Over the years of taking portrait photos and creating props, sets, backdrops and lighting aids I have relied heavily on my DIY skills to create what I needed for a photoshoot. I’ve decided it’s time for me to share what I’ve learned with others who may be getting started in photography or photographers who are just looking for new ideas.
Many of you know me through Menagerie Photography which is my photo studio located in Lisbon, Connecticut. At Menagerie Photography, I specialize in women’s portraiture including boudior, fashion, fitness, pinup, personal branding and generational portraits like Mother-Daughter photography.
I am creating a new web site MarilynRiel.com to use as my platform to share with others and display some of my personal Marilyn Riel photography.
Coming soon to my new page:
Helpful hints and tips for photographers
Photography and prop related DIYs
Templates to get you started in your photography adventures
Guides that detail my favorite poses and lighting setups
Images from my personal Marilyn Riel Photography
Plus more information, images and just fun stuff!
Please let me know what you would like to see me post on the page. I would love your ideas and your feedback as I begin this new adventure.
If you have any questions about this article or ideas for other topics you would like me to write about, please comment below or Contact Us from our web page.
If you have dreamed of having a photo-shoot that is all about you, call me to set up a complimentary consultation. You can see the studio and we can talk over coffee about how you want to be photographed. To make that happen, just click to book below! Is it a long trip to visit the studio? We’ve photographed women from all over the eastern part of the country including New Jersey, Virginia, Ohio, New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Feel free to contact us and set up a special phone consultation! And, as you now know, Gift Certificates are available.
When I tell people I’m a portrait photographer, and that I specialize in women’s portraiture, I am still asked, “So what kind of photos do you take?” Instead of just telling you, let me show you and share one client’s story!
Not everyone who comes in for a session at Menagerie Photography wants their images shared and we totally respect that. But there are many women who come in who have amazing stories to tell and who want to share their images to let other women see that they can do this too. Today I want to share one of our client’s stories and some of her images with you. I do this with respect and am honored she chose me to capture her images at this time in her life.
When she came to us about having her pictures taken, she was celebrating one year clean and sober. She had become devoted to taking care of all aspects of her health- physical, emotional and spiritual, after years of neglecting herself. She told us that as there are many women struggling with addiction and dependency, she thought it would be refreshing and inspiring to see a woman who had overcome extreme challenges and who had come out happy, healthy and on top!
When she came in on the day of her shoot, she was looking beautiful and relaxed. She looked just like the rest of us getting ready for a day off with no makeup and hair down, just being herself.
She got to be pampered for the beginning of the day, getting her hair and makeup done by one of our stylists.
Once she was done with the stylist we went through what she had brought for clothes. She had brought a number of outfits from dresses to lingerie. The lingerie was her personal challenge to step out of her comfort zone, something I hear from a lot of women. She brought the lingerie to have some boudoir photos taken along with some outfits that were more fashion portrait style.
She let me know she was nervous about feeling awkward posing or that she would be unhappy with her body in the images. I let her know that it’s my job to pose her and not to worry. I did let her know that some poses may feel odd, but to trust me that she will love the final results and will look amazing! At the end of the session, she said she felt comfortable and happy and more accepting of her body.
We had a great time going through her outfits and using the various sets to create a special day for her. She is a beautiful woman and deserved the opportunity to experience a day that was stylized just for her. A day to celebrate her beauty, her spirit and her journey that has made her the woman she is today.
When asked what advice she would give someone considering booking a session, this is what she had to say:
“Think of it as a big gift to yourself. It’s your life, your body, and every woman deserves to feel beautiful and sexy. You’re treated like a princess – hair, makeup, creativity and really hard work as well as care on the staff’s part. You’ll feel glamorous like I did and enjoy the wardrobe changes and all the set ideas. I highly recommend it!”
If you have any questions about this article or ideas for other topics you would like me to write about, please comment below or Contact Us from our web page.
If you have dreamed of having a photo-shoot that is all about you, call me to set up a complimentary consultation. You can see the studio and we can talk over coffee about how you want to be photographed. To make that happen, just click to book below! Is it a long trip to visit the studio? We’ve photographed women from all over the eastern part of the country including New Jersey, Virginia, Ohio, New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Feel free to contact us and set up a special phone consultation! And, as you now know, Gift Certificates are available.
