Miss S. was a beautiful angel brought to me for a fun shoot day, post Oklahoma City workshop. Not only was she incredibly confident in front of the camera, but had a smile that could light up the room (as you will see in the images below). We didn't have too much time to chat about her life, but I did find out that this babe kills it at cross-fit and loves to eat! The location we were provided for the fun day was a sweet artist's loft in OKC where we not only had access to an open space, but also to the artist's studio and I was deeply inspired to create images in there. At the time, I had just finished watching Dear White People and LOVE the cinematography with it's framing, color tones, and overall vibe, so I threw a bit of that into this session as well. Lastly, the few images of Miss S on the rug inspired me to get a sweet patterned rug for the studio! It's sessions like this that remind me that boudoir or intimate portraits aren't always about looking sexy, pretty, or sensual...sometimes it's just about existing, finding the light and looking like a piece of art. When it comes to designing your session, I want you to think beyond the boudoir, so to speak. Some of my favorite images involve small patches of light and blurred creations that capture movement and emotion.
Neon ~ Toronto Editorial Session
Model: Taylor Oakes / The Internet CreatureLocation: Neon Demon StudiosNot much to write in regards to this shoot aside from it was fucking awesome to let loose inside a studio full of neon lights and fun shit with Taylor head to toe in glittery outfits.
She Couldn't Stop Looking At Herself ~ Florida Boudoir Photography
Miss Dawn will go down in history as one of my most self conscious clients....which is ironic, because she spends her days telling other babely babes that they are awesome and worthy of being photographed. Miss Dawn is a boudoir photographer in Florida and someone that fell in love with our lovely miss Sam and since she saw that shoot she knew she had to have a shoot with me! Well, the stars aligned when I took my little Florida tour and not only did I photograph her, but she also had me stay with her and do a Body Image Bootcamp for her clients, friends and family. We had an amazing few days together full of shop talk, me yelling positive things at her when she would doubt her babeliness, dressing up in her studio outfits to make breakfast, and empowering other women that joined us! In fact, the morning of her shoot she came out of her bedroom and told me that it was a good thing I was staying with her because otherwise she would have tried to cancel her shoot!!! Hey! If that's what it takes....invite me for a sleepover and I will make sure you get your session done!! It's always fun for me to try to use other photographer's set ups and Miss Dawn has her studio out of her house (actually the bedroom I stayed in!!) It's always a fun challenge for me to see the light differently, have access to different furniture and have to think on my feet! Well, despite her fears, she KILLED IT. As soon as we got going with the first outfit, she turned it on for the camera. Shortly after I returned home and had sent her a sneak peek (photographers are worse at peskiness than regular clients) she was blown away. However, before she even SAW the photos, she had noticed a change within herself that had come from just doing this thing that scared her....and that's what I tell all of my clients. The photos are just a bonus for you to remember how amazing it feels to do something completely out of your comfort zone and to document the moment when you shed a bunch of layers of societal bullshit. The EXPERIENCE is what we want you to have the most of! A few of Dawn's phrases after seeing her images included: "This has forever changed me." and "DON'T EVER STOP doing what you do. You are absolutely impacting women everywhere!" and "I cannot stop looking at myself!"Scroll through the images, listen to the music and when you get to the bottom feel free to watch her video testimonial![audio mp3="https://www.terihoffordphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Only-Thing-That-Matters.mp3"][/audio]
I Look How You Want Me To Look ~ Winnipeg Boudoir Photography
(photo by Modern Love Studios)Now that 2017 is on it's way out, I figured it would be a good time to get my year end post done, but this one is going to be a bit different. Usually I recap all the amazing shoots that I have had throughout the year, but if you want to see a fraction of them, feel free to zip through the blog for 2017 and get an idea. Ever woman that graces my lens is incredibly amazing and worthy of mention, but since I don't want to keep you here for hours and hours on end, I am going to do something...new. 2017 is the year that I saw myself really step up in terms of photography education, and in an effort to get my name out there a bit more, I attended workshops, retreats, mentored, and more importantly made a lot of photographer connections. This year I had the pleasure of visiting a plethora of amazing boudoir photog friends and idols and in doing so, I was photographed multiple times throughout the year. I have waited until now to unveil all of the photos that I received from my talented peers because I wanted to wait until I wrapped the year. After being photographed as many times as I did this year, I realized something incredible about body image.....I will literally never know exactly how I look. I have been