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
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
I was so honored when this beautiful bride asked me to take her bridal portraits recently at Scotttsdale Center for the Arts. She’s not getting married here, but in her native South Africa. But she had seen my work and wanted me to take her bridal pictures for her, since I can’t be at her wedding…
We first did the getting-ready shots with hair and makeup, and then headed over to downtown Scottsdale for the bridal wedding photography. What a beautiful location to shoot in. I’m so lucky it’s so close to my Scottsdale home! It has a wonderful mixture of industrial architecture and surfaces, along with an incredibly beautiful park setting, with plenty of trees, grass and flowers… it really makes for an ideal shoot for any wedding photography session… engagement sessions, bridal sessions, first looks, you name it…
And of course it didn’t hurt that the bride was drop dead gorgeous, and we had a fabulous hair stylist and a makeup artist to make her even more gorgeous…
If you have an Arizona wedding coming up, or even if you have one elsewhere but would like to take some engagement photos, bridal portraits or portraits of the bride and groom together, please contact me for available dates.
Choosing the right items to accessorize your wedding dress, along with a great wedding photographer, will result in a creative, modern and ultra chic wedding album that will stand the test of time, and sure to be treasured by generations to come. Without great accessories, and a top-notch Phoenix Arizona wedding photographer who knows how to capture them in all their beauty, your run the risk of your wedding day photos and especially the album itself being dull and boring and lacking the pizzazz that you crave.
You might consider choosing colorful, personalized garters, or bouquet accessories, intended to give your Arizona wedding photos a little extra, unexpected pop. In addition, a popular and smart addition to your accessory bag are cute, personalized flip-flops for the bride and groom to wear during the reception. Any bride or bridesmaid knows how, after hours of standing or dancing during the reception, even the best of shoes will have your feet screaming for a little comfort. You could even present your attendants with personalized flip-flops, so everyone matches.
Other trendy accessories are cute, sparkly little purses to tuck away those must-have items like lip gloss, car keys, tissue, and even the groom’s wedding band.
A nice gift for your brides maids are coordinating necklaces, earrings or bracelets. The bride can wear one that’s a little larger with more sparkles, and the attendants can all wear them for the ceremony and reception. You can also pack it to take along on the honeymoon. Make sure to have your wedding photographer get creative photos of the brides maids gifts or gift bags before you hand them out, for your wedding album.
Don’t forget about hair accessories when selecting jewelry to accessorize your wedding dress. There are some beautiful clips or pins that can be used as accessories with or without a wedding veil. Depending on the style of your dress, you may choose a beautiful feather design to accentuate your hairstyle. Your hair accessory will be one item that will be seen in every photograph, so choose one that complements your dress, as well as your face.
A time capsule is also a great idea to commemorate your special day. The wedding party, as well as parents and grandparents, can include accessories, notes, photographs, or other cherished items. You could plan to open it on a wedding anniversary. You will laugh, cry, and have a great time looking through the items that helped make some great memories.
In addition to the trendy accessories, you may want to include a few traditional ones. Beautiful engraved handkerchiefs always become keepsakes. Don’t forget the parents of the special couple when it comes to hankies. Engrave beautiful white handkerchiefs either with initials or special messages. Dad can accessorize his wedding attire with the handkerchief, while Mom will be ready to use it when the I-do’s are exchanged.
Whether you leave your Phoenix wedding reception wearing your wedding attire or another ensemble, remember to also accessorize for your exit. You may be leaving for your honeymoon directly from the wedding reception, so you will want to dress accordingly.
So, when planning all the details for your wedding day, make sure to consider your accessories, how they reflect your personality, and how they will affect your wedding photography. Great accessories can make a good wedding album into a amazing one, as long as you have the right wedding photographer to capture all those personal details.
If you have decided to hire Margie Mobley Photography to photograph your Arizona wedding, we will go over everything in detail to make sure we don’t miss a thing on your special day. We will shoot amazing and creative detail shots of everything from your sparkly tiara, right down to your amazing shoes… and everything in between… so you can truly remember everything about your wedding day.
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.
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As a photographer, bridal sessions are a favorite part of my job. Weddings are always fun, but bridal sessions are even more so. They come with the same fun parts but with a less stressed, more relaxed atmosphere and all the time we need to take those gorgeous, glamorous shots.
Even apart from my business, I encourage brides to have a bridal session just so they can have lovely portraits as a way to remember their perfect wedding dress and the way it felt to wear it. Not only do they have these treasured keepsakes, but they come without having to deal with the rush and nerves that is inherent in every wedding day.
But before we get into all that, let’s start with a question many of you may have. What Exactly Is a Bridal Session?
A bridal session is photography session usually done several weeks before the wedding. The bride dresses just as she will on her wedding day, from the fully fitted dress down to all the important details like the hair, makeup, jewelry and shoes.