As most of you know, we’ve always had gift certificates here at the studio but we wanted to make it even easier to purchase the perfect gift. With that in mind, we’ve added a gift card page to our website that offers several options depending on what you’re looking for.
Whether your looking for that special gift for Mother’s Day, a birthday or holiday, a gift certificate for a day all about her is sure to be a hit.
There’s “The Perfect Gift” which was designed to cover the cost of our Full Day Session. This is the perfect way to treat her to a full day of pampering with a professional studio photoshoot. The custom designed session includes Hair Styling, Makeup Artistry, Multiple Sets, Unlimited Wardrobe Changes, Pose Coaching, a fully stocked craft cart of her favorite snacks and beverages. Normally (when purchased at the studio) the price is $190 plus CT sales tax but since we are offering this as a gift card on-line, we are extending to you a 6.35% discount making the total price $190.
Other Gift Card options are for commonly requested amounts from $100 – $1000. These are a great way to help her buy all of her favorite images for any session or register your friends and family to purchase gift cards for your Bridal or Baby shower. That’ll make it easy to buy all your favorite Maternity or Bridal Boudoir images.
All of our gift cards come in a gift-ready box with bow or can be held here at the studio for use when the lucky lady comes in for her session or image reveal.
We’re also tossing around different ideas on how to create the ultimate studio gift basket. This would make it easy to surprise her with everything she might need for her perfect day here at the studio. A voucher for her session, a manicure/pedicure set, skin softening lotions and perhaps a gift card to help her buy some new lingerie, shoes or dress for her photoshoot. Of course all of this would be presented as a gift already wrapped and ready to go. If you have any good ideas of what you’d like in our studio gift basket, please comment below and let us know what you think.
If you have any questions about this article or ideas for other topics you would like me to write about, please comment below or Contact Us from our web page.
If you have dreamed of having a photo-shoot that is all about you, call me to set up a complimentary consultation. You can see the studio and we can talk over coffee about how you want to be photographed. To make that happen, just click to book below! Is it a long trip to visit the studio? We’ve photographed women from all over the eastern part of the country including New Jersey, Virginia, Ohio, New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Feel free to contact us and set up a special phone consultation! And, as you now know, Gift Certificates are available.
We wanted you to see our latest studio project … our reveal wall! We’d been debating about adding a reveal wall for about a year and decided it was time. What is our reveal wall? Read on and check it out!
Our new, remodeled studio has been open since 2015 and is always getting little tweaks and changes, most often rearranging rooms or adding new images on the walls. Over the last two years, we’ve evolved our product offerings to meet the needs of our clients. The one thing we had been waiting on though was adding a reveal wall. It was hard to give up an entire wall where I had been hanging large portraits. After getting new large prints and reorganizing the rest of the space, off to Home Depot we went and here is the result!
I love being able to display a larger variety of photos and show the range and diversity of the images I capture. It also allows me to show the new matted image product we’re offering. These are 8×10 prints matted to 11×14 and they come in an Archival storage box. Ready to frame and enjoy!
Everyone who’s come into the studio since we added the wall has loved it. We’ve begun using it to display client images when they come in to pick up their product and it’s been a hit! We still do our initial reveal on our 55 inch TV which allows our clients to select the images they love from the gallery of edited photos from their session.
We will continue to offer our custom heirloom folio boxes in 5×7 and 8×10 sizes as well as our Little Black Book and our 8×10 lay-flat albums. Brides-to-be love our Little Black Book as a choice for Groom’s gifts, and it is also popular as a holiday gift to that someone special. Larger mounted prints to hang on the wall are always available.
There are other options such as Gallery Wall Packages, Acrylic Prints, Metal Prints and other products to fit your special needs. Whatever the occasion, we will work with you to create a gift that fits your personal style. Folio box images are all mounted on 2mm Styrene for durability and all purchased images come with a digital copy on a custom thumb drive along with a signed print release.
