After what I am referring to as the Lost Spring (in regards to the 'soggy bunker' of the 4th trimester and the perpetual raincloud that enveloped New England this year), I am fully ready to embrace summer time. And it announced itself loud and clear this past week as temperatures rose into the 90s. Even the porch shade is hot. Hot. HOT.
And now that it's delightful outside again, and knowing that this will not last i started thinking about outdoor boudoir photography. It’s daring and intentionally vulnerable. The juxtaposition and contrast in textures is arresting visually, but the real force in these images is the open context and ambiguous story inherent in them.
With portrait photography sessions there's more post processing latitude in playing with the tonality, color and mood then there is in wedding photography. When editing a wedding, I want the entire body of images, from the beginning through the end of the day, to be a uniform and consistent look. With a boudoir portrait session we are able to vary as the wardrobe and set changes. The goal is to get as much variety as possible on one session. We can do that with lighting, wardrobe, set changes - but also with post processing.
With less time in my life. I find myself going down the Pinterest rabbit hole with less frequency than I used to. But when I can I like to scroll through my own boards, remembering what I pinned, and discover new pinners to add to my arsenal of inspirational images.
Here’s an example of an image that I found and pinned to my Boudoir Archetype: Glamazon board. A bridal boudoir client came in last weekend and brought in a pair of gorgeous high waisted black lace knickers. This image came to mind.
I didn’t want to create a duplicate, or clone, of course. But the it was the seed of an idea.
The original pin is a page from an old issue of Marie Claire. Not sure how to hunt down the photographer for proper attribution as I can’t make out the year of the issue.
Under The Influence is an ongoing series to share the work of other visual artists whose work inspires me and influences my own photography and portrait work. I hope that this will serves as a reminder or an introduction to these artist and also give you some visual pleasure. I am drawn to artowrk that has an interesting and unique point of view, that is simply gorgeous and/or thought provoking. In these posts, I’ll link to the artist’s website so you can explore and enjoy more of their work.
It’s fun to look back at my boudoir portrait work, and see how much I’ve changed - and how much has stayed the same. One thing that I’ve realized is that the more boudoir sessions I do, the more I love the real laughter and happiness and levity that can emerge in a boudoir shoot.
Looking for ideas for your spring boudoir shoot? Check out these gorgeous soft, low contrast prints and patterns with beautiful early spring colors. Springtime calls for either soft colors: pinks, corals, bits of green - colors that echo the natural colors that will be emerging around us in a matter of weeks OR vibrant and intense pops of color.
There is, as I’m sure you notice, an overlap of these lovely spring colors and fabrics with bridal boudoir colors and fabrics. Ivory! Blush! Florals! Lace! Tulle! Bring it on.
Selfies have their time and place. But a real considered portrait requires more.
A portrait is more than a picture of of what you look like. In a portrait facial expression, location, choices in clothing and accessories and posing all come together to show who you are. Portraits can be an exploration and affirmation of who you are.
As part of the process, we begin by planning to set goals for your portrait session. Going over different styles and choices in portraiture, we'll make a place on how we can best collaborate on making a memorable, compelling and striking portrait of you.
I'm thrilled when a boudoir client embraces their body. So many of us avoid the camera because we feel we are overweight - that we don't look like we used to. As you can see here, you don’t need to have an idealized figure to look amazing. It’s my job to use the right posing, lighting and lens choices to make you look amazing. It’s your job to bring your self confidence - full force.
"I liked Allana immediately! Her personality was comforting and I felt at ease face timing with her! I'm big on people, and Allana had a great vibe about her. Along with that, I was drawn to how modern glamour celebrates all women. It's about embracing and loving yourself and expressing that in these pictures for yourself or loved ones."
Valentine’s Day is about expressing and sharing love. And that requires courage and fearlessness.
In that spirit, I begin this new phase and open up to our personal lives, our inner world, our private selves.
As such, I hope that your day (and week! And year!) is heartened with reminders of the courageous and loving people you have in your lives.
It's not only ladies who want to get a boudoir session at the studio! Male boudoir is a thing. And, of course, we make it modern and classic and sexy.
This gentleman, husband and father of three, wanted to give his wife an awesome and unexpected Valentine's Day gift this year. He had received a boudoir album from his wife a few years ago, loved it and wanted to reciprocate. He told me he's been working out a lot recently and feeling good in his body again. .
We planned out the session to include a dapper look, a fitness and a fashion look. He rocked all three. It's really fun to create several different moods with one person by changing the wardrobe, the lighting and the lens choices.
