Sugar Cookies x Brooklyn Boudoir Present a New York City Boudoir & Lingerie Photoshoot Retreat!

💥 Big news! 💥

Sugar Cookies x Brooklyn Boudoir present: Boudoir in the City

A Lingerie and Boudoir Experience in NYC

August 4 - 6, 2023

Join me for a New York City weekend filled with luxe lingerie, boudoir, NYC skyline views and some surprises a long the way. I am very excited to announce the 2023 New York City Lingerie & Boudoir retreat, hosted by Brooklyn Boudoir and Sugar Cookies Lingerie!

While I love my Bushwick studio, the one thing it doesn't have is New York City skyline views. Many of my clients are hoping to get *THAT* shot which is no longer possible outside of a special event like this one. So to all of you who ask about the skyline shots, this event is for you!

The Event

It's no secret that Sugar Cookies is one of my favorite boutiques in the city. With each event we produce together, a group of tightly knit, like-minded women is born!  These past events together have been so popular, we've decided to step it up a notch and offer an epic New York City lingerie & photoshoot experience!

Who is this event for?

 This is an amazing way to test the waters of boudoir photography if you’ve been curious to try it, or to refresh your collection. You’ll also connect with other women and get some epic photos with a stunning New York City backdrop.  
Most of my special events are limited to past clients only, but this experience is open to all women, regardless if we have previously worked together.  Out-of-towners, local New Yorkers, women of all ages: if you want to spend a weekend celebrating yourself in the world's greatest city, this event is for you!

What you can expect

• A welcome reception to get to know each other, form connections, and enjoy camaraderie with a small group of like-minded women.

• A salon-style talk with Stephanie, Susanne and Samantha Rose about all things lingerie, boudoir & confidence (and how they are all related).

• A private lingerie shopping experience at Sugar Cookies Lingerie NYC.

• A 45-minute boudoir shoot in your new lingerie at the Wythe Hotel in Williamsburg Brooklyn, featuring one of the best views of the iconic NYC skyline.

• A group dinner and burlesque show at one of the city's classiest (and sexiest!) venues.

• Special offers and early access to future events (trust me, this is going to be BIG)!

Tentative Schedule

Friday August 4

Evening welcome reception, bubbly and salon talk at Sugar Cookies

Saturday August 5
Private lingerie shopping appointments at Sugar Cookies boutique
Free time in NYC with Stephanie & Susanne's recommendations and favorite places as a guide
Dinner and a burlesque show at one of the city's classiest (and sexist!) venues

Sunday August 6
45-minute private boudoir shoot at the Wythe Hotel, featuring the NYC skyline and YOU in your new lingerie
Breakfast or Lunch, Sparkling wine, light treats
Sunset meet-up at the Wythe Hotel Rooftop Bar

The Extras

In addition to all of the above, you will also receive 10+ fully-retouched digital boudoir images in a downloadable online gallery, a behind-the-scenes video, plus other surprises and special treats.

Pricing

All of the above + other surprises: $2049

The Small Print

50% due upon booking. Balance due 10 days before the start of the event.
Lingerie Purchases, transportation, and lodging not included.
Hair and Makeup Artist for your shoot is not included, but available as a $200 add-on if desired.
A block of hotel rooms will be put on hold for those coming in from out of town- please inquire. The earlier the better - availability is limited.

We can't wait to see you and enjoy a weekend of celebrating your best, most confident self in New York City!

Frequently Asked Questions

How is this different than other Brooklyn Boudoir Experiences?

The typical Brooklyn Boudoir Experience takes place at my studio in Bushwick, Brooklyn and lasts 3 hours from start to finish. While I love it there, I do sometimes miss the days that I photographed women at hotels. This event will span over three days, but you will also have plenty of downtime. Your boudoir shoot will take place at the Wythe Hotel last approximately 45 minutes and we’ll capture 1 -2 lingerie looks. So while your shoot will be shorter than the usual Brooklyn Boudoir Experience, we will be spending more time together over the course of the weekend talking, socializing and having fun

Is Hair and Makeup Included?

No, hair and makeup is not included, but can be added on for an additional $200.

What if I am coming in from out of town?

You are welcome to join! We will be putting a block of rooms on hold for those coming in from out of town, so please inquire! Each day, you can plan to spend 1-3 hours with us at our various events, but the rest of the time you will be free to explore NYC.

How many photos will I get?

You will receive a minimum of 10 photos.

Are meals included?

Dinner on Saturday night and brunch on Sunday are included. Snacks and bubbly will be available throughout. You will be on your own for all other meal

Will there be more events in the future?

Yes! We have lots of other ideas for retreats in the works. However, each retreat will be completely unique with different offerings to keep things fresh. So the next retreat will not be at the Wythe Hotel… it may not even be in New York! ;)

How can I stay in the know?

Be sure to follow along our social media to learn about our future events: @brooklynboudoir @sugarcookiesnyc

How to Shop for Lingerie | Tips for your Boudoir Shoot | New York City Boudoir Photographer

So excited for my purchases!

