MayDay Boudoir Day Session #3 - 5/1/16

Let's back track a bit and revisit Boudoir Day, since I never shared the third session. Why, you ask? Because this lovely lady was getting married, and we had to wait until her now-husband saw them first!

Now that this sexy rockstar of a Newlywed has returned from her adventures on her honeymoon in Las Vegas, check out how astoundingly gorgeous she is! She was so fun to work with, very laid back, edgy yet classy, and the right amount of sassy! Congratulations, beautiful lady on your new life with your amazing man and family. May these photographs always be a fond memory of this monumental time in your life, and a reminder of how sexy and beautiful you were this day and always will be.

 On a personal note, this woman was a very close friend of mine in college. She was then and always will be inspiring, powerful, empowering, beautiful, and amazing. You rocked this session, my friend.

MayDay Boudoir Session #4 - 5/1/16

This woman is one of the most confident and body-positive people I've ever met. She could teach me a thing or two (she really could, she's a personal trainer).

The energy of this awesome lady is astounding. She's incredibly spirited, knows what she wants, and knows how to have fun and keep laughing: I can only imagine her clients feel amazingly lucky to have this portrait of feminine strength as an instructor. She did these photos to help promote her services, but she owned this session and made it about her. She's powerful, strong (fit as hell--WOW), so sweet, and a leader.

Kudos to this woman for rocking at picture-taking and life in general. We need more people like her in this world.

I'm afraid, too. Sincerely, your Boudoir Photographer. - 5/17/16

When people learn that I'm a boudoir photographer, I don't know what they think of me. I'm sure many choose to be tight-lipped and will see it as soft core pornography no matter what (It isn't!) Sure, most people I know and associate with have gotten super excited and have shared compliments along the lines of oh my god that's so awesome! or I love boudoir! Holy shit, that's great! Sometimes I wonder if people assume I have the raging self-confidence and happiness that I try to bring out of my clients. It's true, to some level I have to embody these traits. I have to practice what I preach and bring this strength into my shoots and my business in order for it to work and convey the message I want in my photographs. Most of all, to see that major self-confidence boost in my clients and to gush over their beautiful, badass selves in their photographs.


Would you find it odd if I told you that I've never had a boudoir session done? What if I told you I'm insecure, often self-conscious, as well as anxious?

I know I'm human, and that's okay. As a person trying to make a creative professional freelance business work, is it alright to share this vulnerability about myself. Will this honesty hurt me? Will people realize this about me and not want me to take their pictures? Will they think it's hypocritical that I push feminine strength and self-confidence into my business plan and mission, YET I am the queen of anxiety?

Before this goes any further, as a side note: I was likely overthinking the last paragraph.

I know that as a person, I believe in honesty. I also try to carry this value with how I shoot. Still, you could see my struggle in talking about this. I also value the importance of allowing yourself to be human. Can I be honest, vulnerable, and self conscious and be polished and professional? I guess I allowed myself to talk about this today because if anything, I want to show my clients that it's okay to feel this way. It's natural, it's human, and quite frankly, it is to be expected.

I've made a lot of mistakes over and over,  and I've gone through many self-discoveries. Haven't you? Sometimes we make terrible mistakes and hurt people, and sometimes we don't learn right away. Sometimes you think you finally found yourself and have your life figured out. Well my friend, the truth is that you will go through this over and over and over again...and you're doing alright as long as you're trying...

...and remembering how awesome you are from time to time, bringing back that self-love that is hiding in there somewhere.

I'm also afraid of letting a client down. I'm terrified that somehow my awkwardness that I cherish as being quirky will make them uncomfortable. I fear that they will look at their photographs and they are not what they expected, and even worse, they do not feel that joy I yearn to bring through delivering photographs that make them look and feel stunning and that they've got the world in their back pocket.

I can't let these fears that are for the most part created and nonsensical affect my photography. I need to remember that these feelings are natural and that I'm human and I can make mistakes. If anything, these fears give me a viewpoint into the minds of my clients who are nervous and feeling uncertain about themselves going ahead with this life passage of getting practically-naked in front of a camera. My understanding of their emotions will help me best reach them, and I can truly mean it when I say "It's okay to be nervous, but we're here to have fun and I promise you will look beyond-stunning." As it turns out, I have found my confidence in my work and myself by allowing myself to be anxious and vulnerable. That is the root of where Boudoir works. You are physically vulnerable by showing so much skin, this uncomfortable feeling can migrate to your brain making you feel exposed. Choosing to be brave, loosening up, having fun, and finding that inner beauty through the skin, body, and mind you have at that very moment is where this magical equation works. This is why I shoot. This is why I am okay sharing this with you. Remembering HELL YEAH I'M AWESOME, LET'S DO THIS! It works with boudoir, and it works with life.

I look at the photographs I took, and I remember how much I kick ass at this, and the girl on fire is found. I hope the photographs I take of you are a lasting reminder of how amazing YOU are.

I'll know this even more someday when I finally get my boudoir photos done.

xx emily

Signifigant Others React to their Partner's Boudoir Photos - 4/29/16

Yesterday we talked about why you should get boudoir photos done for yourself, and above everything else, you should consider that as your main reason.

