I want to say thank you to everyone who took the time to enter this fun makeup giveaway!
If you missed it, I held a drawing for one Laura Geller Eye & Lip Spackle, one Laura Geller Double Ended Shadow/Liner Brush and one 88 Mirage Color Palette.
The winner, whom was digitally chosen, is Des G!
Congratulations!
An email is on it’s way.
Have a fantastic weekend everyone. 🙂
Being a business owner has taught me one important thing and really being on Facebook alone should have taught me this years ago, but here it is… no matter how much information you put out there, many people really don’t read.
Not only have I seen this go down in full out fights in my FB news feed where people have commented on something without actually reading it first, but I receive weekly emails with many questions to which answers can be easily found here on the website. This isn’t a complaint, simply an observation and in today’s fast paced world, not at all a surprise. However I do receive some questions that I have not put answers to here on my site and I thought– what the heck, let’s do this! So here are my top non-publicly answered questions.
1. “Why are you so expensive?” Or “Boudoir McPhotographer offers everything you do but includes the digital files for a fraction of YOUR price.” Or anything else that refers to my pricing in an negative way.
Answer: When I first decided to become a professional photographer I was certain that I was going to provide amazing images, give clients all the files and be cost efficient unlike those over priced photographers that are laughing all the way to the bank. I was going to supply everyone with access to amazing work for very little investment. The “Peoples Photographer”, if you will. So I set up my basic pricing for a session, full edits and a disk of 40 images for $300! Wahoo, that’s $300 and disks are cheap and I didn’t have a studio so I shot on location only, so that’s a HUGE profit for me! And if they wanted prints they were$3- $25(Uhhh, nobody buys prints when you give them all the files- duh). This went on for a while and I started to notice I had very little money. It didn’t make sense, I didn’t have a studio so no over head there, instead I traveled to locations. I finally sat down and did the math, the cost of running a business which included everything from basic business cards to props, gear, licensing, travel(gas), taxes etc… I then calculated the hours I put in to each client and running my business(ordering supplies, web design, social media, marketing, bookkeeping etc… you know, all that time away from my family) and discovered I was making $1.17 an hour. I was devastated. How could this be? I’m a business owner without employees and I’m not even close to making minimum wage!?
I realized that if I was going to run a business and spend time away from my young family to do so, then I was going to have to take this seriously and figure out what I need to charge in order to turn a profit.
I can’t tell you why other photographers charge what they do and quite frankly I don’t really care. I have no idea what their overhead is or even if they are running a legit business with a license, insurance and paying taxes, so the short answer to why my prices are what they are:
I absolutely encourage people to shop around. Obviously budget plays a role in which photographer you choose to go with but don’t make that your primary factor. Choose a photographer whose work you love, whom you feel comfortable with when you meet or chat with on the phone and go from there. Go with your gut! Many photographers like myself offer payment plans. I know this is a big investment and I take the time with my clients to make it an incredible life experience. Like that Louis Vuitton purse you’ve been dying for, wouldn’t you rather save up and get the one you want over the knock off that saves you money but leaves you feeling less than thrilled? You deserve to look amazing, to feel sexy and confident. You deserve the best, so take your time with your decision and then make it happen!
2. “When will you be offering a deal” Or “Do you have a Groupon or Living Social deal coming out soon?”
I get these questions a lot. We have a notion in this society that nothing is really worth what the price tag says so we expect better deals. The truth is, I simply cannot afford to do a deal site deal. I did look into it but I would have been so far in the hole right out of the gate that banking on a big sale was unlikely and it is all too stressful. Not to mention I purposely only take on 6 clients a month so I can give them personalized attention– like going shopping with them and making sure they have figure flattering wardrobe choices. I want to provide a glamorous model for the day experience not a herd them in like cattle and push them out the door like most deals site want you to do. Besides, I have sadly seen many a photographer(and many other small businesses) go broke after offering their “deal”. That old saying “If it’s too good to be true…” it can apply to those on the giving end also.
This is not to say I don’t run specials or give “deals”. I purposely created all-inclusive packages that can save you $100- $1500 off of a la carte pricing if albums and digital files are what you want most! I will soon be offering mini sessions, which in order to cut the price will mean a deduction in options and services but it will hopefully appeal to those wanting a Coterie experience with a strictly limited budget. Look for that to launch early to mid March!
BUYER BEWARE!
