Outdoor Boudoir in Dallas, Texas

For the last week or so it has been raining nonstop in Dallas. As I listen to the soft beating of raining hitting the hard concrete of my patio I can't help but appreciate everything that has happened to me over the summer.

It has been an incredibly busy summer! I have been blessed to be booked and busy (can you tell I watch too much Love and Hip Hop Hollywood while editing?). I have met soooooo many ah-mazing ladies this summer and I feel so happy!

What has made this year so much more amazing is that fact that I have had a TON of repeat customer book again!

While I love and cherish all my clients I have to say that one of my favorite people to shoot is actually my best friend Ms. S. If you have been following this blog for a while then you know that I shot Ms. S last year. You can check out those incredible images HERE.

I LOVE shooting women for a second go. The main reason is that they are so much more confident because they know what to expect. Yes, there are still some nerves involved with shooting no matter how many times you get in front of the camera... but at least this time it's not completely foreign and warming up takes no time at all.

Another reason why doing a repeat session is great for you and the photographer is now you can let loose even more and bring more raw passion and emotion to your photos.

Listen, this session is all about you and it's for you. Go all the way the fuck out and enjoy yourself, your life, and the progress that you have made. This is what Ms. S did for your second session together... but I will let her tell you her story.

This was your second time shooting with Wonderland Boudoir. How did you feel going through your second session with us?

I felt much more comfortable this tune I around. I was able to get into the zone much easier, and I felt like I was able to take direction more easily because I was familiar with Korin’s instructions.

What did you learn from the last session that helped you with this one?

I remembered from last time that breathing was important!! Also, knowing how I had posed before, and what those shots looked like, helped me make adjustments without needing Korin to tell me how to do it. Also, I felt more comfortable being spontaneous and going with the movement.

What was your favorite part about getting ready for your second session?

Planning out the location and discussing the fun runway-style makeup.

You did an amazing job doing your makeup. What products did you use? What was your inspiration for your look?

I used the Natasha Denona Lila palette for my eyes, and Tarte’s Lights Camera Flashes for my mascara. I really wanted a high-fashion, runway style look; something that you wouldn’t normally wear, but that was still pretty.

The first time we shot together we were inside. How was shooting outside for you? Would you suggest that for other women wanting a boudoir session?

I’m glad we shot outside for the second shoot. I think if I had been outside the first time, I would’ve been too self-conscious. But knowing how I would look, and feeling more comfortable, I loved shooting outside!! It was very freeing! I would definitely suggest it to others.

What is something that you learned about yourself after your second session?

Since this was my second shoot, I wasn’t *as* shocked by how I looked in the pics. But I was able to appreciate even more this time my natural attractiveness and the way my personality came out.

What are some suggestions that you would give other women considering a boudoir session for first or second time?

Above all else, trust your photographer!!! That was something that I realized/learned - of course, as the model, you want your photos to look good. Your photographer wants them to look good too!!! Your photographer is not going to let you look bad!!

For you third session what would your ultimate goal be?

To push the boundaries even further. Crazier makeup, more provocative poses, more public locations.

Please add any final thoughts you might have.

You’re awesome and amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

For the sake of transparency, I gave her $20 for that last statement. LOL. No... I didn't... kinda...

Not going to lie, I had a BLAST shooting Ms. S a second time. I can't wait until we shoot again for the third time. I'm hoping I can get her in a jungle of some sort... perhaps a hot air balloon. What is something crazy you think I can talk her into?

Leave your ideas in the comment section below.

If you like to shoot with me at Wonderland Boudoir in Dallas please use the contact section below! I would LOVE to speak to you!

Surviving Abuse and Loving Life | Dallas Boudoir

Back in December I held a model call.  I host model calls because I shoot a lot of boudoir but not a lot of women want to show off their beautiful work.  Don't get me wrong.  I get it.  Many women want to keep their intimate sessions private and I totally respect that. While I get super bummed about that I do inherently understand.  

