Danea | Boudoir Coterie

October 7, 2011 by Danea

I Won!: Campbell Boudoir Photagrapher

A few weeks ago I came across a contest being held by Photographic Backdrop.com.Â You could enter up to three boudoir images for your chance to be one of three winners of a Retro backdrop. How could I pass that up? Well, I couldn’t and quite frankly you don’t get very far in life without trying new things and taking chances. Besides, what did I have to lose? I have to say that my day was made Tuesday morning when I saw that one of my images was chosen as one of the three winners!

These were my entries:

The gorgeous Melanie, looking all sexy with her pink lollipop, won. However, I was honored to hear that the this fabulous booty shot was also a contender! Check out the other winning sexy images from the contest HERE.

I want to send a big THANK YOU! to Photographic Backdrop.com and Ryan Ambrust, the guest judge of this contest and an amazing pin-up photographer! Shhh, but I think the pin-up look to this shot may have played a role in winning by appealing to his senses. 😉

Here’s the backdrop I chose… cannot wait to get it in the studio!!

Antique Black

Tonight I’ll be at the studio with the hubs putting together all we can before tomorrows couples shoot. I am so excited to work with this couple! The best part- I get to share the images so watch for some steamy pictures next week.

Have a fabulous weekend everyone!!

in Main 8 comments

October 5, 2011October 5, 2011 by Danea

Getting Busy: San Jose Boudoir Photographer

I still have ONE available spot left for the October 22nd Marathon shoot. So if you were wanting a sexy gift for your significant other, this is the perfect opportunity! Otherwise my October calendar is officially full! Which reminds me… I will be having foot surgery on November 14th. Why share that info you ask? Well, my lovely lady friends, this will put me out of shooting commission for 2 weeks which means if you want a gorgeous album to gift under the tree, you will need to book your session prior to the 14th or it may not be back in time.

These are my available November dates:

Nov 8th and 10th- these are 9:30am session start times.

Sat November 12- session time is flexible.

I may be able to squeeze in a session on Sunday the 13th not sure on that one just yet. After that, my next available date is Dec 3rd. Believe it or not December will mark the start of Valentines shoots. Yes, you read that right and I am right along with you in the “Are you kidding me!” sentiments, but yes, these gorgeous sessions and albums take planning and time… but I’ll post more on that another day. Right now I want to take care of all the Christmas and Holiday, sexy gift giving so contact me asap if you want one of these available spots!

In other news… *turns to camera 2 while tapping papers on desk*

I received this awesome NEWSLETTER from Dutchess Intimates Boutique and want to share it all with you. It’s for a great cause and has a fabulous grand prize(although I really want to win this one myself) but alas my first point, the great cause, negates my self desires about not sharing so my chances are better. *Snort* So check it out, and head on down and don’t forget to join her mailing list(look at the top of this link) she’s always sharing the latest going ons in Campbell- definetly a newsletter worth being a part of!

***Click Here **

The studio is coming along thanks to my hard working husband who has been leaving work to head straight to the studio until late at night. We’ll be breaking in the space this weekend with a hot and steamy couples shoot. I am so excited, so watch for some upcoming sneak peeks!!

Because no blog post feels complete with out an images, here’s a random sexy shot to leave you all with.

Smokin’!

in Main 5 comments

September 24, 2011 by Danea

San Jose Boudoir Photographer: Holiday Marathon Shoot

As some of you already know, last week I announced the date for our current Holiday Marathon on October 22nd. I had some ladies jump on that announcement and book right away, but we still have a couple spots left! Here is the basic run down of a marathon session:

Marathon sessions are now $300(I lowered the price by $50) and include the following:

-Pre-session consultation.
-Two hour session.
-One hour with hair/makeup, second hour with photographer(yours truly).
-Minimum of 20 hand retouched images presented at an in person ordering and design session.
-Covers time and talent of the photographer and use of location.
-Boutique products sold separately.

Now for the even better news- lots of bonuses for my fabulous clients!

The first FIVE people to book a Marathon or Full session will receive $50 OFF their session fee. Yup, only the first 5 lucky dogs to book will receive this awesome $50 savings. Please, save your applause for later, I’m not done yet. *snicker*

YAY! for the new studio space! Let’s give them more!

Okay, I’m down for that, how about this… ANYONE who spends
at least $1000* (includes session fee and products) will receive a gorgeous 16×24 Luxe Gallery Canvas Wrap ($375 value).

Lastly- if you are a VIP newletter member and you book a Full or Marathon session to take place between Oct 3rd – Dec 11th you will receive your choice of either a Coterie Signature Centerfold or a gorgeous Metal Print, a $90 value, with your product order. My gift to you!Not a VIP member yet- that’s ok, sign up now or when you book and you will still receive this complimentary gift!

