A little lace, a little blood, and a whole lot of creative freedom.



If you've been following my work for a while, you know that boudoir photography is my thing. I love creating bold, beautiful, fierce images of everyday women in my studio. But every once in a while, I like get out of my usual space and step out of my comfort zone.


While most of my photography happens right here in my Annapolis-area boudoir studio, I also occasionally attend photography workshops, creative events, and styled shoots. These experiences give me the opportunity to collaborate with other creatives, experiment with new lighting and techniques, and photograph concepts I might not typically create during a traditional client session.


Recently, I traveled to Novalight Studios in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, for a Halloween and horror-themed creative workshop hosted by Kandy's Events.

Think spiderwebs, body bags, bloody knives, vampires, and just the right amount of beautiful chaos.



The challenge? Taking these creepy, horror-inspired settings and making them feel like my photography. Even surrounded by blood and cobwebs, I wanted to maintain the fierce, feminine, slightly seductive aesthetic that defines my work.

Here's a look at what we created.


Black and white portrait of a woman with spider web veil and spiders, dark gothic Halloween aesthetic photography.

Caught in Her Web


There's something about black lace, dramatic shadows, and a room full of spiderwebs that just screams gothic glamour.

For this set, I wanted to create something dark, mysterious, and hauntingly beautiful. Rather than going for traditional horror, I leaned into a moodier, more editorial approach. I loved playing with the contrast between delicate feminine details and the unsettling atmosphere of the set.

The final black-and-white images feel almost like scenes from a gothic fairytale. Beautiful, mysterious, and just a little dangerous.


Because who says spooky can't be sexy?

Black and white portrait of a woman wearing a lace veil and wide-brim hat, creating a mysterious, elegant look.
Black and white photo of a woman in dark lace surrounded by spider webs in a dramatic gothic fantasy setting.
Black and white portrait of a woman with closed eyes, her face partially covered by a delicate lace veil.
Woman in black lace lingerie and red thigh-high boots posing in a dimly lit room with warm string lights.

Drop Dead Gorgeous


Next up? A room full of body bags, plastic sheeting, bloody details, and an absolutely killer attitude.

This set was a fun opportunity to play with the contrast between beauty and horror. Instead of photographing the traditional horror movie damsel in distress, I wanted to capture a woman who looked completely in control of the chaos around her.

Black lace lingerie, a bloodied cleaver, warm cinematic lighting, and a little playful attitude brought this scene together.

The result was a little horror movie, a little dark glamour, and a whole lot of badass feminine energy.


Final girl? More like the reason everyone else is running.


Woman in black lace lingerie posing with a cleaver, surrounded by warm bokeh lights and plastic sheeting backdrop.
Woman in black lingerie and red boots holding a baseball bat in a dark, dramatic setting.
Woman in black lace lingerie holding a wooden bat overhead, posed in a moody, candlelit setting.
Tattooed woman in black latex bodysuit with devil horns headpiece holding a knife in a dark, dramatic Halloween scene.

Killer Confidence


If you've ever watched Dexter, you probably recognize the inspiration behind this next set.

Plastic-covered walls, splattered blood, a knife, and an atmosphere that looks like something straight out of a crime thriller.

But I wasn't interested in creating a typical crime scene.

I wanted to bring a fierce, fashion-forward energy into an otherwise gruesome environment.

This was one of those sets that really encouraged me to think differently about how I use lighting, color, and composition.


A little sinister. A little seductive. Absolutely unapologetic.


Blonde woman with tattoos on arms wearing black leather top, posing on vintage car in moody blue-lit setting.
Woman in black outfit lying on plastic sheeting with dramatic red and blue neon lighting in artistic photo shoot.
Tattooed blonde woman in black bodysuit posing against graffiti wall in dramatic blue lighting.
Two women in Halloween costumes pose dramatically in candlelit room, one in vampire makeup, other in white lace lingerie.

Love at First Bite


And finally, what's Halloween without a little vampire romance?

This set brought together so many things I love photographing: gorgeous lace, rich textures, dramatic makeup, and a story unfolding.

With flowing red hair, black lace, fishnets, and deep red accents, our vampire was every bit the dark, seductive villain. Her victim, dressed in delicate white lace, created a beautiful contrast.

I especially loved the opportunity to photograph two models interacting. Rather than focusing on a single pose or expression, I could create images that suggested a larger story.

Was our vampire admiring her handiwork? Preparing for another bite? Or simply enjoying being the most dangerous woman in the room?

I'll leave that up to your imagination.

The combination of dark romance, feminine beauty, and a little fake blood made this set feel like gothic boudoir with a horror-movie twist.


After all, some love stories have a little more bite than others.


Two women in Halloween costumes pose dramatically among plastic-wrapped figures with string lights in a dark, moody setting.
Two women in vampire Halloween costumes pose dramatically against a dark backdrop with warm string lights.
Two women in a vampire Halloween costume photoshoot with dramatic dark gothic styling and faux blood makeup effects.
A vampire woman with red lips and blood on her face embraces another person with scratch marks on their neck.

Why I Make Time for Creative Shoots


So why travel to Philadelphia to photograph fake blood, body bags, and vampires when I already have a boudoir studio of my own?


Because I believe creativity needs room to grow.


I absolutely love the work I do with my clients. There's something incredibly rewarding about helping a woman step in front of my camera, feel comfortable in her own skin, and see herself in a way she may never have before.

But being a photographer also means being an artist. And sometimes that means trying something completely different. And even a little weird.

Creative workshops and styled shoots allow me to experiment without the expectations or time constraints of a traditional client session. I get to collaborate with talented models and other photographers, explore unfamiliar environments, try different lighting approaches, and push myself to create images that feel new and exciting.


And that creative growth doesn't stay at the workshop.

Everything I learn, from lighting and posing to storytelling and artistic direction, comes back with me into my studio and influences the experience I create for my clients.

My goal isn't just to take beautiful pictures. It's to keep growing as an artist and creating images that feel bold, intentional, and uniquely mine.  Fierce, Feminine… and Maybe a Little Frightening.


One of my favorite takeaways from this experience was realizing that my photography style doesn't have to change just because the setting does.

Whether I'm photographing a woman in delicate lingerie in my studio or a vampire surrounded by cobwebs and fake blood, I'm still drawn to the same things: strong women, beautiful details, dramatic lighting, and images that make you stop and look twice.

A little darkness just adds to the fun.

And while you won't typically find body bags or bloody cleavers at an LD Photography boudoir session, you will find the same creativity, attention to detail, and love for fierce, feminine imagery.


Want to see what we can create together?


Stay fierce, and happy spooky season!

Laura

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