Wow, this has been a CRAZY week (to say the least)!!! Remember a few weeks ago when I wrote this blog post about how many times we hear the word ‘no’…? And about how we always want to stay encouraged, not giving up… not taking ‘no’ for an answer… and just continuing to pursue our dreams… Well, this week we’ve seen the floodgates just pour open with tons of great exposure for our business here in San Diego! We’ve been on 2 local TV stations this week, 2 radio stations, and 1 high-profile blog in San Diego. So here is our encouragement to all of our photographer friends out there: Don’t give up. Get out there and write a letter to all of your local media outlets, and try to get them to do a feature on boudoir so that you can spread the word in YOUR city about how Boudoir is BACK!
If you’re interested in seeing more photos from us on the news today, go check out this blog post!
We were so honored to be asked to go on air with San Diego Living on Channel 6 CW! We were thrilled to be able to talk about boudoir photography, and why a boudoir photo session with The Boudoir Divas is the absolute BEST gift for Valentine’s Day!
Our mission statement is so incredibly important to our business. This was the foundation of WHY we started the Boudoir Divas. It is still important to us today. We first posted a blog post about our Mission Statement way back in 2007, on our old boudoir blog…
And since our mission statement is STILL just as important to us today, we wanted to post it again, in case you haven’t heard it:
“Our God grants us beauty and love everyday. He empowers us with His divine spirit.He gives us power and wisdom to create a life that will benefit those around us and those he asks us to help and give to abundantly. He gives us the resources and creativity to create a classy and romantic piece of art that ignites confidence and excitement in a bride or wife and re-enforces beauty in a woman and romance in a couple. With praise and deep gratitude we thank God everyday for the blessings He gives to us. We have nothing to fear because Christ Jesus sustains us.” -THE BOUDOIR DIVAS
To all of our photographer friends… we have been teaching boudoir workshops and speaking at photography conventions for over four years now, and at each and every workshop/speaking presentation, we always tell our attendees that they NEED to create their own mission statement. It’s so important for you to let your clients know exactly WHY you do what you do. What is the passion that is driving you and your business? Why do you get up each day and drive to your office or studio, or ‘coffee shop office’ or home office in your garage… what gets you going? Why are you shooting boudoir? Let your clients know! We can’t tell you HOW many times we’ve heard our clients tell us that they booked their shoot with us, simply because or our mission statement!
But your mission statement is way more than just something for your clients. It is something that will inspire YOU on days when you’re feeling down, or feeling burned out. To this day, we still have our mission statement printed and hanging in a frame in our office. If we’re having a tough day, all we have to do is look at our mission statement, and we are reminded of WHY we are doing this.
Our encouragement to all boudoir photographers out there: go find a place where you can be quiet… sit down today with a journal and pen… and write out what makes your heart happy when you think about your business. In ten years from now, when you look back at your life and your business, what do you want your motives to be? Write out all of your thoughts, brainstorm, and then once you have tons of ideas listed out, you can start to create a succinct, clear mission statement that reflects you and your business. Have fun! xoxo, K & M
You know those dreams that are light, fluffy and romantic? The ones that make you want to take a bat to your snooze alarm? And, the ones that make you feel as though you just glimpsed a piece of heaven? That’s what Laura Evans fine art photography reminds me of. It’s light, airy and full of wonder. She is able to find beauty in all kinds of amazing little places, like this, for example. A simple bed turned into a moment of beauty…
or this…
or…
and even this one was used in our blog background (thank you Lady)!
