Absolute Corsets special New Year’s offer

I was talking earlier to a client about her up coming session in our photography studio in Seattle and she was asking some questions on what to wear.  She was looking at some of the previews of Ms A in her corset and was asking if I knew where to buy corsets for her shoot.One of the supplies that I have used in the past is www.AbsoluteCorsets.com as they have a large selection of  both overbust and underbust corsets to choose from in a variety of  materials.

With today’s fashions trends the corset isn’t typically in every woman’s closet but for someone considering doing a boudoir session they make an excellent option if you you want to create some photographs that have a timeless erotic look.  With their figure enhancing bodice there are lots of styles and materials that offer front or back lace-ups, some of which have straps while others don’t for you to choose from.

If you wanted to checkout Absolute Corsets collection I noticed that they have both a $30 off offer right now along with free shipping which isn’t bad if you find that they have something you are interested in.  Not sure how long the offer runs for I’m afraid.

Using the Lensbaby to create an interesting and seductive look

I’m not a photographer that spends a lot of time talking about the gear that I use with my clients as I firmly believe your photographic equipment is only one  very small component to creating a beautiful and impactful photograph.   That said when I bring out my Lensbaby lens most clients ask me about it because not only does it look different but how I use it is very unique.

So what is a lensbaby,  simply put the Lensbaby is a selective focus lens.  Basically it allows you to isolate certain parts of your subject while the rest of the photograph is blurred.  What is different from other lens is how you use it.  There is no auto focus or zoom functions that most modern lens have, you manually focus the subject by gripping the lens and twisting left-right-up-down to find your focusing point.  I know that it sounds weird and when my clients are watching me use it they often wonder what I’m doing, but the outside of the lens is made of a rubbery type plastic that allows you to twist it in multiple directions. You can see what the lens looks like on the right here.

Using it is far from a science, and the results are somewhat unpredictable depending on how you are twisting and holding the lens, but in many ways its one of the most creative lens that I have.   The selective nature of the lens allows me to create some very provocative and interesting photographs.  Here are a few where I’m just focusing on the subjects eyes and face with the rest of the upper body a complete blur.

Sepia Boudoir photography previews

Here we have a couple of previews of Ms A.  They were taken in our photography studio in Seattle and there is something that I love about the tones in these.   One of the outfits that Ms A brought along was a vintage corset that was very simple and classic.  As she was digging through her accessories she was complaining that her tights had holes in them and was about to throw them away until I suggested that she try them on.   With the wonderful boots and corset I thought that it might help us create some photographs that had a more moody look about them and to keep with that theme I toned them with a sepia look to enhance the look.  Here are two that I finished off for you to see. 

Some boudoir photography previews for Ms L

I’m doing some catch-up as we finish up the new web site.  Here are some quick previews of Ms L that focus on her lovely back and long hair.   A simple classic couple of photographs, yet beautiful and very sensual in there own way.  Earlier in the session she wore a very sexy outfit, I will try and post those previews soon as well.

Announcing our holiday special

We are pleased to announce that our holiday boudoir photography special is now available.   This holiday special is available for one day only, Sunday, December 14th, so booking immediately is recommended. The cost of $195 includes hair, makeup, your photo session and of course, champagne and snacks. You can feel free to bring a friend with you as well, if that will help you feel most comfortable.

Jennifer will begin the session with your image consultation and then completion of hair and makeup appropriate for your desired look, whether it be sweet and innocent, or sexy and sultry. Jennifer specializes in enhancing natural beauty, using both creative modern and classic vintage styling techniques. Then, Phil, and his team of female assistants, will take over to create beautiful, artistic and unique photographs for you. Don’t worry, it’s natural to be a little nervous in front of the camera, and how much you show is completely up to you. We are here to help you celebrate your body, but our top priority is for you to feel comfortable throughout the creative process.   After the session, we will schedule your own preview session where you can pick your favorite photographs from the session and decide how you want to display them. If you have a girlfriend that you think might be interested, add an extra $100 and we would be delighted to work with both of you.

If you are looking for a special gift this holiday season, contact us as soon as possible to schedule your session. We can have prints ready in time for Christmas and/or the New Year. Please contact Jennifer at (206) 250.6903 to set up your appointment.  If you have any questions about the process, she is happy to answer them for you prior to your booking.

Thank you for sharing this offer with your friends. Happy holidays!

Boudoir Photography teasers

As Seattle enters its winter and all of its cold weather, I have been wanting to post these previews of Ms C.  Rather than being shot in our photography studio in Belltown Seattle these were taken on location at the Blue Hotel in a much warmer Sydney Australia. Working on location in a hotel is often fun and allows us to leverage the natural features of the room to enhance the photographs.  Here she is laying on the wonderfully comfortable bed in some simple yet quite sexy lingerie.

If you would like to discuss having your own boudoir photography session in one of Seattle’s lovely hotels please let us know.

