CELEBRATING ALL FIGURES:

All women, I truly believe this, are beautiful!!! Curves, no curves, all shapes, all sizes, are beautiful. I often get questions from clients saying "I'm curvy--so what should I wear?" or "I have no butt!".  Here's a few tips based on the most common "complaints" I get from women and how to enhance those features with wardrobe.

Curvy bodies- BRING ON THE FORM-FITTING ITEMS! I adore bodysuits, tight dresses, and nothing at all….especially for voluptuous bombshells. We often see curvy women trying to cover up more, but often that has the opposite effect they think it will. Allowing me to pose you so that we can see your figure and celebrate it is the way to go!

Flat-butts- Thongs tend to make a butt look fuller than full-coverage bottoms or g-strings. Play around in the mirror with different styles to see what you like best. And don't worry, I'm a PRO at creating curves in posing where there aren't any otherwise! I can get a killer booty shot with any level of curve (or lack thereof).

Shorter legs- High heels with a THIN heel rather than chunky! Avoid shoes with thick ankle straps or a square toe. Nude shoes naturally elongate the legs. 

Thin/no curves-  That’s all in the posing-girl! Form fitting options and nothing at all work great as I pose the heck out of you to make you look and feel bodacious.

Small chest- Underwires and balconettes are lovely, as well as NO BRA AT ALL (my personal favorite for small chested women!) And also, small boobs rock. So please don't feel the NEED to create extra "oomph" unless it's something that really concerns you.

"Mom boobs"- If your breasts are a bit lower or “floppier” than you’d like them to be, just be sure to snag a bra with some support, or form fitting bodysuits that will keep them at bay. Posing will play a huge role here, and I’m really good at that. So…bring your mom boobs my way and we’ll embrace the hell out of them, as I do mine!

Surgery scars and stretch marks- My personal belief is that scars tell a story. Sometimes clients wish they didn’t have to be permanently reminded of that story, and other times, clients embrace their scars and say they’re a part of them. For this reason, I will never edit out a scar or stretch mark unless a client specifically requests it….and if they do, in fact, request that retouching, I will happily do that at no additional charge. This is a VERY personal topic and it’s not my decision to make. I welcome scars and stretch marks, but I also support a woman’s decision to conceal them if they would like!
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For portrait-style sessions, I recommend sticking with basic wardrobe pieces that you love. Solid colored sweaters, tank tops, dresses, and the like will photograph amazing. Avoid busy patterns. Opt for classic wardrobe that will stand the test of time.

Be sure to…

get your beauty sleep!  Seriously!  Photoshop can't fix tired. 

BRUSH YOUR LIPS- sounds weird, right?! Dry lips are very hard to fix in post processing. In the days leading up to your photoshoot, use your toothbrush while brushing your teeth to also make a few passes over that pucker of yours. This will help shed dead skin. After that, apply a moisturizing lip balm...repeat repeat repeat. If you’re looking for a GREAT product recommendation….I LOVE, try Laneige and apply every night and morning for supple lips! You can score a little tub of it on AMAZON,

make it an opportunity to pamper yourself! Go a few days before your shoot and get a manicure and pedicure! This will give you a finished, polished look. Chipped polish can be distracting.

lather on the lotion!  Supple is key for beautiful skin! Be sure to moisturize twice a day for the week leading up to your shoot. On the day of your shoot, use a  non-bronzer illuminizing lotion. If you're having a hard time finding an illuminizing lotion without color, you can absolutely just go with an oil based lotion like Argan Oil Moisturizer or Coconut Oil Moisturizer. Don't use tinted lotions or anything with color.   We will have some moisturizer at the studio for you to use if you don't have a lotion you love. 

have extra wardrobe options! Bring at least 4-5 different outfits, a couple pair of shoes if you’re a shoe girl, and accessories only if you usually wear them.  We may not use it all, but it never hurts to have options. Often clients will bring a smattering of wardrobe options and I’ll just style up some different looks that they maybe weren’t thinking and they end up loving them.  

plan ahead. Nothing puts a damper on a fun and relaxing photo shoot like feeling rushed or late!  You should plan for traffic and arrive about 5 minutes before your scheduled start time.

make a playlist! Music will really help you get into the super model zone!! Try to select music that matches the concept of your shoot.  We have a bluetooth speaker at the studio to stream your tunes if you bring them!  We also have a pretty kickass set of photo shoot playlists that tend to jive well with most people. 

(if doing boudoir) bring a lightweight, soft robe or flowing maxi dress to wear while getting your makeup done.  When you get to the studio, we’ll ask you to slip into your robe and remove any tight undergarments. This will allow for any marks from tight bras, etc to even out so they don't show up in your images.  Avoid your big furry winter robe as that will tend to leave little dimples in your skin. I find that most clients have a higher body temperature while they are getting makeup done because of nerves...it's hard to do makeup when you're sweating, so that’s something to keep in mind! ;)

trust me. I won't make you do anything that is going to make you look bad. I'm a pro. I've been doing this for a long time and I know how to make a woman look good with killer poses, strategic lighting, and appropriate camera angles. I've photographed over thousands of women in the last 12 years and have quite literally worked with EVERY body type and insecurity. I've got you covered.  Don't stress. (Easier said than done, I understand.)

