Have you ever felt unprepared for a special event or meeting? Were you sure you had forgotten to bring something or you were just not ready to get up and give your speech? I know I have! Imagine if you had to give that speech in sexy lingerie in front of people you had never met before. Yikes!!
Because of this, I want to share a little information about why I feel communication between a photographer and a client is so important, especially if you are planning a boudoir photo-shoot.
From our first in-person meeting at your pre-shoot consultation, all the way through picking up your images when they are finished, an open line of communication is critical. Scheduling a pre-shoot consultation at my studio lets us meet and get to know each other before your big day. You have a chance to see the studio where your photos will be taken and get ideas of what our sets look like and what we have for props you can use. During this meeting you will fill out a pre-shoot questionnaire to let me know more about your likes and dislikes as well as gathering information for our stylist. We spend time going over forms and contracts to make sure everything is clear and any questions can be answered. This is also when we talk about what you have envisioned for your session. Some women come in with a clear idea of what they want out of their shoot and others are unsure what the difference is between boudoir, fashion and pinup.
Meeting in person lets us look at different images together to know we are on the same page as to what you want and removes possible misunderstandings from emailed messages. To help with this we will create a Pinterest board for you so we can share images prior to your shoot. They can be images we feel would work for you or images that YOU find inspiring or that show the type of mood or look you want to create during your session. There are so many times when we post an image that it sparks a totally different view of possibilities for our clients. Your idea of sexy or fashionable may be very different from the last client we worked with. It is important that we can see examples of images that reflect your interpretation so we can meet your expectations during the shoot. The Pinterest board is also shared with your stylist so they can see what you are envisioning for hair styles and makeup for your special day.
Once you have gotten started on your journey toward the Big Day of your photo session, we will send you periodic emails with any questions or updates leading up to your session to help us get to know you better. We also encourage you to email or call us at any time with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your scheduled shoot. It’s all about the communication!
The whole process normally takes about 4 weeks from pre-shoot consultation to the day of your session. Images ordered during your same day viewing session take another 2-3 weeks to arrive and be packaged for you to pick up. So plan ahead and give yourself plenty of time to book your shoot and receive your images if you are doing this for a special occasion!
Are you unsure or confused about what to wear for your boudoir session? Fully clothed, partially clothed, or implied nudity can all be sexy. It’s important that you plan your clothing items around what your comfort level is. You can bring items you already have and feel beautiful in or you can purchase new specifically for your shoot. If you plan on shopping, make sure you’ve tried the clothing on, moved around, and love it. Don’t wait until you get dressed for your shoot to try something on for the first time. You may find it’s the wrong size or you just don’t like how it fits on you. You will look the sexiest when you feel confident and good about yourself.
Remember, this experience is ultimately about what you want, what you like, and what you want to see yourself in. Your clothing should reflect your taste and personal style.
Lingerie:
Vintage slips, a teddy and/or camisole always photograph well. A corset or a bustier with thigh high stockings, a garter belt, and heels are a common choice. Start simple and go from there. Think about what colors look good on you. If you have something your significant other finds especially sexy, bring it along! We do suggest you avoid the Baby Doll outfits as they have a tendency to give even the thinnest girls a heavier bell shape that does not photograph as well.
Casual Attire:
Everyday clothing is another option to bring with you. Items such as lacy or sheer tops, lose knit sweaters, jeans, shorts, sportswear, and pajamas can look cute and sexy if photographed properly. A simple white tank top or silky t-shirt is a must have!
Bra and Panties:
Most importantly, bring a varied selection of bra and panty sets. Start with basic black and white, but also bring colors and patterns if you have something you particularly like. Bras and panties can be photographed alone or paired with other clothing items or accessories. Make sure they fit well and don’t cause bulges from tight elastic bands.
Something of His:
If this is a gift for him, then bring something from his wardrobe. You might pick one of his favorite ties, a button down shirt, a sports jersey, or military uniform; anything that makes the images more personal and sexy to him!
To wrap this up, it’s always great to bring a variety of outfits that make you feel great when you put them on and items that show your personality. Don’t forget to bring some accessories with you like jewelry, scarves, hats, high heels, boots, gloves, stockings, garter belts, military tags or whatever it is that has special meaning to you. This is your day and it is going to be awesome!!
I’ve been meaning to write this for a while and decided now is a great time to just get this done! I hear “reasons” all the time from women why they can’t do a boudoir session and I’m telling you today that those “reasons” are really just excuses! I’m a huge believer in loving yourself as you are today in this very moment, and if you aren’t quite there yet, we can help empower you to see yourself as the confident, individual Dream Girl that you are. So, without further ado, here are the Top 10 excuses women tell themselves (and me) why they can’t do a boudoir shoot right now, and my responses to them and YOU!