Therefore, I decided to host my VERY FIRST model call in Dallas.  Boy was it a freakin' success!  I actually only did it on Facebook and I got a number of cool inquiries coming in.  Since I only had a limited number of women that could participate in the model call it was hard making a final selection.  However, I was able to pick a few ladies for this project and I couldn't have been happier.

One of those ladies was Shalena.  Since then I have fallen head over heels for this beautiful soul.  Shalena was picked for this model call because her reasoning really touched me. In her email for consideration she wrote: 

"My reason is because behind every smile there is a deeper story to be told. And I am one of many survivors of mental, and sexual abuse. I've come a long way in my life. People always tell me that I have an amazing smile. But if I had a chance to tell my story, to encourage other girls/women like me, I would. It would be a privilege to be chosen. And to finally have supporters instead of users and abusers who take advantage of my beauty from within."

I have never been mentally abused but I have known people who have and I can tell you that it's very hard.  Even when said abuse stops, it's never really over for that person because they still have to live with the effects of that daily. 

Shalena is a strong woman with a beautiful personality.  She has a smile that can light up a room.  She is fun, friendly, and carries a sense of happiness that is totally infectious.  I couldn't be more happy to have shoot Shalena. 

Another thing that made Shalena stand out was her short hair.  Won't lie.  I have been LIVING to shot a woman with the same haircut and face shape as Shelana.  Short haircuts are so awesome and bold and not many women outside of Amber Rose have the balls to just rock a short cut.  Shalena knocked it out of the damn park! Lets just call Shalena's session a home run!

For the Model Call sessions I wanted to shoot it somewhere very cool so we opted for this awesome Airbnb that randomly populated days before our attended session.  The guy who owned the Airbnb was so incredibly gracious. He also turned out to be a furniture designer so the space looked extra cool.  

I love when I become closer with my clients.  They mean the absolute world to me.  Getting to know people on a deeper level for why they want to do a boudoir session has allowed me to dive deeper inside of myself to deliver the products they need.  

Didn't she rock the hell outta her session?! I hope you guys enjoyed Shalena's session as much as I did!  Just in case you're wondering Jazzy did the makeup!

In the comment section below who are some other celebrities that can rock the bald cut?

A Major Surprise at a Boudoir Session | Dallas Boudoir

When of my favorite things about boudoir are the shocking revelations that come from my clients.  Case in point with Ms. A.  She told me she was actually four months pregnant!

Say what?!  I did not know that when booking a session with her.  In fact, I think she was just now finding out.  LOL. So keep this fact in mind when you see the photos of our four months pregnant client doing a boudoir session.  

You would never know this because posing we leveraged posing to her advantage to keep the appearance of the belly down.  I LOVE posing women to get the desired angles needed.  Learning to pose women is important for two reasons. It leans your subject out and allows you to shoot more evocatively.  I mean let's be honest, what sells a photo is the story that it wants to tell.  Storytelling is successful when the viewer can sense and feel the emotion from the still pictures.  Photos can be done to make us feel any array of emotions.  I look to make my photos powerful.  

I feel as though there is a lot of power in allowing ourselves to be evocative and emotional and that's what I was doing with Ms. A in her session.  

This is another session that was styled by me and makeup was done by Jazzy Baptiste. 

In the comment section below let me know what you think the most important elements of a photo is.

Blonde and Boudoir | Dallas Boudoir

I love being a boudoir photographer in Dallas, Texas.  I meet so many incredible women.  Some whom I have shot three of four times already.    It's great to earn the trust and love of your clients.

Speaking of I am shooting one of my favorite faces, here we have  Ms. M again!  This has to be about my third or fourth time shooting Ms. M and trust me it never gets boring.  

Ms. M gave me the liberty to style her boudoir session.  Down to clothing, hair, and makeup.  I love these types of challenges because it shows me the client REALLY believes in my ability, and it also gives me the chance to be more experimental.  This is why I love my clients, they really allow me to stretch my imaginations.

