The Boudoir Divas just wanted to share our newest backdrop addition to our San Diego Studio! Drop it Modern has some awesome backdrops and they are such great quality! I couldn’t believe how thick and heavy the backdrop was and even with it all folded up (and in beautiful packaging) that it wasn’t wrinkled at all when we put it up. Go here to check out all their fun options!
ALSO, if you are attending any of WORKSHOPS coming up (even our Mini-Shop in VEGAS!) you will get a chance to shoot using this backdrop! THANKS DROP IT MODERN!
So I’m sure it’s no secret that this past week has been a WHIRLWIND! Coming back from Imaging USA, we’ve got a lot on our plates here at the office… it’s going to take a little while to get all caught-up again. And, actually, I (K) am in my ‘office’ in Colorado, aka a Starbucks coffee shop with a view of Pike’s Peak! đ BUT, we are SO incredibly excited about all that’s ahead of us in 2010! First of all, we wanted to ask for your help…
{We are SO thankful for our Imaging USA sponsor, Showit! Click here to get your own amazing new website from Showit!!!}
So if you were at our presentation on Monday, we’d LOVE it if you could help us out by giving your feedback! We are going to be at Imaging 2011 in San Antonio with a booth again at the Tradeshow, and of course we have to admit that we would absolutely LOVE to speak again next year! I think that PPA really wants to know what you all thought about the various programs, so if you loved hearing us speak, please let them know so that we might be invited back to speak again next year! đ We’d also love to hear about ways we can improve for our future speaking programs. Click here to submit a short online survey about our program! Thank you, thank you, thank you! And now for a little taste of things to come here on the blog in the coming week…
I’m in the midst of narrowing down the winner for our Totally Rad Dirty Pictures contest right now… SO many amazing images that we’ve received; it’s so hard to choose just one! But I’m hoping to have a winner announced on the blog later today, so if you submitted an image, check back later!
Marissa, Ashley, and I are running around today doing last-minute things, packing, and getting ready to leave tomorrow for Nashville & Imaging USA 2010!!! [PS: speaking of packing… my suitcase currently has 9 pairs of shoes, when we’re only going to be in Nashville for SEVEN days… ummmm yeah, I have a problem!] đ Anyway, we are SO incredibly honored that we’ve been asked to speak at this year’s convention, and we can’t wait to meet new friends and hang out with tons of talented photographers! Oh, and we just heard that our bowling team (for the ShootQ bowling tournament) is already booked w/ three photographers who wanted to be on the Diva Team. Not totally sure how we’re going to do in this tournament; I haven’t bowled in a long time (unless Wii bowling counts?) Woohoo! This is going to be a fun trip, I can already tell. đ More details to come soon re: Imaging, our speaking program, our booth at the tradeshow, and a NEW PRODUCT that we’ll be launching during Imaging USA! Be sure you’re signed up for our newsletter list if you want to find out more info and get a free pass to the tradeshow! See you all soon! -K
We tend to receive comments from potential clients that say they think the boudoir pictures on our website are of actual models, and that there is no way they could be past clients since they look so good. They think their pictures could never look like the ones seen on www.theboudoirdivas.com. This is not the case! At our San Diego Studio, all the pictures taken and posted on our website are of actual clients! We all believe that every woman was created uniquely beautiful and we want to celebrate who you are right now!
Alright everyone, here is part 2 and the rest of our fabulous San Diego workshop attendees.
Website: www.galleryphotos.biz
1. What are you MOST excited about for the upcoming SAN DIEGO workshop? Learning from the Divas, meeting other photographers who are successful in doing what they love, seeing your studio in all of its glory!
2. What do you hope to learn from the DIVAS? Learning how to make the boudoir shoot an upscale and fun experience for clients but still being successful as a business