We had the wonderful opportunity of meeting Laura, http://lauraevansphotography.blogspot.com/, at one of our Paris boudoir workshops where I am guessing she took this amazing shot…
Thank you Laura for allowing us to revel in these whimsical little moments. I am crazy about all your images. It makes me think of some of my fave words, “I did not ask for success; I asked for wonder” Heschel. If anyone wants to purchase her fine art you can do so at her Etsy Page. -M
Just another little video that explains all about DAY TWO of the boudoir workshop. We usually post videos that show what happens on DAY ONE (shooting, working with lights, working with model-clients, 1-on-1 shooting w/ the clients)… but what happens on the next day? Well, check out this video to see…
Basically, we cover absolutely EVERYTHING you could possibly want to know about boudoir. We honestly don’t hold back ANYthing. Ask any of our past workshop attendees (or read some testimonials here!) We are honored and thrilled to be able to share what we’ve learned with other boudoir photographers. We are by no means perfect, and of course, like anyone else, we have made plenty of mistakes along the way in the boudoir business… which means, we want to share with you what didn’t work so well! We hope to save you from making some of those same mistakes. But we have also made some good decisions, and we’ve seen some great successes – and we want to share with you what we’ve done to get to the point we’re at today. We share all about our business, from shooting to lighting boudoir, to marketing (our fave!), pricing and packages, and setting up YOUR pricing, to post-production and a little bit of album design! It’s absolutely everything. And it’s all about BOUDOIR! (Timeline and more details can be found here)
Our next workshop is February – but it’s of course sold out. 🙂 SO, the next AVAILABLE workshop is April 12-14 (sign up online at BoudoirShop.com). We would love to have you there! If you have any questions about the boudoir workshop, please feel free to email Ashley: [email protected]
Another boudoir workshop is just around the corner and like always, we ask our lovely photog attendees to fill out a little questionnaire so we can get to know them better before they arrive! Here it is for you all to enjoy and can’t wait to meet you all in a couple weeks! This looks like its going to be another fun bunch. 🙂 If you have been thinking about bringing your boudoir photography business to the next level, you may want to consider attending a workshop with The Boudoir Divas! Not only do you learn literally EVERYTHING there is to know about running a boudoir business, you get to leave with a killer portfolio, and meet other photographers and have an overall blast at our San Diego Studio! Here is what one past attendee has said:
I am SO glad I attended the San Diego workshop as I not only had a great time and took some phenomenal pictures for my portfolio, but I learned so much about how to launch a boudoir photography business. As a new boudoir photographer, it was priceless to learn the tips, tricks, secrets, and basics of launching my business the right way from the original Divas! I told my husband everything we did and he nailed it – “you went to school!”. I don’t remember school being this fun! If I did, I would have paid more attention! Thanks Diva Team! –Anita Lubke
Our next workshop is April 12-14th and spots are still open! You can read more about our workshops HERE and you can register by going to our BOUDOIR SHOP.
FEBRUARY WORKSHOP ATTENDEES:
1. What are you MOST excited about for the upcoming SAN DIEGO workshop?
EVERYTHING! The gorgeous Divas! Lighting, posing, connecting with clients, even paperwork!
2. What do you hope to learn from the DIVAS?
Lighting and posing for different body types and how to make every client feel absolutely gorgeous and totally at ease!
3. How many times have you been to SAN DIEGO?
Zero
4. What is your FAVORITE thing to photograph?
Wedding details (and hopefully boudoir after this workshop!)
5. Starbucks or Coffee Bean (or neither)?
Starbucks
6. Who are you listening to RIGHT now on your ipod?
A lot of dance remixes for workouts- Britney, Beyonce, Rihanna
7. What is your FAVORITE piece of equipment in your camera bag?
Video light
8. What is your all-time FAVORITE snack food?
White cheddar popcorn
9. When you were a child… what did you want to be when you grew up?
Marine Biologist or Astronomer
10. What one thing in life would you want to remembered for?
Hitting the powerball and establishing a huge animal sanctuary!
1. What are you MOST excited about for the upcoming SAN DIEGO workshop?
I am excited to meet “The Divas” and all of the attendees! It will be great to talk shop and grow as a photographer!
2. What do you hope to learn from the DIVAS?
I have been thinking of taking the leap and moving into a studio space so I am very excited to see how such a successful boudoir studio is marketed, managed and organized!
3. How many times have you been to SAN DIEGO?
Never! My lack of tan is proof!
4. What is your FAVORITE thing to photograph?
Boudoir changed my life 5 years ago when I modeled in photos for my husband! I started my business 3 months later and I just love helping women, sometimes for the first time, see themselves as gorgeous, sexy, desirable!
5. Starbucks or Coffee Bean (or neither)?
Shade-grown and conflict free Alterra.
6. Who are you listening to RIGHT now on your ipod?
On my current favorite playlist are some amazing artists! Madonna, Grizzly Bear, LCD Sound-system, Goldfrapp, Lykke Li and Zuell!
7. What is your FAVORITE piece of equipment in your camera bag?
My Pocket Wizards! I love light! I love learning different ways to control it, direct it, and change it!
