A Beautiful Dream | Dallas Boudoir Photography

I love boasting about our Dallas based Boudoir Photography, Wonderland Boudoir. However, what I love bragging about more is our clientele. My Dallas clients are fun as hell to work with. Ms. I was no exception to that rule.

What I loved about Ms. I is that she immediately felt like a friend when she walked into the studio. When booking with me, I love getting to know you prior to your session. I want to know what all your concerns are about boudoir. I need to know this so I know how you can have the most relaxing yet super fun boudoir session imaginable.

I got to know Ms. I before coming in and knew she was going to be an absolute dream to work with. She came in with an open mind, beautifully selected pieces, and a great attitude. Trifecta!

I know! I know! I normally don't shoot too many bedrooms anymore (I also have some of the most daring clientele!) but when I do I only book luxury locations. Those locations are normally based on on the mood board you provide me before our session.

With every session that I capture with you, I make sure that I know what you are visually looking for. Yes, we can discuss it on the phone, but let's be very honest... the English language is very complicated. While coy sexy might mean one thing to me it could mean something completely different for you. Therefore, I have all my clients create a mood board on Pinterest.

Pinterest is a free platform that allows the user to sit, scroll, and pin all their favorite photos to every single board that can be imaged. If you want to see my Pinterest account please check it out here! I have TONS of boards that can help you build out your boudoir fantasy.

My account has boards dedicated to Boudoir Fashion, Boudoir Lingerie, Boudoir Hair, Boudoir Makeup, and much more. No, I don't post boring stuff either I even have a board dedicated to my personal fashion style.

Ms. I built her beautiful session and Pinterest and I was able to narrow down a beautiful boudoir studio that matched her taste. One of my favorite places to shoot boudoir is at the Studio Bella's located in Downtown Dallas. This ENORMOUS studio is jaw-droppingly gorgeous. It has the most beautiful natural light that I have ever seen. If you are looking for a classic boudoir experience I can definitely capture you at Studio Bella.

With this session, I was able to work with one of my favorite people in all of Dallas, Jill Williams. She is a legendary (I'm calling it now) hair and makeup artist. She is always so busy so I am sooooo lucky when I am able to catch her. She is SUCH a delight to work with.

Another important reason why your mood board is essential is that it allows the hair and makeup team to have a visual idea of what you are looking for. This is important because they need to know exactly what tools they need to bring to your session.

One of the things I love about Jill is that, even though she has your mood board, she will sit down and ask you what you really love about the look. Then she will customize it to fit your face and outfit. I just ADORE the fuck out of her! You will too!

Well, enough from me... you know the drill. Let's drool over some incredible photos of Ms. I and hear about her boudoir experience in her own words.

BOUDOIR INTERVIEW - MS. I

Why did you decide to do a boudoir session?

I decided to do a boudoir session as a treat to myself. I have been focusing on loving myself a lot recently and decided that a boudoir session would be the perfect way to do that.

Before your session what were you expecting? How was that different once you finished your session?

I really didn't know what to expect. I thought it would be a lot more awkward and that I wouldn't like any of the pictures. After the session, I didn't feel awkward at all. It was very freeing to be in a safe environment while naked/almost naked. I felt comfortable, safe, and had an amazing time.

What was your favorite part of the whole process?

I have two favorite parts from When I first inquired, I sent an e-mail and received a quick response which was great. But, what was even better was the genuine care I felt during the initial conversation. Korin seemed genuinely interested in what I wanted to do and gave me some background on herself as well. This was amazing because it made me feel comfortable from the beginning. Favorite Part 2: The camaraderie between Korin and her stylist/make-up artist Jill was amazing. They were both friendly, positive and welcoming. I felt comfortable as soon as I walked through the door. Even when photos weren't being taken, I was still having a good time.

What would you say to women who are on the fence of doing a boudoir session? How has the session impacted your ideas of boudoir?

Don't wait, do it now. If you feel like there's something you need to fix or change about yourself first, stop thinking that. A boudoir session will make you feel empowered and help you love the skin you are in. This session has broadened my idea of boudoir. I realized that boudoir is more than sexy faces and clothes. It is more about feeling comfortable and confident in yourself (which is great because I definitely don't give off a sexy vibe in my day to day life).

