WHAT TO WEAR IN YOUR BOUDOIR SHOOT | WARDROBE WEDNESDAY

LINGERIE INSPIRATION: 
GORGEOUS GOLDEN LINGERIE & ACCESSORIES FOR A LUXE BOUDOIR LOOK 

"I'm the kind of person who would have liked to have lived at the Plaza. I love crystal chandeliers and gold leaf, velvets and mirrors, Oriental rugs and marble."
- Candace Bushnell
 

Gorgeous Glamour Gold by aibp featuring a queen bed

Calypso St Barth cashmere cardigan
calypsostbarth.com

Oscar de la Renta jacket
$1,325 - net-a-porter.com

Rosamosario bath robe
$515 - net-a-porter.com

I.D. Sarrieri Rhapsody metallic lace bodysuit, Gold, Women's, Size: XS
$340 - net-a-porter.com

Wolford tight
pret-a-beaute.com

Agent Provocateur body suit
$485 - agentprovocateur.com

Dolce&Gabbana white boots
$940 - farfetch.com

Sophia Webster heeled sandals
matchesfashion.com

Sophia Webster strappy sandals
$555 - net-a-porter.com

H M diamond jewelry
hm.com

Pearl jewelry
shopakira.com

Chanel long necklace
1stdibs.com

Chanel belt
1stdibs.com

Chanel perfume
neimanmarcus.com

Dolce Gabbana nail polish
$28 - harrods.com

Queen bed
ikandi-interiors.co.uk

Though my design sensibility has always been somewhat tailored and tame, all that changed during my first trip to Venice, Italy in 2003.  I fell in love with the romance of it all -- this ancient, complex water world, gorgeously wrapped up like an ornate dream. Luxe gold carvings, beautiful metallic details and delicate lace surrounded me, along with thick, velvety fabrics. I found that the Venetians had such an amazing ability to combine the ancient, the rustic and the lush into one gorgeous element. 

I found myself beginning to incorporate more gold into my home and my wardrobe after that trip! I also loved seeing the jewelry and fashion trending toward gold looks in the past few years.

When women ask me what to wear for a boudoir session, I like to refer them to some more of the differentiated, unique lingerie wardrobe ideas.

When I say "Go for something gold!", I sometimes get the sideways look. But imagine yourself at my Red Bank boudoir studio, this elegant ivory setting, with a gorgeous glittering pop of gold against the backdrop of the many soulful antiques! SIGH...Simply stunning.

Gold makes me think of Venice.

It makes me think of old-world romance and ancient Roman goddesses.

I'm reminded of the golden age of The Great Gatsby.

These are things that make my heart swoon! And if you can't envision it, let some of these gorgeous lingerie, shoe and accessory gems guide your light the golden path.

Guess what? I also carry gilded album covers and golden craved fine art frames so you can enjoy a fully coordinated boudoir album or boudoir gallery wall.

Go for the gold, baby! 

xoxo, 

Cate

HOW TO WEAR GARTER BELTS | NJ & NYC BOUDOIR PHOTOGRAPHER CATE SCAGLIONE

HOW TO WEAR GARTER BELTS | A WARDROBE WEDNESDAY TUTORIAL FOR NEW JERSEY + NYC BOUDOIR PHOTOGRAPHY CLIENTS

PHOTO CREDIT: L'Ecole Nuit

On this Wardrobe Wednesday, (which is now inconsequentially Thursday- oops!) I'm all about the garter belts, sharing excerpts with permission from Kristine Isberg, on L'Ecole Nuit Lingerie blog. 

PEEPING TOMS?  JUST ANOTHER ORDINARY DAY IN THE LIFE OF A BOUDOIR PHOTOGRAPHER... 

It's not uncommon to find me on the floor during a session, adjusting my clients' garter belts. Last week, I found myself shooting Boudoir Photography in Philadelphia. We were in a beautiful apartment with floor to ceiling windows, shooting a bride's boudoir session as her ultimate grooms gift. As I was on the floor fastening those lethal weapons...

I stood up to see her neighbor in the loft across, staring right back at us. What else could I do but WAVE and think to myself, "WOW! Someone is about to have a great day!" This is just an ordinary day in the life for me as a tasteful, classy, elegant boudoir enthusiast here in the New York City and New Jersey boudoir -land.

And I love it.  

Many women have never tried a garter belt because they do not know how to wear them. So here are some tips and tricks from the experts at L'Ecole Nuit, on how to fasten and wear garter belts for their boudoir shoot wardrobe.

PHOTO CREDIT: L'Ecole Nuit

1. What type of hosiery do I need with garter belts?

Stockings work best with garter belts. The top of the stocking has a reinforced double layer to accommodate the garter belt clasps without ripping the stocking itself. Unlike thigh highs, stockings do not have a silicone band to hold them up. They are made specifically for garter belts.

2. How do I fasten the stocking to the garter?

The garter belt typically has four straps that hook the stocking to the front and back of each leg. Once you have the garter on, pull the stocking up (it should reach about mid-thigh), place the side of the strap with the nub underneath your stockings, between your leg and the stocking itself. Next, place the nub in the wide section of the corresponding clip sliding down firmly to hold the stocking in place. As with a bra, you can adjust the length of the garter strap depending on your outfit. 