If there is a product we haven’t talked about that you are looking for, contact us to see if it is available.
So when you are planning your pinup, fashion, or boudoir shoot, looking to have portraits taken for personal branding or just want a day all about you, we have the products you can select from to keep your memories for a lifetime.
If you have any questions about this article or ideas for other topics you would like me to write about, please comment below or Contact Us from our web page.
If you have dreamed of having a photo-shoot that is all about you, call me to set up a complimentary consultation. You can see the studio and we can talk over coffee about how you want to be photographed. To make that happen, just click to book below! Is it a long trip to visit the studio? We’ve photographed women from all over the eastern part of the country including New Jersey, Virginia, Ohio, New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Feel free to contact us and set up a special phone consultation! And, as you now know, Gift Certificates are available.
Mother’s Day in my family was a celebration of my mother and all she did for us every day. It was a day she would receive cards – hand made when we were little – flowers and sometimes to her amusement we would make her breakfast or our idea of the perfect lunch. When I had children of my own, this grew into a day when my children also celebrated their grandmother for all she did for them when they spent time with her.
We have been celebrating Mother’s Day in the United States for over 100 years. Though generally we consider it a day to thank Mom for all she has done for us, the meaning of the day is viewed differently depending on your family. Traditionally, we celebrate the matriarch of the family with cards, candy, flowers, pictures of the kids and other gifts that are either purchased at the store or even hand made.
With households today being as diverse as you can imagine, the meaning of Mother’s day depends on the family dynamic. The person in the “Mom” role may be Mom, Grandmother, Aunt, Sister, or even Dad doing both rolls. To me this is a day to celebrate the love, support and connection that is the spirit of the day.
No matter what your situation, take lots of photos and whoever is the Mom in your family dynamic needs to be present in the pictures. Get another family member to snap a picture with Mom in the image, take turns, use blackmail (ha ha-just kidding), whatever it takes to get her into the pictures.
To all the Mom’s out there – there will come a day when your children will look for pictures of you! What will they find?
If you’re looking for the perfect Mother’s Day gift, why not pamper her with a professional photo shoot. She gets to have a day all about her and beautiful images to share with her family.
If you have any questions about this article or ideas for other topics you would like me to write about, please comment below or Contact Us from our web page.
If you have dreamed of having a photo-shoot that is all about you, call me to set up a complimentary consultation. You can see the studio and we can talk over coffee about how you want to be photographed. To make that happen, just click to book below! Is it a long trip to visit the studio? We’ve photographed women from all over the eastern part of the country including New Jersey, Virginia, Ohio, New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Feel free to contact us and set up a special phone consultation! And, as you now know, Gift Certificates are available.
If you’re planning to be among the 15,000 plus couples getting married in Connecticut this year, I have a few questions for you! I’ll be speaking at a Free Seminar about wedding planning on April 7th ,2017, and in doing my preparations I found as many questions as I did answers. I decided that instead of taking dry statistics from online, I would ask some of you to share your top questions about planning your dream wedding.
I’ll be there speaking about photography, but if you have questions ranging from photography to food go ahead and ask as there will be 6 speakers at the event and I would love to share your questions with them as well. I’ve included a few topics below to get you thinking and would love to get your feedback.
Are you looking for items you may need to get from another photographer such as:
Bridal boudoir to give as a gift to your groom?
Special Portraiture such as Mother/Daughter or Generations photos while everyone is in town?
Do you already have a good idea of the basics your wedding photographer will need to know?
Are you planning an indoor or outdoor wedding?
How many people are you planning to invite?
Do you want coverage for the reception and where will it be?
Are there any other sites you wanted pictures taken?
Do you know the style of images you have in mind and what type of product you want – albums, prints, enlargements…?
I would love to hear from you on what you have planned or questions you have. Want to ask questions in person at the free seminar? RSVP for the event on April 7th, 2017 at the Comfort Suites.
If you’ve dreamed of a full day photoshoot for yourself or if there is a special someone in your life who would love this experience, give me a call and we can set up a day to talk about how to make this dream come true!
If you have any questions about this article or ideas for other topics you would like me to write about, please comment below or Contact Us from our web page.