8. What is your all-time FAVORITE snack food?
I do enjoy a Double Chocolate Milano everyday!
9. When you were a child… what did you want to be when you grew up?
LOL! An opera singer! My poor parents listened to me yell and shriek for about a year growing up, they never did try to stop me!
10. What one thing in life would you want to remembered for?
I would hope to be remembered for “Paying It Forward” and not letting any doubts get in my way of living a purposeful life!
1. What are you MOST excited about for the upcoming SAN DIEGO workshop?
The whole trip is exiting, I’m 16 hours on the way
2. What do you hope to learn from the DIVAS?
Posing, exposure, motivation fort the clients, marketing
3. How many times have you been to SAN DIEGO?
Never before
4. What is your FAVORITE thing to photograph?
Women
5. Starbucks or Coffee Bean (or neither)?
I guess starbucks
6. Who are you listening to RIGHT now on your ipod?
Buddha Bar
7. What is your FAVORITE piece of equipment in your camera bag?
My camera
8. What is your all-time FAVORITE snack food?
bananas
9. When you were a child… what did you want to be when you grew up?
A lot, princess, mother, painter artist…….
10. What one thing in life would you want to remembered for?
The birth of my two girls
1. What are you MOST excited about for the upcoming SAN DIEGO workshop?
Having the opportunity to learn from the best in the industry :=) I am also very excited about meeting industry peers from around the Nation and sharing ideas and experiences.
2. What do you hope to learn from the DIVAS?
Lighting tips – lots and lots about lighting. I think good lighting is more important that poses! I am also very interested on learning how to sell boudoir services.
3. How many times have you been to SAN DIEGO?
This will be by second time in San Diego and my fifth in California.
4. What is your FAVORITE thing to photograph?
People’s expressions. My husband also jokes about me having a “foot fetish” because we do a lot of beach weddings here in Florida, and I love to photograph the bride’s barefoot feet on the sand, or in the water, or up in the air with the sunset on the background, etc – so I guess I like feet too 🙂
5. Starbucks or Coffee Bean (or neither)?
Starbucks. I even purchase the Colombian blend and that is what I drink every morning at home.
6. Who are you listening to RIGHT now on your ipod?
Well.. I’m weird..I don’t listen to music at all (although I’m an 80’s fan), but I listen to movies! Even if I cannot watch them. I watch (or listen) to nothing but comedy movies. I have on my iPad and iPhone the following moves: Airplane I and II (yes, I watch those in the plane all the time!), Dodgeball, Dracula: Dead and Loving it, Head of State, Robin Hood: Men in Tights… Well.. You get the idea.
7. What is your FAVORITE piece of equipment in your camera bag?
My 35 mm lens! I have pretty cool camera bag too which I adore.
8. What is your all-time FAVORITE snack food?
Brownies!!
9. When you were a child… what did you want to be when you grew up?
An astronaut or a mystery novel writer.
10. What one thing in life would you want to remembered for?
I guess it depends who you ask. I want my children to remember all the advice I always gave them. If I’m gone before my husband, I want him to remember that I’m going to come back at night and pull his toes if he marries someone else. 🙂 Kidding on the side, I am not much of a sentimental person and I believe that what I do now is what matters. After I’m gone, I want everyone around me to remember to have fun, enjoy life and don’t think about me too much. Life goes on.
1. What are you MOST excited about for the upcoming SAN DIEGO workshop?
Everything! lol I am excited about learning techniques for making women feel great I think it will translate well into other aspects of photography. Posing for Seniors, engagements, bridals & weddings! I feel like if I learn how to make a woman feel good in her skin, then being fully clothed is going to be easy!
2. What do you hope to learn from the DIVAS?
gosh, I feel like every aspect of my photography & business can improve so I can’t wait to soak it up! I think if my technique is the only thing that improves then I will feel accomplished!
3. How many times have you been to SAN DIEGO?
Never
4. What is your FAVORITE thing to photograph?
Adults, love some engagements
5. Starbucks or Coffee Bean (or neither)?
Water
6. Who are you listening to RIGHT now on your ipod?
Mike Ryan, Slow Hand but I love everything!
7.What is your FAVORITE piece of equipment in your camera bag?