3. How many times have you been to SAN DIEGO? never
4. What is your FAVORITE thing to photograph? people or nature’s beauty up close
5. Starbucks or Coffee Bean (or neither)? Starbucks [I don’t know what Coffee Bean is…lol!]
6. Who are you listening to RIGHT now on your ipod? Amy Winehouse, Michael Jackson
7. What is your FAVORITE piece of equipment in your camera bag? 40D
8. What is your all-time FAVORITE snack food? big fat strawberries with sugar
9. When you were a child… what did you want to be when you grew up? a vet, a singer, a lawyer….
10. What one thing in life would you want to remembered for? raising good sons, treating people with respect
Website: www.shellyrosephoto.com
1. What are you MOST excited about for the upcoming SAN DIEGO workshop? I am Psyched for day two, especially the photoshop bit
2. What do you hope to learn from the DIVAS? Better marketing and sales skills.
3. How many times have you been to SAN DIEGO? this will be my first
4. What is your FAVORITE thing to photograph? my vacations, of course! LOL!
5. Starbucks or Coffee Bean (or neither)? um, coffee bean.
6. Who are you listening to RIGHT now on your ipod? Cascada
7. What is your FAVORITE piece of equipment in your camera bag? my Wacom Tablet!! Go WACOM!!
8. What is your all-time FAVORITE snack food? guacamole & tortilla chips
9. When you were a child… what did you want to be when you grew up? An Artist
10. What one thing in life would you want to remembered for? My integrity.
Website: www.shellyrosephoto.com
1. What are you MOST excited about for the upcoming SAN DIEGO workshop? the Fresh energy and technique for capturing Boudoir.
2. What do you hope to learn from the DIVAS? How to sell big albums in a recession tight area. Photoshop/workflow tips on albums.
3. How many times have you been to SAN DIEGO? never
4. What is your FAVORITE thing to photograph? Boudoirs rewarding and a blast, High School Seniors are so much fun! Newborns so precious, Families on the Beach @ Sunset refreshing and peaceful, I truly love it all!
5. Starbucks or Coffee Bean (or neither)? Starbucks
6. Who are you listening to RIGHT now on your ipod? The Pussy Cat Dolls, Abba Dancing Queen, Lady Ga Ga, Beyonce
7. What is your FAVORITE piece of equipment in your camera bag? 70-200 mm with my Expo-disc
8. What is your all-time FAVORITE snack food? great cheese and great wine or guacamole and lime tortilla chips
9. When you were a child… what did you want to be when you grew up? A horse trainer on a big beautiful ranch
10. What one thing in life would you want to remembered for? The images I create will be cherished by my clients forever and the experience will not be forgotten.
Website: http://www.paigeelizabeth.net
Blog: http://www.paigeelizabeth.tv/blog
1. What are you MOST excited about for the upcoming SAN DIEGO workshop? The company of a terrific group of women!
2. What do you hope to learn from the DIVAS? Marketing, marketing, marketing
3. How many times have you been to SAN DIEGO? Now that I think about it, I’m not sure I ever have? I’ve been all over CA. How did I miss SD?
4. What is your FAVORITE thing to photograph? Love
5. Starbucks or Coffee Bean (or neither)? Venti Passion Tea Lemonade with one pump of sweetener. So happy I finally figured out something to order at Starbucks with the cool kids.
6. Who are you listening to RIGHT now on your ipod? Aaron Copeland, Appalachian Spring. It makes me feel like I could fly if I just try hard enough…
7. What is your FAVORITE piece of equipment in your camera bag? 50mm 1.4… It was the first lens I bought when I switched to digital and still my fave. I loooooooove this lens.
8. What is your all-time FAVORITE snack food? Reece’s mini peanut butter cups. But pleeeeeeease don’t have them there! I’ll eat the whole bag.
9. When you were a child… what did you want to be when you grew up? An actress, which does come in handy at the occasional wedding. đ
10. What one thing in life would you want to remembered for? That I loved completely.
1. What are you MOST excited about for the upcoming SAN DIEGO workshop? This will be my jumping off point to start my business
2. What do you hope to learn from the DIVAS? Tricks of the trade. I want details on how to run a successful business
3. How many times have you been to SAN DIEGO? 1 time: I visited the SD zoo
4. What is your FAVORITE thing to photograph? My family and events
5. Starbucks or Coffee Bean (or neither)? Starbucks
6. Who are you listening to RIGHT now on your ipod? umm…its not charged!
7. What is your FAVORITE piece of equipment in your camera bag? my cleaning q-tips
8. What is your all-time FAVORITE snack food? Chocolate chip cookies
9. When you were a child… what did you want to be when you grew up? Own my own clothing store
10. What one thing in life would you want to remembered for? Never giving up
Website: www.hilliard-photography.com
1. What are you MOST excited about for the upcoming SAN DIEGO workshop? Hands-on learning and marketing.
2. What do you hope to learn from the DIVAS? Everything boudoir!
3. How many times have you been to SAN DIEGO? Too many to count.
4. What is your FAVORITE thing to photograph? People and textures.
5. Starbucks or Coffee Bean (or neither)? It depends on my craving to which one I choose. There are so many great cafés to choose from in Seattle. Starbucks gets a lot of my money based on convenience.
