boudoir

Mrs. K came to me looking for a secret photo session to surprise her husband with for Valentine’s Day. And of course, I was happy to oblige.
She was not only incredibly GORGEOUS, but was such a sport about it, and had an amazingly infectious laugh. Can you tell we had fun?
It was even more fun because she brought along one of her girlfriends, to help out with the photo styling, and just to help her feel more comfortable…
And you know, I’m hoping to photograph you next, Ms. P!
🙂

Enjoy the photos, A. And you’ll have to let me know what your husband thought of his Valentine’s Day sexy present!!!

Mr. W had been wanting to do something special for his wife for a while now. Something that would help her feel like the sexy, gorgeous woman that he sees every time he looks at her. So when they were planning a business trip to Scottsdale, he asked a few friend friend of theirs to recommend a Scottsdale boudoir photographer. Lucky for me I was recommended, and Mrs. W contacted me to schedule her boudoir session while they were in town.

Well, let me tell you, you couldn’t meet a nicer, more beautiful and loving couple…

I was so honored to be able to photograph Mrs. W, and she was just a pleasure. As you can see, she’s stunningly gorgeous. But on top of that she’s just so darn nice and sweet.

Mr. and Mrs. W, I hope you love your photographs as much as I do, and I really hope you had as much fun as I did at your boudoir photography session, Mrs. W.

I really, really, really enjoyed meeting both of you… Enjoy your sneak, I’ll have the rest of your full gallery up soon.

And special thanks to Deanna Jordan for the fabulous makeup and styling she did for this session. Deanna, you really helped to make this session both fun AND beautiful!!!

Recently I got together with several different girls to do a bridal session at the amazingly beautiful Firesky Resort in Scottsdale, Arizona. I had been to Firesky several times before because it’s very close to my house. And I also attended a photography conference a few years ago there. During the photography conference we had the opportunity to follow some famous photographers around the grounds while they photographed models in different settings of the hotel…

So when I was recently asked to organize and participate in a bridal shoot showcasing some amazing gowns and accessories from So Wedding Dress Rentals, I immediately thought of Firesky Resort. I knew it would be the perfect setting for our Scottsdale, Arizona Bridal Photography Shoot. The architecture is beautiful. The interior surfaces and lighting are to-die-for. The grounds themselves… seriously you’d never even know you were in the desert with all the tropical foliage and beautiful landscaping…

Needless to say, I was super excited to be a part of this incredible group of women, and I was really honored that they chose me to be their photographer. I however, have been super busy lately, so thank goodness the incredibly talented and equally resourceful Ms. Victoria Sales stepped up and orchestrated all of the scheduling… the girls, the dresses, the accessories, the stylists, and of course her own amazing self to do all of the makeup (http://www.makeupbyvictoriasalas.com)!

Wow! What a party!!! And not only was it great to work with such talented and professional women, it was also sooooooo much F-U-N!

So, without further ado… here’s Miss Jasmine, the first girl we shot, in a couple of different dresses. And let me tell you, she ROCKED IT!!! Well, don’t just take my word for it, see for yourself:

Check out this next dress. It’s an original design by the owner of So Wedding Dress Rentals, Christine Davis. Christine added the little black flower on it during the styling for the shoot, to mix it up a bit, so if you’re not into the black flower, not a problem. But I thought it was such a cute, fun, flirty wedding dress. And Jasmine looked FANTASTIC in it. Who knew that you could get such great wedding gowns rentals in Phoenix? What a fantastic idea! And such a great designer, Christine. You amaze me with your uber talent!

And look at how gorgeous Victoria Sales’s bridal makeup looks on this Scottsdale Bride.

And here’s the last dress that Jasmine modeled for us, along with a super-fun bridal accessory from  So Wedding Dress Rentals. I told Christina, the owner of So Wedding Dress Rentals that I was going to have to rent a mask for some of my upcoming Scottsdale Bridal Boudoir photography sessions. How fantastic would that be in a boudoir photography album?

I’ll be featuring the other girls along with more incredible dresses from So Wedding Dress Rentals, and more bridal makeup looks from Victoria Sales, in upcoming posts, so keep your eyes peeled for more eye candy, LOL.