I am super new to photography so I am buying a new camera soon hopefully I go with the 5D. I am ready to learn about different equipment and uses.
8. What is your all-time FAVORITE snack food?
Fruit seems like the appropriate response! I am not picky tho!
9. When you were a child… what did you want to be when you grew up?
Vet
10. What one thing in life would you want to remembered for?
Having a loving heart.
1. What are you MOST excited about for the upcoming SAN DIEGO workshop?
Marketing, pricing, posing, and the things that have worked and the things that haven’t. I want to take my business to the next level baby!
2. What do you hope to learn from the DIVAS?
How you rock that shit!! I wanna be a diva! 🙂
3. How many times have you been to SAN DIEGO?
S.P.A. last Jan, and a few times visiting my aunt in Santee. Now my bro lives there and I will be kickin it with him during this trip.
4. What is your FAVORITE thing to photograph?
Shiny happy people 🙂 and FASHION, and of course the sexpots, so fun to be able to give them a different view of themselves!
5. Starbucks or Coffee Bean (or neither)?
Local roasted is what i will go to if there’s a choice but Starbucks is so accessible, I’ve had many a cup!
6. Who are you listening to RIGHT now on your ipod?
Latest Christina, Rhianna, and lady gaga. Right this minute listening to pandora dido radio…
7. What is your FAVORITE piece of equipment in your camera bag?
5d mark II, that camera rocks!
8. What is your all-time FAVORITE snack food?
If I didn’t care about how fat they made me-potato chips all the way! And fries! If I’m being good i love to eat a whole English cucumber, yum!
9. When you were a child… what did you want to be when you grew up?
A child psychologist
10. What one thing in life would you want to remembered for?
The impact i had on others from the minuscule to larger than life and every part in between
1. What are you MOST excited about for the upcoming SAN DIEGO workshop?
Meeting new photographers, learning a new style of photography, expanding my business.
2. What do you hope to learn from the DIVAS?
Taking my boudoir photography to the next level, I come from an entertainment background working for Disney & TV shows, and have a solid career in the lighting field, I’m very anxious to learn how the Divas incorporate lighting into there photography.
How many times have you been to SAN DIEGO?
About 3-4 times per year… Grew up in Huntington Beach, love staying down in the GasLamp area for a quick get away, occasional work takes me to the Convention center as well.
4. What is your FAVORITE thing to photograph?
People… Happy awesome people, with amazing stories!
5. Starbucks or Coffee Bean (or neither)?
Either… I go straight for a large/vente black coffee
6. Who are you listening to RIGHT now on your ipod?
Florence and the machine
7. What is your FAVORITE piece of equipment in your camera bag?
50mm 1.2 lens…
8. What is your all-time FAVORITE snack food?
swedish fish….
9. When you were a child… what did you want to be when you grew up?
I was hooked on the Movie Top Gun… I thought Tom Cruise was a real fighter pilot… It was either that… or a firefighter… never in my wildest dreams did I ever think I’d end up doing what I’m doing…
10. What one thing in life would you want to remembered for?
For being compassionate and honest.
1. What are you MOST excited about for the upcoming SAN DIEGO workshop?
Not sure, I think I am just super excited about the WHOLE thing. I am really excited about having my own photo shoot though.
2. What do you hope to learn from the DIVAS?
Everything..haha. I just hope I can remember.
3. How many times have you been to SAN DIEGO?
Once.
4. What is your FAVORITE thing to photograph?
People in general. Right now I do mostly children, but am looking forward to branching out.
5. Starbucks or Coffee Bean (or neither)?
Neither. I’m from Canada, and love Tim Hortons coffee.
6. Who are you listening to RIGHT now on your ipod?
I just got a new iphone and haven’t loaded any music yet.
7. What is your FAVORITE piece of equipment in your camera bag?
I guess my 5D, it is fairly new and so far I LOVE it.
8. What is your all-time FAVORITE snack food?
Yummy cheese and crackers.
9. When you were a child… what did you want to be when you grew up?
A teacher.
10. What one thing in life would you want to remembered for?
Being a good mom. I hope to always have a close relationship with my children when they are all grown up.
1. What are you MOST excited about for the upcoming SAN DIEGO workshop?
Finally meeting you guys and learning more about the business end of things!