*$1000 before taxes and does not include a hair and makeup add-on for a Full sessions. This offer is valid on session booked between Oct 3rd- December 11th, 2011.

No more waiting, calm those nerves and give me a call- you can’t pass on this awesome value- and I PROMISE you, you would look and feel fantastic! I’ll help melt those nerves away, guaranteed.

in Main 5 comments

September 21, 2011 by Danea

San Jose Boudoir Photographer | The Studio- It’s All Mine!

It’s been a whirlwind of a week and as some of you may already know, I found a place! Every time I think about it I get butterflies. Actually, I believe it may be a whole flock of butterflies. Do butterflies flock? Certainly it wouldn’t be a herd of butterflies? Maybe a swarm, butÂ a swarm of butterflies sounds menacing and I picture greaser like butterflies with switch blades and leather jackets coming at me. Wait, a kaleidoscope. Yes, a kaleidoscope of butterflies(that sounds pretty), flutter around in my tummy. At least 103 I believe.Â That’s a LOT of butterflies, but I digress… I cannot believe this has all happened so fast and out of the blue, but the perfect little gem presented itself to me and it was an opportunity that I couldn’t pass up. I have been in a frenzy trying to find items to furnish this space and so far so good. I get the keys Oct 1st and will need to do some quick designing and arranging for my first client shoot later that week. *Eek* I am so excited, words cannot express it! Here’s a little peek- furniture in the pictures belongs to the current tenant but I am crossing my fingers that the couch will stay. 😉

It’s small, but lovely and has so much potential. â™¥

Stay tuned for launch party dates. I mean come on people, it’s a new studio, a celebration is mandatory, right? 😉

P.S. If you haven’t signed up for the newsletter do so asap! There’s a special booking bonus in that baby for VIP newsletter peeps only! Oh, and LOTS more fun announcements to come. Psssst, check out the header on the main blog page if you just can’t wait for the news. 😉

in Boudoir Sessions / Just Because / News 6 comments

September 13, 2011 by Danea

San Jose Bay Area Boudoir Photographer: I’m In Love â™¥

A Place To Call My Own

So there’s a lot going on around here. I am trying desperatly to find a shooting space. At this point I don’t mind renting from actual photography studios but they are hard to come by. So now I am on a quest to find my own rental and this could mean a shared adventure with a fellow photog. Unfortunately with this economy renting an actual full studio on my own in the Bay area isn’t going to happen. For now I am on the look out for a small space that will work for a bedroom setup. I have a couple prospects so please keep those fingers crossed!

The Holidays are coming, the Holidays are coming!

The holiday season is fast approaching and this means that Christmas and Valentines sessions are in full swing- that’s right I said “Valentines”. I tend get a little nauseous when I see holiday product in the stores 4 months early BUT in the case of photography sessions NOW is the time to start planning. Why so early you ask? Yeah, I know some of you didn’t ask but I shall tell you all just the same. *Most* boudoir clients prefer a gorgeous album of their images, whether for themselves or as a gift. These albums can take up to six weeks to deliver from the date the the album order is sent to the lab. Add on another 3 weeks from the minute your session ends to the time we view your images and I design your album and you could easily have a two month time span. Here’s another little fact, this time of year is the craziest for portrait photographers and pro labs so album companies can get back logged with orders. I’m not saying this will happen, but it could and sometimes does, so it is always best to plan your session accordingly so neither of us are biting our nails or cursing the fact that the holiday has come and gone and your album still shows ” in production” at the lab site. That would suck.

â™¥ SIGH â™¥

I’ll be honest here, I am on a never ending journey to find gorgeous lingerie. This may not be the time and place to discuss this but when have I ever held back on what needs to be said so why start now? There truly is a difference between classy and trashy. That’s not to say there isn’t a time and place for both(I’m all for the trashy when the time is right) but when it comes to having boudoir images done, let’s go with classy ladies, not trashy. Like 80’s hair, lingerie can leave you with the “What was I thinking?” feeling and I certainly wouldn’t want that to happen 10 years down the road when you pull that gorgeous leather bound album out of your drawer for a little romance spark and instead you end up laughing so hard you are in tears over how ridiculous that gold lamae thong looks with that red glitter bra. Yikes. Now I won’t tell you “No!” if you insist on wearing something but I might give a little snicker and a sarcastic “Ummm, ok. If that’s what you really want.” Okay, not really but if you can image that might be my reaction then you best leave that little gem tucked away for private use. 😉 Â My goal is to guide your wardrobe selection so you have amazing and timeless images. We’ll work together on this, I promise.

