that you are raw. Waiting for perfection is not an answer, one cannot say "I will be ready when I am perfect" because then you will never be ready, rather one must say "I am raw and I am ready just like this right now, how and who I am.”

Women often tell they aren’t sexy enough, pretty enough, skinny enough or any of the “enoughs.” And I get it, I catch myself saying these things. What will it take to finally realize that you are enough? That’s it, you’re enough for anything.

Now, I can get super preachy when it comes to a topic like perfection, but I will hold out and save that for another blog post!

Until then, I want you see what Ms. N’s session was like straight from her:

I've always felt like I wasn't "enough" to be sexy. I felt parts of me weren't big enough to be sexy, other parts weren't small enough to be sexy. I felt like I never grew out of the "girl" stage, and even had trouble thinking of myself as a "woman." I thought everyone saw me in one specific way, and I wanted to show there was another side to me, even if I was the only one to know that side existed. I finally realized that I am enough, just the way I am. It's not about the clothing measurements that make you feminine or sexy. I became interested in boudoir a couple of years ago and decided to do it as a 25th birthday gift to myself. It was time to feel like a grown ass woman!

Once I decided I wanted to do a session, I looked into a lot of photographers in NoVA. After looking at Julie's portfolio and reading client reviews, as well as her website in general, I knew she was the photographer I wanted to schedule my shoot with. Other photographer's pictures looked very posed, unnatural, and heavily photoshopped. Julie's photos look as if she captured moments in your very own home. I loved how she explained everything on her website, and I was sold after reading reviews that said how helpful she was walking you through the entire process. Everything from the initial email and consult, outfit choices and posing, to picking up your album is perfectly orchestrated by Julie.

My biggest fear was that my pictures would look posed and awkward. After all, posing in front of a camera can be daunting to begin with, let alone posing in your undies! I was worried that I would let my insecurities take over my session, and that those insecurities would be reflected in my pictures. Julie was amazing because she walks you through every pose along the way (and cheers you on as you do it!) After just a few minutes I was totally at ease, and following Julie's lead. I wasn't worried about if the poses were "flattering" or showing off my "good side," I just trusted Julie's expertise!

One of my favorite parts of my session took me by surprise: the posing! I was worried about looking silly in my pictures, but Julie cheered me along after every picture. I loved when in between shots when I would naturally shift/readjust how I was standing or sitting, Julie would catch it, and say, "wait! I love how you did that! Do it again!" and snap a picture.

My other favorite part was when I first got to the studio and showed Julie what I had brought to wear. I brought a couple of options I liked and some accessories, but I wasn't sure how to pair them. I loved seeing Julie's vision blend with what i had brought when she paired my outfits with stuff she had in the closet of her studio.

Do it for you. If you spend all of your time worrying about this spot or that thing you don't see as "perfect," you'll never see how truly amazing you really are. Don't wait until you've lost x pounds, don't do it for your man's birthday. Do it now. For you. You're stunning exactly how you are. You are enough. There is nothing wrong with wanting to do this for YOU. It doesn't mean you're vain, it means you finally realize you're worth it.

Book your own boudoir session! Fill 'er out and I'll be in touch!

So let me tell you about the boudoir studio! We are located in west Alexandria, Virginia inside the building of E-lofts. It’s a live/work community where small businesses can not only live here, but they can also run their businesses. Cool concept, right? I thought so.

The loft space is dedicated solely to boudoir, however I’ve been known to spend the night during editing marathons during the busy season because, well, it’s just easier and I’ve got everything I need here!

It’s a 1,000 square feet and I’ve decorated the space to have an apartment home vibe mostly because I love that feel for my boudoir work. I’ve kept the décor pretty neutral for 2 reasons:

1. The neutral décor is simple and keeps the sole focus on you in your photographs. No clashing of colors or patterns with your outfits so you are able to have any style or color for your boudoir outfits.

2. I’m pretty much a neutrals kind of gal anyway. Black and white is my go-to and I change my mind A LOT so switching out other elements is pretty easy when I keep it neutral.

I’m really excited about this other little space dedicated to portraits and other plain background type of looks. I can switch out different backdrops if needed and use the strobes or the gorgeous natural light that comes through the window. Thank the Universe for this extra space because having to take this down EVERY time was really annoying.

I use the whole space to shoot. We’re going to use the kitchen, the living space, and now that I have a dining room table we will use that – so pumped! And of course all the other nooks and crannies where the natural light pours in.

Pictures don’t do this space any justice. So when you’re ready, use the contact form below and let’s get to chatting so we can schedule you a consultation to visit and tour the space in person and see where the boudoir magic happens!

Want more info? Fill 'er out!