If you can believe it or not, we actually shot this whole series in my apartment.  The first look took place on my balcony.  We had Candy from StylesByCandy come in and handle hair.  Jazzy was covering makeup.  I actually styled both looks. 

For hair I wanted to go for something full body and free. I love messier hairstyles in boudoir sessions.  It makes it much easier when shooting because I am not constantly concerned about the hair being perfect.  Messy hair gives me the liberty to push the session to the limit.  

Jazzy went with a very classic makeup look but still gave it his signature style be giving her the perfect heart lips.  The lips match perfectly with the aesthetic and style.  

The clothing pieces actually came from a closing American Apparel store.  If you guys didn't know, American Apparel is, at the time of this post, in the process of closing all of its locations.  This entire outfit cost me less than $5.  Yes, I bought all the pieces for 90% off.  I am willing to bet that anything with the American Apparel tag will be considered vintage and worth a lot of money in the future.  So hanging on to your American Apparel pieces may come in handy in the future... just not the near future.  

In this second look, we stuck to American Apparel high waisted bottom but then opted for this beautiful top purchased from Forever 21. Again, this purchase was from another clothing store.  I picked the top for $3... again, another boudoir outfit that cost less than $5.  

This goes to show that it's not about the price of the pieces but how you rock them.  

In the comment section below please let me know which look that you liked best.

Boudoir on a 70 Degree Day, Texas Winter | Dallas Boudoir

In order for me to be a better Dallas Boudoir photographer, I have to either be constantly shooting or consistently studying the craft.  As a person, I have a huge issue when it comes to just being still.  I feel like being "still" brings complacency, and if you guys are long time followers of this blog you know complacency is something that I am not about.  

After December business slowed down a tad bit. This free time allowed me to really put effort into putting together a whole boudoir session styled for myself.  It allowed me to focus on things that I need to work on.  This includes how I work with people, styling, hair, and makeup.  Downtime normally gives me the opportunity to be experimental in what I do. 

That's precisely what we did when meeting up with Aroy.  Aroy and I have been trying to work together for awhile.  Even before she officially moved to Dallas we were trying to work on something.  Finally, January arrived and I had free time. 

I am a proponent of whatever you're doing on the first of January is going to line up how your year is going to go.  Therefore I love spending my January 01st working, grinding, and networking  

I feel like each person I work with is my favorite person in the world, and Aroy was no exception.   She was just so easy to talk to, very open, and incredibly intelligent. She was just the meaning of life.  

For 2017, I am trying to get better at styling my sessions.  I hate limiting myself to typical lingerie pieces in order to create a beautifully styled session.  

I am a lover of sequin.  I have no idea why but I have always loved sequin since I was a young child.  LOL.  I know a lot of people don't like sequin because if you're not careful it can look very comical.  

Since this is Texas it means that our January first was 70 degrees.  (I do not envy people in the north).  I also wanted to experiment with video as well.  By no stretch of the imagination am I a videographer, however, I do want to start making video a real thing in my work. So working with Aroy really helped with that.  

Aroy is close to 6 feet tall and VERY lean so I wanted to take on the challenge of styling her. I have a lot of clients who are worried about what to wear for a boudoir session if they are super tall. So I decided to place Aroy in this beautiful one piece lace number.  I want to say this piece was from American Apparel.  We kept is super simple with bone straight hair and simplistic posing.  

In the second look, we went a little more experimental.  You guys already know my love and appreciation for high waisted bottoms so I paired this piece with a sequin bandeau and a sequin jacket.  The sequin bandeau was purchased from Forever 21.  The jacket was a vintage thrift find from Austin.  I picked up it for right around $10.  I mean how can you say no to vintage 80's sequin jacket?  

