As an end of the year creative collaboration, I got together with my girls Jade & Kylie to create a hippie/artist/chill vibe in the studio. The concept was started with an idea that Jade had and then tumbled together from there, with Kylie doing the amazing orangey tones & flower paintings on Jade's cheek, and myself throwing together the styling of the space and wardrobe. It was also the perfect chance for me to FINALLY use the Canadian bell bottom jeans I had thrifted around Halloween! We set up the studio to look like a starving artist's city loft space, with paintings everywhere and a lone mattress on the floor and set to work. If you have been following me this year (and even before), you know by now that Jade is an incredible muse for me and when we work together, it's not even work at all. Her ability to transform during each session and move in sync with me makes the magic happen and it was the perfect way to end off 2018 if you ask me! So, without further adieu, here's Jade.
She's a Damn Rockstar ~ Winnipeg Boudoir Photography
Miss D came bouncing through the studio doors, excited for her mini session and I knew we would hit it off right away! Despite it being really early in the morning, she had the energy of 5 espressos and was so excited to show me her thigh high boots that she wanted to rock for her session! As you will see below, she slayed her session and watching her reaction to her slideshow at her reveal was everything. She fell in love with herself, from top to bottom!" There was nothing specific that encouraged me to start taking care of myself. Weight loss was not really the goal, it was just a reaction to me changing my lifestyle and how I thought of myself. I was living in a place that was dark and I often felt ashamed of who I was. Anxiety seemed to follow me everywhere and I decided that I needed to be myself and accept who I was. I knew I shouldn’t be ashamed because I’m a good person with good intentions, so I started to just be mindful of what I was doing to my body physically and mentally and over a year, I was able to feel amazing. Not by my size but by how I feel. My thoughts of myself through the whole process were to stay positive even on the days I didn’t feel like I was a rockstar: At the end of the day I am the only Me and I’m a rockstar!"When we asked her about her boudoir session experience, this is what she had to say:"I love love love all the info provided to me. I knew what to do before the session and after, her business is ran so efficient but so personal. The moment I walked in I felt like family. Warm and welcome. My make up was me. Just with a little oomph. Highlighting all my nice features. Giggles aside getting undressed was so comfortable I felt more at ease without my cloths than in my bathing suit on a beach. Teri’s got something special about her that just makes you love you! Amazing experience and will be doing it again. I think this is an AMAZING gift for your girlfriend or sister. Don’t knock it till you try it. You gotta jump right in and see the beauty of you. "Are you ready to see yourself as a rockstar? If so, shoot us an email and let's get this show on the road!!
She Almost Cancelled ~ Winnipeg Boudoir Photography
Miss T is quite the firecracker. This woman brought a whole suitcase of amazing garments, but perhaps my favorite item she brought was the 8X10 printed photo of Brad Pitt that we stuck around the studio when we needed her to "look lustful". It mostly just created laughter, but it was such a good time. Miss T was one of the gorgeous babes that responded to my casting call for babes over 40. The reason I did that specific casting call was that, while I do shoot women over 40 (up into their late 70s so far!!) many of them come from a generation where you don't share your naughty bits on the internet, or they have higher profile jobs that prevent them from sharing their images, so they are under-represented on my website and I needed to change that!! People need to see that age is nothing and if you aren't aging, you are dead, so embrace the laugh lines, the wrinkles, the age spots, and whatever else comes with it. (We have a project c0ming up to pushback against what the media makes us think of aging, so stay tuned for that!!) In any case, check out Miss T's glorious story below!
Let’s see, where to begin - it all started in a 5,000-watt radio station in Fresno, California. With just a $50-a-week paycheck and a dream. Haha…TV viewers of the 70’s might get that! As an 'older gal'...I have long entertained the idea to treat myself to such an experience. As often is my style...I waffled. Rewinding, I am unsure how I found Teri on facebook - but happily...I did. I adored Teri's work and I especially adored the courage of all the ladies who were 'doing it'!
Their resulting images were gorgeous – I especially enjoyed reading the stories – about the brave models, about their ‘herstory’, about their experience, about how they felt more powerful for doing it! As beautiful as the Universe unfolds - unplanned spur of the moment, I responded to Teri's 'mature' plus 45 year old gal “Casting Call”.