photographed by 4 different artists (and myself!) who interpreted me in a different way and as a photographer, I can tell you that that is how THEY see me. Some photographers brought out my sensual side, some my sexual side, some my bad ass side, some my soft side, some my rebellious side, my inner diva, my divine goddess, etc. No 2 sets of images are the same and I think this is the most incredible thing. I WILL LOOK HOW YOU WANT ME TO LOOK. Your perception of me will be based on your own body image, your life experiences, your view of the world and no matter how I try to change myself to adapt, I will never look ONE WAY to everyone....which is why I think it is ultimately ridiculous how we try to look ONE way, in an effort to appear "societally acceptable" when individuals make up society and will perceive you in their own way. People will choose to see your beauty or choose to find your flaws. Some people will find my rolls cute af, others will find my body appalling and disgusting. Neither is right or wrong. They are just perceptions (though I'm gonna side with the cute af) Some people will decide what is abhorrent about you, while others will decide that you are nothing but positive light. NEITHER OF THESE OPINIONS ARE RIGHT OR WRONG. They are simply their perception. I didn't go into these photoshoots with any expectations aside from excitement, positivity and joy. When I look at all of these photos together, and the collage of metal images I have on my wall at home, I am reminded that I am not one way and I can't possibly exist one way to everyone. Those who will choose to see what I do in myself: the strength, the passion, the creativity, the fire, and the goodness, are people I want to surround myself with going forward....and those that can't see beyond what they consider to be my flaws, problems, or disgusting bits are people I don't need to waste my precious energy on. I urge those of you reading this to GET YOUR PHOTO TAKEN AND GET YOUR PHOTO TAKEN OFTEN AND GET YOUR PHOTO TAKEN BY MANY PEOPLE. I want you to see the amazing bits of yourself that you don't even know exist. I will stop babbling now, and let you get to viewing my Nudie Judie photos below. Ps. if nips and bums offend you, gtfo of here.Fierce/Sexual Teri - courtesy of Modern Love StudiosDenise Birdsong made me feel so sexy and like a sexual goddess during my session. At first, I was nervous and felt I didn't think I could be "sexy" in the way she wanted me to be. This woman is the queen of emotion so I knew I had to bring it, but part of my problem is overthinking and wanting to be perfect instead of just immersing myself in the experience. I remember feeling like a horse getting ready to exit the gate, and Denise calmed me the fuck down. It was an awesome experience.
Glamorous Teri - Jennifer Williams BoudoirJennifer and I had met at a workshop a few years ago, so when we got back into the studio together to shoot each other in her Vancouver studio I was super excited. She has made a huge name for herself in the boudoir industry for her clean, luxurious, beautiful work and bad ass boss babe attitude. During my session with her, I felt so glamorous lying about on the soft pillows, expensive sheets, standing against her marble inspired wall. It was a true glam moment for me! (especially since I usually wear sweatpants and tshirts)
Playful, Sweet & Sensual Teri - Joi PhotographyCrystal and I had met at the very beginning of my boudoir journey at a retreat in San Diego and it was so amazing to catch up at her Saskatoon studio! Crystal has everything planned to the last detail and her attention to detail is what made my session feel flawless. I never felt uncomfortable once during our session (aside from physical discomfort from some of the poses, but I know to expect that bahaha....all my clients are laughing, because THEY KNOW....) When I saw the images, I almost cried because if you know me, soft is not a word I would use to describe myself (aside from physically haha!). But Crystal found my inner softness, sweetness, and flirt and I couldn't believe it. My favorite image of ever was taken at this shoot, the black and white nudie one with me by the window where you can see my tum and my bum. I love it. I went back later in the year and Crystal also did headshots for me which are also 100% accurate to me. This babe is incredible, so those of you in Saskatchewan, please go see her!!
Wild Teri ~ Boudie NationMiss Kristina and I met up in Vegas this year during WPPI and on one of our trips to the desert we photographed each other. Kristina is immensely talented at blending her subjects with nature (check out her amazing work) and when I saw these I was in LOVE. I have to give props to my friend Angelina for the use of the fur coat haha! But I fell in love with tum in these images and there is something so...liberating about hanging about naked and semi-naked in the desert off the highway. 
Rebel/Feisty Teri ~ Fearlessly You BoudoirPaige and I met during our shoots with Denise Birdsong (during a photography retreat) and we bonded immediately. We had flown down to Pittsburgh to hang out with our mutual boudy bestie Stephanie Wells and played in her studio while Steph was getting her makeup done. Paige took complete control and despite being the sweetest, kindest babe, this girl knows how to bring out feisty Teri. We had an amazing weekend and next year we are set to go play in HER studio so look forward to more images from Paige!