I loved how this jacket caught the light of the sun and would just bling for the Gods.  We ended up removing the jacket and focusing on posing and facial expression by using the strength of her body to create some Vogue worthy images.  

These photos really make me want to work with fashion more and work with better quality pieces.  I plan on networking more with lingerie brands to make this happen.

In the comment section below let me know what you think of the video.  I am open to critique as I am learning more about the art of video. 

8 Pieces that Double as Boudoir Outfits | Dallas Boudoir

Typically, when women book a boudoir session the very next question is, "What do I wear?!".  Many women tend to run to Victoria's secrets to pick up some pieces.  Today I wanted to touch on some clothing items that are not traditional lingerie that will  enhance your photos making them more sexy and stylish.

1.) Kimonos

If all the clothing articles mention kimonos are my FAVORITE thing that women can bring to a boudoir session.   Kimonos add feminity and a sense of mystery to them.  They conceal the sexy while simultaneously allowing the mind to run wild about the how this fabric is able to just drape off that body.  Of all the pieces listed I feel as though kimonos are the most versatile.  

2.) Swimsuits

Swimsuits aren't just made for the beach.  They are actually one of my favorite pieces to use for a boudoir session. I like swimsuits more than standard lingerie because they tend to come in different colors, cuts, and styles, proving to be more versatile than traditional lingerie.  Swimsuits also tend to look better on the body because they are designed to fit tight and slim.

 
3.) Scarves

Yes, Alexis put me on to this last summer!  Scarves are EVERYTHING and are great pieces for boudoir.  You can wrangle a scare to be used as a top or manipulate it to act as a bottom.  Scarves are wonderful because of, not only the color but they tend to add more texture and depth to the photos. This allows the photos to look more interesting.

4.) Team Jerseys

I LOVE when women bring in their dude's favorite team jersey to wear to a boudoir session.  It really allows the photos to be customized for him.  It also lets him know that you were thinking about him when you booked your session.  Team Jerseys tend to add a lot of fun and smiles during the session.  My favorite jerseys are the baseball ones because they tend to be open button fronts.  With the perfect bra underneath it can really solidify the sexiness factor.

5.) Bathrobes

Bathrobes can really be linked with kimonos but I still wanted to place them on the list.  Especially if you are going to be doing a boudoir session in the tub.  I know a lot of women love to do the milk bath series so I think some beginning... or ending photos should also include a robe.  

6.) Screen T's
 

I'm a bit of a tomboy at heart and I will always and forever LOVE a good screen tee instead of a tight dress.  Many men respond to a simple and sexy screen tee photo.  To be honest, I tend to get hit on more when I'm rocking a basic screen tee and sneakers.  Screen tees add a since of fun and depending on what's printed on the shirt it will highlight your personality.   This will help individualize the boudoir photos.

7.) Bed Sheets
 

Lets just be honest here... the ONLY thing you really need to have ah-mazing boudoir sessions is your smile.  I know that was corny but that doesn't make it less true. Bed sheets are a super cool element and done correctly super sexy as well.  Bed Sheets and a smile, what else do you really need?

8.) Bodysuits

I know I said kimonos are my favorite non-lingerie pieces but bodysuits are a SUPER close second.  They are an underutilized piece of lingerie in boudoir photography.  Bodysuits slim the tummy and fit tight on the body highlighting your beautiful assets.  The beauty of bodysuits is that there are so many to pick from.  Therefore, you should be able to find a piece that fits your style.

Just wearing lingerie can be a bit boring so in order to jazz it up add some nontraditional clothing pieces that will work just as well as lingerie.  Doing this will has more fun, style, and allure to your boudoir session.

Of the eight items listed above what is your favorite piece to wear for a boudoir session?  Let use know in the comment section what you would wear in your dream session.

CONTACT US!

If would like to book a boudoir session with us please fill out the form below or go to our contact page and give us a call.  We typically return calls and emails within 24 hours!