However, boudoir photos are a common gift to a partner for an upcoming wedding, anniversary, birthday, or whatever occasion you both may celebrate. Like any woman, you might have considered this as an idea of an experience with whom you'd like to share your "results" aka prints, so to speak. You may know that your partner loves you very much and will still accept you and think you're beautiful no matter what. Despite what you know, it is still normal and perfectly alright to feel self conscious.

I recently asked a couple husbands of former Boudoir clients about what they thought of boudoir, especially when their awesome ladies brought these photos home to them. I have kept them anonymous, different answers from different guys are recognized by different colors.



1) Did you know what Boudoir Photos were prior to your lady bringing them home? If so, what were your thoughts on it back then?


No, I had no idea.  I was pleasantly surprised when I saw them. 

 I didn't know what Boudoir Photos were, but she explained what it was when she told me that she was getting them. I didn't really have any thoughts on it since I really had no idea it existed.

2) Did you ever expect that your lady would ever do this?

No, I was very surprised my wife would ever do this. 

 

No.

 

3) Did you receive these photographs as a gift for a particular occasion? If so, what was it?

Yes, my 30th birthday.

No particular occasion. 

 4) Before you even saw the photos, what were your initial thoughts once you figured out what your present was?

I did not know what the present was until after I saw the photos.  Once I saw them I was surprised she did this and amazed at how well they turned out. 

I was pretty excited to see how it went for her. I had no idea what to expect really.

 5) How did your significant other give these to you (ie: prints, flash drive, album)?

I received a fold out album, a wall print, an 8x10, and a flash drive. 

 

Prints and a little accordion book. 

6) What were your thoughts as you were looking through the photos?

I was very suprised she did this for me, and also impressed how well the pictures turned out. 

 

I was in awe at how beautiful my wife was. I mean I knew she was beautiful, but her pictures really showed it off.

7) Would you say your lady gained any self confidence or self esteem from the photos?


I would say she did, especially after my reaction to the photos.

I would say so.


 8) Do you still look at the photos?

Yes, I look at them often.

Yes.

 9) Do you think Boudoir Photos make a great gift? 

This was the best gift I ever received.  I would definitely recommend anyone considering doing thus for the significant other to do so.

 

Absolutely.

 

10) What are your thoughts on boudoir photography overall now that you've received this gift?

I was always a fan, so it hasn't really changed, but I was very happy to receive this gift.

 

I would say it's pretty awesome.

Now, I don't know a single person who is truly awesome, genuine, and kind who wouldn't love to receive photos of their partner looking amazingly gorgeous and sexy. In fact, the proud self-confidence that has a tendency to emit from the photographs is almost more meaningful to the partner receiving the photographs. In my opinion, self-confidence is one of the sexiest traits ever.

 

xx emily bee

10 Reasons to get a Boudoir Session if you're SINGLE - 4/28/16

Even though I've had many boudoir clients both single and in relationships in the past (it's been close to 50/50), I feel as though Boudoir Photography is marketed towards women in relationships. Having a significant other is almost the excuse to finally getting these photographs done, and it is a perfect gift, there's no doubt about that.

Today I really want to focus on the idea of using these photographs as a gift to YOURSELF. Even though I shoot boudoir photography, I've never had a session done for myself. I originally started doing Boudoir Photography because I wanted to give the gift of empowerment to other women, not because I thought it was pretty or sexy. Those are just added perks.

In case you need to talk yourself into it, here are ten reasons to get boudoir photography done while you're single.

1. It's Empowering - Your self esteem could be high, or low...it doesn't matter what place your in. You've gotten in front of the camera with all your flaws and you look amazing. If you wouldn't be uplifted by that experience...you're probably not human. Regardless, you are the Goddess of Unicorns. If you didn't know that, now you do...from these photographs.
2. You always have yourself - You don't need a man or woman to complete you, and you certainly don't need one to get in a sassy set of lingerie and look like a rockstar with red lips and Hollywood waves (or whatever your style is). You were born single, and you will always have you. Some people say they "date themselves." Perhaps its time to take this idea into practice.
3. They'll help you remember yourself during this time - Maybe you lost some weight, maybe you got through a really rough time, maybe you feel the best you've ever been--it doesn't matter. This was a chapter of your life, you looked freaking gorgeous, and you have pictures to look back at and think HELL YEAH THAT WAS ME!
4. It's an excuse to go lingerie shopping - You know you want that cute bra and panty set. Get it. You can run around your house in it when you feel alone and it'll feel GREAT.
5. It's an excuse to treat yourself to something you deserve - YOU DESERVE IT.
6. It helps you embrace your femininity - These shoots allow you to show all your assets, and they are a part of you and being a woman. There's no hiding, you've got it all going on.
7. It's an excuse to get your hair and makeup done - Who doesn't like getting this done? Seriously.
8. It'll help you remember how beautiful you are on a day where you don't feel that way - Think you look gross today? Look at your photos. Sure, your features were accented...but that foundation was all you. You are as beautiful as the day you were in those photos.
9. Maybe you can show these images to a future lover? Maybe these will turn into a gift someday, who knows? Also, I bet your partner would love you even more for being confident and getting these done for yourself. That's sexy as hell. You're beautiful AND strong.
10. Remember you are enough - That's it. Always remember that no matter what.