Okay, isn't Ms. I the best? Like the best, EVER? I had SUCH a blast with her and I hope to see her in the studio again! As you guys know I LOVE shooting clients for the second time. I always feel like the shooting for the second time is even better because you are so much more comfortable in who you are and how you pose. Those images are always so magical!

SONG OF THE WEEK:

I have been dancing to this song with my dog (listen I'm single) with my dog for a while now. I feel like I should share it with the world.

Travis Scott, Sicko Mode featuring Drake.

If you like to have a session just like Ms. I please hit us up using the contact sheet below!

Outdoor Boudoir in Dallas, Texas

For the last week or so it has been raining nonstop in Dallas. As I listen to the soft beating of raining hitting the hard concrete of my patio I can't help but appreciate everything that has happened to me over the summer.

It has been an incredibly busy summer! I have been blessed to be booked and busy (can you tell I watch too much Love and Hip Hop Hollywood while editing?). I have met soooooo many ah-mazing ladies this summer and I feel so happy!

What has made this year so much more amazing is that fact that I have had a TON of repeat customer book again!

While I love and cherish all my clients I have to say that one of my favorite people to shoot is actually my best friend Ms. S. If you have been following this blog for a while then you know that I shot Ms. S last year. You can check out those incredible images HERE.

I LOVE shooting women for a second go. The main reason is that they are so much more confident because they know what to expect. Yes, there are still some nerves involved with shooting no matter how many times you get in front of the camera... but at least this time it's not completely foreign and warming up takes no time at all.

Another reason why doing a repeat session is great for you and the photographer is now you can let loose even more and bring more raw passion and emotion to your photos.

Listen, this session is all about you and it's for you. Go all the way the fuck out and enjoy yourself, your life, and the progress that you have made. This is what Ms. S did for your second session together... but I will let her tell you her story.

This was your second time shooting with Wonderland Boudoir. How did you feel going through your second session with us?

I felt much more comfortable this tune I around. I was able to get into the zone much easier, and I felt like I was able to take direction more easily because I was familiar with Korin’s instructions.

What did you learn from the last session that helped you with this one?

I remembered from last time that breathing was important!! Also, knowing how I had posed before, and what those shots looked like, helped me make adjustments without needing Korin to tell me how to do it. Also, I felt more comfortable being spontaneous and going with the movement.

What was your favorite part about getting ready for your second session?

Planning out the location and discussing the fun runway-style makeup.

You did an amazing job doing your makeup. What products did you use? What was your inspiration for your look?

I used the Natasha Denona Lila palette for my eyes, and Tarte’s Lights Camera Flashes for my mascara. I really wanted a high-fashion, runway style look; something that you wouldn’t normally wear, but that was still pretty.

The first time we shot together we were inside. How was shooting outside for you? Would you suggest that for other women wanting a boudoir session?

I’m glad we shot outside for the second shoot. I think if I had been outside the first time, I would’ve been too self-conscious. But knowing how I would look, and feeling more comfortable, I loved shooting outside!! It was very freeing! I would definitely suggest it to others.

What is something that you learned about yourself after your second session?

Since this was my second shoot, I wasn’t *as* shocked by how I looked in the pics. But I was able to appreciate even more this time my natural attractiveness and the way my personality came out.

What are some suggestions that you would give other women considering a boudoir session for first or second time?

Above all else, trust your photographer!!! That was something that I realized/learned - of course, as the model, you want your photos to look good. Your photographer wants them to look good too!!! Your photographer is not going to let you look bad!!

For you third session what would your ultimate goal be?

To push the boundaries even further. Crazier makeup, more provocative poses, more public locations.

Please add any final thoughts you might have.

You’re awesome and amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

For the sake of transparency, I gave her $20 for that last statement. LOL. No... I didn't... kinda...

Not going to lie, I had a BLAST shooting Ms. S a second time. I can't wait until we shoot again for the third time. I'm hoping I can get her in a jungle of some sort... perhaps a hot air balloon. What is something crazy you think I can talk her into?

Leave your ideas in the comment section below.

If you like to shoot with me at Wonderland Boudoir in Dallas please use the contact section below! I would LOVE to speak to you!

