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Jun 17
0

The Boudoir International blog Launch Contest: Our Top Five Picks!

By | Giveaways & Contests | No Comments

After receiving some really awesome photo submissions from Boudoir Photographers around the world, we’re excited to reveal our top five!  To vote for your favorite image, simply visit our Boudoir International facebook page and “like” your favorite image!  Each ‘like” will be counted as a vote.  The winning image/photographer will be featured on the Boudoir International homepage for three months!  Voting begins today and will end at noon PST on Friday 6/21.   Thank you to everyone who sent in submissions and congratulations to the following top five!

1) Ashley Durham, of The Secret Pinup, from Colorado Springs Colorado:

2) Kate Ignatowski, of Kate Ignatowski Photography, from New York New York:

3) Kate Kelava, of Sitting Pretty Boudoir, from Acworth Georgia:

4) Tori Aaker, of ShutterChic Photography, from Denver Colorado:

5) Angela Yodice, of WhirlieGirl Photography, from Cape Coral, Florida:

Each of these photographers will be receiving a beautiful 8×12 canvas print of their submitted image! We are so blown away by the talent that is represented not only in these five images, but in this entire community of boudoir photographers. We are honored to be able to share their work with the world. We received SOOO many amazing submissions for this contest – seriously, it was really difficult to narrow them down to just five. Now… we need your help to choose the winner! So GO VOTE!

Jun 17
0

Be still my overly inspired heart….

By | Inspiration | No Comments

I know this isn’t a boudoir photography video. But something about it just gets me all…. (and I am sure I am not alone as a boudoir photographer thinking this)… sappy about wanting every gal to feel as womanly as Natalie Portman is obviously feeling in this yummy, happy, sexy video. Every woman deserves to feel that! To ignite that little part of her sweet woman heart that says, “dang I’m lovely aren’t I!?!” Lol. Well, you may feel something different after watching this, maybe you just want to go buy perfume…. or maybe it will be that push to finally book that boudoir shoot you have been dreaming of…..
(P.S. hit the little widget icon on bottom of You Tube screen to make quality better)

Jun 13
1

Time to make peace with your body…

By | Inspiration | No Comments

boudoir confidence beauty quote

 

 

A boudoir shoot isn’t just about gorgeous photos, it’s a decision to say I am beautiful as I am. A new chapter in your life that says…I love who I am… I AM BEAUTIFUL.

We see all kinds of woman walk through our door, but more often that not at the start of a shoot we see a gorgeous, sexy, smart, strong, healthy woman….. who swears she needs to lose ten-twenty lbs. Buzz kill ;( Which is never true. What we love about women who get up the courage to do a boudoir shoot is that somewhere during the process of the photo shoot you see their mentalities start to shift. They get into it, they are feeling it, the jitters are gone and what’s left is raw confidence. Then they see images and it’s like they now understand what everyone else sees when they are looking at them. They grab hold of that new vision and most often decide that THIS is the new vision that have of themselves. This is who they are. Not the false negative version they have been holding in their heads….. it’s a new chapter and we love it. As boudoir photographers we feel beyond blessed to be a part of it!

Boudoir photographers out there, if you would like to re-post this, go for it! We just ask that you please link back to the blog. Boudoir photogs unite!

 

Jun 08
0

Real Boudoir Shoot by Kellie Mae | Portland Boudoir Photography

By | Real Boudoir | No Comments

KellieMae Boudoir
Today’s Real Boudoir shoot comes from the lovely and talented Kellene Maynard, of Kellie Mae. Kellene is a boudoir photographer based in Portland, Oregon. Today her beautiful client Daria is sharing about her shoot with Kellene! Daria, you are gorgeous and we are honored to be able to feauture your photo shoot on our blog!
boudoir photo

kelliemae
boudoir photos
kelliemae
kelliemae

kelliemae
kelliemae
kellene maynard

Why did you want to do a boudoir shoot?
My husband was born in the wrong era, but he met the right woman! I wanted photos for him and myself that evoked glamor shots of decades past.

How did you choose your photographer?
I was introduced to Kelliemae.com via a press invitation.

How did you feel as you were preparing for the shoot?
Like I was back in high school, with a giggling group of girlfriends who adored and supported each other.

Any advice for ladies thinking about doing a boudoir shoot?
Too much makeup will read as just enough makeup on film. Also, don’t eat a huge amount pre-shoot! You’ll be focused on your stomach, no matter your shape.

Your favorite moment of the whole experience?
After one shot, Kellene and her whole team simultaneously threw up their hands and screamed “THAT ONE WAS IT!!!” They are so emotionally invested in the subject’s experience. They are women who rejoice in uplifting other women. Rare and wonderful.

Lingerie/shoes/accessories:
You can’t find better, more beautiful corsets than at the VERY reasonably priced Oh Cheri

Define what SEXINESS &/OR BEAUTY means to you.
Looking into the eyes of the man I love most in the world, and seeing him looking back with total love, trust, tenderness and adoration.