Now that the weather is starting to cool off a bit (or at least us SUPPOSED to be cooling off a bit), I have several Phoenix and Scottsdale engagement sessions coming up soon. So I thought now would be a great time to write a post (which will also become a page link above) about my suggestions on what to wear for your Wedding Photography Engagement Session.

Please Note: My first and most important suggestion is to be yourself. You can and should read through the following suggestions prior to your Phoenix wedding engagement photography session, but always, always, always make sure that your clothing choices follow your personal style. After all, your engagement photos, just as your wedding photography, should be a reflection of who you are as a couple. I can help guide you to make choices which will likely make your style shine in camera, but you need to make sure that what you wear is something you’re comfortable in, and something that is “you.”

Things to Keep in Mind when selecting your clothing for your Engagement Session

– Wear something comfortable. Your engagement photography session will likely last an hour or two, and while it’s important to look nice for the photos, you don’t want to wear something uncomfortable which will distract you from looking your best. That’s not to say “dress in yoga pants and an old T-shirt” either.. “business casual” is kind of a good rule of thumb. But whatever you choose to wear should give you the flexibility and comfort to move comfortably, sit down, stand up, stretch, lay down, even run a bit…

If you want a few different looks, I recommend bringing a change of clothing, or wearing layers so you can change outer shirts part way through the session. Girls: wear a black or simple camisole under an outer shirt, and bring along another blouse and a light sweater. We can get shots of the first shirt, the second blouse, the sweater and the camisole. You may also want to bring along an extra skirt, dress or pants too add even more variety to your shoot.

But if you want to keep it simple, a classic, comfortable sun dress or cocktail dress would certainly do the trick for the entire session. Really, this session is all about you and what you want. If you want one single, simple, classic look, then that’s what we’ll shoot. If you want to mix it up a bit with many different looks, then that’s great too.

If you do bring multiple pieces, think mix and match.  Pick a color family and stick with it. That way both of your outfits will all flow together and the final set of photos will have a much more cohesive look to them, perfect for your guest book photo album at your wedding.

– Coordinate colors and styles . I always ask my couples to select clothing that coordinates well with each other’s. They don’t have to match, but they should definitely compliment each other (example: bold blues,  light blues and greys… maybe a pop of pink or orange in there occasionally.) I prefer a selection of clothing that looks great together without looking too “matchy-matchy”.

Guys make sure you consider the overall style and formality of your girl’s outfit. If she’s wearing a fun flirty dress, maybe you wear khaki’s and a casual silk button-down short sleeve shirt. If she’s rockin’ some killer jeans and high fashion boots, then perhaps go with an edgy jacket, a super thin tie and funky leather shoes.

– Wear solids or simple patterns. Don’t over do it with patterns, unless they’re super bold and make a statement all their own (like a funky, retro style, super hip mini dress)… in which case I’d recommend you also bring some more simple clothing and get some shots in that too. As a rule of thumb, solid darker colors are generally the most figure-flattering.

– Stick to more fitted clothing (but not too tight!). Anything hanging off your body (baggy) will make you look bigger than you are and the results will be messy. That said, if it’s a windy day, a long flowing skirt or scarf, in the right location can look A-H-H-H-MAZING!

– The layered look is always a winner for your engagement shots. For example:
Guys: Nice dark jeans, hip shoes, collared shirt and a loose tie. A jacket to finish it off.
Girls: Nice jeans, paired with a dressy top, splashes of color or patterns, funky jewelry and high heels. (or cute dress).

– Use accessories to jazz up your outfit
A cute pair of heels, boots, a fun scarf to blow in the wind, a funky necklace or even a playful white parasol can give your look that extra punch it needs to take it to the next level.
Note: if you’re going to be wearing high heels in your shots, you may also want to bring some more comfortable flip-flops for walking around, as we typically walk a lot during an engagement session.

– Properly fitting, clean and pressed clothes are a MUST.
Need I say more? Please, please, please wear clothes that fit you well, and make sure they’re either new or newly dry-cleaned. It looks terrible in photos to have wrinkles, puckers, stains, etc.

