Leading up to summer, a colleague of mine, Boon Ong of Figuratif by Boon, and I were comparing our shooting styles. I commemorated him on his ability to achieve such intimacy, such confident quietness into his work and while he was struggling to find more "SEXY", I was having a hard time slowing down, and just flowing and being. It's interesting when you look at your work through someone else's eyes and I know that my work is standardly strong, voyeuristic, and a tad cheeky, I have been lacking a certain slowness....like, if I slow down then something unexpected might happen, then what? And if you have met me, I am like a horse chomping at the bit and raring to go with all my pent up energy. When I shoot it is no different, I jump around from location to location, outfit to outfit like there's not enough time in the day. And while this works for efficiency and the way I create, it's always fun to challenge oneself because within that challenge, I will be able to grow and maybe see some new inspiration where I was afraid it might NOT be. In any case, both Boon and I set out to attempt a different vibe in a shoot, each channeling the other and while he embraced a bit of sexuality and sensuality into his intimate work, I slowed down, thought about composition and used my babe in ways that I normally wouldn't. I did less poses designed to elicit sexuality, but instead focused more on intimate existence...if that makes sense. The deadline was my birthday and well, today is that day. For me, I paid attention to hands, I worked on elongating the neck, I looked at the lines in the location and I worked with the ambient light that I had. I played with light differently than I usually do and I looked for things that I normally am moving too quickly to notice. So, thank you Boon, for inspiring me to slow down, move with my client and I can only hope that I am capable of channeling even a little bit of your stillness and beauty in my work.Model: BeccaHair & Makeup: Erin Marie ArtistryLingerie: The Shops At The Loft
Hot Sauce {Get Messy Session}~ Winnipeg Boudoir Photographer
Nicole and I were joking about her immense love for hot sauce and I told her I had been wanting to do a session where we just let loose and got super messy....so naturally, this session HAD to happen. We collaborated with epic barbershop talent of Scott Ramos at Saint, just across from the studio and the morning of the shoot he skillfully recreated the Sriracha rooster on the side of Nicole's head with the corresponding HOT on the other side.
We looked online to find a hot sauce bodysuit, but aside from the black and gold one that our previous client had worn, we couldn't find anything, so we created one. HOWEVER, the t-shirt transfer I used was absolute crap and it never fully transferred onto the bodysuit, but when it pulled off, I actually like it a bit better because it reminded me of a worn Sriracha label, as if one had used the bottle on numerous occasions. 
If you didn't catch it, we did a Facebook live of the Get Messy session on my fb page and you can check it out here. At first, Nicole seemed hesitant to pour the sauce (which was actually just ketchup btw) all over herself and in her hair and I think this is something I can expect from other Get Messy sessions. As adults, we are taught to maintain a certain level of decorum, to not make a mess, to consider the consequences, etc. and while most of the time this behavior is good, it also impacts our ability to just let go and play! Once Nicole got into it, you could see the pure delight that showed up in her face and how much fun she was having and even if it wasn't hot sauce, I think the liberating feeling came moreso from the act of getting a little...well, messy!
So, I want to offer the Get Messy sessions to you bad ass babes and boys....let's cover you in whatever the hell you want: ice cream, paint, mud, clay, gold leaf, chocolate, maple syrup, literally whatever you want!! After you check out the rest of the images from this session, head over the Get Messy page and get the details on how you can book one of these!
2016 Wrap Up ~ Winnipeg Boudoir Photographer
Last day of 2016 and I am, not shockingly, hanging out in my studio writing this bad ass post. I procrastinated it a bit this year, but a lot of things changed in 2016, so should this tradition, I guess! Instead of recapping every single session that I did this year (there were WAAAAY too many to put into a blog post) I wanted to highlight the sessions and experiences that refocused me, challenged me, excited me and helped propel my business to where it is today! So, let's get going on this bad boy. (Just a reminder that if I DON'T mention your session here, it's not that it didn't mean anything to me, because every woman and client has their own stories that tear at my heart. These are just the ones that stand out the most in this moment!)1)The Session that affected me the most: She Fell In Love With Herself with Miss S.