Your Bridal Portraits can be shot in any Valley location, from local parks, country clubs, historical buildings and parks, outdoor public spaces or shopping areas to unique places, like abandoned buildings or on a local hiking trail, to places that have a special meaning to the couple, like where you met, where you had your first date, or the place the groom proposed. Some of my favorite locations are the Scottsdale Center for the Arts, the Mesa Art Center, Mill Avenue, downtown locales such as near Symphony Hall and the Science Museum, Kierland, DC Ranch Marketplace, Old-town Scottsdale, even Scottsdale’s Railroad Park, you name it. It just should be some place convenient to where you’ll be getting ready, and someplace with a lot of variety and beautiful places to shoot.
The best time to schedule them is in the late afternoon or evening, if possible, since that is typically when the light is at it’s most beautiful… but as long as there’s plenty of open shade and interesting textures, we can work within your schedule.
A “Couples” Bridal Shoot: A unique twist on an old tradition.
More and more often, some couples are opting to include the groom in on the “Bridal” photos. This type of photo session is similar to an engagement session, but the bride and groom would be in their wedding day attire, rather than more casual clothing typically worn to engagement sessions. It’s a way to do your “first look” photo session completely separate from the harried pace of your wedding day, in a relaxed and casual environment… just focusing on the two of you as a couple. It’s a great way to get as many creative and artistic photos you want, that you possibly wouldn’t be able to capture on your wedding day due to time constraints and tight wedding-day schedules.
How will the images from your bridal shoot be used?
On the day of the wedding a large photo from the session is often chosen to be on display at the reception, generally placed near the cake, the guest book table, or the bar. When the day is over, it is traditionally presented to the mother of the bride. If you have several family members you’d like to gift photos to, have enlargements made of several and use them throughout your reception venue, then gift them to loved ones after the event.
Photos from the Bridal Session (or alternatively from the Engagement Session) can also go into creating your guest book for your guests to sign at the wedding.
Bridal session photos blend perfectly with your wedding day photos in your wedding album, particularly if you opt for a “Couple’s Bridal Session”.
Traditionally a Southern custom, bridal sessions are becoming more popular across the country, for pretty clear reasons.
My Three Favorite Practical Reasons to Have a Bridal Session Before Your Wedding
1. Relieve Stress on Your Wedding Day
A wedding is such a wonderful, beautiful thing, it is a shame that it comes with so much worry and stress. Hours of thought, talking and, many times, tears are put into planning a wedding. It is very important that the whole process is an enjoyable and happy experience for the newlyweds. Every little thing that can be done to relieve the stress that automatically builds up is a huge blessing, especially on the day of the wedding.
Bridal sessions cut down on the time needed for photographs on your wedding day. Shots of the couple and group pictures can be the main focus, and everyone can get back to the visiting and partying a little sooner.
Not only that, but they make the photographer’s job simpler, giving more time to capture really perfect photos of the wedding party and the venue. They don’t have to worry about being sure to get the detail shots of the gown, because it has already been taken care of. Bridal sessions allow the bride to save a little more time and a lot of peace of mind on the special day.
2. Have a More Relaxed Time During the Photo Shoot
On the day of her wedding, a bride is full to overflowing with hundreds of intense emotions. On top of the love, joy, excitement, nerves and adrenaline, most women will probably feel a tiny bit, if not quite a deal, of pressure to get back to her guests and keep on top of the days schedule.
If you are feeling rushed, tired or preoccupied when your wedding photos are being shot, those emotions and pressures may show through in your pictures. A bridal session relieves the intensity of wedding day photographs.
3. Do a Trial Run of Your Whole Wedding Look
Most brides try out their makeup and hair ahead of time. Why not test the whole outfit?
Until a bride tries it, she never knows how it is going to feel to wear the gorgeous gown and those killer heels for a few hours. There are always little things that she didn’t expect, like the veil’s propensity for slipping to the side, the way the earrings get tangled in her updo, even the comfort and fit of her undergarments.
Most brides decide to change a couple of details after their bridal session. Do the makeup a little differently, wear some other shoes or bring second pair to wear to the reception, leave the bracelets behind. The bridal session gives her an opportunity to try out the look without the bothersome details that would otherwise have to be dealt with at the wedding. The bride won’t be annoyed by small things, but be able to enjoy her day to the fullest, thanks to the bridal session.
TIPS FOR GETTING THE MOST OUT OF YOUR BRIDAL SESSION
1. Schedule A Bridal Session Well in Advance
As soon as possible, contact your photographer and set up a date for your bridal shoot. For one thing, you want to be sure that there will be an opening for you between the final fitting of the wedding gown and the day of the wedding. Give yourself plenty of room before the wedding, so that in case of bad weather or another emergency, you’ll be able to reschedule and still have time for the bridal session photos to be edited, printed and framed or mounted.
