It's Not Just About Being Sexy

I have recently made the transition to start offering Boudoir sessions to clients.  Up until now, it was just a by-request portrait session but in talking with some of my girlfriends we all agreed on the same thing... women need to feel sexy!  Especially as we get older and our roles as "Mom" and "Wife" take over.  We need to remember we are women and we are fierce!  I think any woman can relate, no matter age.

Every woman wants to feel like Gisele Bundchen.  I think every woman should.

So I asked a friend of mine to model for me.  She is your everyday mom of two and career woman.    She is not a model, she had never done anything like this before but she was excited to let me use her in a trial run.  I told her that she did not have to be nude and that I wanted to work with her comfort level.  She brought lingerie and items that she felt comfortable in.  

We put on some music, got her hair and makeup done by my team of pros and then we went to work.  She had a great time!  I will not show her photos online out of respect for her privacy but what transpired was truly an experience.    She said that she hadn't felt that sexy in a long time and she couldn't wait to show her husband.

We did have a model come in and take some photos for us.  She is also a mom!  I will share some of those pictures just so you can see what we are accomplishing.

Neptune Designs by Dakota

I recently collaborated with a talented up-and-coming designer straight out of high school.  She shows great promise and I was happy to do a photo shoot for her recent endeavors.

Accompanied by friends of hers, we had fun with an idea she had for a theme... diva on the town.

I look forward to seeing what this talented young woman comes out with!

Here is Dakota's website:

http://rulethewaves.webs.com/

Leaving The Nest

A child's journey into adulthood is probably the scariest moment for a parent

but watching them grow into an amazing human being is probably the proudest.

For me, senior portraits (and portraits in general) should show the person's personality not just poses.  I love a great laugh because the smile is authentic.  I love when a person gets comfortable and just starts dancing in the middle of a shoot.  Photos that come out of shoots like that are priceless and irreplaceable.  Unable to duplicate and impossible to fake.

Luc was one of those people.  Once we talked about what and where he wanted his portraits to be (please no train tracks he said) and we got into a groove, his dance moves came out as well as his inner Zoolander.

His Blue Steel.  I think it is spot on.

He really wanted this shot.

Spiderman?

He really liked levitation photography.

Luc is a dancer so I definitely wanted to incorporate dance moves into his shoot.  He really liked that idea.

Classic

Dirty Up The Dress

I love the idea of trashing a dress I will never wear again

and getting some glamour shots taken in the process.

This is my first shoot for the 

Dirty Up The Dress project I'm working on and we had a great time.

Our models, Breana & Elaine, were so great we ended up shooting more photos afterwards just for the fun of it.

www.dirtyupthedress.com

For The Greater Good

It is really exciting to see an organization grow from its conception.  This is Zafia's Family House's first year and it has been making headway to creating a sanctuary for families who's children are hospitalized in the Roseville area.

So when the Fyfe's asked me to take some photos for them at their second fundraiser, I said yes.  The event was held at the beautiful Flower Farm in Loomis, CA and included a silent and live auction.  We sat to a delicious dinner prepared by Chef Christophe Ehrhart and witnessed the brilliant auctioneer David Sobon entertain us while emptying our wallets.  It was a lot of fun.

Here are some of the photos of their Evening in Paris dinner/live auction.

The beautiful Flower Farm in Loomis, CA

The staff and volunteers worked so hard to make it an elegant evening.

Chocolate keepsakes in the shape of the Eiffel Tower

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Yummy wine

Registration volunteers, Barbara and Barbara

The program

Myself and the Fyfe's youngest daughter, Kaylor.

Left to right:
Myself, Wendy King and my mom, Patty

My parents.  Ahhhh....

The hors' d oeuvres were amazing!

Rebecca and Robert Fyfe, founders and CEO's of Zafia's Family House.

A moment with the family

At the silent auction tables prior to dinner.

One of the live auction items.  Guitar autographed by Carlos Santana and his band.

1st course
Wild organic baby arugula salad with toasted almond, piquillo peppers, artichoke hearts and herb marinated smoked duck in a mango lavender vinaigrette.

2nd course
Duo of lump crab meat encrusted chicken breast, olive oil poached salmon medallion and balsamic grilled asparagus with an orange saffron butter sauce.

The sun sets

One half of dessert

The other half of dessert

My plate.  It was delicious.

This patron walked by and I had to take a picture of his plate.

Robert and Rebecca Fyfe, introducing themselves and their speakers.

Our first speaker, sharing his experience with his son who had been hospitalized.

Dr. Jolly of Kaiser Permanente 

The live auction begins!

David Sobon of David Sobon Auctions as our auctioneer.

Chef Christophe coming to the stage

Auctioning a 10 course dining experience for up to 8 guests with Chef Christophe

Working the crowd

Ending the evening with stars.

If you would like to donate to Zafia's Family House, here is a link to their website:  Zafia's Family House