There has been a huge influx of photography deals being offered these days. Many of these can be a fabulous option, but note that often these promotions are held by inexperienced photographers and sadly, TOO MANY are not even using their own images to lure you in. Some deal sites even offer to provide an image for you, WHAT!? While others do not check the validity of the image provided. Is “cheap” what you want to associate you boudoir session with? Last week I recognized an image from an offer that was taken by my good friend Stacie of Haute Shots. It was being used by a local photographer to promote her session. The above image illustrates Stacie’s shot and then the replacement, which I blurred and no I won’t reveal who this was because that’s not what this is about. This is about being sure that you have made the right choice and can put your trust in the photographer you choose. Let’s face it, if a photographer is showing you images, you expect them to be able to reproduce those images because it is their work, right!?
Boudoir sessions are intimate and place you in a position of vulnerability. No it is not appropriate for a photographer, male or female to request shots of you in lingerie so they will know what they will be working with( I’ve been told by more than one local deal buyer that this has happened to them *shudder*). On that note I have told clients that they are more than welcome to text me shots of outfits they find while out shopping –never had anyone send a shot of them in said outfit. 😉 Please, please be sure you can trust the photographer you choose and if you see a great deal, check out that photographer first, meet with them, ask to see their printed samples and if they cannot do this for you then move on to someone who can. And if they can and you love it, then this is a huge score for you!
3. The images on your site look fabulous but I’m not a model and don’t have a models figure so I’m not sure I’m ready.
Okay, so this isn’t really a question but a statement I hear all the time or in some form of and it is made with hope of receiving reassurance and damn straight you’ll be getting that reassurance from me! Ha!
Every single gal on this site is just a regular woman with no modeling experience- mom, bride, nurse, paramedic, self conscious, body issues, “too fat”, “too skinny”, “chicken legs”, “no boobs”, stretch marks, “not photogenic”, excess skin… you name it it’s been brought up and I am proud to say that I photographed them all and made them look and feel gorgeous. Like the great Barney Stinson always says “Challenge accepted!”
You don’t need to lose weight, you don’t have to know how to pose, you don’t have to have perfect skin. You just need to be brave enough to book your session and be willing to discover a sexy self confidence within. There is something that I tell every woman I can and it’s the utmost truth– almost every single lady who has been in front of my camera has commented on how much confidence they felt after their session that they never expected. Do I photoshop, yup. Do I make each woman look completely different in photoshop, hell no. And I show every lady a few shots on the back of the camera to prove this. So that they can see this is them, right now, without any retouching, looking absolutely freaking gorgeous! Cuz that’s how I roll. 😉
The above image is of the lovely Miss D who enjoyed herself so much she came in for a second shoot! Here’s what she had to say:
“You have to experience a photo shoot to appreciate the energy and sense of confidence it can give you. Not being of athletic or small framed statuette, I was amazed at how “sexy” I felt during and after when I received my prints. I have a new found respect and appreciation of my body. Danea makes your session her top priority and keeps the fun going the whole time. I highly recommend trying it and if you’ve done it, book a session and do it again!”
She booked the full day Starlette and we laughed almost the whole time. ♥
Okay, so there you have it, a few of the frequent questions I get and my answers. I hope this was helpful for some of you and please feel free to ask any more questions in the comments as I would be more than happy to answer the best I can.
For those interested in more session information or to book your own fabulous experience you can email or call me at:
bcoterie@sbcglobal.net or 408.460.1855
Confession…
When I first started shooting boudoir I did not have a studio. Today’s lovely tush was shot at this fantastic clients friend’s house. I took my gear with me and we made it work. Such a fabulous girl too! So yeah, this tush was from 2011 and totally worthy of today’s Tushy Tuesday spotlight! In fact I contacted owner of said tushy and hope to get her back in the studio later this year. 😉
So here ya go folks…
Told ya it was worthy!
With Major League Baseball Season fast approaching I only thought it fitting to share this session and dangit if it hasn’t been on my “To Share” list for 2 years now. Pathetic, yes I know. But what’s awesome is that this fabulous client is now my fabulous assistant. Hi Regina! Not the first, nor the last client to enjoy herself so much that they wanted to join the Coterie team. I guess that means I’m doing something right! 🙂
I often get gals wanting a few shots with that special someones favorite jersey, or maybe a football or some sort of sports memorabilia but this is the only full set I have done in all a teams glorious gear and it was a lot of fun! I wish I had some football shots to share as we have all been bombarded with football this past week and all the excitement that surrounded the playoffs and oh to have some Superbowl Boudoir. Sigh. Maybe someday. Hahaha
But for now, it’s baseball, so here you go folks and if your an Oakland A’s fan… even better!
