Hotel Shenanigans

As Valentine's Day creeps ever closer I keep wanting to do one big day of shooting to get in as many bookings as possible in a single push to help limit how often I am over extending as the due date for this baby crawls ever closer.  Thankfully, the ever beautiful Tanya has thrown her hat in the ring to pull an event out for all our sultry brides to be and sexy ladies in lingerie!

While I am gearing up with new lens orders for the 2014 wedding season, we are going to do a big day of shooting at a local hotel as well.  The goal will be to book a fancy room that has all those picture perfect elements you know and love about great boudoir.  So girls, are you ready?  Bring your favorite something sexy, have your make-up and hair done by our team, and get your very own session of seductive images to share with your Valentine or yourself.

Dates and location to follow soon.  And a big bonus for one lovely bride to be may just be in the works too!

Naps Are Sexy

It feels like we've been moving forever.  I know really we are done with most of the work, but all I want to do tonight is take a very long nap.  Things in the new space are about 70% settled and I'll have time to test out the lighting and such by Friday, but for now you can enjoy something a tad different. 

These are test shots from when I set up my first home studio and had to replace bulbs in the studio stands.  I was working solo, so I just placed the camera on my tripod stool and used the timer to capture a few different things so I could see how much I needed to raise or lower the exposure.

The image of my hips and heels is a personal favorite as it was an accident that turned out to be one of the best from that test.  Anyway, hope you enjoy these while I go take a nap!

Blue Haired Lady

One of my favorite models came by for a visit the other day to show off her new hair color.  We took a few shots to update her portfolio and while I'm not even close to finished with editing, I love this new look on her.

Big Beautiful Boudoir

After unplanned car repairs ruined our savings for this weekend's trip to the fairy festival, I dusted myself off and gotten right back to taking a shoot and keeping focused on the fact that there is so much I could/should be celebrating. 

A few weeks ago I shared an image and quote from a young woman named Tanya.  She's a beautiful woman and was happy to share her feelings on why boudoir can be so positive for women to try.  Today we had the second have of our shoot, and a good laugh at the long process of me lacing and clipping her into a full boned corset.

Here's a look at this pretty girl and some highlights from her last two shoots.

Why Boudoir?

Boudoir can be intimidating for many reasons; personal image issues with your weight or confidence, the fear that somebody would find the photos or that they will be plastered all over the internet to ruin your reputation, or the misconception that boudoir requires you to be pornographic in some way. Perhaps there is even the feeling that when you hand the finished product to your special somebody that they will be unhappy about the results, or angry that you allowed another person to see you in such an intimate way.

After hearing stories from many of my clients on how this was a huge step outside their comfort zone or how getting their photos back gave them a chance to really see how beautiful they are inside and out, I wanted to share their stories to let you all in on the not-so-secret.

Pamela

A few weeks ago I shared the story of my best friend and her boudoir shoot. She and I were college roommates and have similarly aged toddlers. She is a wonderful person and has a glowing smile, but really never has the chance to shine anymore between her work as a nurse and her work as a mom. I am so pleased she took the time to share her thoughts as her shoot has some of my favorite classic poses.

"Being a mom has given me a very different image of myself an sometimes it overtakes who I feel I am as an individual. For me boudoir was a reminder of that person I am and have always been. It's a way of showing myself I'm not just a mom I'm still woman and that is something to celebrate. It's fun and it's probably outside of a lot of woman's comfort zones (mine included) but the images afterward are incredible it gives you a glimpse of what others see in you not just the physical features."

Tanya

A stay-at-home mother of two that once had some serious self esteem and body image issues, she has had a long road to get to the confident and outspoken woman we see today. I feel blessed to help show off her big, beautiful smile in this surprise sitting done while her husband was out at work. This survivor of a truly unpleasant past is an inspiration for being so confident no matter what her detractors try to say.