Just for fun favorites: share your favorite lyrics from a song, or a favorite quote.
Caviar and cigarettes
Well versed in etiquette
Extraordinarily nice
She’s a Killer Queen
Gunpowder, gelatine
Dynamite with a laser beam
Guaranteed to blow your mind
Anytime
“Killer Queen”, by Queen

Did this experience change the way you see yourself, or the way you think of beauty? Anything else you want to share about your experience?
Kellene captured expressions and moods that I have never seen in photos of myself. I felt very respected and respectful, relaxed and happy, and was able to express a vulnerability in certain shots that I’ve never been able to before. Kellene knows a myriad of posing tricks and loves her work, is proud of her work, and is both sisterly and maternal.

Thanks again to Daria and Kellene for sharing this beautiful boudoir session! Be sure to check out KellieMae’s full profile on our membership listing for Boudoir International!

May 28
0

Boudoir International Launch CONTEST

By | Giveaways & Contests | No Comments

Alright everyone – we are SO excited to about this new blog… we have JUST made the official announcement and will hopefully start getting a ton of new SUBMISSIONS from all of our amazing photographers, so that we can feature their beautiful images! We’re incredibly honored to have each and every amazing boudoir photographer on the site, and can’t wait to show them off!!!

And in order to get things started right, we are ALSO doing a fun contest for all of the photographers who are members of Boudoir International!

CONTEST DETAILS:
You must be a member of Boudoir International to submit. If you’re a member, please send us your favorite horizontal image! (Only one image per studio). Email the photo directly to us here: info@BoudoirInternational.com

We’re going to review all of the submissions, and in 2 weeks, we will post our TOP FIVE FINALISTS! These finalists will each win one 8×12 canvas print (of their image that was submitted)! Then we will have YOU all vote for the top image. The winning image will be featured on the Boudoir International Homepage for 3 months!

Good luck to everyone and we can’t wait to get more of your work featured on the blog! (Check out this link for info on how to submit your beautiful boudoir editorial or real boudior shoots!)

SIGNING UP FOR BOUDOIR INTERNATIONAL:
If you’d like to find out more about Boudoir International, please check out our 2013 MEDIA KIT – and if you’d like to submit your website to become a member, fill out your info here!

May 23
0

Let’s give ourselves grace….

By | Inspiration | No Comments

 

quote boudoir beauty confidence

“I will hold myself to a standard of grace not perfection”.

We have so many clients tell us that they want to book and boudoir shoot, but first they have to work on (fill in the blank). Whether it’s lose a few pounds, work on their tushie toning, or grown their hair out, the of reasons to not feel up to par for us ladies is endless sometimes. Writing this post, I feel equally as guilty.

But what if instead of striving for perfection, we just gave ourselves a little bit of grace and saw the all the good. What if were grateful for that instead of picking ourselves apart? Try finding parts of your that are strong, health and beautiful and celebrate THAT!

What we love about boudoir photography, is that the women that do say, “okay, I am going to do this regarless of the fact that I have been putting this off because I feel like I need to lose 20 lbs”, leave the boudoir experience thinking, “dang, I look great!! What was I thinking!” And so today we invite you to view yourself through eyes and a posture of grace and gratitude. Ah….. it feels so good doesn’t it?

May 22
0

Marilyn-Inspired Boudoir Shoot by The Secret Pinup

By | Editorial Shoots | No Comments

Ashley Durham
We are super excited to share this photo shoot with you today!!! This Featured editorial shoot comes from Ashley Durham of The Secret Pinup. Ashley is one of our members on Boudoir International representing Colorado Springs, Colorado! We love her Marilyn Monroe-inspired shoot, and asked her to share a little bit about her vision for the shoot.
Marilyn Monroe
Ashley Durham
Ashley Durham

Photographer: Ashley Durham

Model: Missy

Hair & Makeup Artist: Landa Chavez

What was your overall vision for the shoot?
Landa and I really wanted to recreate some of Marilyn Monroe’s iconic photos – she was such a classic beauty and is such an inspiring model for me. I really wanted to capture that innocent femininity and sexy playfulness – but also her serious, soulful side.

How would you describe your typical style, was this a departure or were you playing into your typical inspiration?
My typical style is to really focus on the individual client, to tailor each shoot to their personalities – but to also take them to the edge of possibility. Doing this more classic pin-up was a departure from my typical shooting style because we were so focused on recreating and being inspired by images taken half a century ago – but I like to think my style of class and sex appeal weaved into it as well.

If you could choose the most important pieces of the styling or set in your images that you would say set the tone for the whole shoot what would they be?
The most important piece of style was really the model herself – finding someone who not only shared a similar look to Marilyn Monroe – but that sweet, sexy innocence was by far the most important part. Having someone able to feel relaxed in front of the camera and accurately portray Marilyn was vital because without a proper Marilyn, it wouldn’t have been the same.

Photographers always know that nothing goes to plan in a editorial shoot where there are so many elements that have to come together, overcoming them and still getting killer images is what makes us pro. 🙂 What challenges did you face?
The biggest challenge was not just recreating the images – but to put my own spin on them. It’s very easy to copy poses and lighting, and even to find a great model – but really nailing all three together while all together creating something new and (hopefully) inspiring was by far the biggest challenge.