I love that she brought the bat too! 🙂
P.S. If I remember correctly, I think this is her hubby’s favorite team, not hers. Oh the things we do for love. Hahaha.
So what is your favorite sport and who’s your favorite team?
**After reading about some of my favorite products, Danea was inspired to share some of hers too. Lucky for you, she’s going to do a giveaway, which you can read more about at the end of my post. Good luck!**
I’ve always worn makeup, but over the last year or so I’ve really expanded my horizons and have improved my skills, or at least I’d like to think so (check out my previous post on why all women should have their makeup done professionally at least once).
I’ve also realized that wearing just face powder, mascara and eye shadow no longer cuts it (hello 30s!), which has opened up a whole new world of products to me.
While holiday shopping this year, I kept finding myself in Ulta and Sephora, which was pretty dangerous. As a result, I’ve got some cool new products (and a little less cash) to show for it. Most of these are quite versatile and have made it into my daily line up.
Without further ado, here are some of my new favorites:
1. Sephora’s Vacationer: Over the last year or so I’ve been really stepping up my makeup game, and have recently found that my makeup bag is too small. My previous bag is also from Sephora, and it’s still in great shape, so I decided to add this one to my Christmas list this year. They are a bit pricey, but they’re super durable and have helpful pockets and sections to keep everything in order.
2. Benefit’s Erase Paste: I had a milestone birthday this year and was suddenly gifted with what seem to be permanent dark circles under my eyes. Under-eye concealer is something I’ve never dabbled in, so at first site I picked up a random one at CVS, but it didn’t really do the trick. After doing some research I decided to give Benefit’s Erase Paste a try, and I was not let down. This stuff is serious. Not only does it cover dark circles, but it’s also brightening, which I think is a great added benefit. It can be a little cakey if not applied properly, but I’ve been using it with Sephora’s Pro Airbrush Concealer Brush and it works like magic.
3. L’Oreal Colour Riche Balm: I’ve never been much of a lipstick girl, which is something I might just need to work on changing in 2014. Quite frankly, I find it intimidating. As such, I always gravitate towards glosses and balms, and I picked up this one in Plush Plum randomly one night at the supermarket. For a random whim purchase, I’m pretty impressed. It’s as moisturizing as it claims and is a perfect sheer color for every day. I’ve also found it layers pretty well, so you can just add an extra layer for a bit of a deeper look.
4. Urban Decay Naked 3: The smart folks at Urban Decay released this new edition to their Naked line shortly before Christmas, and it quickly found it’s way to my list for Santa (aka my husband). I have the original Naked palette, and while it helped me discover some every-day favorites, there are only about four or five colors I use regularly. The Naked 3 colors have more of a rosey hue, which works really well with my skin and eye coloring. I’m still perfecting my skills when it comes to eyeshadow, and I find these colors to be really forgiving too!
5. Benefit’s Gimme Brow: It wasn’t until about a year or so ago that I realized the benefits of filling in my brows, and it took me about another six months to start filling them myself. Unfortunately, eyebrows don’t come with a user’s manual, and filling those things incorrectly ain’t no joke. I’ve been experimenting a lot with different products and was just recently introduced to Benefit’s Gimme Brow. This stuff is amazing! It’s made for folks like me who are still clueless after months of practice. It’s basically like mascara for your brows. It comes with a little brush and you just apply it to your existing eyebrows to give them a little oomph. Mine are pretty sparse in areas, so I’m just extra heavy handed in those areas and that seems to do the trick. It looks totally natural too!
Yup, I was inspired by Nicole’s post and decided to add three of my favorite things AND give them all away to one lucky person. It’s a $75 gift pack, so without further adieu…
1. Laura Geller Eye & Lip Spackle. This stuff is amazing! I will admit that I used to think that eye shadow primer was just a gimmick to get you to purchase another product. But I was very wrong. This stuff is amazing and now I can’t wear eye shadow without it. Not only does it produce the rich pigments on your eye lid that was intended of your shadow, but it also creates a very long wearing look. I have yet to have any caking or creasing and I just apply a small layer with my ring finger. I will also admit, that I have only used the Lip Spackle a few times because I usually forget to do my lips until I’m in the car and I keep this bad boy with all my other makeup, but the few times I have used it it was perfect. P.S. I have used both on my lids, but do prefer the light. 😉
2. Laura Geller Double Ended Shadow/Liner Brush. If you are like me, you can’t draw a straight line with eyeliner to save your life. So I do the best I can and then use black/matching shadow with this slanted brush over top. Not only does it smooth and even the line, it helps set the liner for longer wear. Win, win!