2. What do you hope to learn from the DIVAS?
More of the business/ marketing. I want to take GB to another level this year.
3. How many times have you been to SAN DIEGO?
Just once when i was little
4. What is your FAVORITE thing to photograph?
Confident and sexy women
5. Starbucks or Coffee Bean (or neither)?
Dunkin’ donuts but I can live with Starbucks
6. Who are you listening to RIGHT now on your ipod?
John Mayer and Train- always!
7. What is your FAVORITE piece of equipment in your camera bag?
My new 50mm 1.4
8. What is your all-time FAVORITE snack food?
Gummi bears
9. When you were a child… what did you want to be when you grew up?
A fashion designer
10. What one thing in life would you want to remembered for?
Making people feel good about themselves
What are you MOST excited about for the upcoming SAN DIEGO workshop?
Learning something new.
2. What do you hope to learn from the DIVAS?
A new way of looking at photography
3. How many times have you been to SAN DIEGO?
Too many times to count
4. What is your FAVORITE thing to photograph?
Food (I’m a chef by training), my daughter (she inspires me daily) and Hawaii (where I was born and raised)
5. Starbucks or Coffee Bean (or neither)?
Starbucks – only because it’s close; don’t really care either way
6. Who are you listening to RIGHT now on your ipod?
Switching back and forth between Michael Buble and NPR – I know weird!
7. What is your FAVORITE piece of equipment in your camera bag?
My 50 mm f/1.8 – Santa is late but is bringing me a f/1.4 😉
8. What is your all-time FAVORITE snack food?
Almonds
9. When you were a child… what did you want to be when you grew up?
Nothing that I am today but oh so much better then I had imagined!
10. What one thing in life would you want to remembered for?
Being a good daughter, sister, wife and mother.
1. What are you MOST excited about for the upcoming SAN DIEGO workshop?
Learning about lighting and business strategies…. and of course adding awesome images to my portfolio! I’m trying to start my own business and need some tricks up my sleeve that other local photographers might not know.
2. What do you hope to learn from the DIVAS?
I hope I learn a lot about lighting for portraits, especially things I can do when I am by myself and have no one to hold lights.
3. How many times have you been to SAN DIEGO?
Once or twice many years ago.
4. What is your FAVORITE thing to photograph?
Horses! Or pretty girls with their horses…
5. Starbucks or Coffee Bean (or neither)?
Starbucks Iced Coffee that doesn’t taste like coffee anymore. lol
6. Who are you listening to RIGHT now on your ipod?
Tough… Mumford and Sons, Grace Potter and the Nocturnals, Black Keys
7. What is your FAVORITE piece of equipment in your camera bag?
Either my Black Rapid RS-5 or my 50mm f1.8.
8. What is your all-time FAVORITE snack food?
Raspberries
9. When you were a child… what did you want to be when you grew up?
A photographer…. no joke.
10. What one thing in life would you want to remembered for?
Being successful with my passion for photography.
1. What are you MOST excited about for the upcoming SAN DIEGO workshop?
I’m really excited about everything, the studio, meeting you all, learning all this cute and so interesting things about boudoir, the marketing tips and so on..last but not least, I get to travel to San Diego from Italy which is waaaay cool, so i get to tour a very little bit California with my best friend, and I think this trip will definitely be remembered!!
2. What do you hope to learn from the DIVAS?
I don’t think that there’s something that I don’t want to learn, also because, Italy is really remained in the first 90’s when we talk about photography, so I would love to hear and experience everything different from what I’m used to see and to deal with people more open minded in the field.
3. How many times have you been to SAN DIEGO?
NEVER!! This is my first time in the west coast and I’m sure I’ll have some serious problems when I’ll have to come back home!
4. What is your FAVORITE thing to photograph?
I would say definitely people. They’re such an interesting subject to have in front of the lens, but I like everything..as long as there’s some good ole natural light around, everything take this beautiful atmosphere that is worth to catch!
5. Starbucks or Coffee Bean (or neither)?
Well..since I’m in Italy we have neither of these two, I’ve only tried Starbucks, so my opinion isn’t really balanced, but I guess I have to answer Starbucks!
6. Who are you listening to RIGHT now on your ipod?
hmm right now Taylor Swift, I have a secret celebrity crush on her 😀 hands down.