#1) I need to lose 5 or 10 lbs. first
Most women who say they need to lose weight before their session are really just afraid they won’t like what they see in their photos. I’m not trying to discourage you from committing to a weight loss journey if it is for your health and emotional well-being, however, you DON’T need to lose weight to look good in your photographs! I believe that every woman is beautiful as she is right now, and I know how to pose you and use studio lighting to enhance your best features. In addition, utilizing our professional hair and makeup services before your photoshoot provides you with the extra confidence boost to feel ABSOLUTELY GLAMOROUS!
#2) I’m not very photogenic
The right photographer can take awesome photos of ANY woman no matter her shape, size or experience. Pose coaching and directing is a huge part of what I do, and is essential even in the images that appear “candid”. Coaching you into the pose, allows you to relax and not worry if you’re “doing it right”. You will know exactly what to do and how to do it. I will make sure you don’t feel awkward in front of the camera.
#3) I don’t own any sexy lingerie and garters / stockings aren’t my ‘thing’
Here is a small list of what clients wore in some of our favorite photoshoots:
Matching bra and panties
Yours or your significant other’s button-up shirt
Tank top or camisole
Oversized sweater
A satin robe or kimono
Or just a bed sheet…
Whatever it is that shows your personality works! And remember, this can also be a great opportunity to go shopping and get something new.
#4) What if he doesn’t like my pictures
Trust me, he will! Most significant others already love you for who you are and think that you are beautiful in your everyday look. We will be photographing you looking amazing, sexy and confident. No man in his right mind wouldn’t appreciate gorgeous images of the woman he loves. Here is a quote I received from a previous client:
“… He was so pleased with how they all came out. He actually teared up. He said how happy I looked and that he was really glad I ended up doing them even … He loved how special they were. And I know he will treasure them…”
#5) I’m shy and don’t know how to be sexy
That’s perfect! As a matter of fact, it can be easier to photograph women who don’t have a preconceived interpretation of what “sexy” looks like. I can direct or provoke a thought that will effortlessly capture a sexy expression in a way to appear completely candid. Just wait until you’ve seen your pictures!
#6) Everyone will see my pictures
No, no, no! You may have seen boudoir portraiture on our web page, blog posts, advertising and possibly our newsletter; Portraits that YOU may not feel comfortable sharing with the public. However, we only share photographs of women that allow us to display their images so that other women can see the potential beauty that lies within them. We have every client sign a release form that either grants or denies us rights to showcase your beautiful portraits. The choice is completely yours if you want them to remain completely private or not.
#7) I can’t afford a boudoir photo session
I won’t pretend to completely know your financial situation. HOWEVER, I will say a couple of things. First, you may not be able to drop several hundred dollars at this very moment, but we can help make your dream photoshoot come true by setting up a payment plan for you. Second, you can save for a photoshoot just like you would a girl’s night out, a vacation, or that designer handbag you really want! A boudoir photo session is an investment, but it is something you may only have the chance to do once in your life. If you want a confidence-boosting, unforgettable experience with quality portraits to cherish for a lifetime, you can have it!
#8) I’m too old to have boudoir photos taken
Are you too old to feel special, appreciated or beautiful? You get to choose to embrace who you are throughout life’s many beautiful stages. You may not be that same girl as you were in your early 20’s but now you’re even better…you’re a woman. A strong, beautiful, independent woman.
#9) I don’t feel comfortable getting naked in front of strangers
That won’t be a problem with us because we do not shoot nude photography. We may imply nudity but you will be covered in all of your photographs. Boudoir portraits can be as covering as you want them to be. There is a spectrum of how revealing you want your portraits to be from fully clothed to a tasteful ILLUSION of nude. The important thing to remember is that we will meet you where you’re at. We will never have you do a pose or wear an outfit that you are not comfortable with. Also, remember that we will not share your portraits with anyone you don’t want seeing them, so you can feel comfortable showing more skin in front of the camera. In most cases, you will be wearing more than you would for a day at the beach.
#10) I’m not married and don’t have a boyfriend
Boudoir is more for YOU than anyone else. Realizing your beauty is one of the most incredible things a woman can experience and having amazing portraits of yourself looking absolutely ravishing is life changing. Here is a quote from one of my clients that actually made me cry when I read it that explains it all: “It was so much fun. I cried telling about my confidence issues, but I soon realized that I’m not the only one who feels that way. Today, I felt beautiful. Today, I felt powerful. Definitely makes me want to take a second look in the mirror and tell myself “I am worth every good thing that people say about me.” I am awesome and beautiful and quirky. I need to own it. That’s me. Like it or love it, it’s me!”