Sassy Pants Teri - Teri Hofford PhotographyThis year I have spent a lot of time focusing outside of myself on my business and growing the education side of things, so this was the first time I had done boudoir selfies all year, but it was a look I had wanted to do for awhile with someone else, so I just did it with myself instead. I think these images do a good job of showcasing how I view myself. Selfies are something that can make or break a person's confidence, but thankfully I had done a year of self portraits so I knew that it literally does take like 10 photos to get 1 good one and even then it's not AS good as how someone else could take it unless you practice a lot. My goal for next year is to do a monthly session with myself to remind myself that I am worth the time, the energy and taking off the sweatpants for.
So what can you look forward to in 2018? Well, stay tuned for the next blog post to outline the plans, changes, and updates to Teri Hofford Photography! Thank you to everyone who has been part of my journey, whether you are a photographer, client, vendor, family member, friend, even the trolls (they usually give me good fodder for the blog). Without your love and positivity, guidance, support, and sharing of the stuff, I would not be able to empower as many women as I currently am. Words will never be enough for me to show gratitude for those that share my words, my images, my mission with their friends and family. YOU are causing change. YOU are powerful. Thank YOU.
Bippity Boppity Beautiful ~ Winnipeg Boudoir Photographer
I had used Miss K for a previous tutorial I was teaching and our first meeting at the studio went a little something like this:Teri: Okay, take off your clothes and I'm going to put chocolate sauce on you, okay?K: Wait, what?Teri: Oh. That's what the casting call said....you are going to be covered in all sorts of textures for a tutorial I am teaching.K:.......okay.......entry we chatted about the concept a bit more, she was on board and she put with A. LOT. I covered her in honey, clay, chocolate sauce, glitter, baby powder, and oil. After our first shoot, I told her that she could DEFINITELY be a glambassador since she was willing to go through all of that to help me (well, that and her submission was pretty good too!) As soon as we finished that first shoot, she then invited me to join her to watch some roller derby which was pretty fun! In any case, this second shoot was much more in line with what we do in the studio for our clients. I am going to let Miss K tell you about her experience below:
Teri’s studio is gorgeous, welcoming, and full of light. When I first walked in, I saw her prints on the walls, her body positivity posters, and projects and I knew I was in a space of acceptance and girl power. The afternoon started off with Kylie slaying my makeup. Her and Teri both seemed earnestly excited to work with me and made me feel so gorgeous and welcome. I definitely feel like a clumsy potato some days, but in front of Teri’s camera, I was able to relax and find my groove.
I only almost fell over twice. Even if I have seen Teri’s amazing work I was still cautious of some things; I wanted to keep pulling my bottoms up over my muffin top and whip out my selfie face. My partner calls it my ‘blowing on soup face’, but I think it’s totally cute… I am at a point in my life where I celebrate my body and all that it can do, but I still have moments when I stop and second guess my self. I usually remember to pull my yoga pants over my tum when I sit down and suck in my gut when someone whips out a camera.
Through Teri’s coaching, I was able to relax and just live in that moment. I eventually listened when she told me to stop adjusting my clothes and trusted her that I didn’t look goofy. (“If people are looking at those details I didn’t do my job right” – Teri)
I left the studio feeling like a true glamazon. Going in for my reveal was amazing. Teri’s posing directions are great and had me looking and feeling like a model, no one should worry about not being “photogenic”. This lady is magic, a real-life fairy godmother, with a camera instead of a magic wand. Bippity-Boppity-Beautiful.
The experience itself was amazing, but the photos were even better than I expected. Thank you Teri! I am so grateful that I had the opportunity to shoot with Teri. She has created an amazing space in person and via social media, that is accepting and empowering. We could all use a little more Teri in our lives.
I hope I can make the women in my life feel the way Teri made me feel. During my photo shoot, I felt uninhibited and empowered. Looking at my photos, I feel sexy and beautiful, which isn’t something I’ve always been able to say. Owning your sexuality and being happy in your skin in a strong, amazing feeling. Too often we live and present ourselves for other people, or dwell on our perceived flaws. Which is just silly.
I would encourage anyone I know to do a boudoir shoot. If you’re anxious or you have any appearance-based reason not to, that is the same reason I would tell you that you should. Arch and pose your worries away, you’re beautiful.
Are you ready to have your own Bippity Boppity Beautiful moment? If so, shoot me an email!