"I feel it isn't so much about the modeling as it is about how the woman feels in their own skin. the fact that I have posed for pictures of this fashion says a lot of how I portray myself in my own eyes. Do I have some problem areas that need to be worked on? sure I do! do I have areas that I wish would never see the light of the sun and curse the eyes of others? maybe... but I am who I am, not one single person is going to change that and the ability to be photographed and show that personality, MY personality and my soul and inner being shines through. when I look at any and all pictures taken of me not only do I see body and soul and personality, I also see growth, as a person, and I also see the growth of the photographer. "

Charity

Charity has been featured here on our blog a few times and writes her own thoughts on working as a model in boudoir, fashion and fetish. She is always a pleasure to work with and talk to about many things. I often call Charity when it is time to do a study on poses or for a chance to practice with an experienced and flexible model before working with a client. She is happy to give feedback and honest opinions without overly praising or dragging out a negative when having a bad day. For this reason I respect her thoughts on boudoir as an art form and as a model.

"Boudoir shots for me are all about the setting and the mood. These shots are based on the concept of a lady’s “sitting room” where she would entertain visitors and lovers. They can include nudity and implied nudity but in essence nudity and being scantily clad is not a requirement. Boudoir for me typically uses lingerie and lighting. They can involve props and gloves as well as full body or just an arm."

Writing this and speaking to these ladies has given me the final push to put aside my own insecurities about my health troubles and lingering baby weight. In the coming weeks I will be planning and posing for a new boudoir shoot of my very own. I plan to share some inside images of the process and the results in an up coming blog later in June.

Thank you to every one of my brave and beautiful ladies for sharing this experience with the world. I hope they can inspire you to be brave and believe in your own beauty!  If you are located in the New Hampshire or southern Maine area and would like to book your own boudoir session, please contact our studio for more details.

Beautiful Bride

Five years ago I was a bridesmaid at my best friend's wedding.  I remember helping her into her dress and braiding everybody's hair when the stylist canceled at the last minute and only called about two hours before the ceremony was supposed to start.  It no longer fits, but the dress I wore is still in my closet and reminds me of that day.

After five years of marriage, my college roommate finally made the choice to do some lovely boudoir as a gift for her hubby.  Taking advantage of the fact that five years and two children later she still fits her gown, she brought it along and we told a wonderful story.

Thank you so much for being an amazing friend!

Bridal Boudoir 2013

I so enjoy my work.  I get to spend time with wonderful people, see the beauty in every one of them, and show them a little of that beauty as well.

I am in the process of making a new gallery display for the Akelis Studios website and today made a nice start for the boudoir collection.  This is a recolor of one of my favorites.  The look was so strong even with her eyes closed that I could hardly resist the chance to play with this shot.

"That Pretty B!@%^\$"

Gena, being so dang pretty.

Whenever we have a store party at my other job I bring along my camera to document the fun.  Our most recent party had a Rockabilly theme and we all had a lovely time.  I asked permission to share this because I wanted to remind people that you can be unexpectedly beautiful even at work.  Remember to smile and let that internal beauty shine.  Ms. Gena did just that, and now I'm convinced she's too pretty not to be a model!

Good Bye To 2012

Hell to a happy 2013!

The holidays are gone, and I cannot say I am sad to see them fade into memory.  I always feel drained after Christmas and this year was no exception.  By the time Christmas day arrives I have been covering so many holiday parties and weddings, that I write "sleep" on the top of my list each year when family asks what I want.

With the trees no longer covered in lights it is time for planning the next big holiday for photography... this time for adults!  I am talking here about Valentine's Day. 

Boudoir is always a popular gift for that special somebody and this time of year just increases that focus.  This year I am going to work on planning boudoir sessions without having to drag a ton of equipment out for each shoot.  I am working on changes in how I light and draw focal lines so that everything can be done with just a simple standing light and portable flash.  My ideal would be to have a set-up that can be set or packed in under 5 minutes and prepared to shoot at any location.