6. Who are you listening to RIGHT now on your ipod? Black eyed peas, Sinatra, and many more.
7. What is your FAVORITE piece of equipment in your camera bag? 50 mm lens.
8. What is your all-time FAVORITE snack food? Berries.
9. When you were a child… what did you want to be when you grew up? A Corporate AttorneyâŠglad to have settled for Business Management. Itâs super helpful right now.
10. What one thing in life would you want to remembered for? To be remembered as a woman who loved and served.
We seriously would not be able to put on our San Diego Workshop without these generous sponsors (in no particular order): Bay Photo, Jolie Wraps, White House Custom Colour, Totally Rad Actions, KISS Books, Neil Enterprises, ShowIt, and ShootSac
Get to know our San Diego Workshop Attendees! Since we have so many attendees, we are going to break it up into 2 blog posts. Enjoy!
Website: www.dollfacestudio.com
1. What are you MOST excited about for the upcoming SAN DIEGO workshop? so excited to meet new people, learn new things and leave inspired!
2. What do you hope to learn from the DIVAS? more lighting options and marketing/selling
3. How many times have you been to SAN DIEGO? this is my first time to the west coast!
4. What is your FAVORITE thing to photograph? people, at weddings the portraits are our favorite part of the day
5. Starbucks or Coffee Bean (or neither)? doesn’t matter, as long as it’s caffeine!
6. Who are you listening to RIGHT now on your ipod? weird mix of kanye, alicia keys and cat stevens…
7. What is your FAVORITE piece of equipment in your camera bag? prob video light and the 50mm lens
8. What is your all-time FAVORITE snack food? cheese
9. When you were a child… what did you want to be when you grew up? marine biologist…didn’t every kid go through a marine biology phase?
10. What one thing in life would you want to remembered for? how i treated the people closest to me.
Website: www.lacheens.nl
Blog: www.lacheens.nl.blogeens
1. What are you MOST excited about for the upcoming SAN DIEGO workshop? Almost everything, being there in SD, learning something totally new, going to do something new.
2. What do you hope to learn from the DIVAS? How to make the client comfortable, beautiful lighting tips, be creative.
3. How many times have you been to SAN DIEGO? Never.
4. What is your FAVORITE thing to photograph? People, whether they are getting married, still children, teenagers or happy mom and dad, I love them all.
5. Starbucks or Coffee Bean (or neither)? STARBUCKS
6. Who are you listening to RIGHT now on your ipod? Black eyed peas, Anouk (dutch lady) and PINK
7. What is your FAVORITE piece of equipment in your camera bag? My 50 mm, 1.4
8. What is your all-time FAVORITE snack food? That’s easy, chocolate.
9. When you were a child… what did you want to be when you grew up? I wanted to be a kindergarten teacher, designer (of clothes, jewelery, interior) ended with a degree in communication science.
10. What one thing in life would you want to remembered for? Loving mom and being a passionate person.
Website: www.trademanphoto.com
Blog: www.trademanphoto.wordpress.com
1. What are you MOST excited about for the upcoming SAN DIEGO workshop? Everything!
2. What do you hope to learn from the DIVAS? Oh so much! Marketing a biggie! Lighting. Processing of images w/ effects.
3. How many times have you been to SAN DIEGO? ZERO!! SO excited!
4. What is your FAVORITE thing to photograph? Boudoir! Couples in love!
5. Starbucks or Coffee Bean (or neither)? Diet Coke! Hot tea.
6. Who are you listening to RIGHT now on your ipod? Beatles
7. What is your FAVORITE piece of equipment in your camera bag? 70-200mm lens & my Shootsac!
8. What is your all-time FAVORITE snack food? Apples w/ peanut butter or brie cheese
9. When you were a child… what did you want to be when you grew up? A business owner. Didnât know in what, but wanted something of my own.
10. What one thing in life would you want to remembered for? Being a sincere, charitable & loving friend!
Website: www.wendywilsonphoto.com
Blog: www.wendywilsonphoto.blogspot.com
1. What are you MOST excited about for the upcoming SAN DIEGO workshop? There is not just one thing!! I canât wait to shoot of course, and get a rockin portfolio. But mostly I just want to learn. Can I bring a tape recorder?! Ha! I donât want to miss anything!
