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).

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

Seattle Brides – Get toned for your wedding day

Guest Post by Sara Dean.

Hello Seattle Brides!   I love this time of year.  Helping brides prepare for their big day is so exciting.  I have lovely ladies of Seattle come to Sync Fitness every year to get their rears in gear for their wedding day.  Of course every bride has her own body wish list: cut shoulders, 6 pack abs, ripped back, smaller hips, firm buns and toned guns.  We work hard to check off each item on that wish list. Of course, every bride wants to get the best results in the shortest amount of time (because, let’s face it, as a bride-to-be, there are NEVER enough hours on the day!)  So my secret weapon for brides is combining strength and cardio into each and every workout.  This is entirely possible and can be done in a short amount of time.  Give me 30 minutes and I’ll have you huffing and puffing and begging for more!  The key is to keep your heart rate soaring during your workout.  So choose exercises that make you pant!  Here’s a little sample workout that you can do in under 30 minutes: Jumping Jacks Push Ups Walking Lunges Pull Ups (weight assisted or negatives if needed) Plank Body Weight Squats (GET LOW!) Mountain Climbers Full Sit Ups Burpees Tricep Dips Jump Squats ***Perform each exercise for 30 seconds.  Perform 3 rounds of this workout.  Try not to rest between exercises.  Rest for a FULL TWO MINUTES between rounds.  This rest will allow you to PUSH, PUSH, PUSH during each round.  ***

These are the kind of workouts you can find me doing with my bridal clients in my Boot Camps at Gasworks Park.  If you’re interested in checking out Boot Camp, click here for full details.  Please contact Sync Fitness to ask about bridal discounts!  I hope to hear from you. I would love to make you sweat!

Bridal Boudoir from Seattle Boudoir Photography

Hey there Ladies, with the Wedding Season approaching Seattle we thought that this was the perfect time to talk about Bridal Boudoir!  Bridal Boudoir photography is a fun and flirty way to celebrate your marriage!  Surprise your fiancé with the perfect wedding gift: a collection of boudoir photographs that will leave him blushing from cheek to cheek. 

Every bride deserves to be pampered!  Take a moment to step back from the wedding planning and breathe.  It’s time to celebrate you!  Bridal Boudoir photography showcases your natural beauty in a tasteful, sexy, and elegant way.  We will capture stunning photographs of you dressed in hints of your wedding attire – the delicate veil, a tiara, white lace lingerie, or even the dress itself!

At Seattle Boudoir Photography, located in the heart of Seattle near the vibrant Pike Place Market, we want you to feel confident and comfortable.  Whether shooting all decked out in your under things or implied nudes, our team of stylists will pamper you from start to finish, making sure that your hair, makeup, and wardrobe looks flawless.    If it’s your first time visiting our site check out the details of our Boudoir Photography Sessions, our Promotions and of course the Gallery. 

Or make a day of it and invite your bridesmaids to indulge in a Bachelorette Boudoir Party with you!   Brides are often looking for a unique event and what better way to connect with your best girlfriends than a group photography session with some serious pampering and a whole lot of fun.    To learn more about our Bachelorette Parties click here.

Announcing Seattle Boudoir Photography Summer Promotion

With the weather that feels like Summer arriving early we thought that it was time to announce our Summer Promotion.   So for  everyone who books this summer, we are offering an upgrade from our regular 9×9 Folio Package that typically contains two 5×7 prints to a much larger 12×12 folio with two beautiful 7×10 photos for no extra charge!   It’s the perfect gift for your special someone or just for yourself.   Spice up your boy or girl’s summer with the gift of you to celebrate an anniversary, birthday, your wedding, or just to say I love you. 

At only $450, sometimes bigger really is better!   Check out this photo to see the difference in size. 

Click here to learn more about our Folio Packages video that features the lovely Nicole.

It’s time for your personal “Studio Tour”!

You’re entertaining the idea of a boudoir photography session and you’re thinking about doing it at Seattle Boudoir Photography.  You’re also more than a little nervous about being in front of strangers in less than your usual sweats and a tee. Well, at Seattle Boudoir Photography, we as a team understand this. This is why we’d like to invite you to our Belltown photography studio for your own personal and private studio tour.   And we’d like to sweeten the deal by giving you complimentary champagne & strawberries.

We know that if you’re thinking about doing this, than chances are that this is going to be a very meaningful experience for you (and possibly a loved one). A studio tour will give you the chance to meet the team pre-shoot, peruse products and of course, ask as many questions as you think of. From pricing to wardrobe selection and styling to ideas of how to present such a fantastic gift and so on. So come by for your exclusive, “Bubbles and Berries” tour and the only requirement… that you bring a friend. Girlfriend, boyfriend, doesn’t matter. Who wants to have champagne and strawberries alone?  I know you don’t. See you soon!

So pick up the phone or log into your email to connect with Nicole and schedule your studio visit today.  Here’s a quick sneak peak of our fun entry way into the studio. 

We can’t wait to hear from you! Hugs and Kisses! Nicole