I should probably experience what I preach as a photographer, and even though I am happy in my forever relationship now, I really wish I would have taken the time and made the investment to have this experience while I was single. I don't have any regrets, and if anything, I'm glad I gave other women this experience. Maybe I'll experience it someday (I want to) and I'll be able to do it for myself and him.

When it comes down to it, it doesn't matter if you're single or taken. Even if your initial idea for getting this photography done was for your significant other--it's good to also find the mentality where you are doing it for yourself. To realize your own individual power and spirit within yourself is a right of passage to womanhood and self acceptance. I'll say this over and over, but every woman should have a boudoir photo shoot in her lifetime.

To quote The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt--Females are Strong as Hell. (If you've never seen that show, watch it!)

xx emily

12 Reasons to get a Boudoir Session - 4/11/16

We are all of us stars, and we deserve to twinkle. -Marilyn Monroe

One of my favorite ladies couldn't have said it better (and she is much more charming and eloquent than I). Of course I say you should get boudoir photos done. I'm a boudoir photographer. Beyond what is obvious business, there is a reason to shoot boudoir beyond the fact that it is trendy and beautiful. If anything, that is the reason that matters the least to me. The reasons why I think you should do are the reasons I'm in this line of work.

I've done this post before, but in the spirit of rebranding and kickstarting my freelance business....why not revisit this subject? I'll keep it simple. ;-)

1) You're celebrating a milestone
Perhaps you just reached your weight-loss goal, or maybe you want to embrace your post-partum body. These are just a couple of examples, and every milestone is one's own individual experience. Why not treat yourself and make record of this accomplishment or time in your life?

2) Getting Pampered
It's not every day that you get to go to a fancy hotel room, get your hair and makeup professionally done,  sip on champagne and raspberries, and then get professional, glamorous photographs of yourself that make you look like a badass, beautiful, Hollywood Starlet. For many, this can be a once-in-a-lifetime experience. You deserve it.

3) They are a great gift for a significant other
Perhaps you're getting married soon and this is a perfect wedding present, or it's an anniversary, birthday, Christmas, or Valentine's Day present. Whatever the occasion, your significant other is certain to love images of their favorite person in the world looking sexy, beautiful, and confident.

4) They are a great gift for yourself
In the past, I've had a lot of single clients book themselves for boudoir day! Clients who were gifting the photographs for their signifigant other mentioned more than not that these photographs were also happening for themselves. Without saying, I know you're an awesome lady that deserves rockstar experience and a record of themselves looking beautiful.

5) For Memories
Have you ever looked back at old photos of yourself and remember what such an amazing time in your life it was? You'll have plenty more amazing memories yet to be created, but why not cherish this time and who you are in this moment? Wouldn't it be awesome to share these photos with your grandkids someday and they will be like "DAMN Grandma! You were hot!" You could look back to the photos yesterday and smile at how beautiful you were than and still are now.

6) An excuse to wear your lingerie
Other than the obvious.

7) For a self-confidence booster
It's sad, but I read a statistic somewhere a while ago (pretty sure it was with the Dove campaign) that said only 4% of women could truly admit that they find themselves beautiful with no hesitation. This is sad, and the main reason I shoot boudoir. When you are in a position where you feel very exposed and vulnerable, physically and mentally...but are dressed up and brought to a place where they can be empowered. It's an incredible experience for me, but especially for the client.

8) Embrace Womanhood
Women are majestically magical creatures, like Unicorns (hence where the branding came from) and this is a great opportunity to bathe in your individual femininity.

9) Discover new assets
Sure, you've got that beautiful face...but have you ever even thought there are other parts of you physically and mentally that can be found and worked in these pictures? Back to the reason of Boudoir as a self-esteem booster, self-discovery can help with this.

10) Because, why not
You don't need a reason to get boudoir photos done. If you simply find this experience intriguing and you want to give it a shot, that's all the reason you need. You never know what you'll get out of Boudoir unless you do it yourself.

11) Get comfortable in your own skin
Typically boudoir means you're getting pretty close to being naked, which can be a scary and exposing thing for many people. It doesn't matter how modest you are, it's important to love the skin you're in and we can pose you in flattering ways for you awesome body type.

12) Because you're scared
It's okay to be afraid. I know what it's like to go into a foreign experience feeling uncertain, self-conscious, vulnerable, nervous, and uncomfortable. It's a cliche, but how great would it be to conquer your fear? As the photographer, my only goal is to make you feel happy, comfortable, relaxed, having fun, and feeling beautiful. I'll be honest, even though I am confident in my skills as a photographer, I get nervous about making my client uncomfortable and delivering photos that will not be happy with. But you know what? We're in this together. Between myself, my team, you, and the people that love you...there is nothing to be afraid of.

Still hesitating? That's natural. I can only hope for an email with the subject line "Boudoir Photography" and become ecstatic over an opportunity to create images with an amazing, powerful, beautiful woman such as yourself.