I recently came upon a store called SOL. WOW! They carry so many gorgeous items. I would like to use “unique” as a descriptive word on some of their lines as they stand out from your average department store lingerie. Not “unique” as in the kid from your third grade class who wore his socks on his hands and ate dirt. I’m talking unique as in not often seen and stands out from the rest… although that kid did stand out from the rest, but I digress.Â Stunning, classy and very sophisticated items. One line in particular that I now have an unhealthy crush on is Aubade. It’s a European line that is so pretty and sexy that even the images without models are seductive- then again this could be my crazy love for this line talking. â™¥ Aubade, siiiigggghhh â™¥Â Where was I? Oh yeah, the lingerie… ok so here are two sets from the countless pieces they offer(shown with two different panty options- but they still had more). You better bet I’ll be showcasing more of this in the future- stuff with lots of color and femininity. Another cool thing about this line is all the mix and match options you have to choose from. So check them out and then check out SOL which seems to be one of very few American distributors of this line. Feel free to email me your thank you notes, or send flowers/chocolates for introducing you all to such awesomeness. You’re very welcome.

in Boudoir Must Haves / What To Wear 7 comments

August 30, 2011October 7, 2016 by Danea

San Jose Boudoir Photographer: Keep Your Clothes On- is glamour back?

When I decided to launch my boudoir business I was torn on the idea of offering woman who don’t want images in their skivvies an alternative to the traditional lingerie/naked shots, but I wasn’t sure how to go about this. The only term I could find to describe this sort of photography was “Glamour” and let’s face it, who doesn’t think of cheesy mall studio or over use of of red satin, animal prints and directional light when they hear that? I for one cannot shake the visual of my own glamour shot with the HUGE hair, leopard wrap and earrings the size of tea cup saucers. You know, typical African safari garb that makes for a timeless photo. Can you smell the stench of sarcasm there? Ha! Doubt what I am saying? Here have a peak for yourself. I was 19 here. I can’t help but giggle. My mom looks great and considering the fight she had with the MUA’s blush brush, she emerged smiling and otherwise unscathed. Phewf.

I guess what I am trying to say is that I want to help bring glamour back but in a beautiful timeless manner. Gorgeous hair and makeup with classic & timeless shots. Whether you want to book a shoot for the September 17th girls night out, our upcoming marathon, a full session or even the Starlet package you do NOT have to be in your undies or naked(although I will likely encourage a little more sexiness out of each of you). You could be in your favorite dress, blouse, jeans, you name it. Think about Guess and their ads over the years. You can go back 20 years and besides the rise and fall of jean waste lines the style of the ads with that classic, sexy and romantic feel to them, have not changed. To just glance at the images you may be hard pressed to know what was taken today and what was taken 24 yrs ago. Often the models are fully clothed but show a bit of sass with a bra strap here, a garter there etc… Check out the Guess Fall Campaign, I love the retro feel but ultimately you have a beautiful woman who, for the most part is fully clothed and looks sexy all the while.

I want to offer my clients that glamorous fashion feel. Not ready to go bare- no problem, we can still make you feel like a supermodel for the day and you’ll have images you will be proud to hang on your wall 20, 30, 40 years from now. And unlike myself, you won’t be shaking your head at the fact that you were wearing a large fur piece of scrap material… errr I mean “headband” in your photos. *snort*

Watch for an upcoming fashion inspired glamour shoot!

Â We still have session spots available for our Girls Night Out Party, so call now to schedule your super fun & sexy photo session.

in Just Because / Main 7 comments

August 26, 2011August 29, 2011 by Danea

Boudoir Photographer San Jose: Rock That Bra!

How many of you ladies wear the correct size bra…I mean how many of you know that you wear the correct size bra? Have you ever been properly fitted by a pro, and not necessarily the woman at a local department store who clearly wasn’t all there, hummed to herself, seamed a little too eager yet did not listen to a word you said about bra preferences or material types and left you with a very ill fitting bra that you decided not to purchase after all that hassle- or was that just me? Regardless, I saw this great little showcase video by the lovely Miss Rommellyn ofÂ The Stunning Post, who always has great info on local arts, entertainment, fashion and much more! The video features the fabulous “Boobologist” Miss Melanie of Dutchess Intimates Boutique of downtown Campbell and shows the proper way a bra should fit. Personally I feel it’s time for me to head into her shop and have a real fitting. Take a look at the video and then you too should head on down… don’t be shy, remember, you’re worth it!

in Main / What To Wear 4 comments

« Previous