Tip: Your rear straps should be a bit longer to accommodate sitting (and other) positions!

The beautiful Miss Sharon Taylor knows how to do the garter belt ...for sure. One of my favorite styled sessions to-date.

3. Can you wear garter belts under clothing?

Garter belts that are made of a thin material like lace or silk are perfect to wear under clothing. Some styles even offer shaping and smooth the tummy area if they feature a longer front design.

4. Are garter belts comfortable?

Absolutely. They allow you to wear stockings and have your legs looking and feeling sexier than bare legs, while not being constrictive like pantyhose. 

5. Do I wear my panties over or under the garter?

You can do both. Most images show the garter worn over the panty. Unless you are wearing it for a boudoir photo shoot, I recommend putting the garter belt on first, then the panties. Why? Because it is easier to pull your panties down without having to unfasten the garter. This is practical if you are out on a date night and need to use the ladies room. The other benefit - panties slip off easily - while garter and stockings can remain on during more intimate occasions.

DID YOU KNOW THAT ALL LIFE AS FINE ART CLIENTS HAVE AN EXCLUSIVE OFFER CODE TO L'ECOLE NUIT? 

SPECIAL BOUDOIR LINGERIE OFFER FOR LIFE AS FINE ART CLIENTS. 

To find beautiful lingerie and garter belt ensembles for yourself, visit the L'Ecole Nuit Website by clicking here. It is easy to order and the quality is gorgeous.

WHAT'S YOUR ERA? Beauty Photography in NJ and NYC by Cate Scaglione

Today I spotted this video, and I simply loved it. It really sums up all the imaginations of the beautiful everyday women who choose to work with me. 

In the weeks before every boudoir or beauty client session, I like to do a client consultation by phone. I want to get to know them...To get a sense of their style, passion, their heart.  One of the questions that I always ask is...

"What's your era?"...

It's usually followed by some radio silence. And then, I explain further...

View fullsize

The beautiful Eliza, photographed in Bath, Maine.

I like to imagine that all of us are from another place and time. That could be past tense or future tense, but I think each person has an essence that is quintessentially, "otherworldly."

Maybe this sounds a lot like reincarnation. But I like to think of it that way... 

View fullsize

A 1960's Madmen-era inspired boudoir shoot in New York City, photographed at Ink 48. 

Because, for many, the photo session IS a reincarnation. They rediscover themselves, get reacquainted with aspects of their beauty, or perhaps even meet IT for the first time. It is not denying the fact it's a wonderful thing to live in "the present", but I love that for just a day or so she can be larger than the moment. And every time she looks at her album or wall art, she is reminded that she is bigger than any life moment she encounters -- good or bad.

Great Gatsby-inspired shoot, shot in 2010 at Casa Belvedere in Staten Island, New York.

1930's, New Orleans inspired boudoir session.

1920's romantically styled Gatsby era portrait. Perfect for a fine art wall piece. 

This 1980s look would make even CHER jealous. She radiates power and confidence. 

My dedicated makeup artist, Makeup Artistry by Miranda Richards specializes in stylized photo shoots such as these...This amazing cosmetic artist does thorough research and creates beautifully authentic looks, no matter what era you fancy.  

If you are a woman in the New York, New Jersey or (anywhere in the world beyond!) interested in a BOUDOIR or beautiful DREAMWORLDS NYC Glamour Portrait session, I'd love the chance to work with you... 732.676.3700 or click here. 

Now booking through January and Valentine's Day. Don't delay!

xo, 

Cate

ANTIQUE INSPIRED BOUDOIR WARDROBE | NJ AND NYC BOUDOIR PHOTOGRAPHER CATE SCAGLIONE

WARDROBE WEDNESDAY: ANTIQUE INSPIRED BOUDOIR ENSEMBLES 
 

"We are all tied to our destiny and there is no way we can liberate ourselves."

Rita Hayworth

...Sometimes I think I was born in another era. Or maybe, I wish I was!

VINTAGE

Antiqued Hues by aibp featuring high heel pumps

When it comes to styling boudoir sessions, there is nothing I love more than to take a step back in time and revisit that luxe glamour of the 1940's. From the dresses to the undergarments, it was all so understated and yet so sophisticated. From my experience as a NYC and NJ boudoir photographer, women of all ages, body types and spirit look fantastic in this styling.

"Glamorous dresses were a luxury during most of the 1940s; times were hard due to world events. Dress manufacturers were allowed a specific amount of fabric and could not keep up with dress demand. As a result, women began to fashion their own style from the materials available to them, and took it upon themselves to create luxury out of minimal options. The results of their work were the fabulous and chic dresses of the 1940s."  (...Read more here). 

Watching old movies from this era, it's clear to see the leading ladies of 1940s Hollywood had sharp tongues, a quick wit and killer style created all on their own. Yes, perhaps it was by the sign of the times, but the soft hues, lacy details and luxe comfort almost makes me think the women of that time created more for themselves than they did for their  men. I love that. It was a post-suffrage era that still echoed those rally cries of empowerment, but with an infusion of femininity and beauty, enjoyed just for her own sake. (The men at their feet? Simply a bonus.)

You'd be surprised to know that during my pre-session consultations, a large majority of my boudoir clients tell me they are booking their sessions more for their own enjoyment than their partner's. Much like the leading ladies of another time, we all know we deserve it.