Freeing Yourself From Self Imposed Prisons

I love shooting boudoir in Dallas. Everyone deserves beautiful and sexy photos of herself.  As a female boudoir photographer, I love capturing all the small nuances that make a boudoir photo Pinterest worthy. Yes, hair and makeup play an important role, but the most important role in a photo is the element of emotion.  How does this photo make you feel? What do you want to do after seeing it? How does this person feel while shooting?  What was going through her mind? What was the photographer feeling while capturing the shot?

Perhaps I am the only person who wonders that last questions since I am a photographer. I have been shooting since I was 14.  While sitting in my High School photojournalism class my teacher quickly learned that in photography I am drawn to the element of art.  It was never about a perfectly composed photo or if the highlight were perfect.  It was about the story behind the pictures and if could I accurately tell it from a single shot.  

This is why I can't wait to showcase this next set.  I shot this back in February.  While that was three months ago it feels like it was just yesterday.  Sometimes I just need the freedom to create and shoot.  Photography is an art form to me. When shooting this beautiful soul  I just wanted to shoot freely, make mistakes, and be without all the production. No hair. No makeup.  Just God, the muse, and myself. 

Enter Ms. Jay.  She was exactly what I was looking for. Confident, fun, beautiful, subtly sexy with just a bit of quirky and nerdy. We spoke on the phone and communicated through email.  I told her I was in the process of changing my style and I need to shoot with more passion, more authenticity, and more emotion.  I need to push beyond the fashion, hair, and makeup and just focus on the core.  The core being two people creating a masterpiece. The core being, "Who is this person."

I wanted to shoot through my heart.  With reckless abandon.  I wanted to feel free. To escape all the barriers I put up and put all of me out there. While, admittedly, there was more I could have done to push myself when I look at this set,  I am super happy with the results.  

What I am most happy about is that J trusted me.  She left nothing on the table and worked with me. Her comfort with herself made me more comfortable with myself.  While most of my sessions aren't centered around me, this one was.  

What did I learn from this project?
The first, last, and most important relationship you will ever have will be the one you have with yourself.  People can detect authenticity in your work.  If you aren't happy with where things are going it is your responsibility to change that.  No one else is required to help you, but you.  

I learned that when I'm honest with what I really want to see out of my clients they are more willing to listen.  There have been times when the client only half gets the pose I want and I will tell them that will work... but when culling my photos I get upset because the photo could have been that much better if I had played chicken with my client had I stuck with what I really wanted out of her.  I learned that I needed to be a more honest communicator.  

In this session, I was able to direct J exactly like I wanted because I was doing this for me.  Yet, why wasn't I doing this for my clients?  That's what they wanted right?  The biggest compliment I get from people is how I direct.  If I am to be honest with myself, I can be better with telling people what I want from them.  I will.  With and without the camera in front of my eyes.

I also learned that you truly need to "fuck-their-thoughts".  Who is their?  Also, why are we fucking their thoughts?  'Their' are all the dumbass voices in your head who promote self-doubt.  Those thoughts that drive fear and promote stagnation.  Those that want you to stick to the status quo.  Those stupid fucking thoughts that stop you from achieving greatness because you feel uncomfortable.  While we are at it, fuck your comfort.  Yes, in the event you are wondering, fuck is my favorite cuss word. 

I felt like a bird while shooting J.  I was without restraints.  Flying free. Unbound to any type of expectation to anyone.  This was my world were I finally allowed myself to create freely. I was living by my own rules. Fuck the hair. Fuck the makeup. All I wanted to do was create without these limits, fears, and self-doubt I conjured up for myself.  Gawd, did it feel amazing. To be in a single moment of complete and utter mental freedom is the most satisfying state of mind you will ever achieve.

That's what creates leaders, artist, and innovators, right? The ability to dream outside the limits. To do what people think are crazy?  To do what people wish they had the audacity to do. Do what scares you. Do what makes you grow.  

I will be working with J again so please expect to see her more on this blog.  When you see Jay it will be an extension of me expressing a piece of who I am.  It will be a part of me dying to escape this self-imposed prison I built.  

I appreciate J because she trusts me.  I trust her.  She has given me full permission to work with her with no limits.  I can't wait to create more art with her and share my musing with you after my sessions with this beautiful soul.  

I know everyone is going to ask so... EVERY single piece that J is rocking was styled by me and can be found at Forever 21. 