7 Questions to ask your Boudoir Photographer | Dallas Boudoir Photography

Picking a boudoir photographer can be a hard task.  When you come across a photographer you want to work with you should have a number of question in line that they should answer for you in the degree you aligned to.  

Today I have a lost of 7 of the most important questions you should ask your boudoir photographer.

1.) Do you have a Boudoir Session Prep Guide?

Most boudoir photographers will have a boudoir prep guide they provide to all their clients.  A boudoir prep guide is designed to help you, physically and mentally prepare for your boudoir session.  For example, in my boudoir guide (which you cand find here), I instruct clients on HOW to plan their session, what they should do about hair and makeup, and what to wear. 

2.) What do I Wear?

I know this questions and all answers to this question can be a tad bit subjective.  This is because not all boudoir locations are the same. With that, not all boudoir photographers are the same as well. What you wear will have a lot to do with the set up the boudoir photographers has and the photographer's personal style.  If your photographer shoots light and bright, pastel colors and lighter colors would be perfect.  If you are doing an outdoor maternity boudoir session then flowy pieces would add to the ambiance of the setting and location.  If the photographer shoots darker than jewel toned to black pieces would be perfect.  I would tend steer way from lacy items and stick to more structured tops and bottoms if I'm shooting inside. 

The key to effective photos is to make sure your outfit matches the tone of the environment.  

3.) Do you Provide Hair and Makeup?

Believe it or not many boudoir photographers do have a hair and makeup artist on staff. Therefore, you should find out up front if  hair and makeup are included in your session.  Picking a boudoir photographer who does not offer this service may be a tad bit more stressful because that's another place (or two) that you have to go to BEFORE you boudoir session even begins.  It would be in my honest opinion that you pick a photographer who does have a hair and makeup on staff.  The less you have to run around before the session the more calm you will be.

4.) Can you Breakdown the Whole Process for Me? Start to finish.

Your photographer should be able to let you know what to expect from the day.  It's really okay to ask for a detailed explanation for what happens once you walk through the door.  This is your time to understand the breakdown and ask any questions that have been lingering in your mind.  Don't be shy here.

5.) How Long does it Take to get My Photos Back?

Of course, this is the question all women want to know.  We want to see the final product and we want to see it now.  Be sure you get this question answered up front.  For example, if you're doing a boudoir session as a wedding present you need to make sure you give you the photographer enough time to get make sure you get everything back in time for your vows.  If you are doing this for a wedding gift make sure you do it at least 3 months before hand.  Why?  I can only speak for myself, but I have a couple of books that are handmade in Italy that take 2 full months to put together before being sent back out to the states.  these books take so long because they are handcrafted.  You also have to give your photographer enough time to cull and retouch all the photos.  

This amount of times really depends on how many photos they need to pull for your set.  The more photos you have the longer this process takes.  

Be sure to let your boudoir photographer know your timeline to ensure that you all know exactly what to expect.

6.) Will you show my photos to anyone? Or will they be published on your site?

Again, this differs from photographer to photographer.  Make sure you get a verbal answer to this and make sure that this is also covered in your contract.  If you don't have this covered in you the contract then the photographer has every single right to publish your photos wherever they want as they are the ones that own the copyright to the photo. 

7.) How Long do you Keep the Photos?

Again, this is something that differs from photographer to photographer.  For each photographer the length of how long they keep the photos goes by on a case by case basis. Some photographers keep photos for up to two years.  Other photographers delete the photos as soon as the order has been pulled.  In boudoir, I know many of photographers delete photos fairly quickly.  Therefore if you are want to get additional photos then make sure you do that within the photographer's guidelines.

Well, I hope this post helped you decide on what you should ask your boudoir photographer.  You will be spending a good amount of money on your session to being educated on the process is really important.  In the comment section below let me know which question is most important to you and why.

CONTACT UP!

If would like to book a boudoir session with us please fill out the form below or go to our contact page and give us a call.  We typically return calls and emails within 24 hours!