Describe the setting of the shoot/location, and how it inspired you:
We did this shoot in my home-based studio, as well as at the shore of a local beach for the outdoor swimsuit portion. While this was an Ode to Marilyn – this was also a boudoir shoot. Boudoir – as you know – is a French term for “women’s bedroom” … so being in a bedroom studio set was definitely inspiring!

Would you want to recreate this shoot for your clients? Or was this a one-of-a-kind original?
This really was a one-of-a-kind original – it was almost cosmic how it all came together. But I am always looking to go outside the box for clients, to do unexpected things and really make their experience one-of-a-kind – no matter WHAT type of shoot we do!

May 02
0

Real Boudoir Shoot by Massimiliano Fabiani

By | Real Boudoir | No Comments

Today’s Real Boudoir shoot comes from Massimiliano Fabiani, a Berlin boudoir photographer who also happens to be one of our members on Boudoir International! We have a few photos to share from this real shoot with the beautiful Clara – and then she has also agreed to share a little bit more about her experience with Massimiliano!

Why did you want to do a boudoir shoot?
I did want to do something special for me. More than a studio shooting.
I wanted real pictures i am proud to look at every day.

How did you choose your photographer?
I looked online and after a while i found a photographer in my area.
I liked very much the way he saw women. So i called.

How did you feel as you were preparing for the shoot?
I have been excited! Finding the right Lingerie, the shoes, everything you feel real in. I did not want to disguise.

Any advice for ladies thinking about doing a boudoir shoot?
just do it!

Your favorite moment of the whole experience?
When saw the first picture on the camera……….i got goosebumps

Define what SEXINESS means to you.
For me sexiness is to be yourself. If you have to play, it won´t work!

Just for fun – share your favorite lyrics from a song.
I’m stepping through the door
And I’m floating in a most peculiar way
And the stars look very different today
space oddity, david bowie

Clara, thank you so much for sharing your boudoir photography experience with us. We are so glad that you loved your photo shoot with Massimiliano, and we are honored to be able to share it with the world! If you are looking for a boudoir photographer in Berlin, Germany, please go check out Fabiani Photography!

May 02
0

Do I really need pro hair and make-up for my boudoir shoot?

By | Hair & Makeup | No Comments

boudoir divas make-up quote

 

If you are planning for a boudoir shoot and you are on a budget, you may be considering doing your own hair and make-up to save a little moolah. We get that a boudoir shoot might stretch your budget (and that’s okay! we think this is something so worth it) but with that said, here us out on our thoughts on an HMU (hair & make-up artist).

We believe every woman is beautiful, we believe that you should look like YOU in the images. But from experience we also know that lighting whether sun or studio light, can really wash away the contrast of the face. Expert make-up highlights the contours of your face, so that in photos your facial lines look striking, not washed out. The professional make-up will feel way to strong to actually wear out in public, in fact I am sure that when your HMU spins you around for the big “reveal” you are probably going to feel a little drag-queen-esq. Like you just have too much on. But keep in mind that the intensity of the make-up will brought down immensely in the actual image. This goes along with hair as well. We ask our make-up artists to make sure the hair is teased at the crown, make-ing it look 60’s big. Now that’s just our personal preference, but as you can see in the image of Lindsey below, even though her hair was Texas big in person, it looks pretty subdued in the image. Not sure why that is exactly, it just the mystery of the camera and we have learned to work with it.

DOING YOUR OWN
“I am pretty good at my own make-up and hair, can’t I just do it?!”
Well every photographer has their own policy with this. Most will allow you to, but will frown upon it. I feel like I am pretty awesome at doing my own H/M (if I do say so myself) but I still don’t trust my skills enough for a photo shoot of this caliber. Your hair is going to be pushed and pulled in all sorts of different directions, and I assure you it takes a true pro to create a solid enough do to withstand a boudoir shoot where your laying down, flipping your hair around and at times being blasted by a fan. Then what if your false lashes start to come up, oh man is that a doozie to fix in Photoshop 😉 Which brings me to the topic of false lashes…..

FALSE LASHES
Hands down a must. Not there are different variations of false lashes, so you can go more natural or more Barbie, but in the end they provide incredible pop to your eyes in an image. Here is an example of nothing changing with the make-up, but look at those darn lashes! Wowzers.
false lashes boudoir make-up

MAKE-UP QUALITY

We love mineral or more natural make-up lines like Aveda or Bare Minerals….. but not for a boudoir shoot with bright lights where more thorough coverage is needed.! Make sure that the make-up your artist is using is photo shoot quality make-up that withstand, heat, sweating and bright light.

before and after boudoir make-up tips

Lindsey is clearly gorgeous still sans pro make-up (even in unflattering lighting lucky girl) but notice how much her face POPS with flattering lighting and expert contrasts. Oh la la! Hello knock out!

Have we convinced you yet?! 😉 A great hair and make-up artist is an essential part of the boudoir photo shoot. So go for it! You are worth every penny 😉