This beauty's session affected me by showing me just how powerful a session (and my persistence) could be. Not one, but 2 consultations later this babe found herself showing off her glorious bits in my studio, but it was during her reveal that I remember just how much her session had impacted her. She was afraid to look at the images, fearful that she might hate what she saw, but instead she fell in love with herself all over again. Miss S reminded me of why I do what I do and who I do it for. From our first meeting where her arms were crossed to her reveal where she hugged me almost 5 times, we both were changed, realizing that she was capable of being so fucking sexy this whole time. Since then, she has done another session with us and is one of the most empowering, fearless, confident, strong women I know and I am extremely proud to call her my friend.2) The Boudy Babe responsible for inspiring me to do more: She Hated Her Photos with Miss S.
When I finished my shoot with this Miss S, I was creatively exhausted which is the sign of amazingness in a shoot. As I edited her images, I was blown away by how awesome she did. I was so excited to do her reveal. During her reveal she was quieter than most (which isn't completely uncommon), but her husby was there and he was fucking blown away by her gorgeousness. It wasn't until I got her shoot follow up questionnaire back that I found out the whole truth. She had hated what she saw in the photos...and while she stated it had nothing to do with the images, it had everything to do with the relationship she had with herself it still hurt my heart. Now, I am confident enough in my work to know this was one of my best shoots to date, but I realized that SOME clients (probably 3-5%) require more than just ONE photoshoot to help them see themselves as the bad ass babes that everyone else does. This was the shoot that was the driving force behind Body Image Bootcamp and our new Empowered Education site: iammorethanjustabody.com where we provide resources, education, talks, and a variety of other things for babes to work on healing their relationships with themselves. So, thank you to Miss S, for sharing her truth with me and an update, since getting her album Miss S has started to see what everyone else knew all along. By looking at herself a little bit every day until gifting the album to her husby at his birthday party, she saw her beauty.3)The shoot that pushed me creatively: When in Vegas with Miss A & Miss J
Oh man, Vegas was aaaaamazing. I love surrounding myself with like-minded people and it was during my time in Vegas, that I got to explore my Sassy-Ellen Von Unwerth-inspired-style of shooting! This shoot pushed me creatively because we were running out of light and I had to make due with what I had, but I also had to use my off camera flash (which I haven't really used except for weddings) which was new for me. We styled up this entire session and it was the first time I incorporated any types of sex toy props which was actually a lot of fun (and now I have a fancy collection of floggers, whips, handcuffs, etc.). After doing this session, I realized I needed to do fun stuff like this more often just to push the boundaries a little bit. Ps. I am heading back to Vegas in February if anyone wants to do a kick ass shoot!4) The shoot that exhausted me creatively: Get Outside with Miss J.
For this session, Jill and I headed out to our friend Tamara's gorgeous acreage to explore, do some sessions, and talk to her about some ideas we had. We literally spent the entire day shooting outside, exploring the fabulous variety and lush natural beauty of Tamara's place. We shot a number of different outfits and by the end of the day, both of us were extremely exhausted, but it reminded me of the importance of being inspired by a new environment and the utter joy that comes with looking for new ways of shooting on the spot. This entire day is one of the highlights of 2016.5) The session I finally did: Cherry with Miss J.
Since we are on the topic of Jill, I figured we would land on this one. I have had this idea in my head for at least 2 years and kept making excuses as to why I "couldn't" do it. Since 2016 was my year of "take a chance and just fucking do it", I finally made it happen. Jill and I scoped out the sketchiest motel we could find, grabbed the outfits, collaborated with Nicole & Kelly to make the style perfect.6) The client who made me see the other side: Too Much of This, Not Enough of That with Miss C.
Miss C came to me over a year ago, but working with her through 2016 I became more aware of eating disorders and how it can affect someone. She brought me the perspective of someone on the opposite end of the spectrum of myself, showcasing that regardless of someone's size they still can experience dissatisfaction with their bodies. I always knew this, but it's important to showcase it. You never know what someone is experiencing so before you pass judgement, say anything critical, maybe think twice and consider your own circumstances.7) The project that let me get something off my well endowed chest: An Open Letter to Addition-Elle
The fabulous babes that came out to help me showcase that the dolls who ACTUALLY wear Addition-Elle lingerie, looking fucking fierce so why are we being shown size 12-14 models, helped me tick this one off my photoshoot checklist! I felt better just meeting these ladies and talking about their feels about the marketing.8) All the traveling sessions!!
2016 took me a lot of places: Portland, Las Vegas, Calgary, Vancouver, Omaha, the Carribean, New York, Regina, Ottawa & Toronto to name a few. I am excited on expanding upon this list in 2017 as I travel, doing photoshoots, teaching workshops, attending workshops, and attending conferences and learning ALL the things!! Any place you think I should go?
