From Both Sides of the Lens: A Client’s Day as an Assistant Futzer

Guest post by Ms D.   

I am one of Seattle Boudoir’s clients.  When I decided to do a boudoir shoot it was all about me.  I’m a wife and mother to one wonderful four year old boy.  I work full time and I spend most of my free time doing errands.  Sound familiar?  For years after I had my son I tried to forget my body.  It was the last thing I wanted to think about.  You’ve got these new boobs and this little creature pawing at you all the time.  Feeling sexy was last on my list.  But then something clicked a few months back and I decided it was time to acknowledge I had a body again.  Reconnect with myself and let out my wild side.

First up, Nicole handed me a glass of “champers.”  It would be good to mention that photographer Phil Holden is British, so I think that means he is allowed to make up his own words.  Then make-up artist Jane and stylist Nicole stood back and took a good look at me in my rumpled top and too-big jeans. But they see enough ladies in there that they put me at ease and could see past my baby pooch to the sexy lady I wanted to feel like.  My nervousness and uncertainty melted away while I was pampered and made to feel like the star of my own show by Phil, Nicole, Jane, and Kim.

Since then I have been back to visit the other side of the camera as an assistant “futzer” aka someone who makes sure everything is in the right place.  I gained a new appreciation for all the work that goes into the shoots the team does sometimes three or four times a day and also the effect that it has on each individual who comes into the studio.  The clients that day ranged from a spontaneous boudoir photo session on a weekend getaway, to a surprise for a military homecoming, to the ever popular present for a bride to give her soon to be very pleased husband.  One client came in with nothing but the clothes on her back and another came in with tons of choices.  In both situations the team’s inventiveness shined through. 

After the team has a chance to meet you and see what is important to you they stage several scenes for your photos.  That day we had one client squirted down with a water bottle for that “wet t-shirt” look.  We also had a casual sexy scene with a football jersey on a couch.  I can tell you her husband would certainly have stopped watching the game if he saw that!  And one client got to lounge on a reindeer pelt.  These sets are designed on the spot and are individual to each client.

Another client’s advice I heard is a sure thing to pass on to all of you.  Do not work out the day of your shoot.  The team will give you their own brand of work out.  They are constantly there to make sure that every part of you is in line for the perfect shot. It’s not easy looking beautiful.  “Stick out your girls!”  Phil, I want a shirt that says that.
 
As each client left and a new one entered it was awesome to see how the nervous smiles in the beginning turned into knowing grins, the same one I walked out with.  I got the privilege of telling the amazing Seattle Boudoir Photography clients just how fabulous they are.  In each instance I am sure that Phil captured that on film.  And I can tell you from experience (that’s me below).

What is your favorite part of the male body – the results are in!

Last month we asked what is your favorite part of the male body. 

Well after the first three week’s the initial results are in and the ‘Arms and Shoulders’ are the clear winners initially, for the most favorite part they received 31.6% and then for the second most favorite, a still high 15.8%.    Apart from them strong showings were received from Back, Butt, Chest, Eyes and Smile.  Check out the chart’s below with the full details.   The survey is still open, so if you haven’t already completed please do so, link here   So how did your views compare to the rest of us ? 

A nice thank you

We just received a nice little thank you email from one of our clients that came into our photography studio in Seattle on Wednesday.  For the moment lets call her Ms S, we had such a blast with her and she so so much fun.  For the second part of her shoot we ended up using a whole lot of mud and water on one of the sets.  I’m not sure if she will let us post any of her photographs yet and share the theme behind the mud, but we know hubby will be very happy when he receives his gift!   Note below,

I just wanted to write to say thank you for the experience yesterday!  You and your crew were amazing!  Your girls totally helped me feel comfortable and I truly enjoyed working with you all.  I cannot wait to see the photographs on the 20th!

Happy Friday everyone

Offbeat Bride | Why you should consider boudoir photos. Or, how I learned to stop worrying and love my body

Ms N, as the sassy ladies at Offbeat Bride refer to her, totally kicked ass. She first came to us via the good ole’ telephone, saying “I think this would be a really cool gift for my fiancé, but I’m kinda’ plus size (giggle, giggle) and pretty nervous”. So I said “how plus size”? Because truth be told I didn’t care but I wanted her to realize maybe she was being a little over critical. It didn’t matter. What mattered was that she was nervous, so we invited her for a studio tour to let go of some of that nervousness.

We talked wardrobe and theme and got her into a better head space about something that not only was she doing for her husband to be but more importantly for her. She didn’t of course realize how much this would do for her until, drum roll please, the day of her shoot.  And BAM!  There she was, insecurities, anxiousness, and concerns, out the window.

She had the best time experiencing the reason why we, Seattle Boudoir Photography, are here.  Because every one of us should feel a little more self love and appreciation for who we are and; how BEAUTIFUL we really are. That’s the point. No matter what it means for you, there really isn’t any reason why you shouldn’t have a boudoir photography session with us.  Chances are it’ll be a little different than you think and be even more meaningful than you can imagine.  

Ms N decided to write about her experiences on OffBeat Bride to give other women the encouragement to do their own boudoir shoot.   Her article is pasted below with a full link at the end.   Thanks a lot Ms N, you made our day, love Nicole. 

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OMG OBT Guestpost by Ms. N on June 29, 2010 28
Tags: boudoir photography, photography, plus size

OBT member Ms. N wrote a wedding planning update in which she shared her experiences during her boudior photography shoot. Ariel and I loved its message so much that we thought we’d share it with you. -Megan

Let me preface this with two things…

• First, I have never been the type to want to be immortalized in my unmentionables (i.e., I never thought I would want to get photographed in my undies before). It wasn’t something that I had been dying to do all my life.
• Second, I am a plus-size girl who is not altogether comfortable with her body and who consistently has some self-love issues.

That being said, let me tell you why you (yes, YOU) should consider boudoir photography…

The sexy Ms. N rockin’ the boudoir shoot, shared with her permission

This past Saturday I had a boudoir shoot with Seattle Boudoir Photography [a previous obb sponsor] and it was honestly the most liberating experience of my life. I was nervous and apprehensive going into it. I’ve never been completely comfortable with my body, and even less so now that I am in my 30s and have stretch marks and scars and even some lovely VEINS that mark who I am and where I’ve been throughout the past 32 years. I kept having the thought in my head that these people who would see me half-naked would be completely grossed out and would be disappointed that they could not make me look decent in any photos.

Boy, was I wrong.

I got to spend 2 hours with amazing people who, very honestly and sincerely, thought that I looked beautiful, and did everything they could to make sure that I knew it. And not only KNEW it, but FELT it, too. Nobody ever once looked at me and said, “Oh, I sure wish you were thinner,” or “Wow, those stretch marks really take away from this photo.” What I heard instead was, “Oh, you have killer boobs!” and “You look so hot in that pose, for real!” I could NOT believe my ears. And really, that was all it took for me to suddenly realize this:

I’m freakin’ HOT!

It doesn’t matter about size or scars or weight or anything. What matters is how you FEEL. And I have never been more amazed at how comfortable I could be with myself.

So. If you can swing it, you should totally consider boudoir photography because:

1. You get to be comfortable in your own body, even if you were already.
2. Lots of people complimenting you and telling you how hot you look!
3. Did I mention the wonders it does for your self-esteem?
4. It’s an excuse to buy really cute lingerie.
5. Again — what better way to encourage self-love?

To read more and checkout Offbeat Bride, just click here.  | Why you should consider boudoir photos. Or, how I learned to stop worrying and love my body#comments