I hope I was able to address some of the excuses that we all tell ourselves. What it all boils down to is fear of the unknown and now that it’s no longer “unknown” you have nothing to be afraid of! So… what are you waiting for?
Book Your Boudoir Session Now and trust in us as professionals to take great care of you and help you bring out that side you’ve never seen before.
A graduate of the New York Institute of Photography, Marilyn has won awards for Best Artist and loves doing editorial style work as well as contemporary portraiture.As a member of the Better Business Bureau and the Greater Norwich Area Chamber of Commerce, she takes pride in operating a professional studio and being part of the local business organizations.
AT MENAGERIE PHOTOGRAPHY – WE TAKE BRAS SERIOUSLY! Making sure women are comfortable and looking their best is our business. As a boudoir photographer I see a lot of lingerie and making sure women are buying what fits them to make them look their best while also being comfortable is important.
That is why we created this Bra Size Calculator. Give it a try and let us know how it worked for you.
HOW TO MEASURE YOUR BRA SIZE
To find your bra size, you’ll need a measuring tape and your best fitting non-padded bra, preferably an underwire and not a minimizer or sports bra. If you don’t have a flexible measuring tape, you can use a piece of string and then measure the string results with a ruler.
STEP 1: Measure underneath your bust. This will help determine your band size. Place the measuring tape around your rib cage, right under your bra line and breath in deeply. Record this measurement in inches. Use whole numbers and round up to the nearest even number (29.5″ = 30″)
STEP 2: Measure around the fullest area of the bust to determine your cup size. Place the measuring tape around the fullest part of your bust line at the nipple level. Record this measurement in inches. Round up to the nearest whole number (35.5″ = 36″)
Knowing these two numbers will allow a professional bra fitter to accurately calculate your appropriate size.
If you would like to try our free automated bra calculator, check it out HEREat our lingerie boutique’s web page.
Many people only think about drinking enough water during the hot summer months but I want to share some reasons it is important to drink enough water all year long. I have heard from many people that water is bland and they want something with flavor. At the end of this post you will find four recipes to up the flavor without adding sugar to make it tasty without the additional calories.
Losing weight. If you are trying to lose weight upping your water intake could help. Studies have found that drinking water before a meal can be beneficial. The extra water helps us eat less by making us feel full.
Preventing headaches naturally. Going too long without enough water has been found to be a migraine trigger. Staying hydrated can help ward off headaches but if you do get one, drinking two to four cups of water can help reduce or eliminate the pain if it is triggered by dehydration.
Proper hydration keeps your kidneys working properly. Our kidneys do a lot of work removing waste from our bodies. They also help control our blood pressure and balance fluids. All this work requires you to stay properly hydrated so the kidneys can do their job!
Soda water makes healthier cocktails. Try seltzer water and fresh fruit instead of your normal sugary mixers to make a delicious, better-for-you drink. Not only are their less calories but it can also help prevent dehydration.
Want a way to help take the edge off of hangovers? Drinking alcohol causes dehydration and with the warm weather parties the heat can add to that problem. The combination can lead to a doozy of a hangover or worse. Drinking a glass of water with each alcoholic drink you sip is one way to offset the dehydration and avoid some of that day-after misery.
Recipes
Strawberry, Blueberry, Lemon Balm (pictured)
1/2 cup strawberries, sliced
1/2 cup blueberries
1 Tbsp fresh lemon balm leaves
Minty Cucumber Lime
1/2 cucumber, sliced
1/2 lime, sliced
1/4 cup fresh mint leaves
Strawberry-Lemon with Basil
1/2 cup sliced strawberries
1/2 lemon, sliced
1/4 cup fresh basil leaves
Watermelon Mint
1 cup cubed watermelon
1/4 cup fresh mint leaves
Pineapple-Orange with Ginger
1/2 cup cubed pineapple
1/2 orange, sliced
1 tablespoon freshly grated ginger
You’ll Need:
1-quart jars
Water
Wooden spoon
Agave or another sweetener (optional)
Directions:
Choose which recipe you’re making—or come up with your own combination—and gather all of the ingredients.
Place fruit, herbs, and/or spices in the bottom of a jar and muddle with a wooden spoon. (That basically means mash up fruit to release some of the flavor-filled juices.)
Fill jar with water and give it a taste. (You can also fill jar with seltzer water for a fizzy treat.) If you’d like something a bit sweeter, add some agave and mix until dissolved.
