Boudoir Basics - tips for getting the most out of your boudoir session

I shoot a lot of boudoir sessions - most of which you'll never see, out of respect for my client's privacy. To help these lovely ladies get the most from their shoots, I've created a tip sheet to help them prepare. Here are a few highlights!

PREPARE
- Take care of any hair removal prior to the shoot.
- Avoid the sun for a few days before the shoot (sun burn is not a flattering look for anyone!) If you want that sun kissed look, use a self tanner or get a spray tan.
- For great looking skin,do a full body exfoliation and follow up with a good moisturizer.
- Get a mani and pedi so your fingers and toes look extra pretty.
- Drink plenty of water, both on the day of the shoot and the day before.
- Leave yourself plenty of time to get to the shoot. If you’re running late and feeling stressed, it shows on your face!
- Have a light snack prior ot the shoot to avoid the crankies, but don't eat a big meal.
- Make sure all your clothing and props are clean and in good condition. Clothing should fit well and flatter your figure. Remove all the tags so they don’t show in the photos.
- Come with clean hair and a clean face to give the stylist a blank canvas. She’ll discuss your style with you and come up with a look that’s sexy and flattering.

BRING
- A comfy robe to wear during hair & make-up. This will also prevent unflattering marks on your skin from more fitted clothing.
- A great pair of heels (or a few!) Heels give you better posture, so bring at least one pair of basic black and, if you like, a few colorful pairs to go with some of our outfits. Boots are also a fun option!
- Your wardrobe choices (see the suggestions below).
- A good body moisturizer.
- Any photos you might want to emulate.
- Most importantly, your sassy self-confidence!

CLOTHING SUGGESTIONS
* His favorite team sweatshirt or jersey
* His favorite shirt (and necktie)
* An evening dress
* An off the shoulder top
* Fuzzy sweater
* Hats and gloves
* Stockings
* Anything sheer, transparent, or clingy
* Boy Shorts
* Colorful panties and bra
* short shorts
* Lingerie
* Anything that he gave you - guys love to see that you love their gifts!
* colorful bath towel (to wrap you in!)
* fitted tank tops or tiny t-shirts
* Leather anything
* Mini Skirt
* Scarves (as an outfit!)
* Boxer shorts
* Something funny or a special Halloween costume
* Flowers/flower petals
* Sun glasses
* Strands of beads or pearls
* jewelry to dress up your looks
* hats
* feather boas
* bubble bath if you want to do a tub shot

Be creative! Think about it from his perspective as you make your decisions. After all, this is a present for him, so imagine what he would prefer as you go through the closet.

Tullie for The Legacy Magazine

I love shooting new and different things so when The Legacy newsletter contacted me to photograph one of their alumni, I was happy to oblige! Tullie and her husband, Hector, are both residents at Winnie Palmer Hospital. When they finish their residency in June they're moving to Puerto Rico to join Hector's father's practice. We did some fun shots of Tullie with Hector and their dog Winston, then headed inside to snap of a few of her in one of the ultrasound rooms.

OpLove: The D Family

Another session from the "to blog" folder! The D family and I had a great time shooting at Wekiwa Springs State Park! The kids had a lot of energy (which kept me on my toes!) yet they were so well behaved! Aren't they a gorgeous family?

Ali and Todd's engagment photo session at Blue Jacket Park

I had a blast photographing Ali and Todd's engagement session in Baldwin Park. The weather couldn't have been more perfect and the couple couldn't have been more fun!

OpLove - the D family

I had entirely too much fun photographing the D family recently! Dad Jeremy is in the army and will be deploying next month, so when mom Rachel called me to schedule an OpLove session I was only too happy to oblige! If you're not familiar with OpLove, it's a great non-profit organization that provides free photo sessions to military families who have a member deploying.

Sweet light and so cute - one of my favorites!


Little Ms. M


Mr. M was a bundle of energy!




We did the session at the beautiful Blue Spring State Park. I'd never been there before and can't wait to go back in the winter and see the manatees!

Thanks so much for a fun session you guys and Jeremy, thanks so much for all that you do for our country!