I also count this as my time to start focusing on bookings for late spring weddings.  These brides tend to book a little later in their planning and I want to make sure they are not ignored.  Being a budget bride and knowing how hard it can be to plan an elopement without feeling that you have nothing to share... I will be rolling out new offers for small events.

Keep an eye out for the announcement of new packages.  The goal is to produce three new ofers that can work for couples planning a weekend get-away elopement, all the way to the grand bash that every princess dreams about for her wedding day.

Bedroom Eyes

Dyed my hair the other night.  I do this often, but this was my farewell to the color I have been using since shortly before getting pregnant in 2010.  I wanted to make sure I used up the last of the somewhat expensive dye products I had been using to keep from feeling guilty.  I normally use natural Red Henna mixed with lemon juice and grape-seed oil to produce a light red-blond, but have come to a point where I want to change that system.

This is one more step in the long process of changing my look and going back to the fun edge I had while in college and my early photography career in New York.  I enjoyed that time because I could let my clothing, hair and make-up choices really express my personality.  Having a corporate job often feels like I have to be less myself because everything must be "a natural look".  Somehow, nails polished with blue or purple will never be enough "self expression" in my wardrobe.

I'm an eye make-up addict.  I love the bright fire shades, something with oranges or reds can photograph beautifully even when the lighting is not stellar because of how the shades blend well over most skin tones. 

I bring all this up because the look of the photographer can be just as vital as the look of their images when presenting "the whole package" to potential clients.  This weekend I am going from working and photographing an event at the retail job, right to a boudoir sitting with a brand new client.  The party at my retail job is our Halloween celebration and I am going to be in a costume for that day.  The bring issue I have been facing is figuring out what to do about hair and make-up for this costume so that it will not be a problem when I then switch to being a professional at my sitting that evening. 

Boudoir make-up:  not my favorite image from this set, but good for today's purposes.

This goes into my next point, don't think you have to use a tone of make-up to achieve a great "bedroom" look for boudoir images.  There are some shades and colors that will allow you to use much less to achieve a wonderful look because of how they naturally work with the camera.  The idea is to draw attention either to eyes OR lips, and very dark colors on each with a pale face between is going to look even more vampy or clownish if lighting is off even a smidgen. 

Brown Mascara & Gold Eye Shadows.

Browns:

Please, PLEASE!  Remember that while it may dominate the shelves... black is not the only color of mascara and eye liner known to the cosmetics world.  Chocolate browns are wonderful on redheads and blonds because they are not nearly as harsh.  I suggest them for green eyed clients and really anyone who does not wear make-up in their day to day look because they blend well with softer shades.  

Golds:

If you have bronzed skin this can really work well to show off that glow without going very Jersey Shore.  You want to work with a golden brown around the brows and a honey tone gloss for the lips.  They make a dewy, natural look without being completely nude faced. 

Golds can also be amazing if you go for a mixture with other colors.  The addition of a gold shimmer over a deep blue, red, brown or even an olive green will enhance the iris perfectly.  Just a dash of shimmer at the corner of the eye is a fantastic way to add a touch of drama to an otherwise simple look.  A brush of very mild bronze or gold across the nose and cheeks can also enhance freckles on a lovely speckled complexion. 

Rose Pinks:

Rose & Chocolate Tones.

 If you are a pink addict or even just the kind of girl that wears make-up all the time then these are the kind of colors you should plan to use for your boudoir images.  Make sure you go for it all over too, a soft blush on the cheeks and from brow to lash should be enough if you do a deeper rose color for the lips.  Keep in mind that the brighter the lip, the softer your face pallet. 

Rose shades work on tones from the fairest to deeper honey shades; they are not great for ebony skinned ladies though. If you fall into this much darker world, I suggest a similar pattern of application with terracotta and brick reds.  Think of orange shades that have a brown tint to them, you want to go with a slightly muted tone that can bring up the fire and beauty in your face rather than a bold shimmer.