Enjoy as-is or refrigerate overnight for maximum flavor.
“We did it again for the second year in a row! A huge thank you to our awesome clients – without you we could not have had such a successful year. You ladies are not only gorgeous but also my dreams come true. You are my Dream Girls! Thank you all and let’s make this the best year ever!” – Marilyn Riel
Menagerie Photography Receives 2016 Best of Lisbon Award
Lisbon Award Program Honors the Achievement
LISBON February 18, 2016 — Menagerie Photography has been selected for the 2016 Best of Lisbon Award in the Artist category by the Lisbon Award Program.
Each year, the Lisbon Award Program identifies companies that we believe have achieved exceptional marketing success in their local community and business category. These are local companies that enhance the positive image of small business through service to their customers and our community. These exceptional companies help make the Lisbon area a great place to live, work and play.
Various sources of information were gathered and analyzed to choose the winners in each category. The 2016 Lisbon Award Program focuses on quality, not quantity. Winners are determined based on the information gathered both internally by the Lisbon Award Program and data provided by third parties.
About Lisbon Award Program
The Lisbon Award Program is an annual awards program honoring the achievements and accomplishments of local businesses throughout the Lisbon area. Recognition is given to those companies that have shown the ability to use their best practices and implemented programs to generate competitive advantages and long-term value.
The Lisbon Award Program was established to recognize the best of local businesses in our community. Our organization works exclusively with local business owners, trade groups, professional associations and other business advertising and marketing groups. Our mission is to recognize the small business community’s contributions to the U.S. economy.
When we started planning our Fall Campaign – The Fabulous Four – we were looking for four brave women to help us capture images to re-brand our business. We sent out our invitation for a complimentary mini-session with a free digital 8×10 and wondered what the response would be. We were excited when responses started coming in right away and from such a variety of women. The most important part of the form for us was the brief explanation of why they wanted to participate in the shoot. These were really the decision makers for us and though there were many candidates, we had narrowed down our selection to four lucky ladies from across Connecticut. Then, we received an entry notice that we really liked and when we looked to see where she was from we saw Cleveland, Ohio. Yes, all the way from Cleveland!! I will admit we were not sure if it was a mistake, so we contacted this marvelous woman and verified she knew where we were. Lisbon, Connecticut… little town, off the beaten path, a beautiful New England town but, blink and you might miss it, Lisbon. She assured us she was aware and that she was willing to drive all the way from Cleveland to Lisbon for the opportunity of a one day shoot with us. We had already chosen our Fabulous Four and did not want to replace anyone so decided to make them our Fantastic Five!
I am so happy we made this decision as each woman who participated was wonderful. We even expanded from our original Fashion / Boudoir shoot plans to include Pinup sessions and they were awesome!
We are currently using some of their shots in our ads and on our web page and will be including them in our new Studio Welcome Guide – The Menagerie – that will be coming out beginning of 2016. I applaud the strength and beauty in each of these women and am honored to have worked with them.
Are you a Star Wars geek like me?
I couldn’t believe how cool this is and I LOVE this idea. Check out these one-of-a-kind “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” clothing designs. Bloomingdale’s will be displaying them until they are auctioned off on CharityBuzz.com to benefit the Child Mind Institute.
I wouldn’t be interested in wearing or collecting cloths like these but I’m sure there are Star Wars collectors out there that have the desire and expendable cash to ad these to their personal collections. May the force be with them!
It’s been a long road but we finished remodeling our 1,000 square foot studio and I am so excited! A year ago I decided to move into a separate studio space and had a vision of what I wanted. When we finished the studio it was more than I had dreamed.
I love working in my new space and can’t wait to have you here to see it and experience the fun of a photoshoot in our new, exciting studio!
When you come in for your pre-shoot consultation we will have a seat in our Viewing Room and discuss what style best fits you while we share a tea, coffee or cold drink from our beverage center.
The day of your shoot you can be pampered in our Hair & Make-up Room to get you all dolled up and ready to go! There is a private dressing room as well for any outfit changes you may need to make.
Depending on the sets used for your shoot, you may be in the Victorian Room for some soft romantic shots. It is a great area for bridal or maternity boudoir or for vintage images.
Or you may be in the Main Gallery for fashion, head shot, or glamour images.
Once your pictures are taken and you sit down to relax back in the Viewing Room, I’ll be in my office, reviewing your images and putting together the pictures for your viewing and ordering session. We will then sit down together and take a look at your beautiful shots on our large screen to determine which pictures you want to order.