Absolutely I hesitated! Questioning the likelihood of being selected, questioning my ability to actually have the mustard to do such a boudoir session, and questioning myself why I was interested and wanted to do this! I somewhat ‘struggle’ with aging. Nope – I do not resent my aging body. Only post divorce (15 years ago) did I do some ‘self-work’ and discovered a girl who allowed her true colours to become lost and buried. Awakening a stronger, more confident me…I found happiness with being me. Back at 42 years of age I finally ‘fell in love with myself’, and not in an arrogant way, simply being happy being me. For me, the struggle with aging is and remains a mental or emotional ‘fear’. Ka-Boom. Sending in a reply to the ‘call out’ – the wheels were now in motion.
Giddy was I when I received reply from Teri. Few days later I found myself somewhat floundering about my ability/courage to do this, contemplated cancelling, then reasoned that I would regret not doing this. Slowly I warmly embraced the personal challenge – and – a big driver for me was a passage I read in Teri’s VIP Boudy Babes: Because I want you to look back in 10 years and say “I knew I was gorgeous” instead of I wish I knew how gorgeous I was… THAT drove it home for me! Like a prawn who yawns at dawn…it was on!
I became determined to push myself out of my cozy comfort level and let er rip! Results have left me feeling completely over the moon… I enjoyed the time and experience of having my make up applied by Nicole – she is a true sweet girl and I felt so comfortable in her hands. Certainly a fabulous prelude to this photo experience! The quick-thinking, warm personality, and great sense of humour of Teri immediately made me feel ‘at home’…I very much like that! I enjoyed the ease, the comfort…everything rolled up…giving myself permission to ‘dig in’ wake up and allow my inner bombshell to surface and breath!!!
I had picked up my album on a workday lunch break. Getting back to work I chose to wait til I got home to open the beautifully wrapped album. Rewinding... I pulled the boxed album out of the UBER kewl bag...nice. I opened the box and my eyes immediately landed on a little white envelope. In that precise moment my little heart pitter-pattered! Thank you Teri for adding the personal card. Your thoughtfulness is amazing and this little detail...well you could have knocked me over with a feather! I have loved every moment of this Epic Empowering Adventure! La Grrrrr *roar*
PS. Bombshell has NOT gone back to slumber. She is me. I catch glimpses of her in a reflection, I feel her in a quiet moment when a silent sly grin appears on my lips, I sense her courage when I recall this fucking fabulous experience. ~ Viva la Empowerment XO
To anyone contemplating doing a boudoir session: "Gather up your mustard - and - do it! You can do this! You will be happy you did. You will not regret it. Seize the moment. Celebrate the gorgeousness of you You YOU! Tap into & wake up your inner bombshell...she is in there!!!"
Miss J ~ Winnipeg Boudoir Photographer
Miss J came to the studio with a wee bit of nerves, like so many before her but as soon as we started shooting I could see them disappear right before my eyes. We dressed her in items from the Boudy N Beauty Closet (so if you see anything you like, just ask at your consult/shoot!) and it wasn't long before I asked her to trust me for some new and interesting poses/looks. Take a look below at this babe's session:
Sassy {inspiration session} ~ Winnipeg Boudoir Photographer
{I have featured Chloe before on my blog in regards to her eating disorder so before anyone comments about thinness and starts to skinny shame, I am going to nip it in the bud. You don't know her journey, therefore you have no idea how hard she works to maintain a balance in her life. Doing photoshoots helps her build up her confidence and empowers her to see herself differently (which is exactly why I do what I do!!) so keep it to yourself. We are here to build up ALL women and promote a body inclusive environment. Also...there will be lots of nipples...so if you don't like that, byeeeee. }
I have had this vision in my head for awhile, so I got my stellar team together: Kelly Marie Woodford of Sapphire Hair Lounge, Nicole Velasquez of Envy Beauty & Makeup Services, and Miss Chloe whom you've seen before! Since getting my new studio I wanted to shoot something vintage, romantic, and free flowing, but once we had the hair & makeup done, I had so many other things I wanted to do as well! So I challenged Chloe (who previously has only modeled traditional boudoir styles with me) to get a little crazy, a little free and REALLY model and she KILLLLLLLLED IT. I used our time together to test out new techniques and really have fun with the styling and session all together. Again, this is how I treat myself...by creating without boundaries.
For booking in January, you will have the opportunity to get a free large, processed filmstrip like the images below!! Yay! So the above images were just an inspiration that happened the day of the shoot, but here's what the actual shoot entailed: 