Don’t you dare…

spray tan before your shoot. I know you think many women feel better with a tan and that many women accomplish that by means of spray tans...but I assure you, even if you don't see the streaks and unevenness with your naked eye, the camera will pick them up. You will photograph a lot more tan than you think you look (especially given that my specialty is low-key lighting and black and white imagery). Trust me on this!!  On that same note, no tinted lotions or bronzers on your body. Even after this warning I get a lot of women who message me to say that they’ve been spray tanning for years and they cannot fathom not doing so before a photo shoot. Of course I will still photograph you, but unfortunately our standard retouch will not account for spray tan correction, so just keep that in mind. I promise you can run straight to the spray tanner right after your appointment.

bring a construction hat (or other props). If you have jewelry that has sentimental value, absolutely bring it! But avoid jerseys, military apparel, weapons (yes, really), sports equipment, masks, etc etc etc for your first photo shoot experience.  

party the night before your shoot.  If you're nervous, try a bubble bath and a yoga class.  Hangovers aren't sexy. Lawwwwd do I know it.

drink red wine to calm your nerves. Don't drink a bottle of red wine right before you  show up in efforts to calm your nerves! #1-It will stain your teeth and lips. #2--Drunk doesn't photograph pretty either. HOWEVER, I'm admittedly an advocate of a little bit of booze to soothe anxiety if you are super nervous. SO, I set a firm 2 drink maximum limit for my clients on the day of their shoot. Champagne or white wine is a good option because it won't stain your mouth and will still calm you down a little. You're welcome to bring a small bottle with you to the studio. We have non-alcoholic refreshments to offer you.

forget to stretch. Many of these poses, while they look effortless, are quite unnatural feeling. Take a few minutes on the morning of your shoot to stretch your arms, legs, hips, and especially your back. People are surprised to see how sore their muscles get after something as silly as a photo shoot, so any extra flexibility you can add by a quick yoga flow will only benefit you.

get a new haircut/color immediately before your shoot.  Now isn’t the time to experiment with a whole new look.
 

talk smack on yourself.  I don't want to hear about how you hate your hips. I want to hear about how you LOVE your legs. A great attitude will go a long way in having a fabulous and upbeat experience! HOWEVER...if you really feel the need to discuss the thing that bothers you the most about your body, just let me know by saying "I love my ___, but my biggest insecurity is my ___". I will be extra careful to play down your "flaws"...but I will ALSO make it my challenge to take the best damn image featuring your ____ so you have a new-found appreciation for it ;) 

 SO….what are you worried about?

It happens all the time…a client’s photo shoot is a few days away and she begins to panic. I get a terrified e-mail in the middle of the night begging for me to talk them off the ledge. They want to cancel, they just haven’t had the time to prepare, you name the excuse, I’ve heard it. So let me be proactive here and tackle the most common trepidations I hear, so that maybe you won’t be hyperventilating in the middle of the night on the day before your session.

STRESS ACNE. Yeah, it happens. Pimples suck. If you think for one second that every woman you see pictured on my website was magically pimple-free on the day of their session, you’ve forgotten about Photoshop! We retouch blemishes and bruises with ease on every photo you see. No problem. No stress. Let that pimple try it’s hardest to ruin your day, but your photos will not be a permanent reminder of it.

BODY ISSUES. I long for the day that women are comfortable in their skin at all stages, for the day that women embrace their wobbly bits and beautiful side creases. That said, I know women well enough to be realistic and understand that many women struggle with self love and no matter how much I tell them they are beautiful, they wish they would have lost just a few more pounds before their session. If that is you, I can assure you, that this ain’t my first rodeo. The majority of the women that come in to see me are working on loving themselves, but struggle. They don’t approve of the size of their thighs, their belly pooch, their dimples. I take women’s feelings very seriously and never want to make anyone uncomfortable. While this is a body positive studio, I will also light and pose you in the most flattering possible way while I shoot you from the best possible angles.

I’ve spent the last 3 years photographing all kinds of women, all extraordinary in their own way. I’ve learned all the tricks to ensure that I am featuring the attributes that women most love about themselves, while paying special care to downplay areas of concern. While I’m going to make it my very best effort to change your mind on what you consider to be your “flaws”, I don’t expect every woman to be ready for that yet.

So, one more time, louder for those in the back: YOU ARE AMAZING TODAY. NOT 15 LBS FROM NOW, NOT POST-PLASTIC SURGERY…You.are.amazing. TODAY and I can’t wait to show you!

POSE ANXIETY. This one’s easy. You don’t have to know how to pose…not even a little bit. I will walk you through every step of the way. I will get into the poses myself and have you mirror me. If we didn’t get it right on the first try, I’ll gently redirect you. It’s not YOUR job to take amazing photos, it’s mine. And I’m pretty competitive about taking amazing photos.

BEING ON YOUR PERIOD. Yep, it’s the worst. No, it will not affect your finished product. We run an all-female studio and we ALL understand the plight of menstruation on photo shoot day. We keep extra strength Advil and feminine hygiene products on hand, and we have zero qualms with 30 bathroom breaks. Start your morning with some fresh fruit and a heating pad and we’ll take it from there. No worries about bloat or blemishes.

BEING THE ONE CLIENT THAT I AM UNABLE TO GET A GOOD PICTURE OF. If you’re thinking that all of the women featured on the pages of my website and social media are models, you’re sorely mistaken. I have NEVER….EVER had a client who didn’t love their photos. You don’t have to love EVERY SINGLE ONE of them, but you will love most of them. And you will be shocked that you could love photos of yourself this much. I WILL rock out your photo session and I WILL get a whole bunch of killer images of you. I always do. But if you come into the shoot with an open mind and with trust in me, we’ll get EXTRA. And extra is always good. I’ve never met a woman who I couldn’t capture beautifully. That includes you.