Bedroom Eyes

I intended to post after work and the toddler's bedtime last night.  Instead I ended up watching horror movies through my eyelids (snoring too) on the couch with the toddler and my husband decided to let me sleep.  I suppose I needed it if I was out so much that he couldn't wake me up to drag me to bed when it was his bedtime. 

Alright, back to work now.  Time to discuss the photos I posted on my pause the other day as well as more thoughts on boudoir and the use of depth in shooting some poses.  We will start with one of my favorites, shown here in monochrome though the color is equally impressive.  I am going for pose so color would be distracting since the lingerie is a startlingly bright shade of unashamed PINK that we picked first for the distraction and ended up giving us great teaching shots.   Thanks so much to the lovely Brooklyn who was my model for this test shoot and did a great job.

This pose is all about eye contact and getting the right light on the hair and face.  What you want to think about in this shot style is how to capture the model's pose without distortion from too much fore-shortening.  This means showing enough of the whole body to keep everything in proper perspective, making sure it does not seem like they are just a floating head/torso.  The second major focus needs to be on getting the right amount of light, which I must say took testing, shooting, moving stands for lights, re-shooting, moving again, re-shooting, and so one... all with a very patient model hold pose through the whole process.  The final lighting was finished in post-production and only required some work to fix a smudge on the backdrop and a bit of editing to the skin.

The rest of the session was focused on legs and getting some great "shape" with lights.  I worked mostly on shooting "Parts" of the model rather than her whole figure so I could get the best grasp of how to turn or move into the right spot to accentuate a fantastic figure.  I expressed before that my love for shoes is a special one, and this let me play on that passion for shoes while shooting.

This shot was inspired with a clearly topless one I saw online and wanted to work from for future boudoir shooting.  I was thinking about trying to get the focus on the legs rather than the bust-line, and wanted to bring the focus through the "motion" of the leg lift.  I think it worked well over all.  The hint of a topless figure from the hanging bra is there to help with the story telling, though the model was actually still wearing the lingerie top.

In this last shot I was going for shadows and a vintage feeling by working on a darker coloration.  My goal here was to keep the face in semi-shadow so we could see that contrast.  I adore the expression here too... something like a request but not a blatant "follow me to the bed" either.  I'm still not completely sold on this shot's success, but I got some solid moments out of it and a chance to work with a lovely up-and-coming model that has a great sense of humor when her photographer is a total klutz.

Deep Blue Eyes

I love when a boudoir shoot can give such great images that I am not looking at them later thinking about how I should have shifted her hand, or moved a bracelet, or changed a light position.  This was one of those shoots.  While not everything was a gem, I adore this shot.  It is one of the moments when I could have shot with my subject topless or completely nude and not even had to change a thing.

I always love shots like this in boudoir because they really focus on how much seduction there is in eye contact.  Keeping this outfit we went for a different type of eye contact and a pose that displays round faced subjects to their best potential.  I usually save this style of shot for late in an album when the intent is gifting a significant other.  contrast was the goal here, though I personally feel that a little more shadow or dark points would work to maximize this concept.

Then there is the idea of what happens when you choose to keep eyes closed, taking direct contact out of the story and keeping the mood low and warm.  The color choice for this shot and second outfit are of the model's selection, though I think the sky blue is helped with the coloration of her tattoo.  Here the focus is to invite the viewer into the image by letting the eye flow based on a change of color.

You may notice there I just made a statement that the photo is not perfect in my eyes.  I believe in admitting when improvement can be made and in this case the model is lovely but the artist side of my brain is focused on what to change and make better in the next shoot.  That is the only way I could ever improve, and I encourage everyone to look at their work and do the same thing.  At the moment I am booking boudoir less often and wishing to increase those sittings, and the best way to improve business is to raise the quality of your product.

Alright darlings, in the next two days I will post the second half on my list of favorite wedding photos.  I will also be updating some of my wedding images from this season, sharing favorites with all of you patient darlings.  Until then, keep improving and keep smiling!