7. What is your FAVORITE piece of equipment in your camera bag?
50mm 1.4, no doubt on that! And I find myself arguing with every other photographer because I most likely shoot like 60% of my weddings with it, and here it’s considered the most unfitting lens for every kind of shoot. People here use it just for still life.
8. What is your all-time FAVORITE snack food?
Right now I’m a lot into home-made cookies, with nutella on the inside, and more important, not made by me :D, but a little while ago I snacked on carrots constantly, I was even carrying them in my bag!
9. When you were a child… what did you want to be when you grew up?
I wanted to be a million things, I wanted to be a marine biologist, an astronaut, a singer, a farmer, a doctor and so on..I surrender to the fact that I change my mind constantly.
10. What one thing in life would you want to remembered for?
I guess it would be fun personality and loving person, able to follow her heart.
1. What are you MOST excited about for the upcoming SAN DIEGO workshop?
I’m really excited to watch the DIVAS do a session. I love watching other photographers work and learning new tricks.
2. What do you hope to learn from the DIVAS?
I am not only really looking forward to learning about posing and lighting, but I’m very excited to learn about the business side of the Boudoir business. Boudoir seems like it could be a challenge in the sales department compared to regular family sessions, so I can’t wait to find out how these ladies are making it work!
3. How many times have you been to SAN DIEGO?
I’ve never even been to California!
4. What is your FAVORITE thing to photograph?
My beautiful little girl! Cliché, I know, but it’s the truth!
5. Starbucks or Coffee Bean (or neither)?
Sadly, neither. I love the way coffee smells, but my stomach is a delicate eco-system, so no coffee for me. TMI?
6. Who are you listening to RIGHT now on your ipod?
The Ting Tings, Guns N Roses, Sara Bareilles, Cake, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
7. What is your FAVORITE piece of equipment in your camera bag?
My 50mm 1.4 lens! Gotta love that bokeh.
8. What is your all-time FAVORITE snack food?
Twizzlers are really doing it for me lately.
9. When you were a child… what did you want to be when you grew up?
Let’s see, I believe I wanted to be Paula Abdul. I think I ended up making a better career choice.
10. What one thing in life would you want to remembered for?
Wow, that’s kind of a profound question! To tell you the truth, I haven’t given it much thought. I was kind of hoping to live forever. I’ll get back to you.
1. What are you MOST excited about for the upcoming SAN DIEGO workshop?
Lighting, photo editing, meeting other photographers. (sorry, more than one for me…excited about it all really)
2. What do you hope to learn from the DIVAS?
I’m not good with the business aspect of running a studio, so hoping to learn this important part of my business.
3. How many times have you been to SAN DIEGO?
Once.
4. What is your FAVORITE thing to photograph?
Individuals, mostly women.
5. Starbucks or Coffee Bean (or neither)?
Coffee bean.
6. Who are you listening to RIGHT now on your ipod?
SEAL 😉
7. What is your FAVORITE piece of equipment in your camera bag?
My camera
8. What is your all-time FAVORITE snack food?
Peanut butter and apple
9. When you were a child… what did you want to be when you grew up?
A teacher
10. What one thing in life would you want to remembered for?
That I was a great mom and wife. And, for all my scrapbooks and photos that I’ve created for my friends and family.
1. What are you MOST excited about for the upcoming SAN DIEGO workshop?
All the knowledge I will gain and of course, the warmer weather! 🙂
2. What do you hope to learn from the DIVAS?
I’m really excited to learn more about lighting and posing techniques that will compliment the women I photograph.
3. How many times have you been to SAN DIEGO?
3
4. What is your FAVORITE thing to photograph?
Newborns & Seniors
5. Starbucks or Coffee Bean (or neither)?
Starbucks
6. Who are you listening to RIGHT now on your ipod?
Lady Antebellum
7. What is your FAVORITE piece of equipment in your camera bag?
85mm 1.4 lens
8. What is your all-time FAVORITE snack food?
Pringles
9. When you were a child… what did you want to be when you grew up?
Lawyer
10. What one thing in life would you want to remembered for?
My passion for autism research and awareness/helping families that struggle with autism diagnosis.
