A few years ago I had the pleasure of photographing ms. Kerosene Deluxe when I was in Vancouver and this time I went back, I contacted her again to see if she'd be up for some fun! We actually shot at the same hotel, but this time my view was totally different (with 2 walls of windows), we were shooting at night, AND my work has changed a bit since our first shoot! As usual, it was a pleasure to see this babe who was one of the first plus size models to "make it" in the industry. Unfortunately, due to some life circumstances, she had to take a brief hiatus from modeling, but luckily, she came to play with me!
Chill Vibes ~ Winnipeg Boudoir Photographer
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 Wanted to Hide Under the Covers ~ Winnipeg boudoir photography
I first met Miss M when I moved into my studio and held a body positive "support group" and I was immediately captured by her stunning eyes, but more importantly her willingness to share her story and I could feel some sadness behind her. After that meeting we kept in touch via the social media and I saw this babe accomplish some killer shit....she's amazing at organizing events where people could be themselves without fear. She makes people feel included and gives them space to not only exist, but to be seen and live their best lives. In addition to that, she just recently ran a marathon in Vegas I believe and I totally tip my hat to anyone who can run without being chased. In any case, I asked her to write her story for the blog because I feel she is amazingly motivational and sassy af:I was 28, and had always thought about doing a sassy Boudoir shoot. I wanted to do it for myself, to See myself in a light that I hadn't before. And I had the Idea to plan one for my 30th birthday as a gift to myself. I googled "Boudoir photography Winnipeg" and upon looking at a few different photographer's sites and portfolios, Found Teri. I sent her an email to book a consult, and so begins my journey to finding myself. To finding myself in front of her lens, to finding myself sitting anxiously for my reveal, to finding myself looking at myself in not only the light I'd hoped, but in one I didn't expect.During the 2 years leading up to my shoot, I joined Teri's Facebook group, and found SO many great women to connect with that empower each other and lean on each other. I worked with Teri on a couple of her projects and started to enjoy being in front of her camera, preparing myself for my official shoot. Her "Too much" project helped me see some of the bullshit we're fed in being told to be 'less' of what we are, to fit someone else's ideals. And Her open letter to Additionelle was an eyeopener as well in showing body diversity in lingerie and clothing. I did a mini body positivity workshop, and it showed me how Media affects body image and diet culture in subtle and sinister ways, and where my own body issues started.I took advantage of Teri's payment plan to pay for my session, and made monthly payments for a collection. By the time My shoot date rolled around, I just had to show up, and that was it. It was truly an amazing way to make my shoot worry free (less the anxiety of actually getting in front of the camera!)The morning of my shoot, I made my way to Teri's Studio. Let me tell you, I was real close to turning around, cancelling the entire thing, and going home to hide under my covers. But I am SO glad that I didn't, as this turned into one of the best experiences of my life, and one of the biggest turning points in how I look at myself. Hair and makeup with Nicole was super relaxing and pampering and made me feel like a million bucks before starting my shoot. After a few relaxation exercises and loosening up a bit, we picked outfits and were off to the races! I felt sassy, and sexy, and like a completely different person. I was definitely sore after from all of the booty popping, and back arching, but I was SO excited to see how my images looked.A week or so later was my reveal. Sitting there Waiting for my images to appear, I was probably more nervous than I was for the shoot itself, because I always looked at images of myself and picked them apart. One of the rules in reveals is to look at images as if they are of someone else. This was easier than I expected and as I saw my images scroll through on the screen, I was completely in awe at myself. I saw beauty in myself, I saw my cheekbones, and my lips, and the different colours in my eyes. I saw the sassiness I felt on my shoot day, and I fell in love with what myself more with every image.Now here I sit, a year after my reveal, and I am Still in Love with my images. I am able to see positives in every image I see of myself, as opposed to negatives. I see the image as a whole, and the overall beauty in that moment in time. Was that one shoot a magic fix? No. I Have bad body image days like everyone else does, and I have days where I pick an image apart and see "flaws". But those days are fewer and farther between, and I cannot WAIT to do another shoot with Teri.If you are considering a shoot with Teri, and are unsure, Take the leap, You won't regret it. This has had a profound and lasting effect on me, and I truly am a different person and have different perceptions since doing my shoot.Is 2019 the year that you want to see yourself in a new light? Perhaps show that body of yours some love and realize it's not as bad as you think it is? Then hit us up with an email and get the low down on the empowerment sessions we offer!
Inspiration Was Everywhere ~ Winnipeg Boudoir Photography
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.
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!!
