A (Midsummer's) Boudoir Day SNEAK PEEK - 7/12/16

This past Sunday's A Midsummer's Boudoir Day was a huge success! Thanks to everyone who helped make it happen, and inspired confidence in some very amazing women. There's a lot of editing ahead of me, so while I catch up on things here is the first "sneak peek" from the event. Keep checking back, there are more photos coming your way.


Would you like to have a boudoir shoot? Our next event is August 28. Find out more information here.

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

A Former Client's Husband Reacts to Boudoir Photos - 5/9/16

During the week prior to the MayDay Boudoir Day, I wrote a boudoir-related blog post every day leading up to the event. One of the most popular was where significant others shared how they reacted to receiving photos of their loved one as a gift. It was definitely the most popular post of the series, and even though I already shared the responses I had received thus far, another former client's husband also responded to the questions I sent earlier that week.

I'm not trying to be repetitive, but even though every single reaction I've learned of was positive I figure it would be alright to share this survey as well (if you stay tuned until the end here, I've got a bit of news regarding Boudoir).

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?

Yes, I knew. I sort of figured they were from a previous era,  I didn't think they were something we would ever have.

 

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

I did not expect her to do it, but she does tend to be spontaneous.

 

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

Yes, it was an anniversary present

4) Before you even saw the photos, what were your initial thoughts once you figured out what your present was?
I'm not sure I figured it out until I opened the album. I was pretty surprised and excited to look through the photos together.

 

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

I received a fold out album and 8x10 photos. 

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

They were great, I enjoyed looking through them with her.  It was a kind of softer more vulnerable side of her that I don't often get to see.  Plus she looked great.

 

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

I think she did, she was smiling the entire time we flipped through them together, and she still mentions how fun the session was, even a couple years later.

 

8) Do you still look at the photos?

Yes, from time to time

 

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

It was a good gift, it definitely made me feel special that she wanted to do this for me.

 

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

It was a great way to keep our relationship fresh, I would recommend it.

 

 

As the photographer, I'm always curious about how the partner will react to the photos if they are being given as a gift. I of course am confident that they will love them, I think about being in their shoes and if my partner had done something like this for me, I'd feel very special and admire my partner for glowing in self-confidence and showing their sexy side. What stuck out most to me about this response is how he detailed that he saw a side in his partner that isn't there everyday, and how he recommends this as a great way to keep a relationship fresh. 

The reality of relationships is that you get comfortable with each other and settle into a norm. If you have surpassed major milestones such as marriage already, sometimes creativity is required in order to mix up your routine and rediscover exciting aspects from earlier in the relationship. I'm not saying to use Boudoir as a way to save a relationship, but no matter what it provides something new for you both, and sometimes we all need that in any aspect of our lives, not just our relationships. It's just like trying out a new hair color or having a new experience such as skydiving.

If you are looking to "freshen things up"...we are planning TWO more Boudoir Days for this year at least. We are not quite ready to start advertising and booking, but we are excited to announce that two dates are confirmed and we will be announcing one for this summer VERY soon! 

Don't forget, we are always available for individual sessions as well!

Have a great week, and keep your eyes peeled for more photos to be shared from the MayDay Boudoir Day!

xx emily

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

I knew this client was going to be a blast right when she walked in the door carrying a kettle bell (you can't see those!) as well as veil netting sticking from her backpack.

This woman is an easygoing, relaxed soul with a badass edge: oozing with self-confidence. She was nothing short of a delight with an infectious laugh and possessed a smile that likely wins the heart of all her massage clients and the love of her life (who she is going to marry in June!).

This girl knew the definition of work it. Which she did, and it shows in the photos. She also stated that while she is getting married, these photos are for HER.