2. What do you hope to learn from the DIVAS? How you ladies made it to where you are! Marketing and business techniques!
3. How many times have you been to SAN DIEGO? I think three times? I love it because to me, it is a big city with a small town feel.
4. What is your FAVORITE thing to photograph? Probably the emotional, intimate moments between a bride and groom at their reception. I go crazy when I get that perfect shot of a big, shared laugh or a kiss during a dance. Itâs the best!
5. Starbucks or Coffee Bean (or neither)? Starbucks pumpkin spice latte!
6. Who are you listening to RIGHT now on your ipod? Kim Walker, âHow He Loves Usâ
7. What is your FAVORITE piece of equipment in your camera bag? 50mm 1.4 lens
8. What is your all-time FAVORITE snack food? Cheddar Jack Cheezits â yum!
9. When you were a child… what did you want to be when you grew up? A teacher. My stuffed animals really learned a lot đ
10. What one thing in life would you want to remembered for? Love.
Website: www.nitadusek.com
Blog: www.lafemmejolieblog.com
1. What are you MOST excited about for the upcoming SAN DIEGO workshop? Too many things to name. Getting answers to questions
2. What do you hope to learn from the DIVAS? So many things. Posing, lighting, marketing, How/when you moved from home to retail space, How you grew business when it was in your home, how to deal with people who think you are horrible because âyou do THATâ. What your 30second commercial is- how do you tell people what you do when you meet them for the 1st time.
3. How many times have you been to SAN DIEGO? Once before
4. What is your FAVORITE thing to photograph? Macro, and fashion with a vintage or urban feel.
5. Starbucks or Coffee Bean (or neither)? Not familiar with Coffee Bean. Donât drink coffee, but hot chocolate (with Raspberry) is always good.
6. Who are you listening to RIGHT now on your ipod? Adele
7. What is your FAVORITE piece of equipment in your camera bag? 85mm f/1.2 and 200mm f/2.8
8. What is your all-time FAVORITE snack food? Depends on my mood, grapes, cheese and crackers, Dove milk chocolate
9. When you were a child… what did you want to be when you grew up? Astronaut or photographer. One of them has finally happenedâŠ.only took 40+ years
10. What one thing in life would you want to remembered for? Making people feel good
Blog: www.mydigitallounge.blogspot.com
1. What are you MOST excited about for the upcoming SAN DIEGO workshop? Doing the actual shoots
2. What do you hope to learn from the DIVAS? Everything about the business so that I can get started.
3. How many times have you been to SAN DIEGO? Several times so far..have family here and have come here for the Surf Cup Soccer Tournament that are held here in July.
4. What is your FAVORITE thing to photograph? My kids. I love to digitally scrapbook too so they are my usual subjects.
5. Starbucks or Coffee Bean (or neither)? Starbucks..love the pumpkin spice when it’s in season and I can’t resist the Mocha
6. Who are you listening to RIGHT now on your ipod? Amy Seeley. She is an amazing artist!
7. What is your FAVORITE piece of equipment in your camera bag? Canon 5D MII
8. What is your all-time FAVORITE snack food? French Fries
9. When you were a child… what did you want to be when you grew up? A nurse…and so I became one!
10. What one thing in life would you want to remembered for? Being a good mom & making a difference in someone’s life
Boudoir Divas: So Ali, are you a professional model?
Ali: Oh my goodness! I am most definitely NOT a professional model! I am probably the furthest thing away from that!
BD: Can you tell us what you do for a living?
A: I actually teach ninth grade English at a high school, so getting to do stuff like this is like embracing an alter ego! In the past two years I actually lost about 80 lbs, so besides being able to step out of my normal life as a teacher, it is really nice to feel beautiful and sexy in my new body when I have these pictures taken. I think that NOT being a professional model is actually an advantage in situations like this, because I really am like a canvas for the photographers to use since I have no idea what is going to make my body look good and I have to fully trust the person taking the pictures and trust that they are going to make me look great!
BD: Congrats on the weight loss! Have you had a shoot with the Divas before?
A: Yes! I actually had the opportunity to shoot with the Divas about a month ago and it was the coolest thing ever! I felt so beautiful and it was SO FUN! WE had music playing, everyone was laughing and talking and just having a great time in general.
BD: What made you want to get the shoot done?