Please make sure to follow J on Instagram HERE:
https://www.instagram.com/red_copper_fox/

 

In the section below let me know something you limit yourself on and how you plan on changing it.

If you're interested in your own boudoir session hit us up using the form below!

Surviving Abuse and Loving Life | Dallas Boudoir

Back in December I held a model call.  I host model calls because I shoot a lot of boudoir but not a lot of women want to show off their beautiful work.  Don't get me wrong.  I get it.  Many women want to keep their intimate sessions private and I totally respect that. While I get super bummed about that I do inherently understand.  

Therefore, I decided to host my VERY FIRST model call in Dallas.  Boy was it a freakin' success!  I actually only did it on Facebook and I got a number of cool inquiries coming in.  Since I only had a limited number of women that could participate in the model call it was hard making a final selection.  However, I was able to pick a few ladies for this project and I couldn't have been happier.

One of those ladies was Shalena.  Since then I have fallen head over heels for this beautiful soul.  Shalena was picked for this model call because her reasoning really touched me. In her email for consideration she wrote: 

"My reason is because behind every smile there is a deeper story to be told. And I am one of many survivors of mental, and sexual abuse. I've come a long way in my life. People always tell me that I have an amazing smile. But if I had a chance to tell my story, to encourage other girls/women like me, I would. It would be a privilege to be chosen. And to finally have supporters instead of users and abusers who take advantage of my beauty from within."

I have never been mentally abused but I have known people who have and I can tell you that it's very hard.  Even when said abuse stops, it's never really over for that person because they still have to live with the effects of that daily. 

Shalena is a strong woman with a beautiful personality.  She has a smile that can light up a room.  She is fun, friendly, and carries a sense of happiness that is totally infectious.  I couldn't be more happy to have shoot Shalena. 

Another thing that made Shalena stand out was her short hair.  Won't lie.  I have been LIVING to shot a woman with the same haircut and face shape as Shelana.  Short haircuts are so awesome and bold and not many women outside of Amber Rose have the balls to just rock a short cut.  Shalena knocked it out of the damn park! Lets just call Shalena's session a home run!

For the Model Call sessions I wanted to shoot it somewhere very cool so we opted for this awesome Airbnb that randomly populated days before our attended session.  The guy who owned the Airbnb was so incredibly gracious. He also turned out to be a furniture designer so the space looked extra cool.  

I love when I become closer with my clients.  They mean the absolute world to me.  Getting to know people on a deeper level for why they want to do a boudoir session has allowed me to dive deeper inside of myself to deliver the products they need.  

Didn't she rock the hell outta her session?! I hope you guys enjoyed Shalena's session as much as I did!  Just in case you're wondering Jazzy did the makeup!

In the comment section below who are some other celebrities that can rock the bald cut?

A Major Surprise at a Boudoir Session | Dallas Boudoir

When of my favorite things about boudoir are the shocking revelations that come from my clients.  Case in point with Ms. A.  She told me she was actually four months pregnant!

Say what?!  I did not know that when booking a session with her.  In fact, I think she was just now finding out.  LOL. So keep this fact in mind when you see the photos of our four months pregnant client doing a boudoir session.  

You would never know this because posing we leveraged posing to her advantage to keep the appearance of the belly down.  I LOVE posing women to get the desired angles needed.  Learning to pose women is important for two reasons. It leans your subject out and allows you to shoot more evocatively.  I mean let's be honest, what sells a photo is the story that it wants to tell.  Storytelling is successful when the viewer can sense and feel the emotion from the still pictures.  Photos can be done to make us feel any array of emotions.  I look to make my photos powerful.  

I feel as though there is a lot of power in allowing ourselves to be evocative and emotional and that's what I was doing with Ms. A in her session.  

This is another session that was styled by me and makeup was done by Jazzy Baptiste. 

In the comment section below let me know what you think the most important elements of a photo is.

Blonde and Boudoir | Dallas Boudoir

I love being a boudoir photographer in Dallas, Texas.  I meet so many incredible women.  Some whom I have shot three of four times already.    It's great to earn the trust and love of your clients.

Speaking of I am shooting one of my favorite faces, here we have  Ms. M again!  This has to be about my third or fourth time shooting Ms. M and trust me it never gets boring.  