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QUICK TIPS:

What to Avoid

– Bright white matching shirts and Khakis
– Loose, baggy clothing which tends to make you look larger. Stick with clean, simple silhouettes tailored to your body shape.
– Tops with big logos or a lot of writing on them – keep it clean and classy.
– Mid-drift shirts, super-short skirts, clothing that’s too tight.
– Matching outfits. Look coordinated, not matching.
– Nothing toooooo terribly trendy. Remember, your engagement session album will be with you a lifetime. And while it’s great to look back on styles of the time, it’s also good to have a classic style throughout the engagement photo session so that it remains timeless. Now is not the time to bust out the latest Lady Gaga fashions. Keep it simple. Keep it classic. And you will treasure your engagement photos for a lifetime.

Other Fun Ideas

Another fun way to make your session unique and fun is to bring props. For example, some fun props are:
– Sunglasses
– A “Thank You” or “Save the Date” sign on a poster-board for personalized thank you and save the date cards. Remember: it’s always great to get your engagement photos out there for everyone to see!
– Instruments you play, sports items you enjoy, your favorite teams (just for a shot or two, LOL)
– Balloons (I have some fantastic, oversized balloons… so if you’re interested, let me know what you’re wearing and I’ll prepare some for our session. – $30 additional charge)
– Hats
– Parasol – super cute and playful… best to keep it to a neutral color.
– Anything else that makes your relationship unique or that is special to you.

– Oh, and OBVIOUSLY bring your engagement ring. That will be the center focal-piece for several shots as well.

IMPORTANT NOTE: MAKE SURE TO HAVE YOUR NAILS CLEAN AND WELL MANICURED. We will be getting shots of your hands close up, so please, please, please pay attention to that prior to your session. Yes, guys, this includes you too! I like to get shots of the two of you holding hands, often close up, so everyone needs nice looking hands both for your engagement session and also for your wedding photos for that matter.

Personal Grooming: hair, makeup, etc.
It probably goes without saying… but just in case, LOL…  Pay close attention to your overall appearance prior to your engagement session photos.

If your hair needs cutting – get it cut and styled.

If your roots are showing – get your color touched up prior to your session.

Do NOT lay in the sun for an extensive period of time, or use a tanning bed just before your engagement session or your wedding day. You do not want freshly burned or even darkly tanned skin for your session.

Use an oil-less lotion on any dry areas of skin, if needed. Nothing shiny, though!

Gals AND guys: make sure your hands are clean and well-manicured.

Girls: I recommend a neutral shade of polish, or just au-natural… unless bright red is your “thing”. If so, by all means, rock the R-E-D! Just be prepared for close-up shots of the two of you holding hands, ring shots, tight embraces, etc.

Are you having your makeup done for your wedding?  Then consider getting it done for your engagement session as well.  I’m sure you are absolutely wonderful at doing it yourself on a daily basis. But a professional makeup artist and stylist will know what photographs best and how to make you look drop-dead-gorgeous for your rockin’ engagement photo session that you will be looking at for years to come. If you are worried about cost you can always arrange to have your wedding day makeup trial done on the same day of your engagement session!

Side note: If you need a makeup artist or stylist recommendation for your wedding, let me know. I’ve worked with several FANTASTIC girls whom I highly recommend.

DO NOT USE SPRAY TAN!!! Let me repeat: DO NOT USE SPRAY TAN!!! Spray tan tends to look orange in photos. Avoid using it at all costs!

Side note: is your wedding gown strapless? If so, you may want to switch to a strapless bathing suit well before your wedding so you don’t have tan lines with your dress. Look in the mirror. If you have any tan lines, now is the time to start getting rid of them. Do not do that just a few weeks before the wedding, planning ahead is your friend here!

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WEDDING ENGAGEMENT PHOTO SESSION WHAT TO WEAR IDEAS:

Here are a few looks I put together to help you visualize some looks that work great for Phoenix Arizona wedding engagement sessions… but don’t be afraid to embrace something completely different. Remember, this is about you and your style… so let it SHINE!