3. 88 Mirage Color Palette. These colors, with the eye primer and you are set! Earth tones with a few grey brights and a nice mix of matte and shimmer. There is definitely colors for all skin tones in here! This is my daily palette and I can honestly say I have only one complaint– for the first two weeks using it I would choose the color, put it on my eye and then look at the palette and go “Crap, what color did I jut use!?” LOL. I’m totally not kidding, haha, but I got to know all the colors well and that’s no longer an issue. I will warn you that with the Eye Spackle these colors come on dark and very vibrant however they blend so amazingly well, hence the fact that this made my must have list!
GOOD LUCK EVERYONE!
Contest open to Canadian and USA Residents only.
Winner will be announced next Sat and will need to contact me to claim the prize.
CONGRATULATION TO OUR WINNER, DES!
Today was my second to last shoot before going in for hand surgery next week so I am a little late with today’s Tushy shot. My apologies!
Today we have a gorgeous bridal tushy.
Cute cream lace panties and veil, sure to make any groom race to the alter. 🙂
Now let me ask you this– and I would love to hear from some of you guys out there too… what kind of panties do you like to wear or see on your favorite tushy? Briefs, thong, g-string, boy cut etc… Cotton, lace , satin… ?
Today we have a special guest blog written by Adam & Eve. Thanks for the article and hopefully it will help some of you gals who have been feeling a bit nervous about jumping in!
A boudoir photo shoot can be a great gift for both your partner and yourself. It shows the love and lust you have for him or her, as well as the confidence you have in yourself. But taking part in a shoot can mean being in-tune with your sexuality, as you will be highlighting your body and the intimacy you share with your partner. But what if you don’t feel very connected with your sexuality or very confident about yourself or your body? What do you do if the idea of a sexy photo shoot makes you feel insecure?
While the thought of exposing yourself during a sexy photo shoot may seem intimidating, it can actually help you get in touch with your sexuality and improve your confidence. Still need help working up the nerve to participate in a sexy photo shoot? Here are a few things you can do to enhance your confidence before you step in front of the camera.
It’s important to have a point of reference to use before you engage in a bedroom photo shoot, so take some time to talk to your partner about what he finds sexy about you. This doesn’t have to be confined solely to physical attributes either, as you can make sure your dynamic personality shines through during your shoot. Not only can this openness with your partner work in your favor when it comes to how you communicate with your mate, it can also strengthen your bond and relationship. In addition, it’ll help you know which features of your body to highlight, and other photo ideas for your shoot.
Feeling unsexy can damage any relationship and diminish your sex life and confidence level. Sometimes you can make simple little changes that will make you feel more beautiful. Perhaps changing your hairstyle, trying a new beauty look, and getting some fresh, bold attire can make you feel your best and look your hottest not only for the shoot, but day to day.
Picking the perfect outfits for your photo shoot is just as important as choosing your wedding venue or a location for your engagement photos. In order to capture the perfect seduction, yet classy photos, take a page from old school Hollywood. No other time period was as glam and alluring as Hollywood circa the 1950s and 1960s, so channel your inner Marilyn Monroe, Audrey Hepburn, or Natalie Wood as these ladies were the hippest and most fashionable women of their time. Wear your hair in big sexy loose curls or swept back in a sky-high coif akin to the up do made famous by sex symbols like Brigitte Bardot. Pair this look with some spicy lingerie. If you need inspiration, check out Kate Upton’s latest photo shoot in V Magazine and take a look at what popular sensuous wears are out there. Many women brave only wearing a white sheet which puts all the focus on you and your beauty. Boudoir Coterie offers wardrobe consultation for all regular sessions so if you need help deciding which outfits best flatter your figure or will transcend time for a classic and seductive look, be sure to to take advantage of this complimentary service!
Another great way to help you feel like your favorite iconic Hollywood beauty before your shoot is by stepping up your exercise routine. Working out and eating right can help you prepare for a steamy photo shoot in a number of ways, including when it comes to helping you develop a positive self-image before your shoot. Maintaining physical fitness and cultivating a healthy diet will make your skin radiant, improve your circulation, and, most importantly, make your body look amazing. Not only will you appear gorgeous and confident in your seductive photos, but your new look, elevated level of energy, and new-found confidence can even increase your libido, making your relationship with your partner stronger and filled with passion and love.
