Recently, one of my subjects asked me what my favorite type of shoot is. I love what I do, and it took a bit of thinking to narrow it down.
I love working with hesitant subjects. This often includes toddlers, teenagers and dads. I love being able to put them at ease, and show them that a photo shoot is a lot more like hanging out then being tortured. Most of them are surprised, in the end, at how painless and natural the process was.
I love being trusted with huge moments. My breath is taken away photographing a birth. My heart twitters when a man and woman become husband and wife.
I love a challenge. It is a challenge to make an ordinary “head shot” stand out. It is a challenge to come up with something new and creative when photographing cheese, or wine, or crab cakes. Also a challenge… Photographing cats. (Yes, I have photographed cats.)
I love the drama and the playful. Trash the dress sessions, which take place a few weeks after the wedding when the stress is gone, are so fun! I get to help the bride look like a rock star. I get to take fun and edgy pictures of her in a dress she worked so hard to find, and a dress she will never wear again.
But my favorite, if I was forced to narrow it down is…
Boudoir. Intimate pictures that a woman gives to her husband. I don’t post a lot of boudoir photographs. They are intimate. Meant for her husband. Meant to be private. I love boudoir photography for what it does for the woman. I have had women cry while looking at their pictures. I have heard “I had no idea I was beautiful.” Women can be so hard on themselves. Stepping back and seeing yourself as your husband does can be empowering both to the woman, and to the relationship. And the intimate gift given to a husband is amazing. What husband would not be beyond thrilled that his wife stepped outside of her comfort zone to do something so romantic and meant for just him? I don’t believe that there is a body type, disability or age that would not benefit from a boudoir session.
So really, I love it all. The toddlers, the cheese, the brides and the babies. But to help someone gain confidence and strengthen a marriage? That is just awesome!
If you are interested in what Boudoir session is like, click the picture to look at a short video. I have a great weekend planned in January, featuring an awesome location, a hair and make-up artist, and amazing pictures in time for Valentine’s Day.
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