1. What are you MOST excited about for the upcoming SAN DIEGO workshop?
Meeting new people and growing as a photographer
2. What do you hope to learn from the DIVAS?
EVERYTHING they aim to teach me
3. How many times have you been to SAN DIEGO?
Zero
4. What is your FAVORITE thing to photograph?
I’m still learning so for now, anything people
5. Starbucks or Coffee Bean (or neither)?
I’m stuck in small-town-nowheresville so Whole Bean Seattle’s Best Blend in my kitchen
6. Who are you listening to RIGHT now on your ipod?
Greg Laswell
7. What is your FAVORITE piece of equipment in your camera bag?
Aside from my body, my 50mm 1.4
8. What is your all-time FAVORITE snack food?
Pop Secret Homestyle
9. When you were a child… what did you want to be when you grew up?
Anywhere bigger than my hometown
10. What one thing in life would you want to remembered for?
Always wanting to make people smile
1. What are you MOST excited about for the upcoming SAN DIEGO workshop?
Learning something new, shooting models, portfolio pieces
2. What do you hope to learn from the DIVAS?
Lighting Techniques
3. How many times have you been to SAN DIEGO?
None
4. What is your FAVORITE thing to photograph?
People and my pug
5. Starbucks or Coffee Bean (or neither)?
Starbucks
6. Who are you listening to RIGHT now on your ipod?
Everyone, it’s really a hodge podge
7. What is your FAVORITE piece of equipment in your camera bag?
My camera
8. What is your all-time FAVORITE snack food?
Almonds
9. When you were a child… what did you want to be when you grew up?
Singer
10. What one thing in life would you want to remembered for?
I’m a pisces, still trying to figure that one out, it’s a daily struggle I promise you
Just wanted to post another preview of the Boudoir Lighitng & Shooting DVD. The DVD is composed of 10 minute introduction by the Divas, talking about studio lighting… then the remainder of the DVD shows the Divas (Kimberlee & Marissa) in action, working with three different clients, on four different sets, with different lighting set-ups. It’s a behind-the-scenes look at how the Divas interact with their clients, and how they achieve their ‘signature look’ for boudoir photography.
*NOTE: To those of you who have pre-ordered this DVD, be sure you print out your receipt and bring it with you to the Divas’ booth at WPPI next month! (More details on that to come!) 🙂
Happy Friday everyone! The Boudoir Divas are stoked to announce that we have yet another awesome new backdrop. The Drop Shoppe has tons and tons of backdrop options and what’s even cooler is that they can customize one for you using a picture you send them! We love how light weight the back drop is so we can move it around easily between our studio and natural light set as well as bring it with us to trade shows and workshops. We can’t wait to try it out on a client soon! Check out all their options at The Drop Shoppe! THANKS DROP SHOPPE!
*Side note: Last week, I wrote on twitter and facebook that I was working on a blog post about not giving up – even when you face disappointments. Immediately, I had a dozen comments or emails from my fabulous peers – photographers writing and telling me that this was something that they needed to hear right now. I was blown away by the response I got, and those comments also forced me to follow-through and actually finish writing this post. So, for what it’s worth, I hope that my rambling musings might somehow give you a tiny taste of hope and maybe even a little dose of encouragement today. Hugs, Kimberlee
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When you hear ‘no’… What do you do? Give up? Get discouraged? Get angry? I’ve done all of those things… but I want to encourage you all today to stay focused on your GOALS, not on the no’s. Steady persistence and constant working toward your goals is the BEST way to overcome any disappointments (or, at least, that’s what works for me!). I know Marissa and I tend to be ‘glass half full’ gals – especially here on the blog. It’s WAY easier to share with you about our accomplishments, achievements, and the goals we have met. But I just wanted to take a moment to remind you that we are still human… we are just a couple of gals trying to run a successful business… and sometimes we face a TON of hardships, disappointments, and… we hear the word ‘no’ quite often. The thing that keeps us going, though, is NOT to stay focused too long on those no’s. The no’s do not define us… and so, we continue striving and working toward our goals. Here are just a few examples from the past several years…
*When Marissa dreamed her big dream, and planned this awesome business plan (back when she was still in high school!)… so many people said ‘no.’ She was too young, too inexperienced. Glamour Shots was a long gone trend, a cheesy reminder of the 80s, and anything that resembled boudoir photography would only bring up thoughts of tulle, boas, and cheesiness. Marissa didn’t listen to any of that.