2. Try to Duplicate Your “Look” for the Wedding Day
Be sure to do everything in the exact way you plan for it to be on the wedding day. Since one aspect of a bridal session is that it is sort of a trial run, you need to know that when it comes to your dress, hair and makeup, the way things are turning out now are how they’ll turn out at the wedding.
Unless you plan to do your own hair and makeup for the ceremony, don’t do them yourself for your bridal session. Now is the time to do a run-through with your hairdresser and makeup artist. Not only do you need to know how it will work on your wedding day, you want to look your best for the bridal session, since these photos will be treasured for decades along with your wedding portraits.
3. Bring a Friend Along
If they’re available, have your maid of honor come with you. If not another bridesmaid or a good friend will do. She can help you get in and out of your gown, adjust your train, help hold up your dress while walking around to protect it from getting dirty, fix a stray hair, carry your bag, help you relax and make you laugh, as well as give you someone to travel with. The photographer has a job, and so do you, so she can really help you to relax and enjoy the moment.
4. Bring Along Something to Eat and Drink
You may not think you’ll need it, but be sure to bring lots of water and healthy snacks for you to keep your energy up while you are modeling and posing.
5. Sadly, It May Not a Good Idea to Bring Your Mom
It may seem like a very important occasion that you wish to share with your mother, but having her there will bring you a lot of stress. Your mom may be different, but in most cases, mothers tend to be too concerned about everything and end up making the bridal shoot more tense and confused than it should be.
One of the facts you are going to have to face is that your dress is going to get a little dirty. Nothing drastic, and we’ll do everything we can to carry it off the gown when walking around, but small dirt smudges on the hem, an occasional streak of dust here or there on the skirt, maybe an accidental makeup stain from touching your face…
The fact is that moms have a really hard time handling this, LOL. You’ll have a much more relaxed bridal session if you decide to do something else special with your mom at a different time, and you get the added bonus of being able to surprise her with the photos. This isn’t saying she can’t come if it is truly important to you, but it isn’t a good idea in general.
6. Be Very Communicative About What You Want
Photographers can’t read minds, as nice as that would be. You probably have ideas about a few certain things that you want in your bridal session. Maybe it’s something like wanting a closeup of your grandma’s broach that you’ll be wearing on your bodice, or to have your dog in some of the shots, or a particular shot you’ve seen in a bridal magazine that you want to try and recreate. Whatever you have in mind, be sure to share it with the photographer. Make sure you are on the same page so that you are happy with the session.
If you are uncomfortable in any way, or suddenly get a great idea midway through the shoot, speak up. If you think your veil should be adjusted or you should change position a little, do it. Your intuition is probably right and if you fix it, you’ll be happier with the results.
My Final Thoughts On Bridal Sessions
It’s my strong belief that every bride deserves a bridal session. There are countless ways that it makes each wedding better, from less stress to a trial run of the full bridal gown. Not only for the practical reasons, but a bridal session is a blessing to brides by the simple, downright fun it is for the bride to be a model, the center of attention for the whole photo shoot, to be pampered and honored in preparation for her big day.
The photographs from your bridal session will be unique, precious treasures, beautiful ways to remember for the rest of your life the way you felt during this exciting time.
🙂
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!
Here’s another va-va-vooooooommmmmm Phoenix arizona bride. Ms. C definitely brought her “A” game, and her super-fit bod to her boudoir photo session in phoenix recently. Just look at those super-toned legs, abs and arms… TO-DIE-FOR, that’s for sure.
And when shooting her Phoenix boudoir session, she was just so much fun! You’d never in a million years guess that this lovely Mama has teenage children at home!!!
I just love doing boudoir photography shoots where women can get a little extra special punch of self confidence from seeing themselves as the gorgeous women they really are!
Thanks again Ms. C. You were a definite pleasure to work with.
Enjoy your sneak peek.
🙂
My incredibly talented and amazingly gorgeous cousin Julie married the man of her dreams, Jared (who happens to be just as amazing as she is, BTW!) in a beautiful and emotional phoenix wedding ceremony recently.
I was privileged to be able to do some candid Arizona wedding photography shots of the ceremony for the happy couple.
I couldn’t be happier for them, and trust me, there isn’t a nicer, more perfect-for-each-other couple I know. They’re each such great people, and being together just makes each one even better. It truly is a match made in heaven.
Best wishes for the future, Julie and Jared. You deserve all the happiness this world has to offer you.
I’m soooooo happy for both of you.
Oh, and my girls say “thanks for the dancin’!!! They had the “BEST DAY EVER”!!! And Julie, just be prepared, they are now CONVINCED you’re a real princess.
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Thanks again for letting me be your Scottsdale Wedding Photographer. I had such a great time!!!