so many new ideas running through my ever decreasing brain ...
started packing my bag!
Monday, March 28, 2011
Friday, March 25, 2011
allure ...
I don't blog about my portraits as much as i should but those of you who read this blog or know me away from it know i fell in love Boudoir photography about a year ago & finally got up the courage to set up a studio in my basement this year. I've come to discover that a lot of people whilst interested in doing a shoot are incredible nervous & don't understand much about it.
When i think boudoir i think hollywood old school glamor, feminine, beautiful & stunning portraits of you! Boudoir is just that ... about you. Be confident & proud of your body, treat yourself & maybe share with the one you love.
"I'm no model lady. A model's just an imitation of the real thing." ~ Mae West
There is a great freedom that comes with boudoir, & being able to show you as the beautiful woman that you are makes me just a little giddy.
Boudoir photography is about capturing who you are as a woman, being gorgeous & feminine, classy & confident. It's also about having fun. It doesn't take a model figure, it's about showing the world (or just your husband) how proud you are of you.
So keeping this in mind i decided to hold a series of mini shoots called "allure" so people could get a taste of it. It was a wonderful success & the feedback has been incredible positive, not to mention i love that these women are honestly gobsmacked by how stunning they really are (i on the other hand already know this).
So here are a few images of one of my wonderful clients (& friends) ...
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
new shops ...
About a month ago i made the decision to open a second photography shop on etsy, "ooh pretty shiny". After various conversations & discussions with other photographer, etsians & bloggers i concluded one of the things standing in my way was a lack of cohesion in my shop. My style can be somewhat eclectic at times & from a buyer's point of view that's not necessarily a good thing. So whilst the timing couldn't possible be worst with so much else going on i opened the new shop & i love it. I love how both shops are starting to look & feel so different, everything seems to make sense. & so far all the feedback i have received has been incredible positive. I definitely made the right choice.
The hard part i have found is the promotion aspect & i'm not spending as much time as i would like promoting both shops with my increasing work locally not to mention the lil dudes imminent arrival. & i know i am not alone in this world ... we all wish we could spend more time promoting & show casing our work, our shops & basically getting noticed out there in the big wide world. So here i am sharing new shops belonging to a couple of other fabulous female photographers on etsy, who's work i admire, who are wonderful women & who made the same choice i did.
The Shabby Photographer (really the name says so much) is the brand new shop run by Natalie French, an incredible talented photographer also from the UK (which obvious adds to her appeal), who's work is simple stunning. No really, she has a wonderful eye & imagination for the small details & putting random objects together in a way that inspires well anybody with a couple of brain cells. Her style is vintage & whimsical, the tones through out her pictures are soft & calming & the final outcome is simple & unique. I wonder at the thoughts that go through her head that enable Natalie to capture the images she does. I would love to one day watch her work, to see the process of setting up the shot. For me i see things already around me, for Natalie the creation seems to be as much a part of the final product as the picture itself.
I wish i could remember how i became friends with Claudia but i can't ... maybe it was just a mutual love of photography. Anyways here we have another inspiration for me, & a girl i talk to on a regular basis about all things photographic. Not to mention we are both in the process of trying to expand our business & going through similar journeys. Well like me she has a second "style" to her photography & a growing love for lomo, film & vintage. So she set up a new shop "a lomo love affair" (don't you just love the name) to showcase this & other similar techniques away from her original shop "a place for twiggs". & i love how it looks, still very much her style but with a totally different feel. Claudia sees things in the world around her, from nature to the random to a bright green bug & captures them in a way that showcases their own specific beauty. How can you not love this girl or her work? & if you have a moment i suggest heading over to her fabulous blog, yes this girl is not just an incredible talented photographer but a fabulous writer!
Thursday, March 17, 2011
post lil dude treats for me ...
So when the lil dude is born i have decided i will allow myself some treats ... after how ever many months of being stuck wearing you know things that will cover a growing bump i want something pretty & cute & all the rest. It's funny how pregnancy has changed my clothing style ... forced me to push my own clothes wearing boundaries (much to the delight of my friends). & i like this, i like that i've started wearing some of the styles that i never thought i could that i can feel comfortable in more than just t-shirt & jeans.
Anyways keeping all this in mind i wanted to share with you some of the stores i plan on making purchases from (all these stores i have bought from but they've always been gifts for someone else) ... stores i have mentioned many a time on my blog but that are drawing me in more & more at the moment. & i'm incredible lucky that some these purchases may just be custom items ... something to really celebrate the new beginnings that are going on in my life!
La Marquise des Anges is a gorgeous little french boutique full of hand made gorgeousness. No really everything is so so pretty, with wonderful accents that turn ever the simplest of tanks into a unique eye catching item. Sabine (the fabulous owner) uses a variety of techniques in creating her pretty, stylish modern items. I have been in love for a long time, since first sight in fact, & whilst i have treated others to Sabine's wonderful designs i have yet to purchase for myself. But i have made myself a promise that once the lil dude arrives i no longer have an excuse for not getting myself one of her stunning creations (& we're working on something perfect for me). Oh & she also sells vintage, jewelry & accessories. One day i swear i will have the chance to photograph her wonderful designs!
For me the thing that stands out the most about Violet Bella is the simplicity that goes into the jewelry designs, & the natural feel. I've never been a big jewelry person but when i do wear it i like simple designs, nothing gaudy but something that makes a little bit of a statement. All this can be seen through out this gorgeous store belonging to Laura Mazurek & much much more. I first discovered Laura through her stunning photography which shows so much of who she is as an individual & now have fallen in love with everything else. Oh & not only is she incredible talented, & a beautiful person (you should read her blog if you don't believe me) but her husband has a gorgeous t-shirt store as well. I can just imagine this couple owning a little store somewhere filled with handmade pretty & love!
I discovered Wren Willow at Christmas when i was hunting for presents for a friend ... & i it was more than a crush. I will be the first to admit i like t-shirts of all kinds. I (as stated above) am a jeans & tee kinda girl & this is my kind of store. There are shirts of every kind, colour & size ... with a wonderful variety of images. & here again we're blessed with an owner (are you seeing a theme here) only happy to accommodate your needs & custom design the perfect item. Really i love when someone wants to work with you & make you the happiest girl alive! Marla screen prints all her own tees, ships speedy fast & has great customer service as well as being incredible friendly & helpful (yes i know i can't emphasis this enough). I am particularly in love with her roller skate designs & of course who can resist a tee with a camera printed on!
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
with spring just around the corner ...
so i love when a series of new finds on etsy seem to come together to make that perfect outfit ... & so i wanted to share! I saw these 3 gorgeous items on etsy & it's like they are meant to go together ... it's helps they come from some of my favourite shops!
Monday, March 14, 2011
it's the simple thing's in life that make me happy ...
getting things ready ...
the macaron vs cupcake debate ...
26 days to go!
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