The Sweet Reveal ∼ Soft, Romantic, Feminine and Sensous Boudoir Photography by Cat Hepple

Boudoir photography tends to provoke one of those love-hate divide responses in most, and I can honestly say that for majority of the time I've been aware of it, I've not been far from loathing it.  I hate to say it but I'm just not a fan of light sculpt techniques (those boudoir shots taken in dark rooms/black backgrounds, you get the picture) – each to their own and all that, I'd never judge anyone etc etc, it's just not for me.  Generally speaking, as a genre of photography, I've only quite recently woken up to the fact that boudoir isn't always trashy – it can be beautiful, and a truly liberating experience for those who partake – as I discovered when I was researching for this post 18 months ago.

But then recently, the work of one photographer in particular has caught my eye, for her fresh, feminine and very sensuous approach to boudoir.  Cat Hepple has managed to tackle a genre of photography so often looked over for lacking taste, and turned it in to something truly beautiful, gracious and incredibly sexy, with not one whiff of tacky about it.

'My 'Sweet Reveal' shoots are feminine, romantic and editorial in style. I
have long wanted to change the way boudoir is seen by women – those
who've even heard of boudoir, and many have not, always assume it's a
bit tacky, risque, a bit too revealing and explicit, and I really wanted
to change the way boudoir is perceived and offer women something more
stylish, with a fashion edge to it.'

Photography Copyright (c) 2013, Cat Hepple Photography

'I'm hugely influenced by
fashion magazines and editorial imagery and the women who book me for
these shoots are too. They are used to seeing stylish, creative and
stylised images in magazines and want to look as good. My boudoir style
developed after many of my brides asked me to shoot boudoir sessions for
them and it's evolved over the past year as I've worked to bring a
feminine and artistic approach to the shoots.

They are rarely if ever,
in a bedroom. I want to avoid all the cliches of this genre of
photography and instead explore the portrayal of women in a far more
detailed and considered way. So we avoid bedroom settings, and instead
we search for locations, for somewhere we can tell a story, add an
element of styling to.

In this shoot with Kirsty we wanted to create a
Sophia Loren look, glamorous, confident and celebrating the female form.  This beautiful 90ft yacht called 'Maybe' was the perfect setting and
once we'd secured it as our venue it allowed the styling to develop and
the story too.'

'The Sweet Reveal shoots are about exploring a woman's
beauty and are as much about what we don't reveal as what we show. I
love the lines, necklines, the soft curve of the lower back, shoulders,
hip lines, the lips…. they all create the beauty of a woman and that's
what the shoots are about. Women who book them can reveal as little or
as much as they like.

I always want to show a woman's beauty, and give
her the confidence to know she looks amazing. So we don't set about
being explicit or overt, this is softer, more feminine, really romantic
and often ethereal in tone and feel.'

 

'A huge part of the shoots
involves the team I work with, who can really help boost a woman's
confidence long before she steps in front of a camera. Victoria Farr is
my hair and make up artist of choice for these shoots.

Victoria Farr and I
work so closely together long before the shoot, to consider styling, the
woman's ideas and how she wants to look and the way she wants to be
portrayed. Victoria is on set all day changing hair and make up for the
client and looking after them, giving them the reassurance they look as
fantastic as it's possible to be.

Jayne Winn of Sheer Bliss is my lingerie advisor,
with her own boutique and years of experience. Again, she guides the
women who book me about how best to enhance their shape, and ensures
they choose lingerie, chemise and wraps which give them oodles of
confidence for the shoot. That's such a vital part of the process as for
every women I've ever worked with is so incredibly nervous about doing
this.'

'And that's the part of the shoot I love the most, seeing a
women change from a shy, nervous and often quite overwhelmed person who
can't quite believe she's being brave enough to do this, into a
confident woman, assured and believing she's beautiful.

All the women
I've ever worked with are SO proud they've done the shoot and feel
they've achieved something quite remarkable, and they have. It's so
rewarding to see that change and to know it's because the shoot has
changed their perspective and given them that self confidence, it's an
amazing thing to do for someone.

All women love the results, they always
can't believe it's them and they always can't wait to share the results
with their partners.  I've never met a partner yet who doesn't love the results!'

On
thursday evening this week, Cat Hepple is hosting the first ever Sweet Reveal evening at the
Sheer Bliss Lingerie Boutique at 14 High Street, Knaresborough, HG5 0EQ.  To register your attendance at this complimentary event, drop cat an email on [email protected].

'It's an open event where
anyone interested or considering a Sweet Reveal shoot can come along,
see more of my work, and meet my fabulous team whilst sipping champagne
and enjoying a preview of the new seasons lingerie collections. I really
want to debunk the myth that you need a model figure to do this kind of
shoot, or that it's scary and terrifying.

The open evening is about
showing women that my team and I can make you look fabulous, we can give
you confidence and belief in your own beauty and we can create truly
mesmerising images which you'll cherish for a lifetime.'

I was keen to include this little behind-the-scenes film footage for you, where photographer Cat shares her thoughts and approach to her Sweet Reveal boudoir style photography…

Film Production – Emma Wilson, Story of Your Day

Would you have a boudoir shoot? Has this feature made you re-think this genre of photography? Have ou already had a boudoir shoot and would you do it again, and ladies, I'd love to hear from those of you who think you might be able to attend Cat's event this Thursday.

You can see more from Cat on Love My Dress here – including this beautiful 'behind closed doors' shoot that will definitely appeal if you love the photographs on this page.

With love,

Annabel

 

Sweet Reveal Boudoir Photography – Cat Hepple
Hair and make up – Victoria Farr
Lingerie – Jayne Winn at Sheer Bliss