Shannan and Matt are in lurve!

A happy couple who are very much in love (that's Shannan and Matt) + a beautiful setting (the Grand Floridian Resort) + (mostly) fantastic weather = a very happy photographer!

I had a blast shooting Shannan & Matt's engagement session this past weekend. We started at the Grand and wandered over to the Poly while shooting and swapping Disney stories. Here's a quick sneak peek from their session!

Matt posed an interesting question - can we somehow incorporate the cool skylights at the Grand? It took a little quick thinking on my part, but ask and ye shall receive!


Super cute!


It doesn't get much more Florida than this! Love this one!


And of course, a little Disney magic!

Thanks you two for a fun shoot!

PS - the Wave was delish! Enjoy it on Wednesday :)

Kim & Mike: Newlyweds

Kim and Mike are such a creative and fun couple, I couldn't wait to photograph their wedding. I love the vintage Florida theme (considering that Mike proposed on Anna Maria Island, I'd say it's pretty appropriate!) and the gorgeous colors they used to carry it throughout the day.





Beatiful flowers by Lee Forrest.


The Albin Polasek Museum & Sculpture Garden provided a stunning backdrop for their ceremony and their reception was at Casa Feliz.



The crew from Busy Brides Wedding Services did an amazing job keeping the day flowing smoothly!

Look how cute these two are!




Mmm.... cake! I couldn't walk near it - it smelled so amazing I just wanted to stick my finger in it! But I behaved, I promise!


Special thanks to my good friend, the talented Suzie Seagraves who second shot for me!

Dannielle & Tim got hitched!

Dannielle and Tim were such a joy to photograph today. Actually, now that I look at the clock, it was yesterday! So pardon any early morning typos! They were so excited to see their photos, I promised them a little sneak peek before the left for their honeymoon this morning.

They had their ceremony at the gorgeous Knowles Chapel at Rollins College, one of my favorite venues! The reception, which was unbelievably fun, was held at Arnold Palmers Bay Hill Club and Lodge. I'd never been there before, but wow is it beautiful!

Dannielle was such a beautiful bride in her Reem Acra gown. Man that thing was heavy!


Tim, looking all GQ!


Courtney, the gorgeous flower girl! Her brother, Jonathan, was the ring bearer. I have to grab a shot of him to add here, he was equally adorable!






They totally belong in a magazine!






Enjoy your cruise you two!

Adrienne, Jonah, & Buckley

I had a blast photographing Adrienne, Jonah, and (of course) Buckley in downtown Winter Park!



Buckley was such a cutie - he carried his bear with him everywhere!






Thanks you guys for a fun session! Give Buckley a rub for me!

Erin and Rick

I had so much fun photographing Erin and Rick this past weekend Adding pets to the mix always makes things interesting but these two were so well behaved they made it super easy!









How can you not love this face?

Olympic dreams

Yesterday was an unusual and fun day for me! I had the pleasure of photographing the lovely Katura Perinchief for the Bermudian Magazine. Katura, who hails from Bermuda, is a 3m springboard diver training here in Orlando for the upcoming summer Olympics. We shot at the YMCA on International Drive where she trains and unfortunately I can't show you images just yet, but as soon as I get the ok from the magazine to post them, I will.

In other news, I've been busy wrapping up all sorts of loose ends and getting ready to head off to NY and then Thailand. If you're waiting on proofs or have ordered prints, you'll have those before I go on Friday.

Now if only I can get rid of this cold before I go! Honestly, who gets sick before they travel? Aren't you supposed to get sick after?

Christy & Steve

I don't know that I've ever seen it rain quite so hard. But Christy, Steve, and their friends and family took it all in stride and their outdoor wedding turned out fantastic! I shot their wedding yesterday with my good friend Suzie Seagraves.





Christy's mom - who could totally pass for her sister!




I thought it was a beautiful ceremony. The kids, well, they had other ideas apparently!



Steve arranged a surprise butterfly release for Christy at the end of the ceremony






The venue, Paradise Cove at Lake Buena Vista, was a really cool!





Mmmm...cake