A: My sister has worked with the Divas before so I was eager to have the same experience that she was able to have. She RAVED on and on and on about how cool they were, so when I had to opportunity to work with them, I took it! I also wanted to do something that celebrated ME. So much of my life is about everyone else around me and making sure that everyone is learning, affirmed, comfortable,etc, so being able to be the center of attention without being in my classroom was so exciting! I mean, what girl does not like to be the center of attention every once in a while!? I don’t have a boyfriend or husband right now, so it felt very decadent to be taking these pictures that were going to be for no one besides myself. It feels so good to feel pretty/sexy/desirable….which is something that is not an everyday thing for me. Although I do have to say that since my first shoot with the Divas, I HAVE been trying to channel my own inner Diva in my day to day life. I LOVE IT!
BD: And we love hearing that! What did you think about the Studio and your overall experience?
A: OMG!!! (can you tell that I spend the majority of my time with teenagers??) I seriously walked in and was in awe of their amazing space. I had perused their website and wasn’t really sure what to expect, but the studio space exceeded my expectations! It was like a dream! I felt like a Barbie! haha. I couldn’t wait to see how they were going to use all of the different areas. The best part was, of course, the lobby where “Sex and the City” was playing and also I really liked the girl who did my make-up and hair. I think that she was able to create a whole “look” for me. The make-up and hair really helped me to get into character for my shoot. I think that it is really important to have someone who can do that for the clients because that is part of the whole “experience”, being able to truly be transformed in a way that a woman could never achieve on her own.
BD: How did you feel when you first saw your photos?
A: I couldn’t even believe that it was me in those pictures! They took the most flattering pictures! I told them that I really love my legs, so there was a group of photos that made my legs the focal point. I felt so comfortable that there wasn’t even a chance to me to get in the way of what they were doing and try to pose myself. I completely trusted that they would pose me in a flattering way and make me look great! And, the pictures were truly a reflection of that! I love the Divas!
BD: Did the Divas do anything in particular that you liked or helped you during your shoot?
A: The thing that I loved most about the Divas is that they are constantly communicating with the model. I was never out of the “loop”, wondering what was going on. They were so affirming and were giving me so much guidance and encouragement throughout the whole process. I also felt like I really got the chance to know them before we even got started taking pictures. They made me feel comfortable and it was so funny because at the beginning of the shoot I was a little shy about essentially standing around in my underwear, but by the end I was running around, sitting, standing, lying down, basically not even realizing that I wasn’t wearing clothes! In their studio it is more normal to be “nearly nude” and less normal to be fully clothed! From the moment I walked up the stairs and was greeted by the client concierge to the moment I was back in my car in the parking lot, I felt like I was going to have (and had) a great time!
BD: Off the top of your head, is there anything you recommend to photographers who are interested in pursuing boudoir photography?
A: You HAVE to have people skills! You can’t be shy and you have to be able to make your clients feel at ease. Because, let’s face it, unfortunately the majority of women feel most UN-comfortable when they are not clothed. Therefore, it is definitely the duty of the photographer to create an environment in which the client feels beautiful and where being almost naked is totally normal! I also think that it is SO important to create a relationship with your clients BEFORE they even take their clothes off! This will create a sense of trust and confidence. Also, location location location! Super important! Obviously Kimberlee and Marisa have had a lot experience, success, and time in which to create their studio, but in order for people to take you seriously, you NEED to have a cute, creative studio. It doesn’t need to be huge and fancy, but first impressions are crucial and your clients will appreciate all efforts you make to ensure their comfort. Also, you obviously have to be able to carry on a conversation and be able to tell if a client is a “talker”, because I know that I liked joking around, laughing, and having fun with my photographer–this made the experience all the more fun and also I felt like I was just hanging out with friends. What could potentially have been a kind of awkward moment was instead something that I look forward to doing again! I am looking forward to meeting all of you!
Hey workshop ladies! We wanted to let you know that we’ve opened up THREE appointment times for a boudoir shoot on the day after our workshop in November. One of our attendees has already snagged one of the shoot times, so if you’re interested in booking a shoot, you’ll want to get in touch with us ASAP to reserve one of the other spots that are still open. We really recommend that all boudoir photographers do something like this… it’s SUCH as great way to see what your clients feel like when they’re in a boudoir shoot with you. We have 2 different packages for you to choose from on the 13th; either the “Luxe” or the “Full” Package, and one of our studio staff photographers will be taking good care of you and giving you the full Boudoir Divas’ Supermodel Experience! Questions? Call! 858.485.0443
*****EDIT TO ADD: we only have ONE shoot left now! Call the office for more details: 858.485.0443