Miss S and I got together recently at a local Scottsdale hotel to do her FANTABULOUS boudoir shoot. And, can I just say… OH-MY-GOD is she DROP-DEAD GORGEOUS, or what?

And people, let me tell you, she’s just as beautiful on the inside as she is on the outside. Seriously, she’s just so nice and fun, and just the kind of person you’d love hanging out with. So for me this was like a dream-come-true boudoir photo shoot. Not only was she super photogenic, she knew how to move and she WORKED IT!

Plus, she brought a bunch of super cute lingerie pieces to the boudoir ssession. It was great to have a variety of things to choose from.

The more variety in looks, styles, colors, cuts, and just different pieces altogether, the more variety we can get in your boudoir photo session. And that makes great ammunition for a KILLER album for your man… or just for yourself, LOL.

One of the things I liked the best about this session was how playful Miss S was with the camera. I especially like the one where she’s peeking over the pillow. How cute is that? and that shot doesn’t have any skin showing at all… but it’s fun, playful and sexy… and her eyes just draw you in, don’t you think?

If you’re considering a boudoir session, make sure to book me for next weekend’s boudoir session. We’re renting a room at a luxury Phoenix hotel and we still have a few spots available. Contact me for details…

Or, if you’d prefer, arrange a girlfriends’ boudoir party or a private Phoenix-Scottsdale, Arizona boudoir photo session with me, just contact me and we’ll work out the details. Hurry and book now if you want to use the session for Christmas or Holiday gifts for your man.

Thanks again, Miss S! You ROCKED IT OUT!!!

Can you believe those legs???

How gorgeous are those eyes???

I get a lot of comments from friends and potential clients saying they’d LOVE to have a boudoir session with me, but they need to loose five pounds first, or they’re just not happy with their bodies, etc.

 
Well, let’s get real. Who is perfectly happy with their body? The truth is, most women have areas that they feel need some work, areas that they don’t want to expose to a professional camera, LOL.

 
As a Phoenix boudoir photographer, my training and expertise isn’t just on my camera settings and technical stuff like that. I spend hours studying poses that help flatter a woman’s body, I know tricks to help hide problem spots and accentuate the areas that make you feel your most beautiful.

 
Here’s a great little article I ran across about Boudoir Photography for curvy women, mature women, or any women who isn’t a size 2, 22 year old model. And please keep in mind, your photographer Margie Mobley gave birth to triplets four years ago.  Next to my body, you’ll be thinking you ARE a super-model, LOL.

🙂

 
 
Here’s the article… well worth the read:
 

Boudoir Photography For Mature Women

By Helen X Davies

 
Arranging a boudoir photo shoot is something which is becoming increasingly popular with women of all ages, not just young girls with perfect figures but, increasingly, by older women in their thirties, forties and even fifties. The reasons for boudoir’s growing popularity amongst older women are wide and varied but, generally, women are becoming much less self-conscious about their bodies than used to be the case. TV programs such as How to Look Good Naked have done much to promote this view by demonstrating that, with a little help, anyone can look great regardless of their shape or age.
 
 
What Motivates a Woman to have a Boudoir Photo-Shoot?
Every woman will have her own reasons but the main motivations usually come under the following headings:
 
Life Changes
Marriage – many women booking a boudoir photo-shoot are doing so as a gift for their future husband. Although mainly young brides there are a growing number of older women, perhaps marrying the second time around, who are arranging a bridal boudoir shoot as a gift idea for their new husband.
Pregnancy – maternity boudoir is another growing trend and this is particularly popular with women in their thirties who are starting a family later in life and, maybe, are at an advantage financially over younger women who may be restricted in terms of budget?
Divorce – getting divorced can be a stressful and depressing experience for obvious reasons. But some women are taking the opportunity to start anew – and what better way than a confidence boosting and empowering set of images to remind them that they still have a lot to be positive about?
 
 
Milestones
Reaching a certain age is a milestone in anyone’s life and a boudoir shoot is particularly popular with women who have just turned 40 and 50. What used to be considered middle-age is now being seen as a new beginning and some women do really come ‘into-their-own’ at this time of life.
 