*Back in 2006, when M was first starting the boudoir business, and she asked me to join her. I said ‘no.’ And I am so thankful that she was persistent… so thankful that I finally said ‘yes.’ The past five years have been so amazing… it has been a wild ride, a crazy adventure, and I am so thankful to have a business partner who is also a kindred spirit. And to have a business that impacts women, makes them feel beautiful, and gives them crazy-confidence?! I can’t even express how thankful I am that Marissa didn’t listen to me when I said no.
*When we said we would love to ‘Bring Boudoir Back’, most professional photographers laughed, chuckled, and said ‘yeah right… good luck!’ Five years later, I think it’s safe to say that BOUDOIR IS BACK – and it’s here to stay.
*Then in 2007, when we were launching the Boudoir Divas biz plan (‘full-force’), we told several professional photography organizations that we would love share what we were doing with boudoir, on a platform stage at photography conventions. They said ‘no.’ We didn’t listen. We started smaller, speaking around the US at smaller professional photography organizations. And then in 2008, we were finally given the stage as platform speakers at DWF’s convention in Jan ’09… then again last year, we were incredibly honored and BLOWN AWAY at Imaging USA when over 1600 photographers filled our room to hear us speak.
*In 2008, we wrote to several local wedding magazines, telling them that we had an idea for an article about boudoir photography, and how it would be the next big trend for brides. They ALL said ‘no.’ “Boudoir is an old trend from the 80s, and there’s no way it’s making a comeback,” they said. We did not give up. We continued submitting proposals, images, and articles. In Jan 2009 – we graced the pages of Southern Wedding Style Magazine‘s premier issue! Since then, we’ve been lucky enough to find our images and articles in SO many different online and print magazines… San Diego Style Weddings, Ceremony Magazine, Exquisite Weddings, Grace Ormonde, Brides, Rangefinder, and Professional Photographer. I am so glad that we didn’t give up on our dream. That we didn’t listen to the no’s.
*In 2009, we started sending press packets to local TV stations, telling them that we had a great story for them to feature. When we didn’t hear back, we followed up with an email – and a phone call. And then a few months later, we would do it all over again. They all said no. In fact, one news station even sent our press packet back to us – with a note that said, ‘please stop sending these.’ Haha, so funny. But you know what? We weren’t discouraged. We didn’t give up. We just kept focused on the goal. And, as you probably already know… TWO stations finally (relented) and said yes! We were featured on KUSI’s morning show, and then on Fox 5’s morning show last year! Just one more little example that proves that persistence and not giving up REALLY DOES pay off!
*In 2010, we shot a sizzle reel for a reality show about the Boudoir Divas studio. (Maybe we’ll post the video online sometime, it’s pretty funny!) We traveled to LA, to the Warner Bros lot, for our meetings with our producers… signed with a production company… shot the sizzle reel… then the show was pitched to several different networks. So far, everyone has said ‘no.’ Probably a blessing in disguise, as we have both decided that it’s probably better to not have our personal lives strewn across national television. 🙂
*In 2011, we were hoping to become platform speakers at WPPI. We have been submitting our speaking proposals for four years straight now. Once again, we heard ‘no.’ So, if you’re wondering why we’re not speaking this year – it’s not for lack of trying! 🙂 For a little while there, we were super disappointed… we really thought THIS would be our year to share our hearts and our passion with all of you! But then we lifted our heads up, kept our eyes on all of our other goals, gave each other a high five, and said, NEXT YEAR!
So, I hope that these little examples of our ups and downs, our disappointments and all the times we heard ‘no’ will give you some hope today. No matter what stage you’re at with your business – just starting and not sure what the hell you’re doing… or successful with a blossoming business – I want to encourage you to stay focused on your goals. WRITE YOUR GOALS DOWN – put them up on a board in your office where you can look at them every day. When you hear someone say ‘no’ – don’t get down on yourself. Just look up to your goals on your wall, and keep going. To end this post, I wanted to leave you with a quote from one of my favorite childhood authors:
“Listen to the MUSTN’TS, child, listen to the DON’TS – listen to the SHOULDN’TS, the IMPOSSIBLES, the WON’TS – listen to the NEVER HAVES. Then listen close to me – anything can happen, child. ANYTHING can be.”
-Shel Silverstein