If you have dreamed of having a photo-shoot that is all about you, call me to set up a complimentary consultation. You can see the studio and we can talk over coffee about how you want to be photographed. To make that happen, just click to book below! Is it a long trip to visit the studio? We’ve photographed women from all over the eastern part of the country including New Jersey, Virginia, Ohio, New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Feel free to contact us and set up a special phone consultation! And, as you now know, Gift Certificates are available.
Where can you go and listen to DJ’s, see Photographers, Jewelry and Florists, sample some amazing Food and Desserts and check out an Inflatable Irish Pub all in one place? Did I mention there were also women walking around in wedding dresses and lingerie? Well that was the scene at the Bridal Show and Women’s Fitness and Health Expo at Mohegan Sun Casino last Sunday, February 26th 2017.
We had a booth at the expo and I don’t think I have talked with that many people in one day – ever! By the end of the day (6am to 5:30pm) I had almost lost my voice and my feet were protesting but it was a great day. I truly enjoyed being able to talk with so many women who were excited about planning their wedding. While I have chosen not to do wedding day photography, I love the women’s portraiture I do. Fashion, fitness, generations, pinup, boudoir, I love it all! I love creating beautiful photographs of a woman that make her feel amazing and like a princess for the day. I am honored to create for her a gift that she can give to her husband on her wedding day.
I can, without a doubt, tell you that Bridal Boudoir is on the top of the list for groom’s gifts. There were so many women who stopped to talk about setting up session dates and it seems that August and September of 2018 are the hot wedding months. If you have either of those months picked out for your wedding, don’t wait to get your venues, caterers and photographers booked!!!
One excited bride-to-be stopped by with her mom and we were talking about what’s involved in booking a Bridal Boudoir session. The mom told me that she had done bridal boudoir 30 years ago when she got married and her husband still has the images and loves them! How awesome that her daughter wants to do the same and give her husband a gift he will keep and appreciate for years to come.
If you have never been to one of these expos and are planning your wedding, I would definitely suggest checking one out near you. You can literally go in with a check list of what you need for your dream wedding and find it there. From your dress and flowers to your reception venue and food, there are people to speak with or book right there on the spot. You can check out the DJs and amazing photos by a variety of photographers, and talk to the travel agents about booking your honeymoon. And let’s not forget renting that Inflatable Irish Pub for your next event or backyard wedding as well!
I am already prepping for the next show on April 30,2017 at the Comfort Suites in Norwich, CT from 11am to 3pm. Although this will be a smaller event, if you are in the area and still working on your list, stop by and say hello. Engaged couples get in free!
If you’ve dreamed of a day like this for yourself or if there is a special someone in your life who would love this experience, give me a call and we can set up a day to talk about how to make this dream come true!
If you have any questions about this article or ideas for other topics you would like me to write about, please comment below or Contact Us from our web page.
If you have dreamed of having a photo-shoot that is all about you, call me to set up a complimentary consultation. You can see the studio and we can talk over coffee about how you want to be photographed. To make that happen, just click to book below! Is it a long trip to visit the studio? We’ve photographed women from all over the eastern part of the country including New Jersey, Virginia, Ohio, New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Feel free to contact us and set up a special phone consultation! And, as you now know, Gift Certificates are available.
Your day has arrived and you’re filled with excitement and a bit nervous. You spent the last month preparing your outfits, thinking about what props to bring, making sure your haircut is up to date and getting your nails done.
You arrive at the studio by 9am and take a deep breath… the fun is about to begin! You’ll spend the next 4 to 6 hours here at the studio for your customized photoshoot. I’ll help you carry your things into the studio and we’ll get you a cup of coffee or tea while we hang up things and take a look at what you brought with you.
Your hair and makeup artist is ready to review your look for the day and get started on your makeup. You’ll spend about an hour to an hour and a half getting pampered and styled to ensure your makeup is right for your photos and your hair will look wonderful.
When your hair and makeup are ready, you’ll get into your first outfit and I’ll coach you through posing as we get your photoshoot underway. Everyone is nervous when their session begins and we’ll arrange your outfits and poses to help calm your nerves and make you comfortable.