 
Body Changes
A recent weight loss is often a big reason to celebrate and a set of images showing you in a way you might never have thought possible is a great way of recording a dieting success – not to mention a fantastic motivation to stay that way!
The growing popularity of cosmetic surgery is also another motivating factor – particularly for those who have had a little enhancement up-top.
 
 
What about nerves and lack of confidence?
Thinking about a boudoir shoot is one thing; actually going ahead with it can be another matter? Some women will naturally be apprehensive when it comes to posing for a professional photographer although there really is no need. The benefit of boudoir style photography is that it is up to you what is shown and what is not – start at your own comfort level and see how it goes: a good photographer will soon put you at ease and you’ll be surprised how much fun it can be!
 
 
Pick the Right Photographer and the Rest is Easy
Choosing the photographer is something you don’t want to rush – look through examples of their work and see which have images you like. Each photographer will have his or her own style. Some women will prefer a female photographer while others might prefer a male view on what looks attractive – it really is up to you?
 
 
Above all, enjoy the experience, take your time and have fun – it should, after all, be an experience you never forget.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Helen_X_Davies

INTRODUCING OUR FALL BOUDOIR MARATHON: OCTOBER 1ST AND 2ND IN SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA!

WHAT’S INCLUDED:
• a gorgeous, swanky Scottsdale hotel
• a professional makeup artist to make you look FABULOUS!
• a private photo shoot professionally styled to make you look your best!
• private, password-protected online gallery of images for your personal viewing
• 30% off any of our popular Boudoir Packages

HOW IT WORKS:
Pick the package you want (you can always upgrade later). We’ll reserve your spot with 50% payment, the balance is due one week prior to the shoot. We’ll post your private online gallery about two weeks after the shoot. You let us know which photos to use in your custom album or folio, we design it, send you a proof, and you’ll have your album or folio (or whatever else you want) in time for the holidays! Woooo hooooo!!!

Due to time constraints at the hotel, SESSIONS ARE LIMITED, and fill up quickly. To reserve yours, please contact us today.

Ohhhh, this recent Scottsdale Boudoir Client had the looks, and the personality to boot! She came with an entire suitcase of fun, sexy lingerie, cute props, and an AWESOME attitude. I swear, I think we were both having so much fun, it was even hard to get a serious look out of her because we were both laughing the whole time.

And guess what Miss F’s favorite hobby is? Old replica cars. Yep! Soooo awesome. It would be super fun to do a fifties-style retro shoot with an old Caddie with her next time. Hmmmmmm…

Enjoy your sneak peek, Miss F. I can’t wait to make up your Little Black Boudoir Book, and I can’t wait for you to see the rest of your hot and sexy Scottsdale boudoir lingerie photos.
🙂

Every so often some of the local phoenix photographers, models, make up artists and stylists get together and have what they call a “shootout”. Everyone convenes at one place and we call get a chance to network together and create some amazing photos for our portfolios.
I participated in one of them a few weeks ago, and here are some of my favorite photos from the shoot. Even though the location was a bit heavy and dark for my normal style, I was still able to capture some fun shots with some amazing models.
🙂

The lovely Miss A got in on the Scottsdale Boudoir Photography action with us recently at Scottsdale’s very own Talking Stick Resort and Casino… perfect for super sexy, modern style boudoir photography.
 

This is such a beautiful girl, both inside and out. Super sweet, and super cute in her boudoir photography session recently in Scottsdale Arizona.
 

She even brought a great piece of lingerie she wanted to wear – a big pink skirt that her mother had actually made for her. It’s not lingerie exactly, but it worked great for our boudoir photography session. Her mother makes these skirts and sells them to raise money to fight breast cancer, so I was just thrilled to take some of her boudoir portraits in it. Not only is it a great cause, but because the skirt has personal meaning for her and was made by her mother, it made the photography portraits that much more fun and interesting. And since we had such great light, shooting on the balcony of our Scottsdale resort suite, I made the most of it and really played off the skirt.
 

Of course, Miss A. had plenty of other sexy lingerie to take her boudoir photos in… so enjoy the eye candy! And Miss A, enjoy your sneak peek!