Wardrobe Inspiration | San Jose Boudoir Photography

Ok, so yeah, I have been a little MIA the past few weeks. I had foot surgery and have been recouping, wrapping up current clients and getting some business ducks in a row. I am happy to say that this *time off* (Hahahahahahahahahahha, time off, that’s a good one. *Snort*) will soon come to an end. April is officially booked but I do have May sessions still available so for those of you still on the fence, give me a call and we can meet at my San Jose Studio for a complimentary consult. I don’t pressure anyone to book, consults are simply a way for you to get to know myself, my products and how a session with me goes down. 😉

408.460.1855

In other news…

While procrastinating this morning… uh, I mean “researching” I came across a wonderful new time suck. Ummm yeah, I might be late to the game, but I just discovered Polyvore (Okay, I had heard of it but never actually explored it) and hot damn is it fun to put some outfit ideas together!

Just click the image or links below to see the individual items, but so you don’t get all crazy when you see the prices, just remember that these are guides for wardrobe inspiration. Sure, you could click the link to purchase or you could go find items of similar fashion that suits your budget. It’s totally up to you. Let them be your boudoir fashion muse…

Soft & Sassy

Soft & Sassy Boudoir
Sexy Photos San Jose Boudoir Photographer

Bare It All… Or Not | San Jose Boudoir Photographer

What you wear for your boudoir session is up to you, feeling amazing afterwards is non negotiable.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again… sexy has nothing to do with what you have on, but how you feel in what you have on, even if all you have on is your birthday suit!

Sexy is a frame of mind.

Anyone can rock sexy.

In the words of Justin Timberlake – ♪♫ “I’m bringing sexy back…”♫♪

You know how I know I’m bring sexy back? My clients tell me so. They tell me how amazing they look and feel. That’s how. And THAT is the best compliment I could ever receive… making someone feel so good about themselves.

Here’s another fabulous gal who rocked her sexy. I love me a good before and after, don’t you? 😉

Miss K really worked it and was clearly having a blast in front of the camera, we were constantly cracking up!

San jose bay area boudoir diva

Are you ready to..  ♪♫ “Get your sexy on…  Go ‘head be gone with it… ” ♫♪

Give me a call and we’ll make it happen, I promise! 408.460.1855

Sexy Photos San Jose Boudoir Photographer

P.S. Did anyone catch the 40 Year Old Virgin reference in this post? I’ll give a special little sumpin’ sumpin’ to anyone who books a session and can tell me what it was! LOL.

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, but  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.  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. 😉

Boudoir Coterie San Jose Photographer

It’s small, but lovely and has so much potential. ♥

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. 😉

Sexy Photos San Jose Boudoir Photographer

San Jose Bay Area Boudoir Photographer: I’m In Love ♥

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.

♥ SIGH ♥

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. 😉   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.  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. ♥ Aubade, siiiigggghhh ♥  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.

Boudoir Coterie San Jose Bay Area Photograher

Sheer Sexy

San Jose Boudoir Photography

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, a little bit of covered skin can be just as sexy, if not more, than bare nekkid. They may not all admit it, but men love a little teasing. A hint of skin, a peep of naughtiness and you can have them eating out of your hand. Other benefits to having a little skin covered up- it’s a great way to discretely hide areas that you might be a little self conscious about. Having a boudoir shoot does NOT mean you have to be naked or in lingerie only. Beautiful and sexy outfits can be found everywhere when you think out of the box.

I’ve decided to start “Sheer Sexy” posts. These will be outfit ideas from lingerie to a sports jersey. Items that will make you feel and look gorgeous for your Coterie session.

Today I’m showing off some cute sheer tops. Sheer clothing with a little bit of pattern can be amazingly sexy when going bare underneath. Of course I wouldn’t recomend the bare look if your running to the grocery store but I’m all for it if you’re in front of my camera. You may even have items like this in your closet. Pairing these tops with different foot wear can create wonderfully different looks. Sweet, flirty, classy, glam. High heals are a must for sexy boudoir shoots. Don’t wear heals or own anything photo worthy? Don’t want to spend a fortune on shoes you may only wear once(or twice if your man requests the live view of your gorgeous images). Well you’re in luck, I found these amazing websites that have an enormous selection of HOT shoes for very little money. These pewter knee boots are $16!! No more excuses. 😉

All these fashions can be found at urbanog & Pink Ice

San Jose Boudoir Photography

Boudoir Coterie San Jose Boudoir Photographer

Expanding Our Team

Boudoir Photography San Jose Bay Area


As Coterie continues to grow, so will our amazing team. I am very excited to welcome Melissa Hoffmann as our newest make-up and hair stylist! Recently relocating from Sacramento, Melissa has been a professional makeup artist and licensed esthetician for over 2 years and has lots of experience with boudoir, beauty, and fashion makeup.

I love using makeup to enhance a woman’s natural beauty and bring out her fun, confident, and sexy side. My style is soft and sultry and I am constantly increasing my knowledge and education on the best products and techniques to bring to my artistry.

Melissa will be working on our upcoming April 30th Mini Marathon and I can’t wait for this exciting shoot! *There is still some availability for those interested in this VERY cool location shoot.

What’s even better is that Melissa is also available on location for weddings and special events. You can learn more about Melissa and her work HERE on her website.

Welcome Melissa!!!

Boudoir Coterie San Jose Boudoir Photographer