With music playing and snacks to keep you going between sets, we will change up your outfits, sets and lighting to give you a variety of looks to choose from when you select your images.
By the end of your shoot, your feeling like a pro and your nerves have long since disappeared. There is always laughter and joking to keep things fun and the day flies by quicker than you can imagine.
When we’ve finished shooting and you’ve gotten changed, you’ll get a sneak peak at a couple images from your session and we’ll arrange your reveal date where you’ll see your edited images and select what you want to purchase.
With your final images selected we can get your product ordered and you’ll be able to pick it up in about 2 to 3 weeks. There is nothing quite like seeing your images displayed when you come in and getting to hold them.
If you’ve dreamed of a day like this for yourself or if there is a special someone in your life who would love this experience, give me a call and we can set up a day to talk about how to make this dream come true!
If you have any questions about this article or ideas for other topics you would like me to write about, please comment below or Contact Us from our web page.
If you have dreamed of having a photo-shoot that is all about you, call me to set up a complimentary consultation. You can see the studio and we can talk over coffee about how you want to be photographed. To make that happen, just click to book below! Is it a long trip to visit the studio? We’ve photographed women from all over the eastern part of the country including New Jersey, Virginia, Ohio, New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Feel free to contact us and set up a special phone consultation! And, as you now know, Gift Certificates are available.
What is a photo shoot? Models, lights, cameras, professional photographers, hair stylists, makeup artist and magazine style images? Something reserved for Victoria Secret models or famous people? Have you ever dreamed of being that woman at the center of all the attention?
You can be that woman! You can have a photo shoot designed specifically for you that reflects your personality and style. You can be the center of attention for the day, having your hair and makeup done and being posed from your nose to your toes.
Today I’ll share with you how you can make that happen and what to expect as you prepare for a day you will never forget!
When I tell a prospective client that we will be spending a month preparing for their photo session and that it will be an all day event, I’m often met with a disbelieving look or a blunt “Why does it take so long?”
Many people who come to see me about photography sessions have little or no experience with a professional photo shoot. Their experience is limited to traditional 30 minute, book the date over the phone and show up appointments. Often images are digital only and after the initial shares on social media, are never printed or looked at again. There is nothing wrong with that experience at all if it fits the need for your situation well. If you are looking for more, let me share what makes us different.
The services provided at my studio are quite different and are more of a boutique experience that allows the session to be tailored around your personality and style. Our 1000 sq ft studio and professional hair and makeup stylists are ready to make this your special day.
Before you book a session at my studio, you come in for your complimentary pre-shoot consultation. This gives you an opportunity to meet me and see the studio where your images would be taken, the various sets, and hair and makeup room. You also have a chance to see the quality of our work and the various options you have for how your images can be displayed. We talk about why you want to be photographed and what your style is to make sure we are a good fit to provide the images you want.
Once you have decided we are the right fit for you, we book your session date. Normally this will be at least 4 weeks out as this includes booking your hair and makeup artist as well as setting up a private Pinterest board to collaborate on ideas for your session. I have found this collaboration gives an opportunity for you to look at images from our Pinterest boards as well as others to show what inspires you and what your vision is of what sexy means if you’re planning a boudoir session. This is also a way for our stylists to see just what you have in mind for you hair and makeup. You have the chance to pin styles and update the comments to share exactly what you like. For instance there may be a picture where you love the hair style but hate the makeup. The more we share, the better we can plan your day.
You are also provided with guides to help you get prepared along the way to your shoot covering everything from selecting your outfits to getting your Mani-Pedi just before your session. We also keep in touch along the way via email and are always available by phone to talk about any questions you may have. This preparation includes not just getting your outfits selected, but also deciding what props or accessories you may want to bring to make the images more meaningful to you or the person you are giving them to. This may be anything from his football jersey to hats, to fancy jewelry or that killer pair of heels.
The time will fly by quickly and before you know it you special day has arrived… Read about the experience the day of the session in next week’s blog.
If you have any questions about this article or ideas for other topics you would like me to write about, please comment below or Contact Us from our web page.