Boudoir Photography teasers for Ms G

I have been meaning to post these previews of Ms G for a while now.   These were shot in our photography studio in Seattle and we spent almost a couple of hours working together to create some lovely sexual photographs as a special gift for her boyfriend.  We ended up with what I think will be loads of photographs for her to choose from, here I posted a few with one of the lovely sets of lingerie that she brought to our session. 

Jester says hello

Depending on their sleeping schedule its not completely usual to get to see the two cats that choose to adopt me many years ago.  Although in truth Jones is a little shy and she is a rare visitor when a photography shoot is happening.   Jester however has never been considered shy and often watches from the distance and occasionally wonders over to say hi.  Here he is looking for some attention in our photography studio in Belltown Seattle, so cute!  

Are you looking for authentic boudoir pinup clothing?

If you are looking for ideas for what to wear for your boudoir photography session, maybe you might want to consider going with a 40′s or 50′s Pinup theme.   Not surprisingly as Jennifer’s is the owner of  Pinup Salon which is a very swanky 1940′s style salon, Jennifer has a passion for Pinup styles and she uses many classic vintage styling techniques in her work.

If you are looking for some inspiration and ideas here a few online sites to get you thinking

• http://www.pinupgirlclothing.com/lingerie1.html 
• http://www.berniedexter.com/gallery.html
• http://www.bettiepageclothing.com/
• http://www.babygirlboutique.com/shop.html
• http://www.unique-vintage.com 

Note: I have not personally purchased from any of these so I don’t know what their shopping experience is or obviously can’t endorse these stores.   If anyone has a good experience please let us know.    

Jennifer Mobley from Pinup Salon joins the team

I’m excited to announce that Jennifer Mobley is joining the team.   Jennifer has been in and around the hair and makeup industry in Seattle for a few years and recently opened her own salon over in West Seattle.   She is a super fun lady and incredibly good at what she does.  With her focus on the glamorous pinup looks from the 1940′s she is the perfect fit for Seattle Boudoir Photography.    We are discussing some fun projects for the holidays, more news on that soon. 

Pinup Salon – Home

Tips For Your Session

Here are a few helpful tips for how to make your session as successful as possible:

Before your session make sure that you only wear loose fitting clothing with no tight bras or underwear at least two hours before you are due to arrive.  This will help avoid the natural lines and dents that these items cause.  You will need to do this even if you aren’t planning to completely strip down as those lines have a habit of showing up. 

Knowing that Jennifer is going to be doing your makeup, arrive with a clean face so that you two can calibrate together to create the look that you are going for in your own photography session. 

Fill your iPod with music that makes you feel happy, feisty and playful and create yourself one or more playlists.  Once you get here we can plug your iPod into the music system for you.   If your boudoir session is going to end up as a gift for your loved one, feel free to bring along any music that has good memories of them.   

If your boudoir session is going to be a gift for your partner why not consider sneaking something of theirs to the photography session.  Maybe their shirt, potentially a work uniform, their hat or something that means something special to them.  We can then use these prop’s to create some sexy photographs that have a very specific memory. 

Relax and have fun.  We know that you might be a little nervous but we do this all of the time and work especially hard to create a very relaxed environment for you to enjoy yourself.  Feel free to bring along a friend to support you during the session and work with us during the shoot to find the best angles for you.

If you have any questions at all, please ask anyone of us.

What is Boudoir Photography?

When asked where does the term “boudoir ” come from most people refer to the word bedroom, as it is often said that boudoir is French for bedroom.  In fact this is only partly true, the origins of the word stem back from the word “pout” or “sulk”.   It is said that when a lady needed to sulk or pout she should go to her private room or bedroom which was then referred as her “pouting room” or “sulking place”.

Boudoir photography is nothing knew and it has its roots in history that goes back hundreds, maybe thousands of years.  If you were to look back in history there has always been tastefully done paintings of women is various states of undress.   Almost all of the old master painters admired the human form and tried to depict that on canvas in flattering detail.  These paintings were usually commissioned work and hence were expensive, luxury gifts for the very wealthy and these paintings are still prized possessions today.   Many years ago I used to live in Paris and like many new visitors to that wonderful city I would frequently spend time visiting the amazing Louvre Museum viewing as many of these old masters as time allowed. 

With the invention of the camera, the photographic process and then mass production printing, photographs and pictures of women in various states of undress became more widely available.   The ‘pinups’ girls have been around since the early 1900′s and as the century evolved the photographs became more risqué.  By the 1950s, models were posing in skimpier clothing, smaller bathing suits, lacy lingerie or partially nude.  During the major wars of the century, World War II, the Korean War and of course the Vietnam War it was not un common for solders to receive pinup photographs of their wives or girlfriends to remind them of their loved ones back at home. 

Today boudoir photography is about creating beautiful, intimate, tasteful and empowering fine art photographs.  Boudoir photographs allow you to express your sensuality, your sexuality, your beauty and most importantly your individuality.  Although these photographs are often taken with clients in lingerie or partially nude, boudoir photography is all about attitude and very little to do with your clothing, your figure or your age.

If you are interested in learning more and possibly joining us for your own boudoir session come and check us out.