I was transitioning my closet from spring to summer recently when I noticed that all of my “lingerie” (and I use that word in quotes) were, well, tired.  No scratch that, they were beyond  tired, they were exausted, old, torn up, stained basically in an unacceptable starte for any grown woman.  How long had I had these pieces?  Honestly I don’t remember but suffice it to say it was before I had a baby and everything about them was wrong. My body is different post-baby and my underwear hadn’t gotten the memo.   But where to start when looking for a total lingerie refresh?? I knew I needed help!

Enter lingerie blogger Melissa AKA The Lace Appeal.  I photographed her this past winter and I knew she was the perfect person to ask about rejuvinating my lingerie wardrobe.  If you haven’t checked out Melissa’s site or insta yet, do yourself a favor and do so.  It’s a blog dedicated to all things lingerie, specifically helping women find products that make them feel beautiful.   She’s got amazing recs on boutiques all around the country (east coast, west coast and everything in between), lingerie & activewear reviews, on top of being completely real and relatable.  Her blog is full of fun reads and no topic is taboo - from period boobs to briefs that won’t give you a wedgie, she’s not afraid to talk about it all.  In her words, The Lingerie Appeal is a place for women to explore topics of their bodies freely, sans judgment.   Basically, she’s got the point of view on lingerie as I do on boudoir photography!  I was thrilled that she agreed to take me shopping. 

We met at Sugar Cookies - an amazing ligeerie boutique in Chelsea, which just celebrated it’s 10th birthday this past weekend!  I must admit I was nervous!  I, like so many other women, had never been properly fitted for a bra, and I am (as I’ve written about before) essentially flat chested.  The store is filled with tons of beautiful lingerie options, but would they have anything that fit me?  

Beautiful Sugar Cookies Lingerie Boutique

The amazing Monica took my measurments and brought me pieces to try on.   This was KEY.  She was endlessly patient and had a sixth sense about what would work for me.  We tried on a LOT of different options and through good old fashioned trial and error I ended up getting a completely new lingerie wardrobe.  Here are some tips I picked up between Monica and Melissa:

Get fitted by an expert

Monica helping me select the perfect piece of lingerie

Melissa told me that a shocking 80% of women were wearing the wrong size lingerie!  This seems insane given that most of us wear bras every single day (side note, I’m noticing more and more young women going sans bra these days… but that’s a blog post for another day…)  Many women are surprised to learn what their actual bra size is.  There’s no need to guess or to awkwardly try to manuever a measuring tape around yourself — take it to an expert.

Don’t get bogged down by the sizing.  

Once you do get messured, give yourself some sway in either direction.  Just like with clothing brands, different lingerie brands fit differently.  I was a a 32A in most brands but a 34B in bras from The Little Bra company.  I never would have treid on a B cup bra in the past, but the thing is, you never know unless you try.  The key is to keep an open mind.  Another trick I learned was to aim for a bra that fastens on the loosest hooks, that way as the bra stretches out over time, you’ll have the tighter hooks to compensate for the stretch. 

And speaking of “ I never would have,” don’t limit yourself based on preconceived notions!  

That’s actually good advise for life in general isn’t?  But when it comes to bras, I never would have tried on an unstructed, unlined piece, becuase, well, I feel as if I need some extra oomph.  but when I tried on the Lise Charmel Splendeur Soie No Wire Bra, a silly smile came over my face.  I just felt fantastic and sexy and THAT is what good lingerie is all about.  So try it all on and choose what makes you feel GREAT - you’ll know it when you find it.  

Bring outfit pieces with you.  

If you’re looking for lingerie to go with a specific outfit, it’s a good idea to bring those pieces with you when you go shopping. This way you can match colors and textures together, and see how certain combinations look. Show your outfit or accessories to a store clerk to give them inspiration. They will know the store’s product lines and may be able to help you find the perfect piece to pair with your outfit.  If you’re looking for an every day bra like I was, bring a smooth tight tee shirt or whatever type of top you normally wear to be sure the bra works with it. 

When you find a brand you like stick with it.

I have a hunch that I am the ideal client of “The Little Bra Company,” so I know I can probably count on them for bras and other pieces alike.

Ladies, lingerie is all about confidence.  Try to go when you’re feeling good about yourself, eat a little something to keep your blood sugar up, and give yourself time to sift through the options. If you’re having a hard time, try to remind yourself that we are always our toughest critic. Your partner will think you look amazing no matter what you choose so be sure to be true to yourself and get pieces that give you swagger.   You’ll be really happy you did.

Look at the big goofy smile on my face — I am one happy customer!

Here are all the pieces I picked up at Sugar cookies (from top to bottom):

The Little Bra Company Lucia Push Up Bra in black and nude, with matching thongs

Cosabella thong

Lise Charmel Splendeur Soie No Wire Bra

The Little Bra Company Sascha Smooth bra in nude

BlueBella Carmen Basque - just for fun, and because the lace couldn’t be more beautiful.

And a bonus My Bra Kitty, which Melissa turned me on to — the perfect way to pack your bras without them getting squished & misshaped.  

How sexy is that Faux Croc?

Have any other questions i can help answer? What tips do you have for lingerie Shopping? Share them below!

xoxo, Stephanie