If you have dreamed of having a photo-shoot that is all about you, call me to set up a complimentary consultation. You can see the studio and we can talk over coffee about how you want to be photographed. To make that happen, just click to book below! Is it a long trip to visit the studio? We’ve photographed women from all over the eastern part of the country including New Jersey, Virginia, Ohio, New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Feel free to contact us and set up a special phone consultation! And, as you now know, Gift Certificates are available.
With spring right around the corner and bathing suits already for sale in the stores, it’s time to tackle going through your wardrobe! If you’re like most of us, there are clothes in your closet and dressers that haven’t been worn for years but you can’t bring yourself to get rid of. Well, today we’re going to share some essential tips for organizing your wardrobe and getting ready for the warm weather.
Start Now
Waiting until the warm weather has really hit, inevitably leads to stuffing all the winter items in bins or boxes because you are too overwhelmed to deal with sorting through each item. So start now and pick one of the plans below that works for you. There are different approaches to tackling this project and it’s best to pick which one fits you best. No matter what approach you pick, have your bags, boxes or bins ready for sorting your items.
Make a Plan
For the one step at a time approach, pick one type of clothing at a time, for instance socks & underwear, jeans, jackets, etc. This process will take longer but is less overwhelming and works for those who just can’t dedicate a whole uninterrupted day to getting it done. Take everything of that item you own and assess what condition it is in. Just like on the TV shows that focus on cleaning out a house, make three piles – Keep, Donate, Trash. If you have items you were given as a gift and never wore because they didn’t really suit your style, put them in the donation pile. If you have clothes that are stained or torn and cannot be cleaned or repaired, put them in the toss pile. This is the time to be honest as well. If you have clothes that don’t fit, are you actively doing something to remedy the situation? If that pair of size 6 jeans you had in high school have a ton of memories but no chance in hell of ever fitting again, it’s time to donate, toss or get crafty with them. Remember if you choose the crafty route and you don’t get it done in the next 6 months, time to let them go!
For the brave souls who can tackle their entire wardrobe in one go, remember to set aside enough time and space for your project and have a plan before you start. Take everything out, empty your closet and all your drawers so you have a big picture of what you have and the outfits you love to mix and match. If you have classic items that mix well with everything and that can be worn for years to come, those are a great place to start your keep pile. No matter which approach you choose, this can be a difficult task but you will feel great when you finish.
Storage Tips
Once you have your keep items selected you still have a few things to do. Before you pack everything away when the warmer weather hits, remember to keep a few transitional items for those cool days so you don’t have to pull bins back out later. Throw out the toss pile and pack your donate items in your car to drop off your next time out. If they stay in the house, these items have a sneaky way of crawling back into your closet and drawers.
When you’re ready to store items, it’s important to do it correctly so when you go back to them in the fall, they are still in wearable condition. If you have items that need dry cleaning, get that done before you store them as any dirt or oils should be removed before packing them away. If you have jackets you are storing, make sure they are washed and thoroughly dry before putting them in storage. Make sure you empty pockets, zip or button items before packing to keep things in shape. If you have items that will be stored on hangers, invest in hangers that will not leave your clothes misshapen over time. Use caution when storing items in a basement or attic if they will be subject to moisture or extreme heat or cold as mold can ruin your favorite clothes and leave spots that will not come out. Last but certainly not least, label your storage containers so it will be easy for you to retrieve items when the weather begins to cool off or if you decide to take a vacation to an area that has cooler weather.
I hope these tips help you get this off your to do list and moving on to more fun and creative projects or on a shopping trip to fill in the gaps in your wardrobe for spring!
If you have any questions about this article or ideas for other topics you would like me to write about, please comment below or Contact Us from our web page.
If you have dreamed of having a photo-shoot that is all about you, call me to set up a complimentary consultation. You can see the studio and we can talk over coffee about how you want to be photographed. To make that happen, just click to book below! Is it a long trip to visit the studio? We’ve photographed women from all over the eastern part of the country including New Jersey, Virginia, Ohio, New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Feel free to contact us and set up a special phone consultation! And, as you now know, Gift Certificates are available.