So, darling lovelies! Thank you for sticking with me yet another year and supporting the work I do! My goals and desires for 2017 include:Photographing & empowering 100 bad ass babesDonating $5000 to FGWRCImproving & expanding the iammorethanjustabody.com website & empowered education siteTravel to: Las Vegas, Regina, Montreal, Chicago, Omaha, New York, San Fran, San Diego, Vancouver, and Texas.....Teach 3-5 workshops alongside Lindsay Rae PhotographyFinish my bookFind balance between work & my health by delegating to my amazing teamLive fearlessly and try everything that I want to....stop talking about it and actually DO IT.Public speak at at least 2 gigs
I am sure as the year goes on I will add to this list, but my biggest wish for 2017 is that I empower women who will go on to empower women and help create a global movement of bad ass babes who want to focus on their goals and dreams instead of spending their energy on hating themselves. I would love to hear what your dreams, ideas, and plans for the New Year! If you want to share, tag me in your FB posts or instagram posts!! In the meantime, I wish all of you bad ass babes a happy New Years day and I cannot stress how amazed I am at the fearlessness demonstrated by every gorgeous woman that stripped down both physically and emotionally for me during 2016. I can't wait to meet new babes in 2017 and see past babes as they top up their confidence cup with future shoots! Stay tuned for the next blog post outlining what you can look forward to from Teri Hofford Photography in 2017!!
It Was Hot in Omaha ~ International Boudoir Photographer
The end of 2016 is almost here, so I am wrapping up all of my sessions & 2016 blog posts over the next week! Get excited for a plethora of hotties over the next few days! First up is the gorgeous Miss S, whom I met when I went to Omaha last year! I went to attend an awesome leadership conference, but as usual, when I travel I love to shoot! I put a shout out to all the boudy photogs I know and Miss S responded, saying she would meet me at the hotel. This grogeous babe showed up with some lovely pieces (the top one I am actually wearing as I write this....) and it was a lot of fun shooting another photographer! This babe brought all the sex and sensuality required for her session and knocked it outta the park. Next year I am heading back to Omaha in July, so if you are wanting to score yourself a kick ass shoot, let me know and we can sort out the details! In any event, check out the fabulousness that is Miss S!
Too fat, Too Jiggly, Too Old ~ Winnipeg Boudoir Photography
Miss D traveled in for her shoot and though it started out as a gift for her fiancee, she quickly realized that it would also be a gift to herself. As per her request, I am only showing anonymous shots, but lemme tell you this babe is super saucy and we kept the good stuff for her now-husband. In any case, I am extremely thankful that Miss D let me share her images and it comes after me having a conversation with another boudy babe that there are not as many middle-aged women in my galleries. While I would love to represent every age group, ethnicity and size, it is not always up to me! I take my client's request for privacy extremely seriously, so I will not post their story if they don't want to share and I find my middle-aged and older clients tend to be more private. Miss D, however, wrote a stunning follow up and was very eager to share (after the wedding, of course!) So without further adieu, here is her take on her boudoir experience:
I am 51 years old and I have wanted to do a boudoir shoot for years but I could never work up the courage; I was too fat, too jiggly, too old, you know! I was going to wait until I lost the weight and toned up. I've had body issues my entire life - even when I was a size 7 so this was something I wanted to do for myself eventually.
When I came across Teri's blog and website I knew this was my time. I had my consultation and upon meeting Teri I instantly felt comfortable and at ease. I booked right then. I was nervous when I arrived but once again, Teri made me feel so at ease. As soon as my makeup and hair were complete she told me which outfit to wear and we got right to it!! Teri's direction is so easy to follow and she encourages every step of the way. It was one of the greatest experiences of my life!!
I had my reveal the next day and I was so nervous to see my photos, way more nervous than I was for the actual shoot. I didn't need to worry - the photos were incredible. I am giving my fiance an album of them for a wedding gift. I've already had my gift - an unforgettable, empowering experience that has stayed with me, making me feel strong and sexy every day since! Thanks Teri, your talent is remarkable! Ladies, book your session now. You will not regret it.I can't say much more than that. Miss D is right...this is an experience that you will never regret and I can tell you that until I am blue in the face, but until you actually do it you won't really know. If you want a peek into how fun it can be, I am doing a fun promo/fundraiser for the month of October! Essentially you get to choose one outfit from our Boudy N' Beauty Wardrobe, get a 20 minute shoot (hair & makeup NOT included), and 2 digital files!! Contact me with your email for more info!!