Ms. M gave me the liberty to style her boudoir session.  Down to clothing, hair, and makeup.  I love these types of challenges because it shows me the client REALLY believes in my ability, and it also gives me the chance to be more experimental.  This is why I love my clients, they really allow me to stretch my imaginations.

If you can believe it or not, we actually shot this whole series in my apartment.  The first look took place on my balcony.  We had Candy from StylesByCandy come in and handle hair.  Jazzy was covering makeup.  I actually styled both looks. 

For hair I wanted to go for something full body and free. I love messier hairstyles in boudoir sessions.  It makes it much easier when shooting because I am not constantly concerned about the hair being perfect.  Messy hair gives me the liberty to push the session to the limit.  

Jazzy went with a very classic makeup look but still gave it his signature style be giving her the perfect heart lips.  The lips match perfectly with the aesthetic and style.  

The clothing pieces actually came from a closing American Apparel store.  If you guys didn't know, American Apparel is, at the time of this post, in the process of closing all of its locations.  This entire outfit cost me less than $5.  Yes, I bought all the pieces for 90% off.  I am willing to bet that anything with the American Apparel tag will be considered vintage and worth a lot of money in the future.  So hanging on to your American Apparel pieces may come in handy in the future... just not the near future.  

In this second look, we stuck to American Apparel high waisted bottom but then opted for this beautiful top purchased from Forever 21. Again, this purchase was from another clothing store.  I picked the top for $3... again, another boudoir outfit that cost less than $5.  

This goes to show that it's not about the price of the pieces but how you rock them.  

In the comment section below please let me know which look that you liked best.

Boudoir on a 70 Degree Day, Texas Winter | Dallas Boudoir

In order for me to be a better Dallas Boudoir photographer, I have to either be constantly shooting or consistently studying the craft.  As a person, I have a huge issue when it comes to just being still.  I feel like being "still" brings complacency, and if you guys are long time followers of this blog you know complacency is something that I am not about.  

After December business slowed down a tad bit. This free time allowed me to really put effort into putting together a whole boudoir session styled for myself.  It allowed me to focus on things that I need to work on.  This includes how I work with people, styling, hair, and makeup.  Downtime normally gives me the opportunity to be experimental in what I do. 

That's precisely what we did when meeting up with Aroy.  Aroy and I have been trying to work together for awhile.  Even before she officially moved to Dallas we were trying to work on something.  Finally, January arrived and I had free time. 

I am a proponent of whatever you're doing on the first of January is going to line up how your year is going to go.  Therefore I love spending my January 01st working, grinding, and networking  

I feel like each person I work with is my favorite person in the world, and Aroy was no exception.   She was just so easy to talk to, very open, and incredibly intelligent. She was just the meaning of life.  

For 2017, I am trying to get better at styling my sessions.  I hate limiting myself to typical lingerie pieces in order to create a beautifully styled session.  

I am a lover of sequin.  I have no idea why but I have always loved sequin since I was a young child.  LOL.  I know a lot of people don't like sequin because if you're not careful it can look very comical.  

Since this is Texas it means that our January first was 70 degrees.  (I do not envy people in the north).  I also wanted to experiment with video as well.  By no stretch of the imagination am I a videographer, however, I do want to start making video a real thing in my work. So working with Aroy really helped with that.  

Aroy is close to 6 feet tall and VERY lean so I wanted to take on the challenge of styling her. I have a lot of clients who are worried about what to wear for a boudoir session if they are super tall. So I decided to place Aroy in this beautiful one piece lace number.  I want to say this piece was from American Apparel.  We kept is super simple with bone straight hair and simplistic posing.  

In the second look, we went a little more experimental.  You guys already know my love and appreciation for high waisted bottoms so I paired this piece with a sequin bandeau and a sequin jacket.  The sequin bandeau was purchased from Forever 21.  The jacket was a vintage thrift find from Austin.  I picked up it for right around $10.  I mean how can you say no to vintage 80's sequin jacket?  

I loved how this jacket caught the light of the sun and would just bling for the Gods.  We ended up removing the jacket and focusing on posing and facial expression by using the strength of her body to create some Vogue worthy images.  

These photos really make me want to work with fashion more and work with better quality pieces.  I plan on networking more with lingerie brands to make this happen.

In the comment section below let me know what you think of the video.  I am open to critique as I am learning more about the art of video.